Listen active!
- Hearing is passive, but Listening is active!
- You have to be actively engaged with the sound
- Sit down and pay attention to the track you listen -> Enjoy it with your whole body and mind
- Close your eyes: the emotional activity in the emotional center of the brain (Amygdala) is about 75% higher when listening to music with the eyes closed
- Don´t listen to music as background noise, it has to become the primary focus: listen to the musical elements like the melody, harmony and lyrics
- Enjoy listening to every nuance to understand the complexity of the sound
- Take your time to engage with a song and appreciate the work of the artist
- Don´t skip songs! -> Listen to a song in its complete length to be able to fully understand the intention of the artist
- If you listen to music actively, it enables to reach emotional contentment, pleasure and happiness
No Distortion:
- Avoid constant stimulation when hearing music like distraction from phone messages, social media etc.
- Getting rid of all distractions: Turn off your phone, laptop and even the lights -> then close your eyes and focus to the sound
- Use headphones which providing noise cancellation for on the go
Music Genre:
- It doesn´t matter which kind of genre you are listening to as long as you enjoy the music
- Take your favorite song, try to listen to its structure:
- What does it remind you of?
- What does it mean to you?
- To test the quality of speakers and headphones you can use our best 25 reference songs (https://artoflistening.harman.com/professional-reference-songs)
Equipment:
- Use good speakers and headphones for active listening
- On the Go: Use headphones which providing noise cancellation to avoid distortion
The effect:
In conclusion, when done consciously, listening has clear, quantifiable effects on the listener, many of which are profoundly beneficial. Listening draws us into the present moment, empowering us to act and to live with purpose. Listening enhances our connection with others, helping us to build and nurture relationships. Listening stimulates our emotions, enabling us to receive and remember what we hear. In short, conscious, active listening is an acquirable skill with the power to combat modern malaise and improve the quality of life. We should all want to master the art of listening.
