A Creative Way to Listen to Your Favorite Music
“I’ve always told the musicians in my band to play what they know and then play above that, because then anything can happen.” - Miles Davis
Years ago I was listening to the radio when Steely Dan’s song Peg came on. I’d heard it a thousand times, but that day I noticed something particularly cool about it.
The guitar solo is completely nasty. It’s distorted, rough…messy…kind of all over the place. It’s the guitar solo equivalent of coloring outside the lines. It sounds totally improvised, spontaneous and free.
However, underneath the guitar solo is a silky-smooth groove. The bass part is tight and funky yet barely noticeable. It keeps the song moving.
The contrast between the ugly, unbridled guitar solo and the slick, orderly bass line combine to make a truly fantastic song.
Musicians know what I’m talking about. Combining different sound textures is like mixing different ingredients to bake a delicious cake.
Prince once said that when he creates a song, he considers each instrument - each sound - a color. When it’s time for him to choose a keyboard sound, he already knows what color he needs to paint the perfect tune.
Below is a video of Miles Davis and John Coltrane performing. As you listen, notice how at first your focus is on Miles and what he’s playing (because he’s on camera), but then ask yourself…
What is the piano doing? (Or even better, what is the piano not doing?)
What is the bass doing?
What is the drummer doing?
Focus on each instrument for a little while, and then marvel at how they combine to create something cohesive and amazing. Enjoy, and leave your comments!
I think you could even take this idea into relationships. Sometimes one person takes the lead and is totally out there exloring life and passion while the other is supporting and keeping the beat steady. But all the while both people are moving through life together enjoying the total composition of thier relationship. Just a thought. Sounds like a healthy way to have a relationship. Both are able to be themsleves and the relationship supports it.
Laurie - you make a terrific point. I’m glad you brought it up. (And thank you for sharing your mother’s day comments, as well.)
You’re welcome. I am really enjoying your blog. You give me food for thought.
Hi Mark,
I agree with Laurie. Put the right two people together, and the harmony they create is magical.
It is amazing how, with music, each instrument adds to the beauty of a song. When an artist understands that, the results can be magnificent.
Hi Mark, This is a beautiful blog. The quote by Prince made me think of a “disorder” that some people have where certain words will make them see different colors and sounds conjur up different smells (it’s called synaesthesia). Basically, their five senses are all intermingled. These people tend to be very creative (Wassily Kandinsky was one of them). Thank you for stopping by my blog and I’ll certainly be visiting this one often. Marelisa
Barbara - thanks for your thoughts…it’s so true.
Marelisa - Welcome! So glad you stopped by and I didn’t know about synaesthesia. Wow. Thanks for the kind words - see you again soon!
wow, you describe how i see all sound……. COLOR…….. awesome!
and thank you for reminding me how much i loved steely dan, you rock!