Being alone with your music

For some of us, the act of listening is deeply personal and perhaps even therapeutic. Others enjoy sharing music with others, which is just as great.

During the 70’s , when I, like so many other young people, were experimenting with "substances", experiencing nature and music-listening were our two favorite activities to engage in while high. We’d turn out the lights and everyone would allow themselves to be carried away. I recall the first time I heard "Peace 1" and "Peace 2" off "My Goals Beyond" under the influence of San Pedro. This sort of "communal immersion" can be very enjoyable if all the participants are similarly intentioned.

Group meditation can be another form of "communal immersion".

Although I’m most definitely an introvert (and it’s been decades since I’ve partaken), I still enjoy the rare occasion of listening with someone else who enjoys music as much as I do -- someone, as others have mentioned, who won’t feel the need to talk-- which automatically eliminates most people! 

I can't help but wonder whether this lack of interest/sensitivity is not limited to music but to Art in all forms. Most people just don't seem to be at all interested in opening themselves to art, period. Perhaps this can be explained by Maslow's Pyramid -- too many are just struggling to survive. It seemed to me that this was not so much the case back in the Sixties, but I may be mistaken. I may be simply another old guy bemoaning that "Things ain't what they used to be". 

When I think of my most transcendent moments of music listening, they’re mostly when I’m alone.  
I’m jealous of people who describe concerts this way.  
I’ve been to a lot of concerts, and it never happened with non-classical music.  
I’ve been very emotional at a couple classical concerts, but the best I could say for a non-classical concert was, “uh, that was cool, I guess.”

I’ve had some wonderful times having “concerts” on the couch with my girlfriend, just wonderful and memorable evenings, for sure.  
However, the presence of another person does nothing to change how I’m enjoying the music.  
The other thing is, certain music is not enjoyed by others, so I have to listen to it alone. No problem there for me.
 

Different strokes...

If live music hadn't consistently provided transcendent moments, I doubt I would've bothered to continue spending the money. I use the past tense because, at present, there are no venues within easy driving distance that offer music that appeals to me. But I've had many experiences of being "taken over by the music" while attending live performances.

Of course, one listener's "transcendent" may be another's "nothing special", for any given performance

I value my nightly alone sessions mostly because I play whatever I want and explore. Of equal value is enjoying the system with people, particularly playing songs people know but have never heard at this level.

...music has been the sideman to my heartbeat for most of my life....

Now, in my 'reclining years'....if there comes a way to B/T it to my pacemaker...

I'd live forever....much to the wonder and chagrin of some.... ;)

Live Out Loud....👍, J