Listening: a facet of musical potential

Posted 7 years ago

There are many ways to observe listening that can be applied in many different contexts.

Listening takes time. However the key question is: do participants listen when you give them instructions? This is crucial to everything that follows.  One musical exercise that can help spot if young people are really listening is to ask them to listen to a repeated rhythm played solo and then find a rhythm that fits with this and join in. Try observing how many participants wait – and listen – before joining in.

Clip 1, J: waiting and listening.

Clip 2, C: waiting and listening.

Clip 3, A1: watching C and Hugh, keeping a complex rhythm going while listening
and learning another. Complex multi-tasking.

This resource is also available on the Youth Music Network.

Explore the other facets:

1) Enjoyment
2) Active listening
3) Absorption in the music
4) Commitment to the process
5) Inclination to explore
6) Inclination to lead
7) Memory
8) Expression

 

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