I usually listen to a piece of music when I'm on the computer. I have my headphones on and it's just me and the music. No distractions and no interruptions. I sometimes even listen to a piece of music while I'm typing about it.

Anyway, I don't really have any system of listening. I try and listen to pieces of music I haven't heard or that I have recently bought. Sometimes I'll listen to the same recording 5 nights in a row. It just all depends on how I react to the music and if it's a positive reaction, then I'll return to the same recording quite often.

I also listen to music lying in the bed at night. I also get one-on-one experience with it as well and also this is where the very serious listening comes into focus.

 

I turn many, many pieces one after another and every time I decide that "that's not the one", until I found piece that fits my mood.

 

I have this problem in choosing what I want to hear

Oh yeah, me too... I can get stuck in a "loop" for as long as an hour in trying to determine what I wanna listen. Usually I have a weekly repertoire of small pieces, like sonatas, some chamber music, etc. and as for the big works - it's totally random. For example, today I finally listened to Mahler's 3rd after 2 months of abstinence from it, for some reason I became scared of the length of this work, yet when I've finally brought myself to listen to it again it just "flew" naturally. Um... I also have this list on my mind of works and composers I want to listen and get into, so those get the first priority. The second priority level goes to those small works I described. And ultimately, if I still didn't pick up anything it's either goes on random or I simply get stuck in trying to choose the music. Sounds pretty weird, I guess

 

I just have my listening queue in the order in which I originally obtained the recordings.. This way I ensure everything gets listened to some time.

 

What happens if the next in queue does not hit the sweet spot ?? do you still play it?
Personally I find it depends on what mood you are in at the time, most of my listening is chamber followed by choral, but there are times when the choice I have made does not grab me I have no qualms in taking it off and loading something else, even my beloved Ludwig v B

 

Classical symphonies like those of Haydn and Mozart are really great for this sort of thing, because they're not too complicated to where you can't appreciate it if it's just background music.. and if you want to sit down and really focus on the music, they're good for that as well, since then you can hear all the formal and rhythmic nuances of the piece.

For large works that I'm unfamiliar with like romantic symphonies or operas, I need to be concentrating on the work at all times, reading the score or libretto.. so I need a big chunk of free time to do that. So it kinda takes me awhile to get into new repertoire sometimes, since I rarely get anything out of a new piece by just listening to it.

 

I tend to go for variety in my listening. I'll go from Haydn to Mahler to Bax to Schoenberg, etc. For me, the contrast brings out each style more clearly when I start to listen to it. If I stay with one style to long my listening is dulled.

 

I have noticed this too.

There are a lot of good ideas and methods in this thread. Thanks.

 

This is an interesting one. I focus on listening to what I got recently or at least that is the aim. I often have music on while at the computer (organizing, looking for or doing my music blog). I am listening to Bartok played by Anda and Fricsay now - but I know this first piano concerto well enough. Sitting to listen and concentrate especially with unknown music can be a challenge. Quite frankly I feel the desire to sleep! With longer works. My attention starts to drift maybe - depending on the recording. I enjoy following the score on pdf on the computer while listening. Score following can be very involving at times.

In terms of 'background' music where I may nod off, I would go for Baroque and Classical often - no disrespect to the greats of the genre.

 

Books......

Well, when I am not driving I often choose pieces to listen to again after reading about them. Just think of the books as the program notes because they walk you through a piece.

I use the books to help me decided what to purchase and then enjoy reading the several pages that describe the composer and the piece.

I place a check in the book when I have done that as some of these books are not something to speed read through and many of they I got off Amazon for a penny!

Just a few are listed below. They are not difficult reads and you can sample many of them on-line at Amazon. I know so little I need all the help I can get.

