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I Hardly Listen to Music Anymore

I've been a frequent observer to Audiogon, but this is the first thread I've started.

I find that I rarely listen to music anymore. (Once every couple of weeks). Let me explain.

I've been into audio for about 35 years. When I first got started listening to music and got involved in audio, in the late 60's, music was not a background pastime. When the new Dylan, Band, Allman, James Taylor, Santana, etc., album came out I'd listen to it in a dark room, in the sweet spot, eyes closed, alone or with friends, for hours on end, to great satisfaction. Since then, that's how I've always listend to music and I still enjoy listening like that for hours on end when I can.

As I grew older, I was never able to listen to music as background, because I can't concentrate on work or anything else when music plays. Consequently, as time goes on, and I have less and less time for serious listening sessions, I find I listen to music less and less. I don't play music at work and do not put the big rig on when I'm just hanging around at home in another room.

Other friends/coworkers constantly have jam boxes, walkmen, ipods etc playing as filler. So the people who care about music less listen to it more and people who care about music more listen less. I also am not as exposed to new music as people who constantly listen as background.

One of life's little ironies, I guess. Anyone else have this experience?

PS- It's not that my stereo is fatiguing. When I have time to listen for an hour or two I fall in love with my system(Wadia 21, ML-335, Wilson Sophia, Transparent cable) all over again. I've finally gotten it to the point where it is detailed yet smooth, and effortless at all volumes. So its not listner fatigue.
mitchell
mitchell OP
10 posts
 
I am the original poster. I only expected a couple of responses and I am quite grateful for all the insight and suggstions that were posted.

I still cannot listen to music at work. I am very focused at work, and background music simply won't work for me. And in the car I enjoy my peace and quiet. But, beginning this past week end, I played the stereo at home as background as I went about other activities. I enjoyed it. I'm also going to buy a CD a week (new K. D. Lang this week end) and will start to listen to the big system more on a daily basis, even if only fifteen minutes at a time.

Finally, I do listen to a lot of live music- Dylan at least six times a year amd live jazz at least once a month (last week end I heard Ellis and Branford Marsallis (sp?)).

Again thanks for all the thoughtful suggestions.
wildoats
339 posts
 
I started a similar post awhile back. My theory was all the background music everywhere we go was reducing peoples enjoyment of music. Meaning, the more you do something the less unique and interesting it becomes.

While I still believe that to a certain extent, I have additional thoughts on the subject. I read an interview of a musician and writer of music. I can't remember who. The musician, in answer to questions about his system and favorite musical artists, said he rarely listened to other musicians music. The reason was he could only get into music for so many hours in a day or week, and then wasn't interested anymore. His musical itch was satisfied by writing and playing his own music. That took up all his "musical" time.

Could it be that being subjected today to the constant barrage of muzak at work, stores, supermarkets, restaurants, etc reduces the time we feel like listening to "quality" music?
timf
237 posts
 
From your post it seems that music has been something of a force in your life, something that you have shared with others in a meaningful commune. Maybe it is sharing music with other people that makes music happen for you? And maybe you have just arrived at that. It seems you still go to concerts, and you mention that as a younger person music was sort of the orbit around you related. It is possible in a persons life as they get older that what is important to them is refined, finding the right place amongst everything that defines their life rather than a general place. Maybe you are changing. The good news is, you do not have to decide anything about these observations you have made. If you miss what is gone you will find your way back to it. You will assert your priorities. It is very possible that you are reserving your energies for something which is presently more important to you.
brucegel
151 posts
 
Great thread... I think as music lovers get older their capacity to listen to the great churning rehashment of music we have all heard before (and done better) weakens the drive to invest in the necessary focus and energy.It's just ripened discernment that develops.For me it's reached the stage now that I just pull out a guitar or drum or keyboard much of the time and that scratches the itch.For the most part the radio is was and will always be a wasteland but there are occasional exceptions.
gardengirl
16 posts
 
I got quite sad when vinyl all but went away and gave up doing much listening for some time. Now CD bandwidth and sonics have improved to the point that I am back to listening more again (in the manner you describe). I still don't think the sound quality is as good as great recorded vinyl on a terrific system - but it is getting better and I need the escape from everyday things to sit and listen ;-) I am still listening on Snell Type A's and Spectra 11's with a CJ Premier II and a Hafler 9505 - maybe I need new equipment - but I can't afford Wilson quarter of a million dollar speakers ;-( Oh and my CD player is a $700 Adcom (maybe this is my problem?). Music soothes the soul and shouldn't be given up on...
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