Able Quote by Compay Segundo
“Every time I talk about this, I say: when the singer is singing, he must be respected, you must be able to hear what he's saying. You can't put a trombone and a drum up there, and a microphone on the drum, microphones on everybody. You can't hear what he's saying.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: Discussing musical performance, date unknown
The speaker stresses the importance of clear vocal clarity in music, arguing that excessive instrumentation and poor mic placement drown out the singer's message.
In simple terms: Clear vocals are essential; too many instruments muffle the message.
Prioritize vocal clarity in arrangement.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- live concerts
- studio recording
- band rehearsals
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How can engineers ensure vocals stand out?
- What arrangements best support lyrical content?
Balancing instrumentation with vocal prominence can be challenging.