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Around the Dial in 365 Days

Last Updated (Wednesday, 14 May 2008 08:23)
Written by Stephen Oberheu
Monday, 31 December 2007 08:34

Articles - Pedagogical articles

It’s that time of year again...time for New Year’s resolutions. Millions of people decide to commit themselves to exercise more, eat better, drink less or any number of other things in order to generally improve their physical, mental and/or spiritual well-being. Magazines on the impulse-buy rack at the supermarket are full of ideas on how to get rock-hard abs, or drop 30 lbs. by February, get organized, etc.  

As musicians...what about our musical well-being? To nourish one’s musical health, listening is exactly what’s needed. How do we make sure we get a well-balanced sonic diet for our ears? Here’s a simple plan:

One song per day, every day of the year. It doesn’t have to be something relevant to your own musical activities (but it could be), it doesn’t have to be something highly academic (but it could be), it doesn’t have to be a large symphonic work (ditto)...it just has to be something you haven’t heard before; any genre, any form, any artist.

One way to accomplish this task is to flip the radio dial to any station you don’t normally listen to...the classic rock station, the new music station, the college station, the country station, the hip-hop station, top 40, public radio or anything that’s playing music. Turn the dial and find something. Then...listen to it. One song is all that’s necessary. Do this each day and at year’s end you will have heard and learned about 365 pieces of music that you were previously not even aware of. Oftentimes you will find that you can easily listen to multiple songs on the unfamiliar station. If you miss a day here and there, you’re still on track. If you’re still on track, that’s a bonus.

And what should you be listening for? Don’t worry about it...just tune in. Listen simply by simply listening. Approach each new tune with an open heart and open mind so you can listen without bias or prejudice. Don’t try to form an opinion or critique right away...leave analysis out of it. Be sure to come back to the same station again; maybe after a couple days or a week, but come back to each new station.

The goal in all of this is to become familiar with a lot of music. Challenge yourself! Many people are quick to dismiss something upon first hearing because it’s the easy thing to do. Many, many times have I heard people say (I’ve even said it myself, once upon a time) that they like all kinds of music “except for (insert genre here).” It’s not that people inherently dislike a particular kind of music; it’s that they are unfamiliar with that type of music. They don’t understand it.

It’s been said that a truly well-educated person is capable of debating either side of an issue because they have become familiar with arguments of either side. Once they know both sides, they then make the decision they most agree with. I’m of the notion that one can’t really say for certain whether or not they like or dislike a piece of music, or a genre of music, until they first become familiar with it. Decide later whether or not you like it...but after you give it an honest try.

There is something to be learned from all kinds of music; everyone has something to say. What exactly is to be learned and appreciated will become apparent once we know more about what we’re hearing. The difference between good and bad music will be discernible later, but that is secondary to the message. The message will reach in and touch us if we open the door to receive it.

Happy listening!