How much music do you listen to?

[Alexi]

I listen to music as soon as I wake up, during a shower, throughout my day, in the car, while doing work, while running, while eating, and while falling asleep. I listen to a lot of heavy metal, but also enjoy many other genres. I don't know if any of you have seen my other thread on here, but I've been severly exhausted for almost a year.

Anyways, I gave up music entirely and it's been almost five days. Finally, I am starting see a very slight increase in my energy level. Here is my thinking:

When I listen to music, I really listen hard and feel it in my soul. I become very intimate with it; it's a huge passion where I pour a lot of energy into. It's almost like drug addiction. Throughout the day I go up and down (as I go from listening to it to having to turn it off at times for whatever reason) and I feel like this is screwing up my energy levels. If over time I decrease how much I go "up and down" I feel like my energy will be more stable and eventually come back to life.

It's just a little experiment I'm doing now for a week or two, hopefully it will continue to help. I'm curious to know anyone else's thoughts on this, and if they agree or disagree with this theory.

Take care!

Alexi

[Marco Polo]

Funny that you mention this. I'm currently doing a 30-day trial of only listening to classical music. Now I've done some wacky things before, but I think this one takes the cake. I don't agree that all music screws up energy levels, but I suppose I get the jist of what you're saying there. For me though, the TYPE of music matters above all else. The reason I chose to use classical music is because I'm very aware of how it affects my mood. It calms down and makes it a bit easier to think clearly. That being said I've never been a huge fan of the classical genre, which will make this a big challenge for me. I'm currently on day 9.

By the way, I've experienced something really strange since I started this. WHen I hear music in public places (cafe, clubs etc.), it always sounds so amazingly good, even if it's a crappy song. Please tell me if you notice this phenomenom as well.

[Herbalist]

Right now I'm listening David Arkenstone's "Celtic Book of Days" disk. It's new age music.

I'd like to tell my opinion about the music and how it affects your mood and your life.

I listened lots of heavy metal in the past. And I liked evil or depressive music very much - black metal, doom metal for example. I had been listening it for 5 years until I decided to change my life. I was very .... not really evil, but... dark and apathetic. I was like a black cloud, bringing "rain" and heavy atmosphere everywhere I went.

From today's perspective I can tell, that I was growing and cultivating the seeds of low-vibrational energy by listening to such music. Finally, I gave away all my metal or dark CDs, and switched to new age music. And it was hard - old habits die hard you know. From recently I've been trying to listen to new age only (and I succeeded), and I'm thinking of classical music as well.

Anyone, please, help me to choose great Mozart music to start from.

So, I came to several important conclusions:

1) when you listen to music, be aware how it affects you.
What message does it contain? Is it inspiring? Is it calming? Does it create the mood you desire? Does it corresponds with the image of "ideal you" (the person you want to be)?

In other words, evil message and music makes you evil. Calm music makes you calm and balanced. Happy music makes you happy. Which mood or character do you choose? Which plants or seeds of you do you water?

2) you can change yourself, your character with the music you listen.
Read my life story above. When I've decided to grow, to change my life, to raise my vibes and so on, I've decided to put my environtment into alignment with this inner image of better me. And music is a very important part here. Though you can resist such a switch in the beginning (and I did), eventually you'll thank yourself for this.

Marco Polo: Yes, I have the same phenomenon. I think, this happens because the environment of the place influences your perception of the music. Imagine yourself going to concert for example, against listening to the same music from headphones.

[Marco Polo]

Originally Posted by Herbalist

Marco Polo: Yes, I have the same phenomenon. I think, this happens because the environment of the place influences your perception of the music. Imagine yourself going to concert for example, against listening to the same music from headphones.

True, but this only really started for me a few days into my 30-day trial. It's almost as if music-deprivation increases the sweetness of music when you hear it again...

It's sort of like the first pizza you've had in a long time - it always tastes amazing. Or like the first joint (oh yes, I went there)

[Herbalist]

After 21 more days of your trial, you'll have new neural links in your brain, which will make you (at least) get used to classical music. And even better, you may get some sweet impressions and memories, which associate with the classical music you listen, and these memories will arise every time you hear familiar melodies. You might even get addicted to classical music so you will forget about joints (I don't smoke, but I still like drinking and drink occasionaly).

