There are many benefits of listening to music. Just a few include:
- Stress reduction
- Improved cognitive performance
- Improved memory
- Pain management
- Better sleep
- Improved motivation
Of course, it’s also a lot of fun to listen to music! It can make you want to get up out of your seat and dance, and it can help you pass the time when you’re driving or taking the subway to work.
Just turning on the radio is one way to listen, but if you want to get the most out of the tunes you listen to, there are things you can do to make listening to music even better.
Get the Right Pair of Headphones
Listening to music through the speakers of your car or phone is completely different than listening to music through a state-of-the-art sound system which can transform your desired space into a robust and innovative sound experience. However, not even that can compare to listening to music through the right pair of headphones.
Skip the earbuds and go straight for the earmuff headphones. It’s even better if you choose headphones with hearing protection and Bluetooth connectivity. With this type of headphones, there’s no need to mess around with an annoying cord. Because they block out sound, they can protect your hearing while providing you with an immersive experience at the same time.
Shut Down Your Other Senses
One of the best things about wearing headphones is the fact that they can block out other noises when you’re trying to listen to music, but it’s not just extraneous noises that you should control if you want to enhance your experience. You should find ways to limit your other senses as well.
For example, if you close your eyes, listening is enhanced, and you’ll understand more. That’s true when you’re talking to another person, but it’s also true when you’re listening to music. You’re more likely to understand the lyrics, and you’re more likely to notice notes, instruments, and musical flow that you never noticed before, even if you have heard the song many times before.
Not only should you try to limit your vision, you should limit your other senses too! Lay or sit quietly in a dark room and avoid perfume and candles to get the most out of your experience.
Research the Song
A lot goes into writing a song. Do you know what inspired your favorite songs? Researching them can provide you with a new sense of appreciation.
For example, did you know the Beatles’ “Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds” was inspired by a drawing done by John Lennon’s son, while “Dude Looks Like a Lady” by Aerosmith was inspired by the mistaken identity of Vince Neil from Mötley Crüe?
Don’t forget about looking up the lyrics to your favorite songs! Digging into the lyrics can potentially change your life. Even if you aren’t listening to that kind of song, you’ll likely discover a phrase or instrumentation that you never noticed while you were listening to the same song casually.
Learn How to Play an Instrument
Learning how to play an instrument comes with many benefits, but it can affect how you listen to music too. As you learn how to play, you’ll start to see music through a musician’s eyes, which can make for a very different kind of listening experience.
Learning how to play an instrument can open you up to different kinds of music too. If you’re learning the trumpet, you may discover jazz, learning how to play the clarinet may make classical music more appealing to you, while learning how to play the guitar may expose you to greats you may not have heard of before, like Steve Vai or Stevie Ray Vaughan.
Listen to Music With Others
Listening to music while you’re alone provides you with a completely different experience, but listening with others can enhance your listening experience too. The key is to pay attention to the music being played.
It’s not enough to turn on some background music at a party. Instead, bring some tunes to share with a friend over pizza or a glass of wine, and ask them to bring a few of their favorite tunes. Talk about what you like or know about the songs you are sharing. You just may find a new appreciation for a type of music that you never thought much about before.
Listening to music is always an enjoyable experience, but you can make it even better when you find new ways to listen to both new and old favorites!
