I listen to music in the car, during my 9 mile commute to work. I listen to music on my iPod Shuffle when I workout 3 times a week. I don’t listen to music at home except for Christmas carols. I don’t have music or tv on as background noise. I don’t dislike music, but I don’t find that I need it in my life. There are certain songs, even groups, that I enjoy the heck out of. I love Bach. But do I need to listen to it? No. Like the OP, I enjoy silence.
I am extremely passionate about music; I don’t think I know anyone in my life that is more passionate about it that I am. I love listening to music, I playing music, I love composing, I love concerts. Even in silence, I often have a tune or something going on in my head. And while I have difficulty understanding this at an emotional level, I realize that music just isn’t for everyone.
Now, some people who are not passionate about music just haven’t found the music that works for them. Specifically in my case, I remember in middle school and high school how so many of my friends were into various popular bands and they did nothing for me. I tried to play an instrument in band in middle school and I hated it. I was playing piano on my own time, but other than that, I just didn’t understand what everyone else saw in it. As it turned out, all that popular music was just stuff that I disliked. And that instrument I tried to play in band, it wasn’t the instrument for me. Once I found the music that touched me, I became essentially obsessed over night. Similarly, the musical instruments I had tried like saxophone and guitar, weren’t right for me, but I devoted more to piano and singing, and that’s exactly what I should have been doing all along.
So, I’d like to think that a lot of people who just aren’t that into music are more like I had been, where they just haven’t been exposed to the type of music that will do it for them. However, even for that, for someone like me, even when I wasn’t that into it, I was still playing piano some and still had tunes in my head, I just wasn’t getting the external stimulation. If you never hum tunes or whistle, if you never find yourself curious about it at all, that’s one thing. But if you have curiousity, it might be worth going out and looking at stuff, maybe even stuff you never considered.
It’s also possible that there are people who just don’t really care about music or the arts in general. Music is really just a form of audial art, in which art is manipulating a medium to create some sort of message and response in the audience. Someone can be really artistic in some way but just not have much attachment to their sense of sound, and so forms of art that depend on that won’t impact as much. Instead, those people might be moved by film or cooking or dance or fine arts or any number of other types of art.
So, for someone who isn’t into music, do you have any art related passions? Maybe you love to watch movies. If a film can bring you to tears, make you relate those events to other parts in your life, rise fear or happiness or any number of other emotions, music does that same thing to someone who is passionate about it. The way a film critic will talk about character and plot development, shot composition, lighting, social commentary, or whatever, a musician will talk about technical details like scales, times, and dynamics, and composition, instrumentation, timbre, and will have the same sort of emotional impact.
Imagine watching a film, there’s dim lighting and pale colors, ominous sounds, it could instill a sense of fear and anticipation, or bright lighting and colors, open space can give a sense of peace and happiness. Those same moods are communicated in music, perhaps with minor or dimished scales, intense rhythms with a faster tempo to make one feel that sense of anticipation, and a sense of calm can be brought about with major chords, slower tempos, etc.
And in it’s truest sense, just like any form of art, there are expressions in music that seem so simple and obvious in that form, but would take 20 minutes to explain in words. And this is ultimately a huge part of what draws me to it, because it’s very close to how I’ve come to express those parts of myself that I could talk for hours and never clearly get across. I can compose a song with no lyrics that’s maybe a few minutes long, and someone else will hear a story and hopefully feel the same ups and downs I do when I play it, but telling that story would take so much longer, and may not have that same impact. For me, it’s almost like the composer, the performer, and the listener have a shared consciousness and that song is that thought or feeling or memory. Of course, we interpret in the context of our own experiences, but it’s still utterly fascinating how we can come out feeling very much the same.
And I can understand how someone can just have no interest in certain forms of art at all. For instance, I just can’t stand reading novels. I know people will read them, be thoroughly moved by them, fascinated with the plots and the characters, relate it all to their own lives, and while I can relate to the written word in poetry, lyrics, and some short stories, I just can’t understand on anything other than an intellectual level how people can possibly enjoy reading a novel. In the same way that the OP arises disappoint in musicians and music lovers, I’ve gotten that sort of thing from avid readers, and I’ve tried reading classics, some popular books, books on topics I find fasinating in other forms, and it just does nothing for me. I think all of us relate to certain arts more or less, and just how it can be really intense in some arts for some people, it can just as easily be weak or non-existent for some people too. Really, I don’t think that’s a bad thing because I still have a lot of interest in other arts.
So, yeah, it’s odd to a musician to hear from people who don’t really get music, but I at least have some level of understanding because even those I know who aren’t that into it do have some kind of artistic passion. What concerns me isn’t so much someone who doesn’t like music at all, though honestly that would make it difficult to really relate to that person on a personal level because it’s so much of how I relate to the world and my friends and family, but rather someone who has no interest in any of the arts at all. I have met a few people like that and, I have to say, they’re probably the most thoroughly bland, uninteresting, boring people I’ve ever known.
