Last week I was wondering where I would go with my next music type post, as I always have a few ideas bubbling away, but a few things over the week have made it really obvious. So here we go - listening...
On the weekend I read a post by friend and guitarist, James Stelling. James has a blog, with a mate of his, called “Are You Guitared?” (http://areyouguitarded.com). Well worth a look if you play guitar and are interested in tips and useful info.Anyway, their latest post inspired me: (http://areyouguitarded.com/guitar/how-to-use-a-teacher/). It outlines how best to use your (guitar) teacher as a resource and make the most of your lessons - but the bit that made me sit up and pay attention was the section about active listening.
This really struck a chord with me, as earlier this week I met up with a mate to discuss a new project.
My listening varies a lot depending on what I am working on. And as James mentions in his post, I’m not talking about listening to music in the background, I mean giving what you are listening to your undivided attention.
Whenever I am working on a project I try to soak up as much as I can to help me on those particular songs that make up a set list or album or whatever.
Songs that will compliment what I am trying to achieve, and songs that are so juxtaposed to what I want to do. I try to cover as much material as possible – old/new/differing styles.
The other thing that occurred to me when I read James’ blog is that I when I do listen actively, I mainly listen as a singer. I do listen to grooves, bass lines, chord progressions but that is secondary to vocal delivery and intent. And whilst that is maybe obvious, it was an important note to myself - not to listen as a singer but as an instrumentalist.
In many instances over the years, I have played songs to musicians I am working with and ask them what they think. 98% of the time they will say they weren’t listening to the melody or the lyrics. I learned early on that this was not an insult to the singer on the track, just an indication of how they listen.
The interesting thing about the potential project I mentioned – the one I am being suitably vague about because it is in its embryonic phase - is that we are coming from completely different areas of expertise and experience. We want to create something that neither would think of doing as a solo artist.
So, having brainstormed like crazy for an afternoon we are now starting to bombard each other with as many musical references as possible to lead to a potential sound. Totally unstructured and unscripted but really exciting, and it has been a very long time since I have discovered so many new artists in such a short space of time.
Of course, I have to remind myself that I am not just listening for enjoyment’s sake, I am listening to pick out certain threads. But the joy of music is if I get lost in “just” listening, I can always hit rewind.
And what I am loving is there is so much great music out there to soak up that is new to me …so if you have any track or artist recommendations that you think I may not have heard but might like, please feel free to get in touch. Happy listening!