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Critical Listening Training Document

In 1980, Peter Cuddy, a salesperson at HIFI Haven in New Brunswick NJ, gave me an education in how to listen as an audiophile. He also gave me a one page, manually typed (on a typewriter!) document full of questions to ask myself while listening to music and gear, as well as to remind me of his lessons for years to come.

It's now 22 years later, and I still have it... somewhere. Luckily, I scanned it a few years back. And now I can share it with you.

After you read it, try the techniques on a piece of good classic jazz, which I find easiest. And please post any guidance you would give to newbie audiophiles that is not covered.

Download the pdf by clicking on this link:

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/17725584/Critical%20Listening.

Wherever you are, Peter Cuddy, thanks!

Have fun.
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anonymoustao
127 posts
 
That is a wonderful story, Alonski. And that is one lucky kid. A 15 year old with Thiels! He is certainly off to an auspicious start. :)
isochronism
2,893 posts
 
Mom says "He'll never be the same again".
He's gonna turn into one like us??
OH, the humanity!!!!
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alonski OP
158 posts
 
I know, Isochronism, it was a tough call... should there be an "age of consent" for underage audiophiles?

I like Anonymoustao's take on it: that is, indeed, one auspicious beginning for a 15 year old.

As for me, it's totally selfish – I feel good that my beloved Thiels will be appreciated for years to come, and that as his knowledge (and expenses) grow, he will remember his first audiophile epiphany fondly.
isochronism
2,893 posts
 
Agreed. You likely passed on a gift in boosting a musical appreciation in him which will grow throughout his years! Very nice!!
judsauce
149 posts
 
In my case, as in Alonski's (thanks for the great thread), being a musician has greatly aided my critical listening as an audiophile. Though currently not a pro, I started real young (in high school and college) by helping support myself by playing in bands up and down the colleges and clubs in Central NY. As a guitarist, I vividly remember the "dance" I did, along with the bass player and the drummer while we were playing; we would each lock into a part of that drum kit; I'd eyeball the snare, the bass player the kick drum, and we'd all be intertwined, each accenting different portions of the measure and different parts of the drum kit, but all gelling into one mean groove machine. It was hypnotic.

I also played percussion in orchestras, had classical training on piano, guitar, as well as my favorite style of electric guitar: fusion with an r and b twinge.

I strongly believe that having all of this experience really helps me pick apart a lot of the stuff that I hear. And reading that Peter Cuddy document confirmed that. Because pretty much most of those questions roll around my brain when I'm in critical listening mode.

Thanks for sharing that document, Alonski, and also for all your great replies.

Have a good one!
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