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Dave's Side One · August 20 · 6 min

Everything Happening Behind the Singer

The human voice naturally pulls our attention forward. That means some of the most interesting musical information can pass by underneath it. In this episode of Dave’s Side One, Dave uses Steely Dan's Aja for the next Seven Things to Listen For exercise: Listen behind the singer. Follow the bass. Then the drums. Then the keyboards. Then the guitars, horns, harmonies, and small musical details that appear for only a moment. Dave introduces The Background Test: Support. Color. Respond. Reveal. A great backing arrangement doesn't merely decorate the vocal. It changes how we hear it. Side One Spin: What album gets richer when you stop following the lead singer?

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The human voice naturally pulls our attention forward.

That means some of the most interesting musical information can pass by underneath it.

In this episode of Dave’s Side One, Dave uses Steely Dan's Aja for the next Seven

Things to Listen For exercise:

Listen behind the singer.

Follow the bass.

Then the drums.

Then the keyboards.

Then the guitars, horns, harmonies, and small musical details that appear for only a moment.

Dave introduces The Background Test:

Support.

Color.

Respond.

Reveal.

A great backing arrangement doesn't merely decorate the vocal.
It changes how we hear it.

Side One Spin: What album gets richer when you stop following the lead singer?

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