Theory about music for the common listener
Over the past few months I have become significantly more connected to the music that I listen to.
I have a stronger desire to always be listening, have been listening to a wider variety of songs, and enjoy the experience of listening to music significantly more. I find myself greater appreciating songs and feeling different emotions more strongly based on the type of music.
Musical palette
After talking with friends who are artists, going to some concerts and doing some thinking, I believe everyone has a musical palette.
Everyone’s palette is what allows them to listen to and appreciate different types of music. It’s why some people love an artist that others can’t handle listening to.
At this moment, I believe the palette moves both vertically and horizontally.
Vertically in the way that there are certain songs and artists that literally cannot be understood or appreciated without a more developed palette.
I would argue that amazing Jazz players sit high up on the vertical ladder and it requires a high level of musical competence to really enjoy that music.
Horizontally in the way that I might like one artist and hate another, and you might be the other way around, but their complexity of music could sit on the same plane. The preferences come rather from our comfortability listening to those artists and the way we enjoy the vibe/mood that they create.
There are rappers and indie/pop performers, as an example, that sit on the same plane. Someone might hate Logic and love 21 Pilots or the other way around and it could be less about complexity of musical ear as much as it is about musical preferences. And there are probably some people that totally understand amazing jazz players but consciously do not like them.
Why does it matter?
This fascinates me because of the gift that music has become in my life — and I have seen it play the same role in the lives of others. It can bring me so much joy, add meaning to my experience of pain or relaxation, and add a lot of vibrancy to my daily life.
There are times when I’m totally focused in on a song and experience a range of emotions I did not know that I had. Sounds a bit strange, maybe, but think about the best concert you have ever gone to, or a time when you got totally lost in the music dancing around with your friends or in the car.
Those experiences are a reflection of everything tied up in the song. Artists create these things that tend to have a lot more depth and complexity than meets the common eye.
How to develop the palette?
If this idea is interesting and something that a person wants to explore more, then the natural next question is what to do about it?
As far as I know there are two big components.
- When you listen to music, really listen
Of course there are times when we are just listening to music on the side as we are doing another activity like homework, partying, or exercising. I do those things all of the time.
The best way to develop the palette, though, is to really listen to songs. Get lost in the music, let it fill your entire mind and listen to the intricate things happening in the song. The little guitar riffs, the story being told, the way all of the instruments come together, etc.
Getting totally immersed can be challenging and people that can make their mind go blank have an easier time. What works for me, personally, is to listen very intently to the words or rhythm. When I do that, my mind doesn’t have the capacity to put much more energy towards other things. And, eventually, especially when the song is good, I will get lost in it. Following along with everything, enjoying it, feeling potentially strong emotions, and appreciating a lot of the intricacies of the song.
2. Listen to a wider variety of music
If I listen to the same 50 songs all of the time, then my palette will not be able to expand in the same way. Instead, you have to explore new songs, constantly.
Spotify has made this quite easy with all of the awesome playlists and discover weekly. That’s one good way to explore new music.
Another good way is through the suggestions of others. There are likely people whose music taste you appreciate. Those people might change over time, but getting artist or album recommendations from them can be another great place to find new music.
Another is to explore some of the best artists in history. People that are universally famous. There’s a good reason why they are well-known (although you should be open to much lesser known artists as well because so much good stuff out there!). People I’ve been listening to recently, for example, include Pink Floyd, Stevie Wonder, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Panic at the Disco and My Morning Jacket.
Then there are other famous artists that I will listen to and still don’t enjoy. I believe I haven’t quite developed the palette to be able to enjoy some of the music, but I want to continue trying because there’s a reason they are so, so famous. The Beatles, Bob Dylan, a few more.
Exploring new music is also fun. We get to hear different sounds, people and stories. There is infinite music out there and it’s easier now than ever to find and listen to that stuff.
