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How Do You Listen To Music?

Matt R.

Matt R.

Jul 18, 2007
2,437
1,933
Huntsville AL
#1
I always wonder how different musicians listen to music. I hope my question makes sense or is even worthwhile.

Do you listen analytically (as in paying close attention to technical nuances and structure)? Or do you just listen as a "fan"?

I know the short answer is "both", but what do you do more of when you're listening casually?

I tend to listen more as someone who is just enjoying music, unless of course I need to learn a piece of music.
 
#2
If I'm seeing a live band, I'm always watching the bass player. I always love to see what other people do when they do what it is they do.

Mostly if I'm listening to something in the car or at home, I'm in it for the enjoyment, not the analysis. I am a real sucker for 7/8 time though. I tend to be very aware of the count and tap along with my fingers.
 
#5
I love listening to the finer details. From my perspective, a lot of the time, it's the subtle nuances that ultimately make good songs, great songs.

This is why I forked out some serious cash on decent receiver and speaker package (though probably only an entry level set-up from an audiophiles perspective).
 
#6
Both, but with a definite tendency to be analytical. I like to think about *how* they're doing what they're doing, to understand their craftsmanship as a fellow craftsman (or at least trying to be).
 
#7
it's very difficult for me not to analyze music. typically it's the little intellectual nuances that strike me first. the emotional response develops after i'm familiar with the basic structure and i don't have to focus as much on it.

this is good in the sense that i'm always hearing new things in a piece of music depending on where i focus

this is bad in the sense that i'm a bit emotionally detached when i see live music. also, it's hard to listen to a lot of mainstream music because i narrow in on all the cliche stuff and where there should be nuance but there isn't. just bugs the hell out me...
 
#9
I can shut off the musician part of my brain and enjoy the song usually.

That being said, I find myself tapping the drum parts with my fingers about halfway through, so whether or not I'm consciously dissecting it, I do it.
 
#10
One specific thing I do, is surely annoying even to myself when I notice it. When I'm seeing a live band in a bar, drinks are sometimes served to me rapidly and I become very critical of every little thing they do. I make comments on how a certain riff is both ripped off AND performed poorly. I insult the vocalist on style, chops, and content. I complain about the levels and ask what incompetent fool set the levels that night.

And after all of that, I stagger to the front and tell them it was a great show.
Yeah, sometimes I'm that guy
 
#13
Matt R. said:
I tend to listen more as someone who is just enjoying music, unless of course I need to learn a piece of music.
Click to expand...

I do this mostly. I say mostly because occasionally I'll be casually listening and something will catch my ear and then my brain kicks in.

I used to be really bad about shutting it off back when I as in music school. I couldn't go to a movie with out dissecting the film score.
 
#16
Good topic actually,

Initially I used to listen just as a fan. Then I learned how to play guitar and soon that was pretty much all I heard. Moving on to bass, drums, and keys I eventually started hearing these instruments again. So now I've come full circle and listen to the band as a whole unit, but I am very concious of what all the individual parts are now as opposed to just a wash of noise that makes the song. I now notice the little 16th note paradiddles the drummer just played along with the 7th chord the guitarist just threw into the otherwise standard rock progression, or how the bass player just started playing alternate octaves instead of just riding the root.

Generally I am probably more analytical than I need to be, but the bands that inspired me in the first place I listen to and sing along with as a fan. Listening to Iron Maiden for example takes me back to my happy place everytime, no matter how crappy a day I may have had.
 
#17
listening to live and recorded music is so different.

with recorded music, I'm trying to take everything in-
the song and individual lines as well as thinking about how different sounds and tones were created.
and of course you can re-listen and really focus in on individual pieces of the recording if something really grabs you.

live, it's much more about feeling the energy and watching whatever member of the band is obviously in the zone.
I always especially like seeing how band members communicate non-verbally, especially the rhythm section.
 
#18
This is a subject that I have contemplated often in my life... From as far back as I can recall, I have been a fan of music. I grew up in a family that always had music playing in the house. As I got into playing bass, I began to 'study' everything I was listening to instead of just enjoying it for my emotional responses. I ended up getting burned out on Musician drama and the gig chasing game. I spent about 3 years without playing and remembered how to be a fan again.

Today, I listen to music most of every day as both a fan and a student. Music is an emotional release for me... but I can also analyze what creates those emotional responses.
 

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