General Music Chat

Professionally speaking, lyrics should never be covered up. Just like when the flute has a solo there has to be a volume adjustment so that the flute can be heard. A band that outblasts the singer is not doing its job.

That being said vocals have also been used as an instrument...just ask Pat Matheny. In other words, the voice is chanting strictly non words such as aaahh, ooohhh. Even then the voice should be heard although not necessarily understood.

That being said vocals have also been used as an instrument...just ask Pat Matheny.

Pat Matheny!

Now you're talkin'!



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I don't get the vocals as instrument thing.
Whats the diff ??

On some of the old "Yes" songs, Jon Anderson wasn't singing any words, just using his voice as an instrument, and it was beautiful.

Oh, and my pet peeve when listening to music (and I'm surprised that no one else has mentioned it yet) is having someone talking up a storm to you while you're trying to listen to the song.

When I hear a band live or on record if I can't understand the vocals I get ANGRY. Why bother even having vocals if you can't understand the words? To me it's unprofessional to have the instruments drowning out the singers. I've seen some very famous bands live that were guilty in the extreme. What a disappointment to see somebody you idolize for the first time and it's so loud your eardrums melt. Nothing gets me heading for the exit sign quicker...

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Hmm, I can hear THIS singer over the band, and can understand every word he sings, yet...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jAaw9KDl ... r_embedded

Said before it was. I'm not even sure why I do it LOL!
Soz...

Almost as hard as talking like Yoda.

Everyone and no one Chippy.
Was a general response to the "vocals as instrument" reference as above.
It's like.. if you would intentionally sing vocals unintelligibly why bother tuning your guitar either.
I just don't get it.

Ever hear a song where you just can't tell if the guitarist is hitting a major or minor E chord.. wondering why you can hear something different, enticing.. in it, but you just can't make it out?

Same difference? Sometimes I will mute the G string in a variety of E chords, especially the Em7 or Emaj9 .. just to give a vague ambiance without giving the listener enough detail to feel a specific expression.

I see the same with vocals - would Ace of Spades be a great song if you could understand Lemmy perfectly? Same with Sponge, STP, Pearl Jam, etc...

Great point Kramer. Sometimes you're better off not knowing the words. You mentioned Pearl Jam; "Yellow Ledbetter" is a lot cooler if you don't know exactly what he's saying. This ain't Speech 101.

Sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
Is it safe to come out yet and for me to do what I want to do?

My biggest pet peeves...

1. Lyrics that are cliche or juvenile.

2. Violins played incorrectly (I'm looking at you, Country Western butchers! The Fiddle is not an instrument! You should be shot for violating the instrument that way!)

3. People singing through their nasal passages (again, looking at you Country Western folks...)

4. People not singing (looking at you, Rap artists)

5. Boring, predictable arrangements that only care about recycling the chorus as often as possible. If you can't make the rest of the song interesting, then don't bother.

That is a good point Kramer. I kind of see what you mean.
Though a lot of rock music is that way I really don't have that much difficulty understanding the lyrics. I guess after years of hearing and reading said genre' I more or less have a trained ear for rock lyric.
Still for some of the more difficult to understand songs, I am with Bob.
It's just irritating. Like trying to hold a conversation with someone whom mumbles. Freakin enunciate please!

I've got to put my 2 cents in. My voice is my instrument and as a singer I know that communicating the message of the lyrics is essential. As a writer it is even more important. I believe each instrument in a song has an integral part that when put together correctly creates an emotional transfer to the listener. Evoking emotion and thought I believe is the purpose and gratification of makeing music. One person in the making of music that is equally important is the producer. They have the ability to hear each piece in the song and mesh them together as a whole in their head before recording. Those of you that have worked with a pro. producer know what I mean. In conclusion: The the driving beat of the rythm section that moves your foot, the guitar solo that can only be done by the original player, the vocals that left your girlfriend crying, the lyrics that make you think they are singing about you, all of these are individual to any song as we are all individuals.

I've got to put my 2 cents in. My voice is my instrument and as a singer I know that communicating the message of the lyrics is essential. As a writer it is even more important. I believe each instrument in a song has an integral part that when put together correctly creates an emotional transfer to the listener. Evoking emotion and thought I believe is the purpose and gratification of makeing music. One person in the making of music that is equally important is the producer. They have the ability to hear each piece in the song and mesh them together as a whole in their head before recording. Those of you that have worked with a pro. producer know what I mean. In conclusion: The the driving beat of the rythm section that moves your foot, the guitar solo that can only be done by the original player, the vocals that left your girlfriend crying, the lyrics that make you think they are singing about you, all of these are individual to any song as we are all individuals.

We hold much in common where music is concerned bro!

Well said.

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I have admired your music. YOU have a voice. We can be rare sometimes.

I have admired your music. YOU have a voice. We can be rare sometimes.

Well, if that was meant for me... Thank you very much brother.

Made my day!

btw...

I like that song "Turn Around" - Did you write it?

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