So, to the OP, I really hope you have some passion in some art, and if you do, just imagine how that makes you feel, except that feeling coming from music instead.
Same here. I also used to be very much into movies (moreso than music) but my film viewing has dropped off considerably as well.
Well hello again my man,mayybe you should think about what you write.
I responded to your statement “I hate all jazz”. Then you said " Some female jazz vocalists are ok". Looks like maybe you were " lying about my own experience ", but that has nothing to do with whether I can relate to it. You have stated two opposing positions as your own.
Again “I hate all jazz” followed by “Ella’s great”. You hate all jazz because it makes you “nervous and angry” Now you say it makes you “bored”. Nervous and bored at the same time eh? Seems like you’re the one that can’t relate to your own experience.
then you say about Miles Davis “It’s true I haven’t listened to it,”,but you feel qualified to describe it and you can say you would beat him to death.
Not that I am “so hot” to know about your musical tastes, but IU did ask since you stated very plainly you like music with “lots of bass”. The first style of preferred music you identify is folk. Folk music to my knowledge is not known for “lots of bass” but sure maybe i’m the one who is mistaken.
I stand by my position. to say you would like to beat with a rock because of their music someone whose music you admittedly don’t listen to is unreasonable and unthinking. I say to hate all jazz because it makes you nervous and angry can’t be true - well you admit it isn’t true. Apparently i was right. Think about what you are saying/writing.
While I often like to listen to music, there are moments during the course of a day where I appreciate silence or at least not having any music. Music makes me anxious or annoyed if I don’t like the particular music being played or if it’s played 24/7. I usually play music at low volume to help me fall asleep at night.
These are attitudes that are completely foreign to me. Not that there’s anything wrong with them, but I sure don’t understand it.
I think this might be less true than it was 20-30 years ago. I find that young people today are far more open-minded today. At least about genres.
Huh?
Because that’s what it is. Even if you don’t like it.
The wrongest thing ever said on this message board?
I’ve never really been a fan of music, even during my teenage years, and it has lessened even more as the years pass.
I don’t get excited and want to listen to it over and over, and then buy the entire back catalogue. I don’t listen to lyrics much (they’re usually awful, I find). But then again I don’t dismiss all music, I do own some CDs (I do not have iTunes, though, and have never bought downloadable music online), and I can single out a few specific artists or songs that I really like.
So I guess on a sliding scale of 1 - 10 (no interest-to-extremely passionate), I am about a 3.
You really didn’t get that? If Fossil was listening to rap music, I could understand:
“I don’t like music
In general music annoys me, I never listen to music for pleasure.”
See, I’m knocking rap music … cause I don’t like it. Hope that clarifies that for you.
As for post 1955 movie and TV soundtracks, Lalo Schifrin … that’s all I have to say … Lalo Schifrin. He is so cool, the coolness overwhelms.
That’s sort of like me. I have a large collection of CDs, and I used to listen to music all the time, but I find I rarely have the patience for it nowadays except when on my commute.
I don’t dislike it – when I hear a song that I used to like, I still enjoy it. But when there’s silence I don’t feel the urge to put something on anymore.
Well, I was kinda hoping you didn’t mean something so stupid.
That’s what I thought, but I don’t call people stupid, so I explained it nicely.
Not really… dancing hasn’t been anything that I’ve ever been into.
I wouldn’t even say I dislike music- it’s fine, but not some kind of integral part of my enjoyment of life.
I mainly just don’t understand that sort of deep love and enjoyment of music that others in this thread mention. When I have gone to concerts, the very best times I’ve had have been when the crowd is into it - like at a Cowboy Mouth concert, for example. It’s not really the music as it’s the crowd energy that I enjoy in those situations though.
Strangely enough, I don’t have a horrible singing voice, and am not unrhythmic, and my family is far from non-musical. Dad is one of those music people, and Mom’s always been in the church choir, and generally sings a lot to herself. I guess I just didn’t get the bug!
I have music going more often than not. Especially at home, and when on the SDMB for any amount of time, I’ll have my Rhapsody account open in a tab and throw a list of new releases together to check out and add to my library as I go if I like something. Listening to the new Nick Cave right now.
I like all kinds of music, and there’s still something in every genre that I also find really annoying to listen to. While there are some modern dance/pop vocalists I like, (Robyn, Pink, Rihanna) if I try to play a “radio” station based on them, I don’t like pretty much anything else that gets played. The popular radio stuff from the 70’s and 80’s all brings an emotional response based on what was going on in my life since those were my formative years, and then stuff from the 90’s was when I branched out during my 20’s and got into both hard/goth/grunge/metal and electronica that was mostly found in clubs and not on the radio. I continue to seek new music, but certainly default to a certain comfort zone and sometimes want to listen to a list of music to which I know all the words.
