Hearing Music Differently
As artists, we begin to experience music in a way that’s different from the average listener. We start hearing it through an analytical lens — breaking it down into parts, analysing how it all fits together. But what got us into music in the first place was simple listening: feeling every beat, every change in tone, every subtle shift in rhythm with our bodies.
The magic of music lived in the way it moved us.
That’s what drew us in.
We were captivated by how it felt.
Now, as artists, we have to remember that same visceral connection to keep our own music alive. It’s not just about playing notes or writing lyrics; it’s about creating a space where our audience can feel something deep. Music isn’t just sound — it’s a catalyst for emotion. And this emotional connection is a core part of artist development for singers.
Crafting Music that Connects
Does your music make you or others tap their foot? Laugh? Cry? Catch their breath? Are you pulling people into the song, making them listen, really listen?
When we were simply listeners, music wasn’t something we analysed — it was something we experienced.
That’s what we’re trying to recreate when we make music.
So ask yourself:
- Is your melody captivating?
- Does it stay with you after the song ends?
- Are your lyrics sharp, intriguing, or unexpectedly moving?
- Does your harmonic world take the listener somewhere?
- Does the structure build tension? Release it? Tell a story?
Every choice is part of creating compelling music.
The Heart of Your Song: Melody, Lyrics, and Harmony
Then there’s the voice — your most expressive instrument.
Is it placed well?
Does it feel intimate, or large and atmospheric?
Are you using clarity? Warmth? Edge? Air?
Does the vocal production support the song’s emotional intention?
Every element matters:
- the crack of a snare
- the pick on a guitar
- the breath before a phrase
- the blend of harmonies
- the tone you choose
- the imperfections you keep
Everything either deepens the emotion or pulls the listener out of the moment.
This is where strong vocal coaching becomes part of the artistic process — helping singers shape tone, intention, and emotional delivery so the voice becomes fully alive inside the music.
Listen and React: The Power of Music You Love
Here’s a challenge:
Listen to a few songs you love and pay attention to your body.
What happens?
- Does your foot tap?
- Do you smile?
- Do you shudder?
- Do you feel nostalgic?
- Do you lean in because you need to keep listening?
- What do the rhythm, melody, harmony, and vocal tone do to you?
Write down what you notice.
Even the subtle things.
These sensory responses are exactly what you want to create for your listeners.
Real-World Examples
I picked 3 tracks I love that I hadn’t listened to in a while:
Yoko Ono – “Approximately Infinite Universe” (1972)
My body immediately started to move. Her light, bright vocal tone made me smile. The emotion in her lyric delivery sent shivers down my spine. I was transported instantly.
Joni Mitchell – “Blue”
The piano pulls you straight into its flow. Joni’s vocal tone — vulnerable, open, deeply human — is perfectly recorded. Her vibrato, her tempo shifts, her storytelling… it all feels alive. Time stops.
PJ Harvey – “Man Size”
The crackle of vinyl, the primal drums, the raw guitar. The panning. The grit. The unapologetic tone of her voice. It’s instinctive — the body reacts before the mind can think.
The Power of Emotional Connection
That’s what making compelling music is about — creating moments that move people in ways they can’t always articulate.
The tiny details create the emotional impact.
The voice is the carrier of truth.
The artistry is in the feeling it leaves behind.
And this emotional connection — through voice, artistry, and creative intention — is at the heart of the work I do with singers in vocal coaching and artist development.
Helping singers create music that feels alive — that’s the magic.
If you’re developing your creative voice, personalised songwriting & musicality coaching can be a powerful next step. So if you’re ready to develop your artistry, do reach out! I offer artist development for singers, in person and online vocal coaching for adults.