I'm on the same path. Let's see where it will lead us too. I predict - happiness, balance and integrity. And intelligence. Zig Ziglar says so. And Steve, too.

"I find that classical music, especially Mozart, is terrific for design work." - Steve Pavlina.

So, again - could anyone advice me some Mozart "albums"?

[InterfaceLeader]

I go through periods where I listen to a lot of music, and periods where I don't listen to it at all.

My tastes change with my mood - when I'm feeling very upbeat I love cheesy dance and pop, but when I want to think or be creative I prefer wordless music - either New Age or Classical.

Metal I save for those times when you really want to just let go and have everything pour out into the world...

When I need to think or focus though, silence is still the best.

[energizer]

funnily enough I hardly ever listen to music, used to a one point (when I was a wee nipper).

[DTF]

Hi, first post here.

I consider the music I have listened to to be the soundtrack of my life.

Have played a couple of instruments, none particularly well, but being able to read music is like knowing another language. So music is defintiely a part of me.

Sometimes I'll listen to uplifting music- from classical to Native American flute.

I have spent many nights in my life at Grateful Dead concerts and other rock bands' shows.

I'll listen to the blues, bluegrass, jazz, Sinatra, Christmas music at christmas time, and of course rock- but I was never into metal bands.

If the music you are listening to bogs you down and doesnt lift you up- turn it off or put something else on.

[jonarmis]

Music spices up life, so I listen much to music as much as I can. I listen to it when I feel down, when I am stressed and feeling low. Even when I am happy or when I feel like celebrating. It just makes life a whole lot easier with music.

[Rockchick26]

I too listen to music almost my entire day with the exception of when i am reading and i want to really concentrate,and of course at work and wehen im sleeping. I wake up to it on my alarm,i have it on the minute i get out of the shower,i watch music videos,i listen to it when i'm driving,etc. I listen to mostly rock and some pop. I have the complete opposite feeling though regarding energy levels...i find that the MORE i listen to music,the more energized i am. Even when listening to slow,mellow music. It wakes something up in me. If i'm ever tired and i dont want to be,or feeling physically stiff or inactive,i'll just put music in and it makes me want to dance or at least wiggle in my seat LOL And about what KIND of music it is,i dont feel any difference at all if i'm listening to dark depressing lyrics or upbeat happy lyrics. To me its about the feeling the music gives me,not the subject matter. For example,i love the band HIM,and 99% of their songs are about death,darkness,suicide,evil,depressing stuff. Yet they are one of the most beautiful sounding bands i've ever heard and i instantly feel transported to a weightless tingly state when i lose myself in it. And i agree on how good music sounds when you're out in public,its usually because (i think) you haven't heard that song in a while. Or if it's one you HAVE heard a lot,its most likely because you played it for yourself a lot so therefore you like it,and when you hear it in public,you are so happy that someone else likes this song too,or so happy that its being played for everyone to hear,so you can share your love for this song! I LOVE when i hear one of my favorite bands in public! I have also noticed when i give an artist a break for a month or two and then listen to them again,it does sound really good,and you hear things you didnt hear before! I LOVE that! Recently i just got a new pair of expensive headphones and i'd say in half the songs i listen to on there,i hear new things i never heard before. Sorry i'm getting a little off the main topic here...as far as your energy levels listening to music,i have to disagree,for me personally anyway,because music ALWAYS wakes up my mind and body,every time. In fact i can be dead tired and try to fall asleep listening to ANY type of music,and i cant sleep. I even had a playlist of "sleep songs" that were all slow,mellow,or even about sleep...and i have yet to be able to fall asleep while listening to it. By the way,kudos to you for doing this experiment,i could NEVER go a week or two without listening to music!

[Fullcrum]

I love Deep Purple and Rainbow - the most brilliant Guitar work ever.

I make my own brainwave sync tracks with the Mind WorkStation (new product from the guys who made Neuro-programmer 2).

I listen to classical.

But mostly rock and "classical" metal from those two bands. I enjoy hearing the interplay of different chords, hearing the structure, feeling the emotion of the playing.

Did you know that Smoke on the Water is based on Beethoven's 5th Symphony inversed?

I also listen to ragas from famous Indian Classical composers, like Ustad Zakir Hussain, Valiyat Khan, Ravi Shankar, etc. I enjoy listening to vituosity .

