dynamics loud soft power

Let's now listen to what you recorded...

"#1) Record a song you know well"

Okay, cool...

"#2) Right after the first one record the same song with NO dynamics (no volume change... everything at one level)."

You might of been surprised that this sounded no different, or not much different, than #1. If this is the case, you're in the majority. This is a good wake-up call to use more dynamics.

"#3) Then record the same song with a focus on dynamics... make some passages louder and others softer. Really try to swing your dynamics dramatically." continue reading...

Recording yourself for analysis is a well-known tool to better one's playing. Try this...

1) Record a song you know well

2) Right after the first one record the same song with NO dynamics (no volume change... everything at one level).

3) Then record the same song with a focus on dynamics... make some passages louder and others softer. Really try to swing your dynamics dramatically.

4) Record it one last time, but make your louds even louder and softs even softer... MORE dramatic.

Listen to all four versions...

“A mediocre musician can win over an audience by sheer emotion alone. Remember, any one of the ten elements [of Music], raised to a very high level, can be used in a way that overshadows the fact that the musician is lacking in skill of the other nine.” Pg 98, The Music Lesson: A Spiritual Search for Growth Through Music by Victor L. Wooten

If you're Interested in learning more about dynamics join me for Improvising Study 3 and Joe Filisko for his 18 Harmonica Insights #8.