Listening to music is a deeply personal activity. It can be practiced in solitary or in a social setting. It can be accompanied by movement or stillness. What we listen to varies greatly amongst us. Our tastes, temperament, moods, and personalities guide us toward pop, rock, jazz, blues, orchestral, opera, rap, hip hop, or all of the above and more, as our genre(s) of choice. When we listen, whether it is in the car; on public transportation; as we walk, run, jog, or exercise; as we relax at home on the weekend; or in a live-music venue varies with our idiosyncrasies and circumstances as well. 

With music being so personal an experience, is it possible to answer the question, “Is there a right way to listen to music?” Perhaps not. Or perhaps we’re asking the wrong question. Maybe we should be asking, “Is there a better way to listen to music, one that enhances our enjoyment of the activity?” One can argue that any way you enjoy listening to music is the right way, but there may be some techniques you could try to enhance your music listening experience, thus amplifying your appreciation and making it even more satisfying.

Here are a few techniques to try if you are looking for a way to make your music listening experience even more enjoyable than it already is.

Close Your Eyes
It probably goes without saying that closing your eyes while listening to music shouldn’t be done when you are driving, walking, or running. This is a technique that is better saved for listening at home or in the comfort of your seat while in a concert hall. By temporarily disabling one of your senses, you are enhancing another. By not seeing what is around you, you hear what is around you more clearly. You naturally concentrate more on the sound so that you hear elements you might not when your eyes are open. This can deeply affect and expand your appreciation of the music you’re hearing. 

Add Movement
Music and movement go together. We’ve known that since before we were cognitively aware of it. As babies, we kicked our feet at the sound of music, and as we grew, we gyrated, twisted, and jumped to it. As adults, we have learned to be more sedate unless we’re on the dance floor or at a live concert. Tapping out the rhythm with our hands or feet as we find and feel the beat adds another element to the experience. Not only are we listening to the music, we are also feeling it. As the article, How to Listen to Music: 10 Ways to Listen Like a Musician on the Take Note blog says, “Music itself, as distinct from visual and sometimes tangible accompaniments like sheet music, vinyl, and performances, is a purely auditory experience. It occupies no space, only time. Understanding how a song relates to and organizes time is essential to understanding the song.”

Let the Sound Take You Away
The combination of notes; instruments; and, often, voice that makes up a piece of music has the ability to tap into our emotions, clarifying and mirroring them in a way few other media can. Music speaks to us in an intuitive way that transcends language and allows us to let our feelings surface and become part of the listening experience. When that happens, when we allow ourselves to freely feel the music and the emotions it releases, we are transported to a place where little else exists.

Close your eyes, move with the beat, and let the music take you where it may. As simple as this may sound, combining these three elements while you listen to a favorite song, or any piece of music, may allow you to hear it in a way you never have before or just make it sound better. This is my answer to, “Is there a better way to listen to music?” What’s yours?