[LightWork]

I agree with the person speaking about HIM (not about the specific band though ) I find I couldn't go more than a day without music - recently my ipod broke and whilst it is being repaired I'm spending as much time as I can near my laptop so I can get music from there.

Intriguingly, I find music has varying effects on me. My music taste is extremely eclectic for an 18 year old. For a start I can listen to my Dad's old stuff (e.g Electric Light Orchestra) but he is a rather young father. Alternatively I have progressive rock that I can occasionally find really hits the spot (Pain Of Salvation/Coheed And Cambria: be interested to see if anybody recognises this stuff), regular rock and indie (Bloc Party, Chili Peppers) or some slower things (The Fray at the moment). At the extreme end I listen to uplifting instrumental music (Explosions In The Sky/Gladiator soundtrack at present). ALL of this music can, at times, uplift me. At other times, it can deflate me. Can anybody begin to try explain this?

I seem to change what I enjoy listening to regularly and sometimes can't stop listening to a particular artist for days on end to the point that the rest of my music collection seems inferior. Obviously I end up wearing this artist out and it becomes on par with everything else after this. During this time, I'm clearly happiest listening to this artist, but it has to be said being "into" a certain genre has different results to being "into" another genre.

Currently, I can't stop listening to Coheed & Cambria and I am simply enjoying listening to it. When I can't stop listening to Explosions In The Sky, it's a quantum shift. I may experiment with eliminating heavier musics and seeing what results it has?

Also: I work with VERY loud music. Perhaps this can be separated into auditory, visual and kinaesthetic persons? I'm not entirely sure as to the accuracy of this theory though.

[sheffy4]

I usually only listen to music in my car, and I like up-beat songs that I can sing to.
Lately I have been playing new-age type music when I do yoga at home, and sometimes when I do chores I put on some fun music so it goes by faster.

[colbycheeze]

I used to listen to music all of the time also, but over the last 6 or so months have slowly weened myself off of it and feel great about my decision.

When I am in the car I pop in an audio tape of some sort, so that I can use my time wisely to learn. "Automotive University" as some call it.

I have been trying to calm my mind and think positively all this year and last, I have even done some meditating which I am experimenting with. I started to switch to calmer music, currently my favorite is Jack Johnson and baroque era classical music. I also love to listen to Opera every now and then...kind of a new thing. I try to pretend I can sing it when nobody is around also

I really only listen to music for a very short period of time when I do, as a kind of "ah neat" type of thing but I feel much better and my mind is clearer when I do not. I used to try to listen to classical when working, and that is okay but I think I do better without even that.

I think music is something in life to be enjoyed, such as grapes or strawberries...but there is no reason to overdo it. Everything in life taken in moderation becomes much sweeter I have found.

Currently I am fasting from food, and I am on day 6...you really start to gain some perspective on the world and what we really need. Anyway I am getting off topic here, but I think my point has been given.

You can read about the progress of my water fast and other experiments on my blog

[Marco Polo]

How's it going for you, Alexi? Still not listening to music?

I'm on day 15 and still doing alright... I've started listening to some acoustic guitar music which I'm arbitrarily counting as 'classical'. Eric Clapton's guitar solos are truly amazing.

I've been listening lots to Mozart, Palchebel, Tchaikovsky... but I'm finding Bach's organ music a little hard to swallow. Oh well, you can't like everything I suppose.

On the whole I'm listening to much less music than before. I've been having a lot more quiet time, forcing me to listen more to my feelings and thoughts. Excellent trial so far...

[kpugh]

As a marathoner, my training often has me going out on long runs (I'm talking up to 4 hours), and usually by myself. So, my iPod has become a constant companion. I usually am listening to music, though I do also listen to podcasts as well. However, the next two marathons I'm doing (one coming up on March 16th) have prohibited the use of iPods and such during the marathon. They are actually video-taping the race at checkpoints and at the finish-line, and if they catch anyone using one, you are given an official DNF (did not finish) in the race records. You also won't get a finisher's medal if they catch you before that point.

