Listen to music

Something that really helped me through my last super long streak was 'classical' music. Classical is kind of a misnomer, because that itself is one era in music history.

There are some things about this form of music that set it apart from pop music, and I think it's those things that can help a PMO addict recover. The major one is that you don't listen to a symphony or concerto the same way as you do a pop song. You have to actively listen....hanging on each note...paying attention to themes and the interplay between different musical ideas. You have to listen for the build up of tension, and its release. Above all, if you want to listen to it you have to learn more about it. You have to learn what a symphony actually is...or a concerto...or a suite. The more you know the more you begin to appreciate and enjoy it.

My favorite composer is Beethoven. If I managed to spark some interest here I would recommend reading about Beethoven, reading about what a symphony is...what musical forms are...and then listening to some of his symphonies. Put in a pair of headphones, and just let yourself relax into your couch while you listen. Like a movie, not every part is suppose to be exciting....and listening to a symphony can be more akin to watching a movie or play. I'd start with his odd numbered symphonies. Listen to the third, fifth, seventh. And the more you listen, the more you begin to appreciate how ingenious was and how much emotion is contained in what he wrote.

Branch out from there. Learn the difference between Classical and Romantic era music...and the Baroque. You'll find that it's not stuffy old people music that's boring. Trust me I know for a fact that there are plenty of boring pieces out there. But this music is also hugely varied in sound and style and in itself contains tons of different kinds of music. You can find something that speaks to you...that tu

 

What instrument do you play?? I took up mandolin a few years ago, but I play bluegrass on it and learned mostly by ear. I play some fiddle too. Recently I bought a digital piano and I've been trying to learn through method books because I wanted to be able to read music and play more from the classical repertoire.

And Beethoven's late quartets are amazing. I'm going to see a performance of his 4th piano concerto this month too, along with Holst's Planets and am very excited about it.

 

I kind of feel pity for people who refuse to listen to his music. I feel like they are selling themselves short on life . My favorite is the fourth movement of the Eroica...how he takes not much more than a baseline and turns it into something so dramatic...not to mention I think it has the most exciting coda out of all of his works.