What
do we mean by Active Listening?
Becoming completely
involved with the music that is playing and asking questions as you listen…
Major or Minor? 4 beats or 3 per
bar? What instruments? Are they in
tune? Are they balanced nicely… i.e. do
you hear the melody clearly and the accompanying instruments in the background? What is the style of music? (Latin,
Classical, Blues, Stride, etc.)
Why should we actively listen? To fully experience the
emotions the music is expressing! Hear Haydn’s
jokes 250 years after he wrote them ... they’re still funny. Experience the profound sadness Brahms felt
when his mother died in his famous Horn Trio.
Groove along with Elvis or Nat King Cole on the piano while they sing
and play the blues. Actually hear the
chord changes. We should actively listen
to experience music on a deep, satisfying level.
Active listening tips…
- While listening, ask, “are there 4 or 3 beats in a bar?” (these are good basics beats to start with) and then count along.
- Clap on beat 1 (or stomp your foot or nod your head… but feel that beat).
- Clap on beat 1 & 3 or clap on beats 2 & 4. They are both important to be able to feel.
- Try some clapping grooves while you listen.
What is the opposite of active listening? Passive
listening. A few examples of
everyday activities you probably engage in while passively listening to music
include:
Eating Exercising
Socializing Cleaning your home
Commuting Riding an elevator
Listening Examples
YouTube is a fabulous
listening resource. Pour a glass of your
favourite beverage, sit in your favourite chair and actively listen to some of
the music below (click on the title to go to YouTube). Clap or play along for
more involvement!
The list is short (only
5 pieces) and it’s eclectic! It will
give you a taste of active listening and may change how you approach the next
live concert you attend.
1. Nat King Cole – Easy Listening Blues – This piano blues
is in B flat – What are the I IV V chords in the B flat scale? If you can find them play them along with
Nat.
2. Elvis Presley – You Ain’t Nothing But a Hound Dog - Blues
in C. Find the I IV and V chords in the
key of C and play along. Play them as
sevenths for an even better sound. (C7,
F7 and G7)
3. Haydn – String Quartet No 2 Op. 33 –
nicknamed The Joke. Get caught up in the
melody and see if you can hear the surprising twists, disconcerting silences
and a concluding “false start”. You may be
confused as to where to applause!
4. Brahms – Horn Trio Op 40 - an amazing piece but the third movement is
impassioned and heartfelt. The trio was
a tribute to his mother and in the third movement you can hear his devastation upon
her death and if you listen closely… sobbing. Listen to the fourth movement to lift your spirits.
5. Simon and Garfunkel – Scarborough Fair – cool guitar riffs
and harpsichord “counterpoint” (a new word for some… google it). Are the beats in groups of 3 or 4?
I hope you enjoy your active listening experience. Please send me some of your favourite music to actively
listen to and what you heard when you listened.
I’ll include some of them in the next blog.
No comments:
Post a Comment