How does one "Get lost in the music"?

It's definitely the music first, and then the system. No matter what your system, the music should catch your attention and hold it. The system will then allow you to hear more and more of the music as it progresses. I'm assuming anyone here is always at least thinking about some sort of upgrade. But it's all about the music. So if you are having trouble getting lost in it, you need different music, unless you have made an upgrade that was really a downgrade and that's what is really bothering you, and not allowing you to sink into the music.

Tost,

Yes, that does happen to me as well on occasion in the car when not in a rush, etc.

But when it does, next I want to hear what I heard at home with my good gear to get the full experience.

Some car systems are very good! My current ones are just so so, but being locked in a car for a period of time is certainly conducive to getting lost. HArder to do at home with distractions, etc. sometimes.

Mapman, I enjoy your posts and generally agree but not this time. I heard the beginning of a Lou Reed track on the radio in my van this morning (standard issue Toyota sound system) and really wanted to hear it to the end. It made no difference that it was a car system. If the dogs had not been antsy for their walk I would have stayed for the whole tune.
FWIW I think it was called "Pale Blue Eyes." Please correct me if I'm wrong about that.

So here's the dilemma.

If you have high standards in regards to what sounds good, there can be no going back.

So the more you spend and the more you tweak and the more you obsess, the more you become doomed perhaps to never being able to settle for anything less.

Its the American dilemma in general in a nutshell, I suppose.

Maybe we'll learn some lessons for our next life, whatever that may be.

I can only get lost in my good hifi gear these days. Standards are too high. I can listen to a lot of other lesser stuff down to ipods and table radios, but only get lost in the best.

WHen I was a kid, I got lost in teh best I had then, which was a transistor radio, portable 8-track, compact phono, portable cassette, Sanyo all in 1 integrated whatever.

It gets harder once standards go up, no doubt.

Ignorance can be bliss!!!!!!!

Mr.Tennis, Before we all start questioning our sanity, I think this thread is not about merely enjoying music –– but what it actually takes to "lose ourselves" in the experience at this point in our lives.

if its the music that is primary, it doesn't matter what the sources is--boom box, radio, stereo, sing to yourself.

if you like music there should no problem enjoying it. provided you don't have "non compos mentis" syndrome.

any sane person can enjoy music, regardless of sound quality.

Ack! sorry... I didn't express myself clearly, Tostadosunidos –– I was referring to when it was that I actually experienced stereo for the first time. I was all of 10 years old. I don't think I saw a cassette or 8-track tape for a few years after that. The cutting edge of technology missed my neighborhood completely.

I use the Klipsch s4 buds with my Squeezebox radio in the
bedroom. Buds are an acquired taste, and fit and comfort
can be tricky, but these sound pretty darn good when
properly fitted. Also very good at the pool with Pandora
and internet radio on ipod touch.

Won't be replacing my home hifi stuff anytime soon though.

I also have smaller Stax electret phones on my family room
system for years. These are very nice sounding and easy on
the ear.

Mapman--earbuds? I haven't heard any good ones yet, but an iPod will power some decent headphones.
Alonksi, I presume you meant to type 1961? By 1971 stereo was in full swing and even home cassette decks were starting to appear. The Beatles, who had gone full circle from hard left/right pan mixes to nice soundstage presentations, were defunct. It had all been done by then.

Good point! It helps to be able to carve out the time. A constant rushed lifestyle is probably not conducive to the traditional audiophile thing.

Maybe the trend towards more rushed lifestyles these days in general is one of the biggest barriers towards more people getting into home audio? Hence, the trend towards the more portable solutions, some of which can sound pretty darn good as well, at least on their own terms.

Sure beats the transistor radios and walkmans of years past in regards to sound quality.

I'm sure there are many that get lost in the music listening to their ipods while on the run.

Newer Ipods are not bad for what they are I find and there aare some very fine quality earbuds with both good tonality and detail available as upgrades over the standard issue ones.

Tostadosunidos, Yeah, I remember that era. But even earlier, in 1971 or so, I remember my first experience hearing STEREO playback. I was mesmerized – and for the life of me I couldn't understand how that tiny needle tracing a microscopic groove could separate the music into 2 channels! On top of that, early stereo mastering/mixing of popular rock music was all about effects like panning back and forth and disembodying the musicians from their instruments (i.e. different parts of the drum kit showing up in different channels). Yes, now it's total cheese ball, but back then... talk about going to another world... all I can say is – thank God for gravity.

