Listening Guide for Music | Intentional Listening | Passive, Active, Analytical and Contextual

I am sure you have heard time and time again, that as musicians we need to engage with music in deeper ways than the average person. Essentially there are two ways of listening: passive and active listening. Passive listening is hearing without listening, something we do it all the time! As humans in the modern world, we are constantly hearing a varying and everchanging soundscape as we are always on the go. There are always sounds in our everyday life that we do not really focus on (unless you have a sensitive sensory issue that exaggerates the perception of sound.) Even when we listen to music, sometimes we are not really thinking about it. On the other hand, active listening is listening to music or sounds with intention. What are we perceiving and why? Active listening is crucial skill for musicians and for the avid music enthusiasts a like. Neither way of listening is bad, it is just a different level of interacting with the work.

Passive listening- you are enjoying the music at face value.
Active listening- you are enjoying the music while taking a deep dive in the different elements of the music.

The way I view the listening is in four big levels.

I have distinguished 4 different levels in listening for my own purposes of digesting music that helps me be thorough. I find that each level deepens my love and appreciation for the work in ways that passive listening does not. Of course, it does not mean one way is better that the other. They are just different ways of listening.

Level 1: Background music (Passive)
Level 2: Identifying sounds (less passive, more active)
Level 3: Analyzing the music (active listening)
Level 4: Humanity in Music (active listening + learning history)

The way I listen to music (total suggestion, everyone perceives music differently):

Level 1 : Passive Listening

Passive listening is the first step to engaging with music. It is about consuming music on a surface level or with very little intention. You just want to let your mind wander and maybe let the music naturally get stuck in your head.

Listen to the music passively, a few times (or a lot.)
Do some chores, draw, talk with someone.
Do not think about it, just let your mind wander and enjoy it.

Level 2 : Active Listening

After listening to the music passively a few times without thinking, we need to dedicate some time. At this stage, you want to dedicate specific time and create an environment free from distractions. Get some headphones or be ready to sit and listen.

During stage 1 of active listening, it is essential to engage your senses and become mindful of your experience. Pay attention to what you are hearing. Listen closely to the different elements of the music. Take note of the musical components that you enjoy or find intriguing. Try to connect with the music. Here are some questions to ask yourself:

Are you visualizing something?

What are you hearing?
What do you like?
Is there a sound or instrument that is drawing your attention?
What are you feeling?
Is it emotionally moving?
Are you feeling something physical?

Level 3 : Analytical Listening

After engaging with the music passively and actively, we are moving towards analytical listening. At this stage, you are looking to enhance your listening experience by paying attention to specific musical elements and characteristics.

What rhythm do you hear? (no need to get specific but is it making you tap your foot or bob your head?)
Melody: What is the shape of the music?
Harmony: Is there one note playing at one time or are there multiple?
Form: Do you hear different sections? Are some things repeating?
Tone: what color or quality do the sounds have?

Level 4: Contextual Listening

You have listened to music as it is. Now we are diving into the context surrounding the music. We need to explore the history, its creators, cultural influences, significance, and societal implications. This may sound unimportant to creating a musical analysis, but they add depth and richness to our understanding of the music. Music does not happen in a vacuum. It is important to note that these discussions are often complex and subject to ongoing research and interpretation.

Who made the music? Where did it come from?

This question might be thick…

Who composed it?
Who wrote the lyrics?
Who claimed or copyrighted it?
Who is attributed to the music?

If we don’t know the answers, why?

What cultural influences exist in the piece of music?

If it is Indigenous, what are they and why?
If it is another group, what are they and why?
If there is one dominant influence, what is it and why?

What is the cultural significance of the music? Why is it important to people?

How long has it existed?

If there are lyrics, what do they mean?

What is the cultural significance?
Is there a double entendre?
What is its relationship to race/ethnicity/gender/religion/sexuality?

Music in relation to body politics*

Is there a tradition tied to the music?

Dance? Fashion? Art? Language?
Why might that be?

Why is this music radical?
What is this music reclaiming?
What is revolutionary about this music?

Then repeat and repeat! Intentional listening is a multi-level process that invites us to engage with music on a deeper and more meaningful level. It is not a one-and-done experience but rather an ongoing journey of exploration and discovery. Our understanding of music is fluid and ever-changing, and what we perceive and appreciate in one listening session may evolve over time. To fully grasp the intricacies and richness of music, it often requires repeated listens. Each subsequent encounter reveals new layers, nuances, and subtleties that may have gone unnoticed initially. It's through repetition that we can truly appreciate the depth and complexity of a musical piece.

Another important note: The order in which we engage with these levels can vary depending on the era or genre of music. Different musical styles may prioritize certain elements or require us to consider specific historical or cultural contexts. Adapting our approach accordingly allows us to uncover the intricate tapestry of influences that shape the music.

So there you have it! Intentional listening is a multi-level process that allows us to engage with music on a deeper and more meaningful level.