Tips for Listening with Intention
A great pairing for your Monthly Mixtape listening!
‘The whole problem can be stated quite simply by asking, “Is there a meaning to music?” My answer to that would be, “Yes.” And “Can you state in so many words what the meaning is?” My answer to that would be, “No.” Therein lies the difficulty.’
- Aaron Copland
‘What to Listen for in Music’
Create the Right Environment for Listening
Create the right environment for listening. Find a quiet space where your distractions are minimized. You may want to sit comfortably or even lie down, closing your eyes to focus solely on the music. Think about the theme of the mixtape you are listening to - really keep that as a point of reflection (a mindfulness tool, even!) to refer back to. All of these songs were chosen with that theme in mind… see if you can determine why they are here!
Try Listening to the Lyrics as if You Were Singing Them to Yourself
Typically we hear song lyrics as a message to another person. What if the tables were flipped? What if someone was singing them to you? Or better yet… what if you were singing them to yourself? How does that shift the meaning for you?
You Don't Have to 'Like' the Song to Listen!
Maybe a song or genre just isn’t your usual cup of tea. But what if (even just for a moment!) you take yourself out of the confining descriptors that have been conditioned to become your “reality”. Statements like, “I don’t like country music” or “Pop music is just fluff”. Try to take the role of the observer and see if you can determine what it is about this song that made someone select it for this list? Can you relate or empathize to the lyrics? Can you hear why someone else may enjoy it?
Focus on the Elements
Listen actively to the different layers of the music, such as the instruments, lyrics, rhythm, harmony, melodies. Pay attention to the production and how the music itself simply makes you feel. Even if this song is not a favorite, see if you can piece out any elements within the song that you CAN appreciate. The full container of the song may not trip your fancy, but possibly there is a little nugget of goodness in there worth your while!
Engage With the Music
Engage with the music. Try to identify patterns, themes, or changes throughout the track or the mixtape as a whole. Let yourself be drawn into the emotional narrative of the music.
Reflect
After listening, think about how the music affected you. What emotions did it evoke? Did you notice something new or gain a deeper understanding of the song itself?
Free Will is a Beautiful Thing
When all else fails and the song just doesn’t jive on any level, thank yourself for giving it a try and skip it! The world would be a boring place if we all liked all of the same things - congrats on diving in with an open mind and community-focused intent. ♥️
