How do you listen to music?
Posted by: Noopz on 19 November 2007
As the questions says really:
- Sit down and listen to music - your main focus being on listening to the music and nothing else
- Listen to music in the background/whilst doing something else
I think most people here do the first. I'm guilty of the second- right now i'm listening whilst typing this on my laptop.
I find it hard to concentrate on just listening to music- there are only a few albums I can do that to. What's more is that the room has to be dark!
How do you do yours?
Posted on: 19 November 2007 by Chillkram
A bit of both really, Noopz. But I really enjoy the fully immersive experience whenever I can and this is my favourite way to de-stress at the weekend.
I pull my listening sofa forward so that I am away from the rear reflections, set my speakers to the optimal listening position and then put on album after album, allowing myself to just sink into the music. This is a very emotive experience for me and probably why I enjoy Naim kit so much as it is the most communicative equipment I have yet found.
Mark
Posted on: 19 November 2007 by BigH47
It depends if I'm using the PC or generally fiddling about, I'll probably play something I know. If I'm listening to new stuff I'll have a serious "listening chair" session.
Saying that it can be informative to play new stuff in "non serious" mode to see if it filters in and hooks up.
Posted on: 19 November 2007 by Gary S.
A bit of both for me too.
I run my own business, or at least am one of the partners and so I often work long and unconventional hours, so my laptop is usually within armsreach even if not actually on my lap. When working from home, I usually sit in front of the hifi - the trouble is the work often gets forgotten about
especially lately, as I have been auditioning some new speakers and I keep finding myself drawn more and more towards the music.
Gary
Posted on: 19 November 2007 by manicatel
For me, its mainly option 1.
If I'm up & around the house doing other stuff, then I mainly have the radio on.
But to listen to music, I'm mainly on my own, in the room with an LP or CD on. Yes, at night time the lights are dim, or off altogether.
Its the same as reading a book for me. The only way I can really get into a book & get immersed in a story & characters is if I can be in a quiet place, no TV, no kids, etc.
I can hear music whilst I'm on the computer, reading the papers, but to really listen, the music is the sole focus.
Hey, I'm only a bloke. I can't multi-task.
Matt.
Posted on: 19 November 2007 by Guido Fawkes
I do both. I work from home quite a lot so there is a continuous backdrop of music - I spend some time most evenings listening to music. I rarely read books (when I do they're about music) or watch films - I prefer to listen to some songs. If I have to travel then I prefer to go by car because I can play some CDs.
Posted on: 19 November 2007 by Guido Fawkes
quote:
Originally posted by munch:
With my ears
Very good
Posted on: 20 November 2007 by toby
First one only,but not sitting down.I have to stand listening to music whereby I get totally immersed.I can never listen to music sitting down.
Posted on: 20 November 2007 by naim_nymph
Most of the time i listen to music while doing something else, usually chores, cooking, eating, the washing up, laundry, ironing, diy and even using the hoover! It's the clear advantage audio has over the telly imo and must be a far healthier form of home entertainment.
However, i do have times when the armchair is in the sweet-spot and i am soaking up the finer detail of a performance and this in a very low-lit room, the darkness helps to focus the hearing by relaxing ones sight sense i suppose... but then again sometimes it's nice to push the furniture aside and put on the dancing music! : )
Regards ~
nymph
Posted on: 20 November 2007 by Alan Paterson
Try a few drinks with it noopz
Posted on: 20 November 2007 by PJT
quote:
Originally posted by Alan Paterson:
Try a few drinks with it noopz
Yes, definitely for a full on listening session.
Whisky by the pint works a treat
Posted on: 20 November 2007 by fred simon
My answer will probably get me in trouble here, but while I definitely consume music in both modes described above, and of course I understand the value of each, I consider only the first as actual listening ... if I'm doing something else then I'm not truly listening.
Oh, I might be actually listening for a moment here and there while doing something else, I'm certainly hearing the music, but it's more like smelling music ... it's in the air and I'm breathing it in a sort of involuntary way. And obviously music can set a great mood, vibe, atmosphere for all sorts of non-musical social interaction, activities, etc.
But to me it ain't real listening unless I surrender completely to the aural experience. To compare, one wouldn't keep a book open on the coffee table while one vacuums and still claim to be reading. I know I'm stretching the analogy, but you get the idea.
I'm often surprised how few people actually listen to music. And even among those who claim to do so, their attention frequently wanders. To really stay in the moment for every moment of music is much more difficult than many folks realize.
All best,
Fred
Posted on: 20 November 2007 by andrea
quote:
Originally posted by munch:
With my ears
I do it with my brain and soul, but if you prefere doing it with your ears . . .
Andrea
Posted on: 20 November 2007 by andrea
quote:
Originally posted by munch:
quote:
Originally posted by PJT:
quote:
Originally posted by Alan Paterson:
Try a few drinks with it noopz
Yes, definitely for a full on listening session.
Whisky by the pint works a treat
I dont know how anyone can drink that stuff.
I will never get what people see in that drink.
And before anyone says oh you have to try this or that .I have and i still think its horrid.
Munch
I got badly sick any time I tried it (with very few exceptions, in wich I only got mildly sick
). I prefere wine, red wine, possibly from the south of Tuscany . . round, smooth, tasty and flavoured . . . but if I drink and listen to music, I usually fell asleep in a little while . . . I use to listen late at night, after children are asleep, and all is put and done in the house . . .
Andrea
Andrea
Posted on: 20 November 2007 by andrea
quote:
Originally posted by fred simon:
My answer will probably get me in trouble here, but while I definitely consume music in both modes described above, and of course I understand the value of each, I consider only the first as actual listening ... if I'm doing something else then I'm not truly listening.
