Hi Tomo and forum friends!
So it occurs to me that when 'deep listening' is brought up each of us may have a slightly different take on what it really means.
1. Is it just listening without distractions?
2. If I'm listening and trying to somehow analyze the music, can I be in deep listening mode?
3. Is it listening without distraction and without analyzing? So deep listening is devoid of intellectual activity?
Tomo, since you have practiced this, what would you say it has meant for you?
Thanks!
Hi Ken,
Thank you for making this new thread.
For me, less material first.
Same thing for a long time.
Then no listening when I am driving or doing things.
I only listen music when I am sitting down and do nothing,.
So simply these two important guideline for me.
When I am listen ... do everything I can... include analyzing, wondering and all!
A lot of thinking and just focus listening.
How about that?
Helpful?
PS, I don't use any streaming service like iTunes, Spotify.
CDs, Records.... mostly.
Thank you!
Very very important topic Ken!
Tomo
Hello. Great thread Ken!
I love to listen to music deeply. Blues and Jazz and guitar-based music- folk, funk, soul, rock etc.
I have a super-comfy rocking -swiveling reclining chair in my music room. I sit in front of 2 big speakers and a turntable and crank it. No surround or subwoofers for deep music listening for me. I have that in other rooms for movies etc.
To me, deep listening is trying to hear the details. I try to feel the groove of what is coming out of the speakers. What is the structure of the song? Is there a theme, motif, or main hook? Is there a bridge, pre-chorus, key change etc.? Are parts repeating? Do any lyrics express the mood the music is setting? What are the guitars doing to support the song? Why did the composer make the choices they did? Is there something I really like about the song or arrangement? Why do I like it?
I agree with Tomo about limiting how much I listen. When I do, I want to be paying attention.
Of course, being a Schubert, I love to deeply listen to the masters of classical music like my prolific ancestor Franz Schubert. (Franz was such a fanboy of Ludwig von Beethoven he made sure he was buried right next to him!).
Kurt
Wow that’s cool. I’ll have to check out Franz Schubert. When I listen try to just take it in and listen to everything really. Enjoy the song and hear the feeling and how the instruments compliment each other. The subtleties in the phrases and timing the rhythm feel of the song. Aside from that really just appreciating the sounds and enjoying. Also think about how someone ever came to write / come up w the piece and am amazed. And where did it come from. So fascinating
Sharing is so amazing!
Thanks guys!
Tomo
Hey Tomo, Kurt and Jeffrey!
Thank you for your thoughts on this important topic. I've been hanging back a bit here because I don't want to reply without some reflection on this matter.
Everything you guys said is so cool! I hope others will chime in too because after all, music is why we're all here.
One takeaway you all share is to "be singularly present" with what you are listening to without distractions.
Tomo, you mention "less material" and for a "long time". Some analyzing & wondering (hmm, what's going on here in this song); focused listening. Great pointers.
Kurt, you mention "hear the details" "feel the groove" and theme, motif, hook; analysis: bridge, pre-chorus, key change, repeating theme; why do I like what I'm listening to? Love it.
Jeffrey: when you listen, Enjoyment is paramount, along with phrasing, time feel, rhythm, interaction of instruments, and appreciation of the sound and creation by, and origin of where the music came from. All really cool.
These are all such great observations which is why I didn't respond until now. Even now, there's a lot to unpack here for me. I feel like this is just the beginning of this conversation.
I would say that paramount for me is something in a piece of music attracts me, engages me, makes me happy or soulful, or sad, or introspective, reflective. All of which is to say that music is enjoyment first and foremost. Enjoy = In Joy.
But is goes beyond that as a musician. We want to create that engagement that joy for others. So we listen.
Tomo, you mentioned "less material". So, what this meant to me, is become familiar with a few tunes, not too many at once.
Would it be out in left field to suggest that less material could be to suggest tunes that contain certain types of progressions so that the listener-musician would become familiar with the harmonic content? For example, "listen to XYZ because it contains lots of common 251's or 1625's, or modulations to another key, etc. Or am I getting too heady....again.
I hope we can keep this conversation going. Thanks for listening!
