How to Listen to a New Piece of Music
- theclassicalcoquette
- Nov 4, 2019
- 2 min read
Listening to classical music can be difficult, especially to the untrained ear. Today, I'm going to show you how to prepare to listen to a piece of music. Yes, prepare! Doing the following steps will help you to better understand and enjoy whatever music you choose to listen to!
1. Research
While research doesn't sound fun, just stay with me. Listening to music is so much more enjoyable when you know a little bit about it. Let's look at an example. Suppose we were going to listen to Shostakovich's Piano Trio No. 2. (This is one of my favorite pieces!)
Do a quick google search of the composer. Who is Shostakovich? What time period was his music composed? Where is he from?
All you need is to type "Shostakovich." The image to the left is what you will see.
Dmitri Shostakovich is a Russian composer who composed during the turmoil of Stalinism. He is known for his modern music.
Search for the piece of music. When was the piece written? What is it about, or what is it influenced by? What should I be listening for?
The second trio was composed in 1944, right in the middle of World War II. It was written during a dark time in Russia. Many of his Jewish friends were being taken in the middle of the night. There are Jewish folk influences in this music.
2. Find a Recording
Anyone can post music online. It is important to find a great quality recording to ensure the best listening experience.
Look for well-known artists. When you search for "Shostakovich Piano Trio 2" on YouTube, you get thousands of videos. Look to see who is playing the piece. If you don't know the names of musicians, look them up! If a google search doesn't show anything relevant, don't listen to them first!
Notice that the last two on my search don't have musician's names--you should avoid these.
3. Listen
Once you have decided on a recording, remember the things you researched so that they are fresh in your mind. Before you listen to the piece, remember that it was written during World War II and is an homage to the tragedies of the Jewish people. Think of the turmoil and heartbreak going on at this time.
Listen to the piece in a quiet space. Make sure the music is loud, (classical music can get VERY quiet at times). Focus on the music. Focus on your emotions. Focus on what you are hearing.
4. Reflect
How did the piece make you feel? What parts did you like the best? What didn't you like and why? Think about the piece and give it time to settle in your mind.
After you have had time to reflect, listen to the piece again! Often times, music gets better with each listen. You notice things you didn't before. It can be an entirely new experience.
Without Further Adieu...
Be sure to listen to the trio. It is a beautiful piece. Half of the work is already done for you! After you tackle this beautiful piece of music, try these steps on something new! You'll be surprised at how different your experience will be.
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