How much music do you listen to? (22 Feb 21)
Greetings all, I hope you’re well. Last week, while perusing my Instagram feed, I came across this post. It was interestingly ironic because I was actually pondering this question recently over the last year of this C19 pandemic. I’ve gotten in to a fair number of conversations with folks, not about the pure question itself, but more so how people listen to music (age range being a factor) in the advent of music streaming platforms. As a musician, I’m listening to music everyday, various genres at that, and “new” music, primarily in the urban contemporary genre (albeit minimally). What I have noticed is a void since last year. That void actually had to do with how I purposely used to invest time in the way I do listen to music vice how it has been over the last year. I came to realize I wasn’t listening “purposely” or purposefully (if that’s a word). This past weekend I came across a similar post asking about how much one listens to music as a musician and does the amount (and type of genre(s)) influence one’s production style. While the latter question really was of no consequence to me, a fair amount of commenters stated they really don’t listen to new music. I surmised why this was said, but that topic is for another blog post.
Getting back to listening to music as a musician, a friend of mine posed a question to me that same weekend and it reads as follows:
My answer flowed quickly like running water, and while it was natural, I didn’t mean for it to be interpreted as deep, but nonetheless, interpretation is everything.
In any event, the void I mentioned above has been filled, simply by taking the time to listen purposely again. I define that by listening to music and minimizing or, at best, totally eliminating multitasking. That leaves me to audibly explore what I’m listening to, and with every chance I get, make use of the available physical media additions such as CD or casssette cover artwork, liner notes, etc. I find that it makes the entire listening experience for more enjoyable, as it reminds of how I started listening to and enjoying music pre-internet. Do I still do chores, drive, etc, will listening to music – sure – but the experience is never the same as being able to devote deeper attention to it.
How much music do you listen to daily?
Thanks for the read….
Oceans of rhythm,
Doug