Music: An Appreciation [Hardcover]
By: Roger Kamien

The Complete Book of Classical Music [Hardcover]
By: David Ewen

The Symphony: A Listener's Guide [Paperback] by Steinberg, Michael [Paperback]
By: Michael Steinberg

What to Listen For in Music [Paperback]
By: Aaron Copland, Leonard Slatkin

The Concerto: A Listener's Guide (Listener's Guide Series) [Paperback]
By: Michael Steinberg

Listen to the Music: A Self-Guided Tour Through the Orchestral Repertoire by... [Hardcover]
By: Jonathan D. Kramer

The Rough Guide to Classical Music: 100 Essential CDs, 1st Edition (Rough... [Paperback]
By: Joe Staines

The Oxford Companion to Music (Oxford Companions) [Hardcover] by Latham, Alison [Hardcover]
By: Alison Latham

Classical Music Top 40: Learn How To Listen To And Appreciate The 40 Most Popular And Important Pieces I [Paperback]
By: Anthony Rudel

The New York Times Essential Library: Classical Music: A Critic's Guide to the 100 Most Important Recordings [Paperback]
By: Allan Kozinn

Conducting Technique: For Beginners and Professionals Book [Spiral-bound]
By: Brock McElheran

The Art of the Conductor: The Definitive Guide to Music Conducting Skills, Terms, and Techniques [Paperback]
By: John J Watkins

The Classical Music Experience With Web Site, Second Edition: Discover the... [Hardcover]
By: Julius Jacobson II

Classical Music Without Fear: A Guide for General Audiences [Paperback] by... [Paperback]
By: Marianne Williams Tobias

The Classic Fm Guide to Classical Music: The Essential Companion to Composers... [Paperback]
By: Jeremy Nicholas

Classical Music Top 40: Learn How To Listen To And Appreciate The 40 Most Popular And Important Pieces I [Paperback]

Why Classical Music Still Matters [Paperback]
By: Lawrence Kramer

Classical music [Hardcover]
By: John Stanley

Random House Encyclopedic Dictionary of Classical Music [Hardcover]
By: Helicon Publishing Ltd.

The Chronicle of Classical Music: An Intimate Diary of the Lives and Music of the Great Composers [Paperback]
By: Alan Kendall

Mendelssohn (Illustrated Lives of the Great Composers) by Moshansky, Mozelle [Paperback]
By: Mozelle Moshansky

Vivaldi: Voice of the Baroque [Paperback] by Landon, H. C. Robbins [Paperback]
By: H. C. Robbins Landon

Antonio Vivaldi: The Red Priest of Venice [Hardcover]
By: Karl Heller

Vivaldi (Illustrated Lives of the Great Composers) [Paperback]
By: J. Booth

Johannes Brahms: A Biography [Paperback] by Swafford, Jan [Paperback]
By: Jan Swafford

Schumann: The Inner Voices of a Musical Genius [Paperback] by Peter Ostwald [Paperback]
By: Peter Ostwald

A Brahms Reader [Paperback] by Musgrave, Michael [Paperback]
By: Michael Musgrave

Classical Music (Eyewitness Companions) [Turtleback] by Burrows, John [Turtleback]
By: John Burrows

Who's Afraid of Classical Music [Hardcover] by Walsh, Michael [Hardcover]
By: Michael Walsh

The Classic FM Friendly Guide to Music (Classic FM Friendly Guides) [Paperback]
By: Darren Henley

The Essential Canon of Classical Music [Paperback]
By: David Dubal

Classical Destinations: An Armchair Guide to Classical Music [Hardcover]
By: Simon Callow, Wendy McDougall

Who Needs Classical Music?: Cultural Choice and Musical Value [Hardcover]
By: Julian Johnson

The Life and Death of Classical Music: Featuring the 100 Best and 20 Worst Recordings Ever Made [Paperback]
By: Norman Lebrecht

Ballet 101: A Complete Guide to Learning and Loving the Ballet [Paperback] by [Paperback]
By: Robert Greskovic

The Lives of the Great Composers [Hardcover]
By: Harold C. Schonberg

Story of the Orchestra : Listen While You Learn About the Instruments, the Music and the Composers Who Wrote the Music! [Hardcover]