For someone like me, who is working towards finishing a marathon in all 50 states before I turn 50, and who is working towards qualifying for the Boston Marathon, this is a huge consequence. Maybe I'll start another thread to debate this rule elsewhere...but my point here is this:

Because of this new rule, I've started training without my iPod, so I can get used to running without it BEFORE then marathon. It was really awkward in the beginning, but after about 2 weeks, I've found my own rhythm again, and have been reminded about how I used to be a really good listener to my body. I didn't realize how much I had stopped doing that when I had my iPod with me. I'm back to being able to consciously control my heart rate, manage my pace, monitor my form, and STILL enjoy the peace and tranquility of a sunrise trail-run in Colorado. So, I definitely AM finding some benefit to going without my iPod...though I don't plan on selling it anytime soon. Maybe for my treadmill runs I'll still use it, when I can rely on the treadmill to monitor my pace and rhythm, etc.

My next marathon is in 6 days...it'll be my first without my iPod on my arm. I'll let you know how it goes!

[wren]

I listen to lots of music and lots of different kinds of music. I too used to enjoy a lot of heavy, 'depressing" music... King Diamond, Iron Maiden (which is kind of pop), Danzig, Samhain, etc. I got away from all of that a couple of years ago and haven't looked back. The lyrics just became too much of a downer, although I still enjoyed many of the melodies.

Recently, I've been making a point to turn off music when I had been automatically turning it on in the past. It gives my mind a chance to shift into a more medatative state naturally while doing things like cleaning the house or working on a project.

As for those people listening to classical, I love it too and would recommend Beethoven's 6th, and 9th in particular. The 6th is very soothing. The 9th can be sweetly calming and energizing depending on the movement.

Hey, anyone know of good Mozart let me know too!

[verbors]

I think your theory is quite good.

Whenever I listen to truckloads of music I get really drained. I would get so sick of listening - don't really matter what music it is - that I close everything on my computer down .

Several weeks ago, I had an exam. I listen to some classics before the exam...didn't know if it helped though. I actually found it hard to concentrate on the exam.

[bf1983]

I like listening to classical music to get my brainwaves going. Beethoven is esp. good for writing I find. I think there has been a study into it but would take me an age to Google it!


Brian

[WealthyAndContent]

I really need to begin listening to classical music.
I feel as though I am missing out on the real master pieces.

Any recommendations?

Phil

[Rockchick26]

Originally Posted by LightWork

I agree with the person speaking about HIM (not about the specific band though ) I find I couldn't go more than a day without music - recently my ipod broke and whilst it is being repaired I'm spending as much time as I can near my laptop so I can get music from there.

Whoa i feel for you! When my ipod acts up or i temporarily can't find it,panic sets in LOL I think 'omg i have songs on there i can't hear anywhere else! what am i going to do!?' lol

Intriguingly, I find music has varying effects on me. My music taste is extremely eclectic for an 18 year old. For a start I can listen to my Dad's old stuff (e.g Electric Light Orchestra) but he is a rather young father. Alternatively I have progressive rock that I can occasionally find really hits the spot (Pain Of Salvation/Coheed And Cambria: be interested to see if anybody recognises this stuff), regular rock and indie (Bloc Party, Chili Peppers) or some slower things (The Fray at the moment). At the extreme end I listen to uplifting instrumental music (Explosions In The Sky/Gladiator soundtrack at present). ALL of this music can, at times, uplift me. At other times, it can deflate me. Can anybody begin to try explain this?

I have never had music deflate me,so i can't explain that part of it...are you thinking of a song that makes you feel depressed or sad maybe? Cuz that happens,although i think that is important. Any emotion you get from music is important and worth it,even if it's a bad emotion.

I seem to change what I enjoy listening to regularly and sometimes can't stop listening to a particular artist for days on end to the point that the rest of my music collection seems inferior. Obviously I end up wearing this artist out and it becomes on par with everything else after this. During this time, I'm clearly happiest listening to this artist, but it has to be said being "into" a certain genre has different results to being "into" another genre.

I think i have a remedy for that problem! I've noticed too that when i get into an artist,that is ALL i listen to for weeks,sometimes months. to prevent myself from getting sick of it,i make myself stop BEFORE that happens,so now i'll only listen to a cd for a week,two weeks maximum. Even if i'm super into it and can't wait to hear it again. Then,i go back to listening to my collection on shuffle (and with 900 songs,it can be months before i hear a song again),THEN,when i do hear that cd again,or any songs from it,it's like an eargasm!! lol

Currently, I can't stop listening to Coheed & Cambria and I am simply enjoying listening to it. When I can't stop listening to Explosions In The Sky, it's a quantum shift. I may experiment with eliminating heavier musics and seeing what results it has?