Also, slightly off topic (sorry, Leicachamp):
I know that there's now a renewed interest in MONO... but this time, it's expensive high-end MONO... but I must be missing something. I don't recall ever hearing a MONO rig throwing a wide and deep soundstage, which is where, among other attributes of STEREO, that I get my thrills. Can you (or anyone for that matter) enlighten me as to why there's a retro buzz about 1 Channel sound, to the point of having a few $5K MONO phono carts on the market?

Another thought-

one has to take the time, to get lost, in the music.

Alonski, maybe it's an age/era thing. I used to go to another world hearing music on a mono AM car radio before there were 8-tracks or cassettes.

I've heard Eric Clapton say that his studio recordings never have the magic of his 4-track cassette demos.

Schubert and Tostadosunidos, I wish I could agree and I envy you both. If I could still get lost listening to my car stereo, it would have saved me years of obsessive behavior, untold shock therapy treatments (which I just found out are legal again) and upwards of mumblemumble $XX,000 on gear!

Mapman... I think we should keep that study under wraps lest our Oreos become a controlled substance!

Leicachamp-

you have too much on your mind. Whar are your troubles?

How?

Eat some Oreos.

I totally agree--for me it has nothing to do with the system. The composition/performance interaction is the thing

You either do or you don't, I get lost listening to my car radio.

I am continually lost in the music in that once a note is played, it is gone....but then the next one comes along.....and so on...and so on. No way to preserve any special moment in time perfectly, music or otherwise. Each moment is fleeting... it comes and goes just as fast, becoming just a memory. Gotta look ahead and just try to get as lost as possible in the upcoming moments that are possible and matter, musically and otherwise. Passion is part of the fuel that makes any worthwhile journey possible I suppose.

Alonski makes a very good point of which I agree with. I am very happy with my system and fully satisfied with the great music that I find, along with the help of many recommendations knowledgable members here. I don't notice that I do any critical system listening, like "I can't hear the system through the music" (the forest through the trees) My preamplifier (Doshi Alaap) has stepped attenuators, so a couple glasses of beer or wine probably has me turn it a couple of steps further, tho. More than a couple glasses and.... well just read a few my random posts :)

Alonski nailed it IMO!

First and foremost, this ethereal and magical experience is a magical "passive" event in our hobby: it just "happens" and it is not an "active" event that can be ordered up, or easily influenced, or forced .

I agree with Alonski that it likely boils down to an evolving mismatch via:

(A) your music selected including inter alia, the music genre selected and/or the quality of the recording.

(B) your audio system as a whole used to reproduce (A) above. Component synergy matters, and the myriad of competing gear all have a differing sound signature.

"When you first experience the euphoria of being completely swept away by the sheer beauty and power of music that reaches you emotionally... well, you've found your drug. "

I like that!

We all respond differently. Chemical treatments may be an easy, useful and needed tweak sometimes, but personally I greatly appreciate not requiring that in order to get lost in the music.

Its an interesting question to consider how one that is not able to get lost in music knows that this is something that they can or really want to be able to do? I would have to assume that each of us has found themselves lost in the music at some point, if not at home, then elsewhere perhaps, at a friends, a dealer, an audio show, concert, listening to the musical sounds of nature, whatever.

At that point, maybe the best strategy in general is to do whatever you can to understand what led to success "getting lost in the music" on any particular occasion when it occurred, and then use that information to help find your way at home.

THat;s a very general recipe I know, but I truly belive you cannot hit a target until you know what it is and you only really know in this case when you have actually heard it.

Nice to hear from you Leicachamp. Look what you started!

It's not all sarcasm. Many audiophiles indulge a bit to relax their minds before/during listening sessions.

However, for me, great music replayed well is the best natural high. I can't imagine why I would want to dull my senses at the very time I want them most alive! I know, I know, altered states can be fun sometimes, no argument there... but if you find yourself needing a few shots or a fat joint to get "lost in the music," you're probably listening to the wrong music (for you) and possibly on the wrong system.

When you first experience the euphoria of being completely swept away by the sheer beauty and power of music that reaches you emotionally... well, you've found your drug. Put down the glass and go buy some records!

My $0.02 Feel free to attack.

Ganja gets mentioned quite often along with Alcohol. Just wondering if it is sarcasm or the truth!!!!

it's easy to immerse oneself in the music. find components that don't distract you, so that you are not trying to analyze their faults.

it is also a function of mindset , as well.

Ganja.

