How do you train your ears?

How do I train my ears?

I sit orchestra center, not as close as some others have indicated, but close enough...when I don't sit outside the performance I am usually in it. I had the opportunity to conduct a few times in college, and that would be the ultimate reference...if I could just have someone let me hold the baton again...

Recently I took my spl meter to a orchestra read of Il Trovatore, which took place in a rehearsal room. I was standing on a platform with the principal singers near the percussion section...here are some measurements...

Large cymbal crashes, 107db
Heavy percussion, upwards of 115db
Full brass, 110db (at 15ft.)
Full strings, 100db (at 20ft.)

Operatic Voice at 5-7ft, loud passages:

Dramatic soprano voice 92 db
Dramatic Mezzo voice 90db
Darmatic tenor 90db
Dramatic Baritone 87db

I am sure had I been on the other side of the orchestra...aka from the podium, the brass and the strings would have been a bit louder...

Mind you, these are peaks, the general range of the orchestra was around 80db for mf, with the singers riding their overtones...which is the art after all.

Listen, listen, and when you think you are an expert listener,
listen some more.

WHAT ? oh sorry that was when I was married. Now I just simply RELAX! Cheers

Listening and hearing are two different activities. I like listening to music. I enjoy it more when the performers are into it. I get more out recorded performances when the band is 'on' than live performances when the band is having an 'off' night. Otherwise, the best training for listening is listening. I could not imagine going to a live concert in order to train myself to listen to my stereo better. I go for the music, the fact that it is an 'event' and the performers want to please the crowd, the fact that I might be going with friends who also look forward to it. I go for the chance to see my wife all dressed up, for the dinner before, and the maybe the drinks afterward. I go to listen to new music, a new performer, a new interpretation, or to again listen to something I heard years ago.

I have found it very helpful to listen to what other knowledgeable people say. People who have been in the hobby for a number of years. Have them go out to listen to systems with you either at dealers or other friends. You don't have to agree with them but often they bring up important issues that may not have occurred to you.

An analogy to this would learning about wine. You go wine tasting and have the wine server give you his take on the flavors in the wine.