Oh, I might be actually listening for a moment here and there while doing something else, I'm certainly hearing the music, but it's more like smelling music ... it's in the air and I'm breathing it in a sort of involuntary way. And obviously music can set a great mood, vibe, atmosphere for all sorts of non-musical social interaction, activities, etc.
But to me it ain't real listening unless I surrender completely to the aural experience. To compare, one wouldn't keep a book open on the coffee table while one vacuums and still claim to be reading. I know I'm stretching the analogy, but you get the idea.
I'm often surprised how few people actually listen to music. And even among those who claim to do so, their attention frequently wanders. To really stay in the moment for every moment of music is much more difficult than many folks realize.
All best,
Fred
I think you made the point very clearly . . . very precisely, and I fully share your views . . .
I find rarely the time, will, concentration, quiet, to do the real listening you describe so well . . and still, I am often longing for it, but then, I'm too busy, and afterwards, too tired . . at the moment, I've found this nice wireless connection, that makes me able to do this, (write here on my laptop) while listening to Aretha . . in ew days, I'll start putting all my CDs on a data base, and then the vinyl, perhaps the VCRs and DVDs, and then the books, and all while listening (in the peculiar way you described so well above).
But any now and then it is really great to sink into it, and get the best of it . . . I'm just sorry it is such a "solipsistic" experience.
cheers to all
andrea
Posted on: 20 November 2007 by Chillkram
quote:
Originally posted by fred simon:
But to me it ain't real listening unless I surrender completely to the aural experience.
I agree completely, Fred. For 'incidental' listening as I call it, I could just as well listen to a £10 transistor radio. I can only justify having a multi thousand pound hi-fi by enjoying a fully immersive listening experience.
Mark
Posted on: 20 November 2007 by u5227470736789439
Quite agree! Lying down, with my eyes shut. One of the advantages of CD is that it stops at the end if you happen to fall asleep, rather than the needle be driven throught the run-out groove all night! Clump... clump... clump... clump... clump... ZZZZ, zzzz, ZZZZ, zzzz, ....
Goodnight all! Time for some quiet music! ATB from George
Posted on: 20 November 2007 by northpole
Bet thing is when you are young - our senses ar just mega sensitive and primed to respond to everything!
Failing that, make sure you are above water level!!
I really ony ever listen to my main system when lights are low and concentration is focussed on the sound!
Peter
Posted on: 20 November 2007 by naim_nymph
quote:
Originally posted by Chillkram:
quote:
Originally posted by fred simon:
But to me it ain't real listening unless I surrender completely to the aural experience.
I agree completely, Fred. For 'incidental' listening as I call it, I could just as well listen to a £10 transistor radio. I can only justify having a multi thousand pound hi-fi by enjoying a fully immersive listening experience.
Mark
I respectfully disagree! : )
In the past i've endured some nasty hifi systems, bad enough i couldn't even let them play too long in the background before the harshness, the boom, the whatever, became too grating...
But with my present system i find the music relaxes, excites, humors or thrills me nicely as i get on with other things at the same time. Armchair listerning is fine too, with time, wine and mood, but wherever i am in my home the music always finds my ears and my audio system is of a much lesser concern.
Come on Guys!... jump to your feet and shake your butt to the funky beat! : )
regards ~
nymph
Posted on: 21 November 2007 by Pete
It depends on the music. Some music is made for dancing, and works best when you're dancing: you have to listen to it and feel it to dance well, but clearly the dancing is taking up a lot of one's mind...
Similarly, some music encourages singing along, particularly good pop music, and that's also something that works well with an aside activity.
I like chamber music at concerts as I can watch the musicians interact with one another. That seems to bring out something I can't get with my ears alone.
In summary there isn't a single answer. It depends on my mood, and the music's.
Pete.
Posted on: 21 November 2007 by Guido Fawkes
quote:
Originally posted by Pete:
Some music is made for dancing
Pete.
Ballet?
Posted on: 21 November 2007 by _charlie
I just go on listening binges and listen to anything and everything. Or I go days, weeks even, without listening to anything. I can't stand music radio programming.
Posted on: 21 November 2007 by Chillkram
quote:
Originally posted by naim_nymph:
quote:
Originally posted by Chillkram:
quote:
Originally posted by fred simon:
But to me it ain't real listening unless I surrender completely to the aural experience.
I agree completely, Fred. For 'incidental' listening as I call it, I could just as well listen to a £10 transistor radio. I can only justify having a multi thousand pound hi-fi by enjoying a fully immersive listening experience.
Mark
I respectfully disagree! : )
You can't disagree (respectfully)! - I'm describing how I feel about it. You can say that you feel differently. I can't disagree with that!
Posted on: 21 November 2007 by northpole
quote:
How do you listen to music?
I always insist upon being above water. Maybe it's just me, but I find that's best for me.
Peter
Posted on: 21 November 2007 by Whizzkid
quote:
Originally posted by ROTF:
quote:
Originally posted by Pete:
Some music is made for dancing
Pete.
Ballet?
Yep! you should see me do a
grande battement en cloche and a
Fouetté rond de jambe en tournant while listening to Prokofiev's Romeo and Juliet. Trust me its poetry in motion.
.
Dean...
Posted on: 21 November 2007 by Heath
I was just thinking about this the other week, and there's two main ways I enjoy listening to music. One, going for the full on Naim experience, anti socially alone, in subdued lighting with it turned up pretty loud. The other, on a cheap transistor radio, perferably with a noisy distant signal. Both ways allow me to connect with the music. The tranny radio thing most definitely comes from listening to Radio Luxembourg late at night as a child, on a Philips tranny with one of those beige mono earpieces. They played Betty Davies Eyes by Kim Carnes an awful lot! I can of course listen in other ways and still gain enjoyment, but these are my favourite ways.