If this doesn't move you, sell the stereo. (kidding!)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4cSyD0xS6o

(Duet at Roy Harper's 70th birthday celebration at the Royal Festival Hall on 5/11/11)

my suggestion is to see a psychotherapist, take a tranquilizer, or have a glass of wine.

direct communication of the personal kind is more efficacious than positing on a discussion forum.

Yes, Noromance, yes.
It's like what Peggy Lee sings about in "Some Cats Know".

Touché, Noromance... indeed! And Frogman, wow... I just got lost in that video. What a treat to see one of my favorite artists perform with my eyes actually open. And this happened even though I played it back on my laptop! So much for all the theories, bring on the music! Thanks.

"Just do it." :^)

Excellent post, Noromance! My feelings exactly. And to hopefully get the ball rolling (and appropriately titled):

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=cfmiRnPjLCA

This calls for an axiom - if you have to ask, you don't know how. Really? If the music isn't moving you, you are listening to the wrong stuff. It's not about the stereo, it's about your interaction with the art. Surf YouTube and find new music. What drives you? Hone in on music with a message, meaning, not just some old twaddle muzac. Get into a musician or band and read up on their history, get into the players, into their heads. Collect their albums, their progression. Sing along out loud.

Mr. Tennis-- Seems to me that Leicachamp is already doing what you suggested by posting his question to his audio community. Perhaps you mean that we as a group could not really help him and that maybe I should give him the name of my Shock Therapy clinic?

man, you must be under a lot of stress, or preoccupied about something.

perhaps talking to someone might help.

Put on some Canned Heat...problem solved.

Hey Jtcf-- Glad we share the same surreal effect of our listening rituals! I enjoy those sessions immensely.

Mapman-- I agree wholeheartedly. I got completely lost in the sound of my red plastic all-in-one record player in my early teens. Now, in mid-life, I'm a lot more discerning and it takes more at this level to "get lost". I still love my gear, but only because it does what it does in reproducing musical events that can sweep me into another place and time.

Rockadanny -- Oh you nailed it. Those few (by percentage) recordings that are engineered so well that all the engineering disappears along with my room are so precious that I buy multiple copies (now that's just crazy, right?). Last night I was listening to Bill Evans' Waltz For Debbie on an original pressing and it never fails to move me, on my system. I've heard it on lesser systems that weren't put together very well to little effect, if any -- just didn't have the magic. After all these years of stumbling around this expensive hobby, I'm so grateful to now know how to put together a really musical rig (for friends who ask) at many price points.

In my experience, I have noticed that I have several listening modes:
Casual – where I'm cooking in the kitchen but it sounds like Bill Evans is in my living room. I love that. Bill plays his heart out for hours and I don't even need to feed him dinner.
Critical – Where I notice minute aspects of the recording, venue, and gear and I'm either impressed or not, but definitely keeping score in my head.
Teleportive: The Holy Grail of this hobby (for me). I put on a magic LP, close my eyes and seconds after needle drop, I'm gone. Teleported to a venue, front row center, where a favorite musician is holding court, in total disbelief that anything can sound so beautiful or anyone can be that talented. This happens about once a week in the Man-Cave.

If we're not having fun, something's not right.

To get fully engaged for more than just one or two tracks, regardless of the music, I seem to require a system able to convey the emotion put forth by the players and reproduce that with clarity, texture, drive, and proper tonality. (I've heard very few systems able to do this.) And the music must have some attractive, special quality as well. (e.g., Not just ANY piano trio performance, but something like Bill Evans' "Complete Live at the Village Vanguard".)

Yeah, as a kid, when I was far less obsessed with "good sound" I used to get lost listening to FM on a little Panasonic handheld transistor radio.

I suppose its a good idea to know one is capable of getting lost in music first before going too crazy about good sound. After all, in order to find out, there are many easy and even free ways to listen to music without a high end system or even any "system" at all.

Why would anyone spend time trying to get "good sound" otherwise? I suppose there are many examples of how people may act irrationally, so why should litening to music be any different?

It's far more about the right music than the right system or room. I used to get lost listening to my dad's portable stereo. Pet Sounds and Sgt. Pepper's often did the trick.

There are no rules (yet) regarding the right or wrong way to listen. Hopefully we never come to that.

It's a hobby. Hobbies are for fun! That's the only requirement. Nothing else really matters.

I am a techie so I enjoy the technical aspects of what goes into good listening. Its a very synergistic pair of interests since technology is the thing that enables us to listen to recorded music.

