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HELP Turning off the Left Brain

Its been over 25 years since I bought my first stereo. All my friends wanted wheels, I just wanted to play my records on something other than my parents stereo console. After spending over 25 years training my ears to distinguish between the tiniest differences in and between components, cables, room acoustics et al (and yes I believe for the most part it is a learned skill), I now find it very difficult to sit down and just ENJOY THE MUSIC without always critiquing the presentation. As a matter of fact, a lot of the music that I originally enjoyed when I was among the great unwashed masses, I can't stand listening to anymore. I always thought that at some point the equipment would allow the music to transcend the medium, but regardless of the quality of the presentation, the left brain always whips out the notebook.

Has anyone found a way to stop the madness?
musicfirst
newbee
4,815 posts
 
Turning off the left brain is tough to do, especially for equipment and set up freaks. You're probably very normal. It sounds to me as if you're just bored with your music.

The solution to the problem is to start taking music itself as the important part of the hobby and applying as much effort in that regard as you previously did with equipment and set up. In my experience, unlike the past, when I put on music now I hear the audio stuff for a few seconds, but then the music takes over.

I don't know what your preferences are but the possibilities for expanding your knowledge and enjoyment of music is endless in classical and jazz alone.

Highly recommended!
sns
3,943 posts
 
Only once have I been able to turn off my analytical nature long term. I had finally optimized a former system over a period of years and finally felt that I could let go and enjoy the music. I enjoyed that system for over a year without one change until the upgrade bug hit me. Since adding a new amp and speakers about a year ago I've been on the old optimizing routine which necessitates the analysis bug. Perhaps some of us can only completely give up the analysis when we optimize one system and become fearful of upsetting things with another change.
johnrob
76 posts
 
I'm serious with this suggestion ... Take up mindfulness meditation. An excellent book by Jon Kabat-Zinn (Full Catastrophe Living) will take you through exercises that dampen the left side of the brain. This type of meditation is excellent for overly analytical people (like myself). I've had excellent response from my clients who have studied AND PRACTISED mindfulness meditation. (I'm a psychotherapist) You need to give yourself several months of practice to get the hang of this way of perceiving the world.

John
goinbroke
105 posts
 
Stage left, Stehno.
timf
237 posts
 
I agree with newbee. You sound like you are bored. You might consider shifting gears. Try some new music- Different music. Borrow from your friends, the library, or even your computer or the radio. Also consider that if you just havent been feeling much for the music you have of late it could be you have something to do or something to let go of. Maybe what you are being critical of in this instance is the result of misdirected energy. er, Sort of like that doubling up energy at certain frequencies, you know? Well, Okay. Maybe not this last bit...
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