It’s interesting. One thing that happens for me as I don’t have the songs I like on record or cd just yet is if I pull up Spotify or YouTube there’s endless songs or videos there I also have access to . It can be distracting. Where if you just have one or two cds or the record and two speakers like Kurt all you can do is press play, you can really go deep and with no distractions. I have a Kenny Burrell record and maybe that’s why it sinks in for me as I listen to it often. Not to mention sound quality doesn’t seem the same when it’s streaming on Spotify or on YouTube
Thanks Ken!
Less is just less overall. For instant. I may listen BB King 's slow blues a lot! Means, I just keep listening until I can hear entire song in my head.
Or be familiar with bassline., phrasing, chord changes on Jazz standard. Maybe same album but I only listen side A. Limit only 4 songs etc.
I try not to everything or a lot of things. Simply to say... I just don't want to be a half ass!
I think you think too fast. You need to digest any information. Try not understand what exactly said... that's all about "Hint" It will take a few days or a week to understand "Concept"
Thank you.
Tomo
Jeffery, thanks for your input!
I only use YouTube for listening one song that I want to listen.
I don't have spotify or iTunes.
I still listen cassette tapes. I love that limitation!
Same way... I have a lot of record collection but I only pull out a few records.
I tend to listen only one side each. (Musicians way of listening)
I love listening records a lot.
Thank you.
Tomo
Thanks Tomo. You've got me pegged. I try to figure things out too fast so I can move forward. I don't know why this is so difficult for me.
Instead, I need to allow things to sink in slowly to discover what they mean to me. I get that words are just descriptors like reading off a restaurant menu, but the taste of the food is not the menu, it's the real thing!
Ugh, what a mind. It just think that understanding is the prize when it's not. Thanks for pointing in a direction that could lead me out of mind's addiction to finding answers that are empty of experience. It's a drag believe me. This is my life's work and I'm tired of 'trying so damn hard'!
Kenny Burrell! That's all you need! I saw him once. He came on unexpectedly to fill in for ailing Art Blakey who was playing with Dr. John and Fathead Newman in a group called the "Bluesiana Triangle. Legendary guitarist fills in for legendary drummer! I used to be a stagehand at the Paramount Theater here in Seattle when I was in college. For me, there is just something about the turntable and the needle riding deep in the grooves of vinyl that engages me and connects me to the music. I can't even explain it. It took me years to figure that out. Once, a long time ago, I sold most of my albums when I was purging stuff while moving. That was a mistake. It sure was fun rebuilding my collection when I was older, had some money, and my tastes had matured and evolved. I have CD's of course, and have downloaded lots of stuff, but for deep listening it is almost always vinyl for me at this time in my life.
Kurt
My Karate teacher's favorite = Kenny Burrell.
I saw him in NYC... around 1988? We had a great conversation!
I also saw Art Blakey in NYC... when I was there. I saw 3-4 shows.
I love listening Joe Pass "Virtuoso"
Joe Pass & Herb Ellis "Two For The Road"
Those two album... highly recommended to listen.
Just in case... Those albums are so good!
Please listen Charlie Christian! "Rose Room"
Charlie Christian "Genius of electric guitar"
Barney Kessel "Volume One”
Joe Pass "Virtuoso”
Joe Pass & Herb Ellis "Two For The Road”
Wes Montgomery "Incredible Jazz Guitar " "Full House" "Live at the Half Note”
Kenny Burrell "Midnight Blue”
Jim Hall "Undercurrent (with Bill Evans),
Grant Green “Grant’s first stand” “Green Street” “Feelin The Sprit”
Thank you.
Tomo
Kurt,
That sounds like an amazing show. Some real legends and inspiration.
Tomo,
Thanks for the listening list. I will check some of those out. I've been really enjoying instrumental type stuff where the guitar is main melody line lately.
Thanks Tomo for sharing
That’s so cool you got to meet and had a great conversation with Kenny Burrell! I love listening to midnight blue
Joe Pass - virtuoso, two for the road
Charlie Christian - rose room, genius of electric guitar
Barney Kessel - volume 1
Wes Montgomery- incredible jazz guitar, full house, live at the half note
Jim Hall - undercurrent (w bill evans)
Grant Green- greens first stand, green street, feelin the spirit
My pleasure!
Yes! That was so amazing (with my broken English)
So basically I am following his path being an educator and musician.
Great!
Those albums are so great!
Thank you.
Tomo
You're very welcome Allan!
