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.
alonski
I read the link. Thank you for sharing. Very interesting. After reading all his points, I have concluded that I am a critical listener and that I have a system that allows me to be one. And it's far from high-end. One of my emphasis has always been bass and percussion. esp tympani i.e. do you hear the NOTES, not just a boom boom. Wanna hear great voices get Robert Shaw's SONGS OF ANGELS robert shaw chamber singers. Christmas music. The best I have heard.
Cmalak, I don't know how you did it, but thanks for fixing the link! Is there a way that I can edit my original post?

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/17725584/Critical%20Listening.pdf
Unfortunately, editing is not an option here.
Thanks for posting that guide.
Interesting page, good as far as it goes. I have posted this before, but another great book as far as learning to listen to music better in general is the famous composer Aaron Copland's "How to Listen to Music." This classic is still perhaps the best thing out there, and one could apply it to critical listening for your components, as well. And it applies to listening to any type of music, not just classical, by the way.