Mindful Listening
When you listen to music, start to take note of the various layers that make up the listening experience. What instruments are represented? Remember that the voice is an instrument. Are there instruments playing together or are they different. What mood is created by the rhythm, speed, pulse? How is the music constructed? Does it start with an instrumental introduction? What is the harmonic texture? Does the music change style?
When you do your listening assignments, focus on describing what you hear. Through the course of the semester, try to incorporate as much terminology as you can, but when in doubt, use your own words to describe the music.
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Assignment:
Listen to each and choose one musical selection from this list to write your listening reflection.
Linked to Prelude
“Do-Re-Mi” from Sound of Music by Rogers and Hammerstein
Maybellene by Chuck Berry
Linked to Chapter 1
Maple Leaf Rag by Scott Joplin
Old Man Mose by Louis Armstrong
Answer the following questions as a text entry in your listening reflection.
What musical selection did you choose and why?
What instruments do you hear on this recording?
Describe the timbre of the performers?
What is the harmonic texture of the song?
Describe the overall mood and how this is accomplished.
What else do you hear?
What is the most interesting thing about this recording to you? Why?
Remember to include as much information about what you hear as you can. Include as many musical terms that you can, but when in doubt, describe what you hear in your own words.
Listening Reflection Example
Soldier’s Things by Tom Waits
What musical selection did you choose and why?
I chose “Soldier’s Things” by Tom Waits because I love the simplicity of the structure. It also has a depth through the lyrics that is enhanced by the polyphonic piano lines.
What instruments do you hear on this recording?
Vocals and Piano (note that I included vocals in the instrumentation list)
Describe the timbre of the performers?
The voice is raspy yet warm and the piano is soothing and sweet (remember that timbre describes the sound with your own adjectives)
What is the harmonic texture of the song?
The texture is polyphonic – the piano and voice are a collection of independent melody lines (texture defines how the layers work together – use terms learned in the Prelude)
Describe the overall mood and how this is accomplished.
The mood is melancholy. Waits achieves this by combining reflective lyrics with a slow tempo, regular rhythms, minor key, and beautiful simple melodies. The opening descending line in the piano sets the tone for reflection right away.
What else do you hear?
The piano part almost sounds like it is 3 different instruments playing as a trio. There are 2 high voices and 1 low voice. The different lines act almost like they are having a musical conversation. (this question is designed for you to talk about things that weren’t already discussed – how is repetition treated, how does the music enhance the lyrics, is there anything that sticks out that seems unusual, etc)
What is the most interesting thing about this recording to you? Why?
I find the most interesting thing is that the melody lines and the mood stick with me long after the music is over. I can hear the opening piano lines a few hours after listening to the song as clearly as if I just listened to it a few minutes ago. I also find it interesting that Tom can make a simple list of items have such a contemplative mood.
