dbltroubleIntricate Music
July 17th 2006 23:04
Complicated. Intricate. Fascinating. Can’t live without it.
Music, in a word.
But why is it that music is so unbelievably important?
One reason I can think of, and it just occurred to me on the bus this morning, is that a good song reveals itself slowly. I was listening to Touch The Sky for about the hundredth time, when I heard African-sounding percussion. What? I thought. I haven’t noticed this before.
That’s because, as all good songs, it revealed itself to me slowly. This Kanye West song is so intricate, has so many detailed layers, that it takes listening to one hundred times to notice it all. When I first hear a song, I take note of the beat (which you must if you dance) and the melody (for singing, of course). This is all one needs if one’s intentions are to hum along with the radio or go clubbing. Later, the harmony makes itself noticed. Being a singer, this is vital to my enjoyment of the song. Of course, it also allows me to participate, because I can harmonise if the melody is a little high or low.
After the beat, melody and harmony are revealed, the basic song is known and understood. Yet it’s the little things that allow a song to stay on a playlist. Little things like African percussion and that soft female voice echoing the chorus in rap songs. Layers that go unnoticed until someone brings it up, or until you’re really listening to the music.
Those are my thoughts. That’s how my musical mind works. But yours?
Music, in a word.
But why is it that music is so unbelievably important?
One reason I can think of, and it just occurred to me on the bus this morning, is that a good song reveals itself slowly. I was listening to Touch The Sky for about the hundredth time, when I heard African-sounding percussion. What? I thought. I haven’t noticed this before.
That’s because, as all good songs, it revealed itself to me slowly. This Kanye West song is so intricate, has so many detailed layers, that it takes listening to one hundred times to notice it all. When I first hear a song, I take note of the beat (which you must if you dance) and the melody (for singing, of course). This is all one needs if one’s intentions are to hum along with the radio or go clubbing. Later, the harmony makes itself noticed. Being a singer, this is vital to my enjoyment of the song. Of course, it also allows me to participate, because I can harmonise if the melody is a little high or low.
After the beat, melody and harmony are revealed, the basic song is known and understood. Yet it’s the little things that allow a song to stay on a playlist. Little things like African percussion and that soft female voice echoing the chorus in rap songs. Layers that go unnoticed until someone brings it up, or until you’re really listening to the music.
Those are my thoughts. That’s how my musical mind works. But yours?
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Comment by Cibbuanp
He tried to push all this stuff in there, making the beat 'a new art form', but, ultimately, it didn't work, I think.
Comment by Ella
Thanks for the comment.
Ella
Comment by Sisi
Comment by AdamH
Million Dollar Ideas
$1,000,000 ideas
also since im here. i heard today that listening to music and studying virtually splits your brain in half..not in a good way. i dont know if i believe it though. but it definatly wont stop me from listening to music any time soon.