can the mind process two opposing vocals at one time?

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feaker66
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Re: can the mind process two opposing vocals at one time?

Post by feaker66 » Sun Sep 26, 2021 3:32 pm

AlanHall wrote:
Sun Sep 26, 2021 1:49 pm
Will people process the two (different) lines on the first hearing? No.
Will it be a challenge that some people will rise to, to listen repeatedly in order to understand? Certainly.

The less overlap there is, and the more intelligible the delivery is, the quicker folks will understand the lyrical content. How much you can do before the listener 'tires of the game' is - of course - the target you as a composer want to identify; the sweet spot where the listener's heightened attention and enjoyment or satisfaction meet. To answer your question: people can process two opposing vocals at the same time, if the complexity of the vocal delivery is low enough, and the listener's attention is high enough. Anecdotally, I have - and I'm sure all of us have - heard a song that just had to be listened to over and over to understand the lyric. Even when, it turns out, the lyrical line wasn't as profound as expected :lol:

The pacing and delivery of the vocals can be tweaked to produce the exact effect that you, the composer, desires. Does every composer work that hard on their vocals? No. But it certainly benefits the composer (& song) when that level of detail is worked on, intentionally, to optimize the attraction the song has on the listener. Isn't that what songwriting is all about?

Hi Alan Great points to ponder from you. I listen to my songs and always try to figure out where the initial interest impact starts to wane. This dude day dreams at work that his gal might have a lover. He goes home and catches her in the act. Should the lyrics now be about what could have been said in that heat of the moment or the afterthoughts that surfaced later. Nasty things said back and forth should hold the listener's attention, at least for awhile. But repeating that format more times turns one off in a hurry. What now? A little lead break or a bridge? I give those who write hit songs a lot of credit because of all of the variables that need to fall perfectly in line.
The song to me now reads like a story and not a song. I listen and then shake my head knowing it won't hold the listener spellbound. I usually give it a day or two and then come back and try some new things.
Thanks loads for you insightful vision (pun) ha ha take care
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Re: can the mind process two opposing vocals at one time?

Post by DannyWeber » Mon Sep 27, 2021 3:05 pm

feaker66 wrote:
Sat Sep 25, 2021 8:07 am
Just finished this track about lovers fall out over an affair. I had to sing the gal part (that ain't pretty) for now. They go back and forth with name calling. I can hear and understand both because I wrote it, but what about a first time listener. I know it is a strange topic. I have no excuses.

https://soundcloud.com/feaker66/cheater


Cheater

I had a suspicion sittin there at work …sneaked ..on..back to my place D C G D
Tip toed inside you were doin the dance …..moanin and rollin at a torrid pace
Hello sweetheart..don’t stop now.. looks like yur havin fun I’ll get otta this place

Yur a cheeta....you been sneakin… findin lovers yur a lousy cheater D F G D
lousy lover .. under covers..I found some lovers….you bet I cheated
Cheeter... no conscience…no regrets.. I’ve been so mistreated
…I had needs..you didn’t see em…I’d never plead….go ahead and hate me

It was a quicky quick wham bam thank you mam…..Yur lovin was a hit and run
Maybe good for you..not so good for me..I tell you it was anything but fun

I’m a cheet-a …yeah a cheeta..I’m a liar…I’m a…luvin..sur..viv.er D F G D
Feelin low..yur porno show.. still in my head.. kicked me real good down low
Cheater..I don’t need …ya..I’m a cheeta…I found guys to please me
Comes around…it goes around.. all over town…got a feelin you’ll be goin..down

The anger’s gone ..I finally moved on..too bad I didn’t know my lovin was so wrong…
I should have told him..I’m feeling real bad….we could have worked on us..it’s just so sad

It is my fault it is your fault it is our fault we have lost each other is this the end start again we were friends
Is it your fault it could be my fault maybe it’s our fault we’ve lost each other.I’m all alone I never wanted this
I do so miss you
I like the production and performance and must admit it took me a while to figure out it is a man singing the female part. Nice job on that.
That being said, I would have to hear the finished female vocal to truly comment on how people would process the opposing vocals. The way it is, I think it would help to take out the first opposing vocal in the first chorus but leave the rest. It sounds too soon to bring it in there for me and might even help you create a build-up in the song, if you wish to do that. Right now it sounds like there is little change throughout and might even be returned for that reason should you ever submit. Just my opinion but a nice job on this song, so far.

Dan
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Re: can the mind process two opposing vocals at one time?

Post by funsongs » Mon Sep 27, 2021 3:33 pm

Well, Paul...
they say that... as we age, we suffer two main losses.
One of them is short-term memory...
I forget what the other thing was. :? :shock: :o :)
So - you may run into problems.
Your mileage may vary.
Peter Rahill - aka "funsongs"
NOW, back on YouTube (2022)
https://www.youtube.com/@peterrahill9263/featured
https://soundcloud.com/funsongs-1
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Re: can the mind process two opposing vocals at one time?