In situations where one wnts to be able to enjoy something but finds they cannot, my best advice is to keep it as simple as possible. Audiophiles tend to do the opposite over time, always making things more complex than perhaps they need to be? Avoid that trap. Keep it simple. Once you have something simple that works for you, then maybe try to make it better, but beware the traps that come along with any form of excessive compulsive behavior.

Alonski,
Well said!I undergo a similar ritual,and it is indeed surreal,eyes closed and the room as dark as possible.Just me and the musicians.

Hi everyone, it's been a while. System upgrade completed (could've bought a nice new car instead); everything finally broken-in. Happy beyond expectations with the life-like sound, which often sweeps me away. Hence, it was impossible to resist this thread.

Leicachamp,
To me, forcing myself to listen critically, struggling with my mind and trying to concentrate on getting lost in the music doesn't sound like any fun at all. When I was a budding audiophile, I definitely remember feeling stressed out when listening, as Douglas mentioned in this thread. My heart would actually start racing as I listened –– quite the opposite of a meditative state. Now, after 30 years of daily shock therapy, I only listen when I feel like it, when the music calls me –– which seems natural and sustainable. And since my living room is also my listening room (successful WAF negotiation), whenever I have the house to myself I have a 8-minute ritual that converts the space into the Man-Cave. This transformation further heightens anticipation of my session, making it more of a special event.

ManCave protocols include moving the couch back, removing the coffee table, positioning the listening chair in the sweet spot, leaning the big pillows against the walls at the point of first reflections, folding over the area rug to reveal the speaker positioning marks and pulling the Thiel 3.7s away from the wall (they have outrigger spikes resting in Herbie's Brass/Teflon Gliders) and aligning them perfectly with those marks. If I'm really going for it, I'll turn all the Home Theater 5.1 speakers (which are completely separate from my 2 channel gear, but alas, are still in the same room) away from the listening triangle and put a thick folded towel over the HT's center channel to silence any rouge vibrations. Then, I turn off the fridge (yup), grab the VAC remote, get a glass of water, pick a ultra-sonically cleaned album, flick on the turntable light, kill the room lights, drop the stylus in the lead groove, then plant my butt in my chair, turn up the volume to "venue transportation level," take a deep breath and most importantly, close my eyes! Above all, if you want to get lost in the music, the most important element is closing your eyes the whole time. If you do this already, you know how surreal and odd it feels to have the music end, open your eyes and realize where you actually are.

I don't think this getting lost in music thing is an ability or skill for me it's listening to music I love that is superbly recorded (for me, on vinyl) on a system at whatever price point that hangs together well enough to transport you to the recording venue and involve you emotionally in the experience.

However accomplished, you have to avoid any distractions and
yes really be able to focus to get lost, whether that comes
naturally or more commonly if it requires a lot of effort.
Bottom line is you must FOCUS!

Don't know about any "higher planes" of conscience,
but yoga is a lot about being able to get by everyday
distractions and focus on how you are feeling, both physically
and mentally.

I think I try and listen with the INTENTION to enjoy the music. Previously I switch on the system with no purpose/intention, thus the outcome was random.

I will also try and concentrate on a beat or instrument in the music. I remember I use to do this more often when I was younger.

Also a few of you mentioned to not listen to my system for a few days/weeks. I originally thought you guys were being saracastic, but on further thought I think it has a lot of merit. I listen to system everyday, maybe I take that for granted. In my younger days, listening a few times a week was a treat. Now it's a daily event.

Putting away the laptop!!!!! Yep guilty as charged.

There is one known surefire cure...major upgrade!

I had rid myself of television over fives years ago.

A sure way to enjoy music immensely is to try and force the issue. Pressure yourself to enjoy it! Force yourself to concentrate on relaxation! Push to the limit in immersing yourself into it!

The fallacy of the calm listner is far too prevalent; the truth is the authentic audiophile is quite stressed when listening, because listening properly takes work. I leave the listening room exhausted because I have so keenly paid attention and harvested every last bit of experience that there is nothing left to glean.

Most people do not have such highly advanced skills of concentration and appreciation, and it could be quite harmful to you if you try it without working up to it. I advise that you spend one minute of intense focus followed by five minutes of mindless wandering. A few weeks of this should allow you to make it through one piece of music with the hyper-focused attention of the true audiophile. It takes years of practice to hold this elevated focus for hours.

You may just decide to give up on it and be a normal, distracted listener. That's ok; not everyone can be a super-audiophile. ;)

Put the laptop away.
That's all I need to do as there's not much else in the room to pull my attention away.