Comments on: Taking Time to Listen

By: Are you listening? « Organic Musicology

Are you listening? « Organic Musicology — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 00:40:27 +0000

[...] song is simple, but its delivery and message are profound. As an interesting post by Zoe Lang at Zeitschichten reminded me, even as a trained musician — or perhaps, because I am a trained musician — [...]

By: wölkschen

wölkschen — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 07:49:45 +0000

Maybe part of the problem is, that wherever you go, music is already there. Thus, when you hear music all the time, it seems impossible to focus on it all the time. Have we kind of unlearned to really listen in that way? The problem reminds me of a song written by Reinhard May (I know, different kind of music, but nontheless sensible text and somehow capturing): “Ich hasse Musik, die aus den Ritzen quillt, Musik, die mir den Spaß an der Musik verdirbt. (…)”

By: Sue F

Sue F — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 19:37:15 +0000

Well, first, this discussion brings the term “sonic wall paper” to life! And once you get married, your husband will teach you very quickly the difference between hearing and listening. But seriously folks… I find that since (classical) music is my career/ vocation, I don’t like to listen to it in my free time that often. But I do listen, with varying degrees of attention ranging from barely noticing to intensely focusing, to pop, rock, folk and jazz in my free time. And with near constancy. Zoe, you and I both knew people at the Big H who ONLY listened to classical music. I think this ghettoizing is also part of the problem you name above. It’s a bit sad, frankly. I think Brinkmann really nailed it.

By: Bill Bell

Bill Bell — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 19:16:47 +0000

Thank you for these thoughts.

For me these are an indication of just how unmindful one can become of what is happening in one’s immediate environment. It would be one thing if one were operating a jackhammer in the street. It’s quite another to find that one is ignoring some of the world’s greatest art.

Very strange but true.