The Vintage Guide to Classical Music [Paperback] by Swafford, Jan [Paperback]
By: Jan Swafford

Classical Music 101: A Complete Guide to Learning and Loving Classical Music... [Paperback]
By: Fred Plotkin

The NPR Classical Music Companion: An Essential Guide for Enlightened Listening [Paperback]
By: Miles Hoffman

Inside Music [Paperback] by Haas, Karl [Paperback]
By: Karl Haas

Opera 101: A Complete Guide to Learning and Loving Opera [Paperback] by Fred... [Paperback]
By: Fred Plotkin, Placido Domingo

Classical Music [Paperback]
By: Phil G. Goulding (Author)

The NPR Guide to Building a Classical CD Collection : The 350 Essential Works [Paperback]
By: Ted Libbey (Author)

The NPR Listener's Encyclopedia of Classical Music [Paperback]
By: Ted Libbey (Author)

 

Well, when I am not driving I often choose pieces to listen to again after reading about them. Just think of the books as the program notes because they walk you through a piece.

I use the books to help me decided what to purchase and then enjoy reading the several pages that describe the composer and the piece.

I place a check in the book when I have done that as some of these books are not something to speed read through and many of they I got off Amazon for a penny!

Just a few are listed below.......................................................................................................................................................................................................etc etc etc

The NPR Listener's Encyclopedia of Classical Music [Paperback]
By: Ted Libbey (Author)

Cricky how do you find time to listen to any music

 

More books....

I have enough books and music that I might not hear it all before I die

That's OK, I'll just keep plugging along. I guess I really use the books to push me out of my confort zone and into new waters. After reading about a piece I am unfamilar with I just gotta hear it

Any thanks to the many posters here, I have to hear your suggestions too! Everyone has something wonderful to contribute - Thanks.

 

...I guess I really use the books to push me out of my confort zone and into new waters. After reading about a piece I am unfamilar with I just gotta hear it...

I'm not as widely read as you by far, but I have been reading the excellent Rough Guide to Classical Music, and using that (as you say) to get into music that I haven't heard before. It's just a great process of discovery, you learn something new every time...

 

Andre

Andre

I wish I was all that well read, I spend time at work reading while waiting on a process or at lunch. It takes time to collect books.

You would be absolutely amazed that many of the books are hardback in excellent condition and I got them for under $5 many for a penny on Amazon plus $3 shipping.

I think I only paid a penny for the Oxford Music Dictionary. Standard price new around $89.00. I have them shipped to my office, neadless to say with classical or opera in the background and my staff knowing what I read via the presents in the mail I am labeled a real nerd.

But like you say, I love to read about a piece and then listen to it. I sure has helped me build a classical library with the so called staples "standards" of classical music.

All in all I just hope I know something about classical music someday and that I can pass this love on to my four year old daughter.

 

how do you go about choosing your focus for an evening's serious listening?

Caprice. All goats have it.

 

Sometimes I will feel an urge to explore something weird and strange, and I will choose music on that basis. Other times I will look for pieces I find exhilarating, or calm and restful. I sometimes have to resort to randomly picking from a stack of CD's with my eyes closed. Then I will be disappointed by what chance has decided, and choose one of the other ones! I know this sounds strange, but then I am a strange person.

The most important thing I think is to try not to listen to anything to death. I have heard so many stories of people who used to love a piece but listened to it once too often, came out in a rash, and were unable to listen to it any more. It's sad the things we do to ourselves.

 

Sometimes I will feel an urge to explore something weird and strange, and I will choose music on that basis. Other times I will look for pieces I find exhilarating, or calm and restful. I sometimes have to resort to randomly picking from a stack of CD's with my eyes closed. Then I will be disappointed by what chance has decided, and choose one of the other ones! I know this sounds strange, but then I am a strange person.

