"Listening is the key to everything good in music."-Pat Metheny
Music is an aural art form, not a visual one. It is important to stop and listen to music. Really listen. Not surface listening, but listening DEEP! To many people music is an accompaniment to their life. Music is in the background while they are doing other things. Music can be a perfect complement when exercising, doing the dishes, driving a car, playing video games or even writing a blog! (I am listening to the album Trios by Carla Bley, Andy Sheppard and Steve Swallow while I am writing this blog.)
However, if you want to grow as a musician, you really have to learn to listen to music.
Limiting your options or choices is a good place to start.
In this era we are so connected to our devices (phones, tablets, computers, etc) that we often do not stop, listen and truly digest information?especially music. It is all about brevity, (Twitter anyone?), quick sound bites and a surplus of options. In fact, we have too many options and choices.
"Most problems arise from having too many choices."-Anonymous
Back in the day we didn't have as many options.
{Quick disclaimer: I am not one of those old farts that constantly say, "Back in my day things were so much better." In fact I fully embrace the technology that is currently available. I simply reference different eras to give perspective to my views.}
Records were expensive and with limited cash I had to be very choosy about what albums to buy. Consequently, I cherished the records I had and listened to them over and over.
"Repetition is the mother of all learning."-Anonymous
In listening to the same album over and over, I innately became aware of song structure, chord changes, composition, orchestration, arranging, record production and story telling through music. With each listen, the mysteries of music became easier to understand. It was only natural to then try to play what I was hearing on those records. I vividly remember wearing out multiple copies of Jaco Pastorius' debut album and the School Days album by Stanley Clarke. I was trying to figure out what they were doing! Repetitive listening helped me understand and connect with the music on a much deeper level.
"The most important thing I look for in a musician is whether he knows
how to listen."-Duke Ellington
So....here is your assignment. Listen to just one album for an entire week. Listen to the album in the order the artist or group intended. No skipping around from track to track. Really listen. No distractions. No phones, computers, TV, etc.
Just you and the music.
After repeated listens many musical aspects will start to unfold. You will start to hear things you would have missed on just one listen. Here are some suggestions:
1. Check out each instrument individually. If you are a bass player (like me), concentrate on every instrument except the bass.
2. Pay attention to the arrangement of the tune.
3. What instruments are being used and why?
3. What is the meaning of the lyrics?
4. What is the production (overall sound) like?
With each listen the music will become more and more familiar?like a close friend or family member. This should be fun and not an academic exercise! If you want to learn to play the songs by ear, it will be easier to do because of your familiarity with the music.
Try this experiment for a week. I promise you will learn to listen and appreciate music in a much more insightful way. It will also make you a better musician. Now start listening!
Chuck