Listening to Music

Music is at the very least a small part of many people’s lives. Whether you are an amateur listener or a seasoned performer, knowing how to listen to music will benefit you on many levels. Here are a few ideas to help you along the listening process:

1. Listen to the ENTIRE work: Whether this is a classical symphony, or a pop album, give yourself the time to listen to the entire work. Albums, like the chapters of a novel, are usually not meant to be picked apart song by song, so enjoy the entire continuity of the story the artist is trying to convey! If it’s a piece of music that has been notated, listen with the music in front of you for a more intellectually rewarding experience. Remember, the best listening is active listening, so if you can dedicate some quiet time to listen to the whole piece with no interruptions, DO IT!

2. Listen to the FORM: Most music contains patterns for listeners to latch onto. Spot the repeated parts of the piece, if any. Does the artist do anything different with each repetition? How many measures does each repetition last?

3. Listen to the ARRANGEMENT/PRODUCTION: All songs begin with a single melody, and/or with a single instrument. It’s up to the artist or producer to choose the instruments, the tones and performers to bring the piece to life. Do you like how the production sounds? Are there any instruments you like or don’t like more than others? Would you have liked to hear the piece in a different configuration?

4. Listen to the PERFORMANCE: Especially today, there are less and less apparent virtuoso performers at the forefront of contemporary music. Research who performed on the album. Did you like them? Listen to another version of the piece if it exists and compare to see which one you like best!

5. Listen to other works of the SAME ARTIST: Not every piece of music an artist writes will be amazing, so check out other works by the same person. It gives you a wider breadth of knowledge and gives you a deeper understanding of that person’s life and their discography. Compare and contrast different albums!

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