PERCUSSION
PURPOSEFUL LISTENING | Mark Shelton
Teacher : Did you listen to this piece ? Me : Yes Teacher : Sing some of the melody . Me : ( silence )
At that moment , I was busted . My answer was truthful ; I had listened to the assigned recording , but not to the extent expected by my timpani instructor . He wanted me to engage in purposeful listening .
Before mechanical recording , studying music by listening required hearing the piece as it was being played . In 1705 , J . S . Bach walked over 200 miles to hear Dietrich Buxtehude play the pipe organ . Bach REALLY wanted to study Buxtehude ’ s style .
Centuries later came the invention of mechanical recording ( game-changer !), but for many decades there were challenges to obtaining certain recordings . Even in the late twentieth century , locating a recording for study purposes might require a trip to a university library . Perhaps the much-needed Russ Taff album or Schubert symphony CD was in stock at the record store . Oh , you could order by mail — and wait .
Nowadays , it ’ s much easier to obtain recordings for study . With access to the internet , we have millions of recordings available to download or stream . Frequently musicians are provided both sheet music and recordings online or by email several days before a rehearsal . Recordings of compositions are sometimes posted on a publisher ’ s website .
Are you investing time in studying recordings ? Are you listening with a goal in mind or just casually listening ? Let ’ s explore several ways purposeful listening will improve your confidence and performance .
The initial listening of any piece of music quickly supplies vital information . An experienced musician will soon identify the style along with the basic instrumentation . Are there lyrics , or is it an instrumental ? What emotions are you feeling as you listen ? Are there surprises ?
When learning a new song , determining the form ( roadmap ) is among the early steps . That process includes identifying the chunks such as verse , pre-chorus , chorus , and bridge ; the order of those chunks ; the number of measures in each section ; and transitions . A recording allows you to listen repeatedly as you analyze the form .
Changing time signatures , keys , and transitions can pose challenges if you are unprepared . Listening to those tricky spots before the rehearsal will prepare you for the sudden shifts .
Looking at a written part and glancing at the tempo marking might lead you to think it ’ s going to be an easy glide - until the rehearsal begins . Upon starting the song , you soon realize it ’ s faster than you imagined plus various rhythms are cascading from the other players . You struggle to match the tempo and fit your part into the rhythmic mix while wishing you had paid attention to the recording . Listening to a sample recording will give you a general idea of the tempo and provide the context for how your parts interact with the ensemble .
Counting measures of rests , waiting in silence until your moment to enter , and hoping you ’ re in the right spot ; it ’ s a way of life for percussionists . Studying a recording and listening for instrumental or lyric cues will help you make confident entrances or get you back on track when lost .
After hearing a song played on the radio for several days , you realize the song has bored into your brain . You weren ’ t trying to memorize it but after umpteen repeats , you have the lyrics , the structure , and the guitar solo embedded in your hippocampus . You can even air-drum the cool drum fill at the end of the bridge . When it ’ s time to memorize a song , consider putting the definitive recorded version on repeat and allow passive listening to assist the process .
When creating your percussion part for a song ( and a notated part is unavailable ), searching for a recorded version should be an early step in the procedure . Studying and learning the actual percussion parts on the recording might be the solution , but repeated listenings can also inspire creativity . Consider checking out multiple versions of a song ; an alternate arrangement or orchestration might spark ideas .
Studying recordings of your playing whether in a practice session , rehearsal , or performance is a valuable learning tool . It can be surprising how something sounds in the reality of a recording versus your intent . Making use of the recording app on your smartphone will provide valuable feedback .
Purposeful listening is both essential for musical growth and beneficial for preparing for a performance . Take advantage of our easy access to a zillion recordings and invest time in purposeful listening .
© 2024 Mark Shelton Productions / Percussion For Worship
Mark Shelton Mark Shelton is a freelance musician , educational consultant , and content creator based in Dallas / Fort Worth . Performance credits include North Carolina Symphony , Tin Roof Tango , Daystar Television , Gateway Worship , Stonebriar Church , Wichita Falls Orchestra , Strata Big Band , TALEA , and Dallas Wind Symphony . www . marksheltonmusic . com www . percussionforworship . blogspot . com www . instagram . com / marksheltonperc
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