“Jake! Jaaaaaake! Get inside right now or else you’re in big trouble!!”
I heard this yelled from a few houses down last night.
The thing was, I didn’t actually hear any of the actual words. I just heard that rhythm, that cadence, the slight swoop up on the word “rrrrrright”, the emphasis on “big”.
I’d heard that phrase yelled a million times so I know what it sounds like. It sounds like Jake’s better get inside.
Our minds do an amazing job of filling in words and meaning when we have a good handle on context and know what to expect.
So when you’re on stage and you say “This next song is called Twister on the Midwest Plains”, what people actually hear is
“Th ext so is call ocklesod oseopejsf psdfoplk”
People’s minds will fill in the first part because “this next song is called” is a normal, expected phrase to hear at a show. But the title? There’s not a chance anyone will even be able to tell what you said….unless you are incredibly articulate, enunciate, and know how to talk into a microphone the correct way for people to understand you.
The next show you go to, some lead singer will say “this next song is called…” from stage and after they say the title, watch several people in the audience turn to the person next to them…they’re asking if their friend heard the title.
The audience has a list of things they expect to hear at a show. So if you say those things, the audience doesn’t even have to hear you to understand you. This is helpful.
But if you venture from that list (and I think you should), you need to venture into learning how to speak clearly.
We want to hear.
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I’m always interested in your perspective, whether affirming or dissenting. Continue the conversation anytime: gabethebassplayer@gmail.com