What Can You Notice?

This blog is actually an assignment. My music listening students ask me on occasion: “What can I do to practice active, perceptive listening?” This is a good question, and I have a good answer. It doesn’t matter where you are when you begin, except that you obviously must not be driving or operating any heavy equipment.

For five minutes a day for the next week try the following:

Use either pencil and paper or your electronic device to make note of all the sounds you detect during the five-minute interval. It doesn’t matter what they are – a passing jetliner, car, cat meow, other people talking. . .just make your list. If some sounds repeat, make tally marks to keep track of the repetitions.

You may – or may not – be surprised at just how many sounds you detect. The important thing is for you, to the best of your ability, to be there “in the moment.” You will be intentionally dialing up your aural awareness to max capacity.

If you feel so inclined, send your list of sounds that you noticed to info@discoveryorchestra.org. Who knows? We may send you a prize!