Post by feaker66 » Mon Sep 27, 2021 5:21 pm

DannyWeber wrote:
Mon Sep 27, 2021 3:05 pm
feaker66 wrote:
Sat Sep 25, 2021 8:07 am
Just finished this track about lovers fall out over an affair. I had to sing the gal part (that ain't pretty) for now. They go back and forth with name calling. I can hear and understand both because I wrote it, but what about a first time listener. I know it is a strange topic. I have no excuses.

https://soundcloud.com/feaker66/cheater


Cheater

I had a suspicion sittin there at work …sneaked ..on..back to my place D C G D
Tip toed inside you were doin the dance …..moanin and rollin at a torrid pace
Hello sweetheart..don’t stop now.. looks like yur havin fun I’ll get otta this place

Yur a cheeta....you been sneakin… findin lovers yur a lousy cheater D F G D
lousy lover .. under covers..I found some lovers….you bet I cheated
Cheeter... no conscience…no regrets.. I’ve been so mistreated
…I had needs..you didn’t see em…I’d never plead….go ahead and hate me

It was a quicky quick wham bam thank you mam…..Yur lovin was a hit and run
Maybe good for you..not so good for me..I tell you it was anything but fun

I’m a cheet-a …yeah a cheeta..I’m a liar…I’m a…luvin..sur..viv.er D F G D
Feelin low..yur porno show.. still in my head.. kicked me real good down low
Cheater..I don’t need …ya..I’m a cheeta…I found guys to please me
Comes around…it goes around.. all over town…got a feelin you’ll be goin..down

The anger’s gone ..I finally moved on..too bad I didn’t know my lovin was so wrong…
I should have told him..I’m feeling real bad….we could have worked on us..it’s just so sad

It is my fault it is your fault it is our fault we have lost each other is this the end start again we were friends
Is it your fault it could be my fault maybe it’s our fault we’ve lost each other.I’m all alone I never wanted this
I do so miss you
I like the production and performance and must admit it took me a while to figure out it is a man singing the female part. Nice job on that.
That being said, I would have to hear the finished female vocal to truly comment on how people would process the opposing vocals. The way it is, I think it would help to take out the first opposing vocal in the first chorus but leave the rest. It sounds too soon to bring it in there for me and might even help you create a build-up in the song, if you wish to do that. Right now it sounds like there is little change throughout and might even be returned for that reason should you ever submit. Just my opinion but a nice job on this song, so far.

Dan

Hi Danny Taking out that first back and forth might go along way to stop the boring part for sure. Never thought of it really. Good take. I do so need more of a build like you say rather than the ticked off start and harsh words. I love these comments to get the ole brain chrunin. thanks so much
Thankfully, while growing old is compulsory, growing up remains optional!

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Re: can the mind process two opposing vocals at one time?

Post by feaker66 » Mon Sep 27, 2021 5:22 pm

funsongs wrote:
Mon Sep 27, 2021 3:33 pm
Well, Paul...
they say that... as we age, we suffer two main losses.
One of them is short-term memory...
I forget what the other thing was. :? :shock: :o :)
So - you may run into problems.
Your mileage may vary.


Hey Peter. I usually git what you are saying except the second is your hair. ha ha
Thankfully, while growing old is compulsory, growing up remains optional!

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Re: can the mind process two opposing vocals at one time?

Post by funsongs » Mon Sep 27, 2021 6:46 pm

feaker66 wrote:
Mon Sep 27, 2021 5:22 pm
funsongs wrote:
Mon Sep 27, 2021 3:33 pm
Well, Paul...
they say that... as we age, we suffer two main losses.
One of them is short-term memory...
I forget what the other thing was. :? :shock: :o :)
So - you may run into problems.
Your mileage may vary.


Hey Peter. I usually git what you are saying except the second is your hair. ha ha
Well... I'll just keep growing out the ponytail, then I should have plenty to do the classic 'comb-over'.
Peter Rahill - aka "funsongs"
NOW, back on YouTube (2022)
https://www.youtube.com/@peterrahill9263/featured
https://soundcloud.com/funsongs-1
https://peterrahill.bandcamp.com/

“The future aint what it use to be.” - Yogi Berra

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Re: can the mind process two opposing vocals at one time?

Post by funsongs » Mon Sep 27, 2021 6:46 pm

feaker66 wrote:
Mon Sep 27, 2021 5:22 pm
funsongs wrote:
Mon Sep 27, 2021 3:33 pm
Well, Paul...
they say that... as we age, we suffer two main losses.
One of them is short-term memory...
I forget what the other thing was. :? :shock: :o :)
So - you may run into problems.
Your mileage may vary.


Hey Peter. I usually git what you are saying except the second is your hair. ha ha
Well... I'll just keep growing out the ponytail, then I should have plenty to do the classic 'comb-over'.
Peter Rahill - aka "funsongs"
NOW, back on YouTube (2022)
https://www.youtube.com/@peterrahill9263/featured
https://soundcloud.com/funsongs-1
https://peterrahill.bandcamp.com/

“The future aint what it use to be.” - Yogi Berra

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