Having Good Ears

[Patrick]

I think I have a knack for marrying a lyric to a melody. This is my strength. My weakness? I'm not a very solid musician. But I still believe I have a good set of ears when it comes to breaking down musical efforts.

I'm working on a song I'm quite enthusiastic about, but I've been playing/ practicing it so much, I'm actually growing just a little bit weary of it. I need a fresh set of ears to remind me the song is worth the ride. I'll post it in the Peer to Peer section when I finally get something taped.

Is having a good set of ears a gift...innate? I find the critiques on this forum to be generally spot on. Sorry if this post is a little scattered. I'm just in a stream of consciousness kinda mood i guess.

[Patrick]

i think one of the funniest music stories I ever heard came from a Radio Station. They had a request hour, and a caller phoned in and requested "I Was Barney Rubble" by Tom Petty! I'm not joking! He thought that was the lyric and title of the song!

We all know it was "I Was Born a Rebel", but I can see how the guy got a little confused with Tom's phrasing.

[Patrick]

There's programs and competitions for the mentally ill in songwriting and music of which I have never applied for. My Schizophrenia doesn't define me. I'm determined to make my mark on a level playing field. I don't need a crutch. I'll succeed or fail on proper merit.

[Patrick]

I really don't know where I'd be today without my music. To me, music and humour bring you closer to a higher power.

I remember being fluidly psychotic. I was in full-blown Schizophrenic mania. I was playing a little piano piece on my Korg keyboard. When I finished the song, I was going to go into the bathroom and hang myself. At the end of the tune, my 5 year old daughter walked into the room and said, "That sounds nice, Daddy". I looked deep into her eyes and swore I'd never consider doing anything stupid again.

My Father blames himself for my affliction. I've told him many times that it isn't anybody's fault...that no one is to blame.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pekhxxngQ3s

[RThornton]

Having good ears is to Musicians what having a good Pallet is to Chefs. Developing your Aural Pallet is much like developing your Oral Pallet. Be curious and concise. Seek new sounds and codify what you are hearing.

[Patrick]

Interesting comment, Robin.

I really like that analogy...the Chef and the Musician searching for the right mix.

I'm right as rain these days on my medication. Sorry for being such a Debbie Downer, bringing up those darker days of my life. But music saved me was my point I suppose. There's not much feedback on this forum, or at least it is slow to trickle in which is why I was just kinda talking to myself out loud on this thread.

Yes! I talk to myself all of the time. Hell, I'm damn good company!

[Hobbins17]

Having good ears is to Musicians what having a good Pallet is to Chefs. Developing your Aural Pallet is much like developing your Oral Pallet. Be curious and concise. Seek new sounds and codify what you are hearing.

This quote is amazing!! It is always good to think about how skills in different disciplines are all similar in things like that. I'm sure you can replace these professions with any other and give the same piece of advice to anyone to give them motivation. Lawyers, doctors, artists, writers! Truly good advice!!

To Patrick - hearing how you were almost going to do something so tragic but your daughter saying those words changed everything really got to me! You should always remember this if it ever comes to that point again and remember how something so simple saved your life that day. I hope it doesn't get to that point for you again and I'm sorry to hear that you went through something like this.
I totally agree though that any kind of illness or disability should not define us as musicians. We are making music for people to listen to our music... I want people to hear my music and think "that's a great song" not something like "oh, that depressed girl wrote that song" for example.

However, going back to the original point. I think some people are luckier than others in aural skills. Some people just have to work harder but it doesn't mean anyone is more capable than another. I think everything can be done with practice! But even the best songwriters could still benefit from a fresh pair of ears

[RThornton]

Thanks for the compliments guys. See you in the Taxi TV chat room tonight, if you're there.