Laurie Riley is one of my favorite musicians – a great harpist, a multi-instrumentalist with roots in the 60s folk movement, a teacher, curriculum developer in therapeutic music, and then some. Her most recent column on listening is worth a read whatever your own music endeavors or instrument.
Why? Because most of us have lost the ability to buckle down and do absolutely nothing but listen to music. We’re busy – we have journals to read, smartphones crying out for our attention, children to mind, dishes to do, bills to sort. All of which can be so easily done with a bit of background music.
Further, we all know what music we like – and that’s what we listen to. However, Laurie suggests ways in which focused listening – and listening outside your own specialty – can move you forward.
Of course, if you have no need for improvement, you can skip all of this! (Just kidding, of course.)