During deep listening, details emerge. You suddenly detect that little keyboard run or some cross-picking that you wouldn’t hear otherwise. I prefer over-the-ear noise cancelling headphones. Try to isolate (listen to), for example, the drums for the entire song. Or the bass. If your mind wanders, go back and do it again.
Regarding vinyl: we had tons of CD’s, and one day my husband brought home an inexpensive turntable so that I could convert all my college-era albums to digital. The second that needle hit the vinyl, I realized what I had been missing all those years. Holy cow, what a difference. So for me, its records whenever possible.
May I suggest (for your deep listening pleasure) Keith Jarrett’s “The Survivor’s Suite”. I understand if it has to be digital, some of these gems are out of print and can’t be found elsewhere.
Thanks for reading.
Thank you Linda for sharing!
Yes! You can hear one acoustic drumming chord at ending that you never noticed it without a good headphones!
But I prefer to listen records from speakers in general.
I love Keith Jarrett's any live albums!
Bill Evans... too!
Thank you.
Tomo
I think I've found my people! Long story short, we were in a small music store in a small town and my wife was just thumbing through the records feeling nostalgic. She pulled out and called across the store to me holding up an original 1976 copy of Frampton Comes Alive. I'm a Frampton NUT. We didn't have a record player, but I walked out of the store having bought that record. The next store my wife went into, I sat outside and ordered a record player. All of my music purchases have been vinyl ever since.
One of the best parts for me is, as a 56 year old man, when I get a new (or new to me) album, it goes right on the turntable, and I'm sitting cross-legged on the floor directly between the speakers as it plays while reading the liner notes. It takes me back to my bedroom when I was a kid. There is a bit of nostalgia with vinyl, but I'm also with you 100% that it just sounds better.
Great story!
Record player! Best way to listen music!
After you listened side A, you can have two choices.... go back to the top or maybe go to side B!
I love repeating same side for a few times.
Yes! You know what to do when you are listening ... just sit down and enjoy!
Great!
Thank you.
Tomo
And now, do you seek out used record stores when you go to a new town? So many great gems out there....I got Allman Brother's Live at the Fillmore East (a double album, one of the most iconic records of all time, IMHO) for $2.00!! I was almost afraid to walk to the checkout counter for fear they would realize what they were actually selling.
But of course! In fact next week my wife and I have a day-date to go back to that town. I’ll absolutely be coming home with an arm full! And there is a great used record store in the town that I live in. I'm a regular there.
Hi Linda,
I had the same feeling when I came back to viny. Having a good listening space is so helpful too. I appreciate the listening suggestion. I only know Keith Jarrett from when he was talked into playing with Miles Davis's electric band in the late 60's- even though Keith said he didn't like the band Miles had at first. That is some heavy funky jazz rock fusion. I love it. My wife likes Kind of Blue. Oh well.
I love the music on Tomo's list too. I can't believe I had them all or at least something by each artist except Charlie Christian. ...but not one of them on vinyl! Uh-oh....
"The Survivor's Suite" is a title that gets my attention. We all feel like survivors if we are around long enough. Maybe Keith Jarrett is writing about surviving being in Miles' world? I'll have to investigate.
Kurt
Not sure of Keith's motivation for the title, but he is certainly a survivor himself. He suffered two strokes and has largely re-taught himself how to play using mostly his left hand.
I confess to listening to some things on digital, like yourself. I have been binging on Al Di Meola, but I have almost nothing on vinyl from the guy. Likewise with a lot of my deep listening. We do what we can.
Pat Martino had to re-learn to play and Jerry Garcia too. Keith is finding solutions to his challenges. Inspiring.
Now- let's talk a little about the great Al Di Meola! Capital D. Capital M! Super hairy and doesn't like to wear his shirt. A true master and bad ass gunslinging jazzer! Once I saw him 2 nights in a row. The first night he had his acoustic set up but didn't use it. I saw him by chance before the show the second night and mentioned respectfully hat he should put on his shirt- No just kidding. I mentioned to him that I thought he should bring out the acoustic for the first encore. He did it!
Kurt
Al is a cool guy! I had a few conversation (writing) via Instagram DM.
Instagram is a great place to meet those pro musicians!
Thank you.
Tomo
Ha! Great story!
Hi deep listeners! I've been listening to Tomo's albums. I downloaded them a while back from iTunes. I hope to get physical copies someday. Hard to find. I'm currently really listening to the amazing "Blue Sky" album. This is really helping me hear how the techniques he is teaching us work in a full band setting.
