How do I hear more in my playing?

[juncho]

I can't quite hear all the intricate details that I'm missing in my playing but I can tell that I'm not hearing those misses if that makes sense. Basically, how do I develop a more critical ear?

[keypeg]

For some reason, when I hit "reply" it's a green button and brings me to an invitation to join the forum.  Is this a new policy for new members' posts - that we can't reply to them?   

Juncho, you wrote:

I can't quite hear all the intricate details that I'm missing in my playing but I can tell that I'm not hearing those misses if that makes sense. Basically, how do I develop a more critical ear?

I can relate to your question and it makes sense to me.  First thing, do you have a teacher?  There was a time when I was encouraged to listen to others' playing or performances, and I felt I was missing in the listening department.  I asked my teacher to point out one thing to listen for, and when I listened for that thing, I also started hearing more.

In my own playing, in part when I was told to aim for this or that, I also started hearing it of my own accord both in my own playing and that of others.  By aiming for a specific thing, I also started listening for it and hearing it.

The ability to hear and listen for things is also a thing that develops.  I was weak at hearing pulse or when a good musician nuanced timing for expression.  For my own playing I used some visual aids for a while.  Recorded a section of music while having the metronome playing - playing showed as spikes, piano as humps - if the humps came before or after the spikes I could see what I hadn't heard.  After a while I started also hearing it. ---- I did not hear if two things came together, but was taught to hear a stutter (that I could hear) - could then hear one was earlier, but not which one (hence the recording).

These are just some ideas.  If the original post opens up for responses (if the green post button gets its normal colour and function) I'll copy this over there.

[glerzhus]

For some reason, when I hit "reply" it's a green button and brings me to an invitation to join the forum.  Is this a new policy for new members' posts - that we can't reply to them?   

i believe it's because they locked it (by mistake?) 

[juncho]

 Yes I do have a teacher. And yes I'll definitely try that. I'm going to my first masterclass in a day or two so I'll try that there as well.

What kind of things do you think would be common to have to look out for?

Now that you mention it, I haven't recorded myself in a while, I'll give that a shot thank you.

[juncho]

i believe it's because they locked it (by mistake?) 

Ah yes you're right I did do that... thank you for pointing that out.

[anacrusis]

1. Get a good teacher who can point out the things you aren't hearing over and over again, AND explain to you WHY those things are issues and what you need to do instead.
2. Record yourself and listen intently. It's easy to go "oh that was sort of good" and gloss over imperfections because frankly I think it's uncomfortable for most of us to receive criticism towards what you are pouring your soul into. So be critical and meticulous - but don't be harsh and mean!
3. Listen to recordings of great artists and compare them to recordings you like less. What are the differences? Can you explain it to a layman?

[keypeg]

Yes I do have a teacher. And yes I'll definitely try that. I'm going to my first masterclass in a day or two so I'll try that there as well.

What kind of things do you think would be common to have to look out for?

Now that you mention it, I haven't recorded myself in a while, I'll give that a shot thank you.

To get the ball rolling a bit:
What are things you have been asked to aim for in your playing?  For example, it might be making the melody louder than the accompaniment; keeping a steady pulse; emphasizing key notes to make a statement through altered time or loudness, or articulation (staccato, legato, portato etc.)

Well, before any of that - have you been asked to aim for any such things in your playing?

If you have been asked to aim for such a thing in your playing, then you can start listening for this in others' playing.  Try good performers.  Say "bring out the melody".  Where do you hear the melody being brought out?  Does it shift, for example, it was in the top line, and now it's in the lower line of notes.  If the music is simply a succession of chords, is the pianist actually bringing out one of the notes in the chord so as to convey a melody?

You can focus and listen for one thing, then do so for something else.  There may also be something you start noticing: "This piano is suddenly bringing out these notes / has added more pedal making the music moosh together more over here --- Why is s/he doing that?"  If you have a good teacher who is a musician with a keen ear, your teacher might be able to expand on your question.