Personally i don't like C&C,but i must say,Explosions in the Sky has one of the most beautiful songs i ever heard but i dont know the name of it,it was in that movie Friday Night Lights,and it played right after the team lost their game. Its instrumental. I can play it on piano,it's so beautiful!

[Tina McLeman]

I often find that music de-energises me if I listen to too much of the same. If I stick on something and I'm just not in the mood for it, then that can make me feel really tired and down. But if I can put on music that matches my mood then I can really excel and tons of energy just appears from nowhere!

Sometimes I like to listen to classical music if I'm feeling calm, peaceful and relaxed. But if I'm feeling more revved up, there's nothing better to listen to (in my opinion) than some good old heavy metal/classic rock. If I need to get myself pumped up for a night out or to get me in the mood for doing something then I find there's nothing better than some classic sleaze metal (you know big hair/leather jackets). My personal fave is Motley Crue or Crashdiet! Lol!

So yeah, it all depends how your mood. Match your favourite types of music to your current mood, and you can't go wrong in my opinion! I personally couldn't imagine life without music. It moves me way too much!

[ilovetoday]

I am finding everyones points interesting on this as I think music can influence your energy somehow also. I was a huge music person, drifting to sleep at work, in the car when i get up when i go for a walk when i study when i am on the computer.

In the last 6 months slowly music has untwined itself from my life. Now I listen if I need some motivation to get exercising I listen to those songs that you want to get up and just dance to anywhere. Thats it. I feel like I am doing a lot more and feeling a lot less, in a good way.

I noticed this a little and with the new found affirmations made into mind movies. I have decided to delete every song on my Ipod if the lyrics are down-even if they are sweet, no heart break songs, no I tried songs. Strictly songs that send positive messages from now on. In the mind movies the affirmations are supposed to work better because you are really feeling the pictures and music. I thought well what if for a mind movie aimed at attracting love you used a song that made you feel but it was about heartbreak.

I am wondering now whether it is the music also. Like the angry music as well as the negative lyrics that drain you. And have you ever noticed that when you listen to music it is like an addiction where you want more. Now I dont listen much I do not care if my ipod is flat-which it has been for a few weeks.

[JimOfferman]

Originally Posted by ilovetoday

And have you ever noticed that when you listen to music it is like an addiction where you want more.

That is largely on purpose, at least with most commercial music. From an artist point of view, you want to have songs that never fully satisfy the listener, but rather leave them craving for one more go around...

Leave them wanting to press 'play' again and again!
cue high pitched evil laughter...

[ilovetoday]

That thought never crossed my mind...

[Trezker]

2146 songs in mp3 and ogg format.
Then I have the high voltage sid collection and a big mod tracks collection... I should listen to those more often...

I almost always have music playing unless I have something else on that makes noise.

Now playing: Out Of The Blue by The Goddamned from It Takes A Good Horse

[pianoperformer]

I always have classical music playing on my computer, and I'm nearly always near my computer so, I'm nearly always listening to music.

I don't pay that much attention to it, though. It's just background. Unless there is a particularly good piece on.

[Captain Cloudchaser]

Hrm, there are lots of interesting points here!

It makes me think that I listen to too much music. I don't do anywhere without my MP3 player, I listen to it walking down the road, when shopping, when travelling, when on breaks between work, when doing housework, when getting ready in the morning, when on the computer.. The only time I don't listen to it is when I'm in the shower, talking to someone else, or in bed.. And even they I need some kind of low noise to shut my mind up and let me sleep

But the music I listen to is video game music. I'm a big video gaming fan, so the music to me represents alsorts of moods, from exciting battles and tracks that get me pumped up and excited/hyperactive, to slower more orchestral songs that flow through different emotions. They remind me of the experiences I've had through each different game and set different tones.

But I do think listening to too much can be detrimental to your health. Not just physical 'ear problems' health either; I use music to block out the world, and when I do that too much, I find myself feeling very disconnected. Sometimes music will help my creative process, but if saturated, then it'll just block that, too. I guess it's about finding a balance.

[ProjectX]

They only time I really listen to music is in the gym or when I have nothing to do. Mostly now I listen to uplifting music, like new age, classical, soundtrack, hard bass etc.

[mike1989]

I like listening to music when I run or work out. Mainly it's rock, punk-rock or any other upbeat music. Really helps to deliver that extra energy.