Forays into my friends' heads

~leeksoup

The adage goes something along the lines of "to make music, one must listen to music".

I've observed that I'm a very comfortable type of music enjoyer. I don't really explore out of my comfort zone. I don't really even explore new work of artists I already like and listen to. I'm content with the things I have already found. From the basis that listening to music should be an enjoyable experience, this fulfills that goal.

However, if I want to make music, it should help that I expand my horizons a bit, and expose myself to stuff I haven't listened to. And suddenly, I was struck by the drive to actually do so.

I've asked people I know, friends and colleagues, to suggest me an album they like and find interesting. One album is a pretty palatable chunk of music - a (typically) 45-60 minute sitting is perfectly doable. Multiple tracks from the same musician(s) provide variation in style and approach that asking for just a single favourite song from people couldn't capture. Also, asking for favourite songs might expand the to-do list quite quickly, as it's very easy to add to. But one album is good, it'll get you started. And from the musicians' side, it gives an opportunity to tell a story in all that time.

In asking people for suggestions, I've been met with nice interactions. A colleague of mine dropped his usual banter and joking manner to very sincerely suggest an album he thought I might like. One friend was concerned that her taste is "too weird", but I assured her that trying such music out is the point of my exercise here. Another friend offered albums he considers very meaningful to him, which gives me an opportunity to learn something about him as well, I've wanted to learn to know him better anyway. I asked for one but got three suggestions. All the more material to try out and maybe connect over!

I've asked but a few friends, and I've already racked up 11 albums to have a go at, in different genres. But I know there are still influential genres missing from the list that I might find an interest in as well, I need to figure that out too. But for now, my motivation is sustained by the fact that this list contains sincere recommendations from friends, which adds a personal motivation to listen intently. I could ask strangers on the internet for cool suggestions for classical, jazz, blues, hard rock, barbershop, country, et cetera, and I probably will do that later on. But to get me used to trying my boundaries, my friends will keep me busy.

Tonight I listened through 2 of the 11 suggested albums on my list.

My goal is to one day write songs.

(I've actually already written one song for myself, which I'm keeping in my notebook as a reminder that I have the capacity to make something, start to finish)

Pursuing the goal of observing things relevant to songwriting, I listened for interesting things I could pick out from the songs on offer. I wrote them down, be they odd quirks or decisions, moments that work beautifully, odd and jarring things I felt didn't work for me, or general observations about genre conventions and habits. Anything that came to mind.

Taking notes helps me pick apart the songs later. And they remind of things I want to bring up to my friends when talking about the music they suggested to me. Before I do talk to them though, I will read through my notes and first impressions, and then listen to the albums a second time, comparing my first and second listens. And deciding if maybe some songs will enter my playlists. I'm pretty sure they will! My friends have good taste!

I can't wait to talk to people about this. I want to tell them that I've appreciated their suggestions and given them a proper listen, and discuss what things they find compelling and interesting about it.

I intended this as an exercise in listening, hearing and learning new things, and a bit of trying to make songwriting-related observations. As an example, I think one song went briefly into 7/8 time, or, at least its rhythm changed up significantly for one section, and I'll still want to pick it apart as to what exactly is going on. Another song had very interestingly placed key changes, which I will want to note down. One song is, in the opinion of a friend, by far the best song of the whole album, and I want to find what makes it stand out for him.

It's been fun! I've only just begun, but it's great! I'll do my second listening round tomorrow in the day, and then probably take first impressions of the next ones in the evening. Slowly, I'll build up a collection of ideas to keep in mind for my own projects.