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+--- Thread: HOW do you listen to music! (/showthread.php?tid=3451)
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HOW do you listen to music! - Emillu - 05-07-2010
I am very interested to know if others have the same way of listening and disecting music.
When I was at school the music teacher played a record and asked us to listen for various instruments.
Firstly a piece called "The Pathetique" and we had to signify when we heard the piano start to play as it was such a quiet intro. Then name as many instruments we could hear in another piece.
That routine has always stayed with me to this day and I take great delight in identifying them, added to which I think it must be such a great thrill to know you are part of the orchestra/band that is making such a beautiful sound.
I used to try to help people in my linedancing days when they were having difficulty keeping in step to just listen to the beat and ignore the rest. I was astounded at the amount of people who can't do that.
Anyone else identify with this?:drum:
HOW do you listen to music! - gryphon - 05-07-2010
A interesting topic!
I believe that people do listen in different ways.............Personally , I have a very good ear for the detail in the music ......but, I have developed that from looking into sound reproduction..........This is a kind of disease and can be an expensive one...............I listen to much the timbre of a particular instrument ...........the environment it is in................how the instrument has been recorded.................how the sound has been processed..................I like to listen and pick out what instruments are playing together and how they are interacting.
However, to me it does depend upon how the music is being reproduced ..........and that can be the expensive part! I am always surprised how many people don't really notice anything about the quality of the system they are listening through...................I think it is only possible to be able to get a good result out .......if a good source has been put in and the system used to get it out uses good quality components that are well matched .......................I am often surprised how many people are quite happy with mp3 standard quality.......................but, then have difficulty when asked what instrument they were listening to are what contribution a particular instrument/player are making to the overall sound ..............There is so much in this topic ...................but many people often don't realise how much hey are missing
HOW do you listen to music! - Tiggi - 05-07-2010
I think it depends on my mood.
I can get a bit analytical - like Griff has explained above - but try to avoid doing this too much. I like to focus on lyrics when they're present, and guitars always seem to grab my attention. But overall I like to absorb a piece of music as a whole as best I can.
I've always thought that anyone can listen to detail or the whole thing, whichever they prefer, but a band playing well together tends to make analytical listening pretty redundant.
HOW do you listen to music! - Emillu - 08-07-2010
Love your interesting post Griff. Glad there's someone else like me although I think you're a step on from my perceptions.
To me, Tiggi, "analytic" is good! How can one really enjoy a piece of music, whatever a persons taste, if each instrument is not being recognized for it's own input.
Anyway, thanks for your views guys.
HOW do you listen to music! - Tiggi - 08-07-2010
I'm not saying there's anything wrong with analytical listening, it's just that for me it can get in the way of the emotional response to the music as a whole.
'Orses for courses, as they say.
HOW do you listen to music! - JonG - 09-07-2010
What is the saying? not see the forest for the trees
I guess there is nothing wrong with listening that way as long as that is not all one does. I think you'll miss out on the performer(s) intention if you do not listen to the music as a whole.
HOW do you listen to music! - gryphon - 09-07-2010
I think your right ! I feel one needs the option to be able to do both...........then you can tell when that magic moment has arrived, where the composer has achieved the point where the composition goes from being a collection of instruments and blends into a cohesive sound.
However , I do feel that you need to be able to hear that point. Thus I think, that there needs to be some allowance for the method of reproduction.................some of the apparatus I have heard people use to project the music from its encoded or recorded form, to the movement of air in the room makes me feel that the two options I have talked about above , may not be an option sometimes.:biggrin:
HOW do you listen to music! - Emillu - 16-07-2010
I always listen to music as a whole thing as well as the analytical way depending a lot on the mood I'm in.
I do find I stick to say two or three pieces that have taken my fancy and repeat them ad nauseam! At the mo it's Norah Jones & Willie Nelson's Wirlitzer Prize, Jeff Beck - Drowning in my own Tears and Alison Kraus with? (escapes me at the moment - age, you know!) Chucktaw Hay Ride.
On and upwards!!
HOW do you listen to music! - Matt Ryder - 26-07-2010
I can't think of music analytically, I find you then remove yourself from why you're actually listening to it.
Like looking at the Mona Lisa and asking what thickness of canvas it was painted on.
But my idea of listening to it, is to load up my music player of choice be it iTunes or WMP, and stick the Sennheisers on.
Although, I'd be lying if I said I haven't done it before.
Sweet Child o' Mine has been played to death by me, and the way the rhythm and lead just fit together... Awesome.
HOW do you listen to music! - kerry101 - 31-07-2010
i normally hear the words before the music