I highly recommend listening to Tomo's albums- however you get your music. It inspires me to keep going.
The ultimate would be having these albums on audiophile fat black vinyl with deep grooves. playing at 45 RPM.
Kurt
Back when he mentioned "Kyoto" during one of his lessons, I went and listened to it on iTunes (Apple Music). While on that site I found he has a bunch of great music. Fantastic playing. I recommend doing a deep dive on all his stuff.
Tomo's music just makes you feel good. It is good for you and your soul! I try to find that whenever I can.
Kurt
Thank you Kurt!
It means so much!
You can get cds from me directly if you are in US....
Thanks so much!
Put on your funk face
Right Place, Right Time
PURE
Blue Sky
Tomo
Thank you Linda!
I really appreciate it.
Tomo
That's great Tomo. I'd love to get CD's. I need them all :-) No hurry.
I'm in Seattle- still the US unless we get traded for Greenland.
Kurt
I got a response from Vimeo as well Kurt and put in subject line about email for ordering the CDs. Maybe this still goes through to the team and this is the auto reply
I got your email!
I will send you my message later today.
Thank you.
Tomo
Great! Thank you!!
Hi Kurt and Jeffrey!
It looks like this is all sorted but I wanted to follow up and let you know that the "Contact Support" at the bottom of the page goes to the Vimeo support team. To contact us directly, please email [email protected]. George handles the forwarded messages from Vimeo and the TFGW inbox. He does a great job behind the scenes :)
I hope you enjoy your CDs!
Sammi
Hey Sammi,
Yep. We're all sorted! Blue Sky still playing. "24 hours a Day" :-)
I am super- duper happy!
I bet you guys stay busy keeping things working so smoothly. Thanks for everything.
Tell George to stay hydrated :-)
Kurt
[email protected]
Got it, thank you so much!
I actually just took a mini vacation to Costa Rica :) lucky me. Now I am back and ready to get back to work! I missed you all!
Wow! Talk about change in the weather! George kept us in line while you were gone.
Did you bring a "Charango" back for Tomo?
Makes me hungry just to type it. A "Chimi-Charango" with Guacamole!
Kurt
Thank you Sammi!
https://youtube.com/shorts/1ql04ueU3bA?si=63YgbQ9by6ncAhpP
Happy weekend folks. These CDs are so awesome
Thank you so much!
In only have a few more copies of Put On Your Funk Face (Rare!)
Please enjoy those! Super happy to hear that.
Thank you.
Tomo
Yes Jeffrey! So fun to lay them all out in a row. Like trading cards that we collected as a kid. Looking at all the details and pictures. Hard to explain how amazing it feels to get those physical copies! I cherish mine. Still dream of vinyl. Put On Your Funk Face is pure analog recording according to Tomo.
Right this minute I'm cranking some great pre-Super Bowl party music. Bass is thumpin' as "Right Place, Right Time" album is blasting. Tomo is on fire here. Katsuomi Goto bass is deep and sounds amazing! I'd love to hear the extended remix version of "Sweet Home" with a really long intro:-).
Kurt
Thanks Jeffrey! I just put in a request to order the set!
Thank you Kurt!
So happy to hear about my "Right place, Right Time"
It is great fun. Hard to decide what one to put on first but great problem to have. Nice one that’s great Ken!
Don't forget Tomo's Etude book you can get at amazon. It has a great CD! It's in Japanese but the music is unbelievably accurate.
Thanks so much Kurt!
That one.... it was pretty tough to play.... then I needed to transcribe myself!
Tomo
Kurt, besides our shared desire to support our amazing teacher, what’s in this Japanese edition that’s not already covered in GW lessons?
Hi Ken,
Glad you asked. :-)
You get the written music! Every single note and every mute strum detailed accurately. Nine solo etudes you can master and impress your girl with. But wait, you get the compact disc! Tomo playing it exactly as written. It's beautiful and fun to listen and dance to. Just having a book that you can use in another language is fun to have. I think Tomo wrote a classic!
Tomo talks about the book at 6:10 in this lesson.
https://tomovhxtv.vhx.tv/videos/tf-lesson-048
Kurt
Thanks Kurt. I need to impress my girl! Are the songs mostly from his CDs?