Hey Sim, I read this book a while back when I saw it on your story. It seems to make it's way around all the composers I follow!
In regard to this paragraph, I think some part of the answer depends on who is doing the listening. For example, I think the non-musician putting on a classical playlist or lo-fi hip-hop playlist to study for an upcoming exam is okay because chances are they're not in-tune with the deeper things going on in the music (chord progressions, melodies, etc.). For a musician, I think it can serve as a distraction. It might pull you into listening and wondering about the things going on in the music instead of focusing on what task you currently have at hand.
Some other examples would be putting on the radio when going for a drive, listening to music in the kitchen, having it on in the background at a BBQ, etc. It's nice to break-up the silence with music, but it doesn't necessarily need to be the focus 100% of the time. I'm pretty sure that's how Performing Rights Organizations were developed since music served to create an atmosphere in places like restaurants. Even though sometimes music is used in the background, it actually serves to amplify an experience. Have you ever played Doom Eternal?
For me as someone in tune with music, I do at times listen to music while doing other tasks like commuting, studying, my office work, etc. I actually find it harder these days to listen intently as 'real life' serves as a good distraction. To prevent it from being a distraction in the idea of following chords and melodies, I often play ambient music. I've become a huge fan of Stars of the Lid, Chihei Hatakeyama, and Brian Eno to name a few as it's hard to attach yourself to a certain melody or progression. Ambient music does a great job at creating an atmosphere.
The other thing is that sometimes you have to turn off the music or podcast or whatever distraction you have and listen to nature, real nature, not a '10 hour nature soundscape with birds and streams' video. I think it's important these days to go do something and simply listen to what's going on around you. You have to let yourself get a little bored and let thoughts naturally come up. I think doing that really helps clear my head and allow thoughts that have been on the back-burner to come up to the surface.
It is, of course, a much more complicated issue than I perhaps like to see it as. I do also listen to music all the time when doing other tasks where I guess my primary focus is on something else, rather than the music.
A lot of where I want to come from on this relates to the idea of intentionality with regards to listening to music, and challenging the culture that seems to favour musical consumption as simply a means to an end, rather than seeking it out just to listen to, for it's own sake. In this instance, I wouldn't want to make a distinction between musician and non-musician per se - non-musicians will hear and experience things in the music that those of us with a tendency to analyse might miss!
A big issue with modern/neo/post/indie/ambient/contemporary/whatever-classical is creating the illusion of "success" via high streaming numbers, the vast majority of which are coming from playlist sources where the express purpose is designed for listeners to be actively UNAWARE of what they are listening to. If something is included on a list because it has the right amount of "flow", rhythmical movement, lack of extreme dynamics, a "pretty" melody, and it is primarily there to NOT distract and allow the user to "focus", then the music is essentially just becoming a tool to aid something else. However, I really want people to have to stop in their tracks, be drawn out of that "focus" or "flow", and ask 'what is that'? I have to hear it again; I have to buy it; I have to learn it; I have to see it live.
I know you know all this, but it's helpful to expand on it all. Essentially, when I sit down to create, I'm not thinking about how to aid someone's focus or help their workflow!
I agree with her. I am a piano teacher and collaborative pianist, so I am actively listening to music on a daily basis. If I want to compose, I need silence. I understand that for many people listening to background music while working or studying is a very relaxing and healing experience, but I find it distracting. For me, listening to music is intentional and requires focus and attention.
I really love this, Velislava! Yes, absolutely...the intentionality aspect is one of the most important things for me - whether as someone making and creating music, or for how I most desire audiences to listen to and hear my work - intentional listening FTW!
Hey Sim, I read this book a while back when I saw it on your story. It seems to make it's way around all the composers I follow!
In regard to this paragraph, I think some part of the answer depends on who is doing the listening. For example, I think the non-musician putting on a classical playlist or lo-fi hip-hop playlist to study for an upcoming exam is okay because chances are they're not in-tune with the deeper things going on in the music (chord progressions, melodies, etc.). For a musician, I think it can serve as a distraction. It might pull you into listening and wondering about the things going on in the music instead of focusing on what task you currently have at hand.
Some other examples would be putting on the radio when going for a drive, listening to music in the kitchen, having it on in the background at a BBQ, etc. It's nice to break-up the silence with music, but it doesn't necessarily need to be the focus 100% of the time. I'm pretty sure that's how Performing Rights Organizations were developed since music served to create an atmosphere in places like restaurants. Even though sometimes music is used in the background, it actually serves to amplify an experience. Have you ever played Doom Eternal?
For me as someone in tune with music, I do at times listen to music while doing other tasks like commuting, studying, my office work, etc. I actually find it harder these days to listen intently as 'real life' serves as a good distraction. To prevent it from being a distraction in the idea of following chords and melodies, I often play ambient music. I've become a huge fan of Stars of the Lid, Chihei Hatakeyama, and Brian Eno to name a few as it's hard to attach yourself to a certain melody or progression. Ambient music does a great job at creating an atmosphere.
The other thing is that sometimes you have to turn off the music or podcast or whatever distraction you have and listen to nature, real nature, not a '10 hour nature soundscape with birds and streams' video. I think it's important these days to go do something and simply listen to what's going on around you. You have to let yourself get a little bored and let thoughts naturally come up. I think doing that really helps clear my head and allow thoughts that have been on the back-burner to come up to the surface.
Long story short, it's complicated!
Super interesting thoughts, Chris, thanks a lot!
It is, of course, a much more complicated issue than I perhaps like to see it as. I do also listen to music all the time when doing other tasks where I guess my primary focus is on something else, rather than the music.
A lot of where I want to come from on this relates to the idea of intentionality with regards to listening to music, and challenging the culture that seems to favour musical consumption as simply a means to an end, rather than seeking it out just to listen to, for it's own sake. In this instance, I wouldn't want to make a distinction between musician and non-musician per se - non-musicians will hear and experience things in the music that those of us with a tendency to analyse might miss!
A big issue with modern/neo/post/indie/ambient/contemporary/whatever-classical is creating the illusion of "success" via high streaming numbers, the vast majority of which are coming from playlist sources where the express purpose is designed for listeners to be actively UNAWARE of what they are listening to. If something is included on a list because it has the right amount of "flow", rhythmical movement, lack of extreme dynamics, a "pretty" melody, and it is primarily there to NOT distract and allow the user to "focus", then the music is essentially just becoming a tool to aid something else. However, I really want people to have to stop in their tracks, be drawn out of that "focus" or "flow", and ask 'what is that'? I have to hear it again; I have to buy it; I have to learn it; I have to see it live.
I know you know all this, but it's helpful to expand on it all. Essentially, when I sit down to create, I'm not thinking about how to aid someone's focus or help their workflow!
I agree with her. I am a piano teacher and collaborative pianist, so I am actively listening to music on a daily basis. If I want to compose, I need silence. I understand that for many people listening to background music while working or studying is a very relaxing and healing experience, but I find it distracting. For me, listening to music is intentional and requires focus and attention.
I really love this, Velislava! Yes, absolutely...the intentionality aspect is one of the most important things for me - whether as someone making and creating music, or for how I most desire audiences to listen to and hear my work - intentional listening FTW!