The most important thing I think is to try not to listen to anything to death. I have heard so many stories of people who used to love a piece but listened to it once too often, came out in a rash, and were unable to listen to it any more. It's sad the things we do to ourselves.

You just can't win, I think you are quite normal at least in my eyes

 

Back when I was younger I would listen to several albums in a row. These days I find it hard to even listen to one or two albums a day (CD for you younger folks!). Since I am an adventurous soul I like to listen to many different styles and types. I suppose that mostly I try and reach for the unheard titles in my library before choosing something I am quite familiar with and usually if something new gets my ear it will get several plays before I move on to something else. Right now I have been taken with Erkki Melartin's work and have been savoring every minute of the time I have to listen and digest his music. I only wish I had more and that more was available. Alas! That is not the case!

Like kg4fxg, I also like to read books about classical music and often those have piqued an interest to listen to material I might not have otherwise. And thanks kg4fxg for taking the time to post that wonderful reading list! It gives me some ideas of must have titles!

Kevin

 

Erkki Melartin is a very good composer. A contemporary of Sibelius and definitely overshadowed, much like Leevi Madetoja, by Sibelius' music.

 

Emailing the name Erkki Melartin to my home email as I am at work early at present. I'm always looking for composers new to me. Thanks from one Kevin (my real name) to another.

 

Hi,

I have been listening to the album Divine Love by Drummond Walker. It was reccommended to me by a friend.

qgmusic x

 

When I hear an unfamiliar piece of music that just grabs my attention I have a problem. I listen to it several times in the same day. So now I am expanding my collection so those overly played songs can get their luster back. I think my biggest problem is my repetitive nature. I live the same day over and over. The people around me roll their eyes when I even mention Star Wars. So I am trying to give the familiar things in life a rest. I get tired of things when I hear or see them too much. I get into a habit to were I will listen to a piece of music even when I really don't want to. Throughout the years I have even started to hate some pieces of music because of how much I used to love them. Is it human nature or do I have a problem?

 

How do I decide what to listen to? On a day to day basis I have no method. I tend to have a stack of yet-to-be-played CDs which I will draw from when I am able to focus (especially if the music is completely new to me or involves lyrics). These I intersperse with works I haven't played for a while. Every week or so I go through the CD shelves and put some discs away and pull out others I haven't listened to for a while. I tend to just go with a gut feeling. Sometimes I'll be in the mood to listen to a whole slew of music from a single genre/style/era... other times I'll jump around... from Romantic opera to Medieval chant to Mozart to Philip Glass.

How I go about choosing new works is just as complex... and disjointed a process. I'll browse Gramophone Magazine or other music publications, I'll look through suggestions on-line or even recommendations on Amazon.com. I'll then listen to what I can hear of the works on-line... on Amazon, YouTube, etc... If a piece peaks my interest enough I'll place it on my Amazon "wish list". When I decide that I have enough to purchase a number of pieces I'll choose a variety of discs/sets... some new or unfamiliar works usually along with some that flesh out my collection of a familiar artist or composer.

 

with music...

I have with me the basis in deciding what music to listen:

It's got to be songs from my favorite band or solo..
Those songs were collections of my fave music of all time..
with great artists... that's it..

 

I have no idea really. Maybe it's eeny meeny miini mo.

 

I go to my CD shelf and I scan the composers. When something pops out as "YES!!" I listen to it.

 

This is what I am currently doing, to save money. I have made a rule that I must listen to my entire collection, from beginning to end, before making further purchases. So far my collection is fairly small, but it is still taking me quite a while to get through it. Thankfully, I like almost all of it!

 

Sometimes it depends on my mood or
my favorite band or singer
mostly I listen to upbeat songs
that could keep me going.

-Steph

 

Sometimes I want to be taken places with music. Sometimes I want to break down and cry. Sometimes I just want a good eargasm.

 

I decide what to listen to by listening to what I want to hear, that seems pretty straight forward to me.

 

well, just an impusle. depends completely on my mood