What We Hear

[IKnowALittle]

I'm always amazed and intrigued by what some people hear and others don't.
Personally, I have ears like a bat (yes, I know that it not technically correct).

Couple of examples, this is Country (just a warin'), but my point has nothing to do with Country. Watch the acoustic guitarist, every once in a while he does some simple D fills. Now, 99.5% of the population would never hear it. I heard it, clear as a bell. First time I hear the song, was almost painful. Odd.
I also love the drum(s). Having the pedal coming up from the bottom is pretty clever.

Another, "Walk This Way" live. After the first guitar solo, back into the verse, when Tyler sings "Three Young Ladies" I hear the bass and snare drum so clearly.

And this, just 'cause it's so fabulous. Captures the 70's in all it's glory.
Bunch of Canadians, except for Levon, who I dearly liked.

One more from the same DVD.

 

[László]

I think a good ear is more a matter of knowing what to listen for, than one's hearing acuity.

 

[gush]

I do the same thing. I hear things going on in a song that most people probably don't notice.

For instance......the kick drum rhythm in I Shot The Sheriff by EC. It's very cool and probably difficult to play.

One night coming home from a gig very late I was scanning the radio but there wasn't anything good to listen to. I settled on a station playing Love Will Keep Us Together by C & T.I discovered there is a badass drum part that occurs during the hook. Now I kinda like the song!!

 

[toothace]

Same here...I find myself totally spacing out through a song because I'm tuned in to the snare, or the cymbals, or the bass line...

 

[vchizzle]

Early in my guitar playing/learning years, a guy I took a few lessons from had me do an exercise listening to each individual instrument in a song and really focusing in on it. I did that a lot and it made me very aware of things that not everyone hears or notices. It actually got a little annoying, for awhile I was unable to just listen to the song as a whole and enjoy it. I was always breaking songs down. I eventually got back to listening to everything at once. Sometimes I'll still pick stuff apart, but I think in general, I "hear" more of what's going on because of that process.

 

[IKnowALittle]

I think a good ear is more a matter of knowing what to listen for, than one's hearing acuity.

I really can't agree with that ... I just hear stuff without regard to knowing what to listen for.
You don't always have to analyze every little thing.

 

[sergiodeblanc]

You don't always have to analyze every little thing.

Unless you're an audio engineer...
I suffer from the same malady vchizzle talked about, but it never went away.

 

[aristotle]

I think that we hear those things that we resonate with. I certainly heard the parts that the OP pointed out in the tracks that he posted, but the things that I'd pick out wouldn't necessarily be the same (and vice-versa for him or others...)

Sort of related, it's interesting in the opposite way also. Listening to isolated tracks can be interesting. Things you've heard forever and take for granted can take on a new meaning when the little details are exposed...

 

[László]

I really can't agree with that ... I just hear stuff without regard to knowing what to listen for.
You don't always have to analyze every little thing.

No analysis needed here.

Ordinary people with a modicum of experience listening to music certainly hear the parts you're hearing; no miracle or special faculty you believe you have is necessary.