For me, music is emotional and physical. I dance, sing, whistle, hum, and feel happy and even get the tingles with certain artists or sounds. I grew up in a household where music wasn’t sought out, though I was encouraged to learn instruments, and was never suppressed from singing or practicing guitar or whatever. But when I wanted a “boom box” or stereo or Walkman, my parents just never understood the need or desire to listen to loud music and that was certainly discouraged. The first thing I bought when I moved out on my own wasn’t a couch or a bed or a TV - it was a 5.1 home stereo system that will move your hair and that I still have 20 years later.
While I never got proficient at playing any instruments, I’m a passable vocalist, and there is definitely a euphoric feeling I get, especially when harmonizing with someone else. I will get tingles from head to toe when we’re really nailing something, whether we’re just singing something in the car or karaoke, or even just a couple lines at work. I feel sad for people who don’t get any enjoyment from music, it seems like they’re missing out on something or are emotionally suppressed somehow, but maybe they get that from somewhere else.
Folks who don’t really get anything from music - what does make you want to jump up and down or give you tingles or just gives you a momentary thrill? I mean, a song only lasts so long, and while I get suddenly happy or dancey or sing along, when the song or moment is over I just go along with what I was doing before, albeit with a smile that perhaps wasn’t there before.
Wow, I can’t believe how many people have added their opinion, (can you tell this is my first ever thread?)
Anonymous User - I do have a soul, I am kind to people and animals, I rescued baby possums this week and always strive to make sure people around me feel comfortable and included.
Steophan - I am teaching myself how to paint, starting with landscapes using acrylic paints & have recently bought a digital SLR camera, I have only just started out with both but do have a “need” to create something visually beautiful.
FrankJBN - It makes me feel annoyed in a similar way to a car alarm going off, I am dealing with anxiety issues at the moment and I find that music increases my level of anxiety and it makes it difficult for me to concentrate. As for Christmas carols - meh
Hello Again - You said it so well, I feel jittery and anxious with most music, but there are some singers I wouldn’t mind high five-ing, in the face, with a chair!
Thudlow Boink - I probably am a bit tone deaf/challenged, I played music in primary school and could read music and whilst reading it could almost “hear” it. But that being said couldn’t tell you if a tuning fork thingie was a C or D etc from just hearing it.
Sleestak - I don’t think I have had my pitch abilities tested. I had to have a hearing test a couple of years ago due to an acoustic shock I received at work and my hearing is perfect, not sure if that counts. My dislike of music has not increased since the acoustic shock.
Gaffa - Thanks, am not ashamed, just a bit bemused by how different I am compared to most people when it comes to music.
Kepler1571 - Think you might be right there, I am an introvert but it’s only really music that causes the unpleasant “busyness”, I work as and Ambulance dispatcher, so I have lots of noise there but I thrive on that
Mean Old Lady - I had the same experience on the dating scene in my twenties, when I was asked what music I was into, I got sick of lying and said that wasn’t into anything musical but loved books, it was a conversation stopper.
Sir Galahad - Don’t cry, I don’t know what else to say to you - I hope I am not the cause of you losing faith in humanity.
Spiff - I do enjoy movies, background music in movies doesn’t bother me, but I will never watch a musical and dislike scenes in movies that are just about music.
Yllaria - Yes, I find music hard to ignore and it does affect my concentration
Mack - Im jealous, nothing makes me feel like that, well nothing as easy to come by as turning on an iPod!
Blaster Master - As mentioned above, am attempting to hone a talent in painting and photography. Your post has struck me more than the others, I absolutely LOVE reading novels, in fact I read every day, have done since I learnt how to read. Reading about your dislike of novels makes me want to suggest a plethora of books that I think you would like. My initial thoughts when reading all the posts where people have suggested different genres of music to listen to were “stuff you - I don’t need to listen to what you recommend, I’m not going to waste my time”. However, I now understand the reasoning behind the suggestions, as I’d love for you to be able to read some of my favourite books and have the characters become “friends”. I won’t though
I have no idea how to add quotes and then reply, so I hope this isn’t too long or that I have inadvertently made a faux pas by making this post too long. If I have, feel free to let me know.
Thanks for the feed back
I like music, but I love silence. I never listen to music in the car or truck.
I am not the OP, but I am tone deaf, and yeah, this is it. I am meh overall when it comes to music.
I do appreciate the social aspects of music, there are plen of songs that I “love” because I associate them with a particular event, memory or person. I put love in quotes because I know it’s different from what music fans feel about it – if another song had been playing, I would feel that way about the other song, it really doesn’t matter.
Literature and writing are things that I am passionate about, and there are also songs I really enjoy because I find the lyrics very compelling, either in terms of language or narrative. However, like many tone deaf people, if you handed me a sheet of paper with just the lyrics, I have a hard time recalling the melody of the song with any accuracy, and matching the lyrics up.
Left to my own devices, if I am home alone, I seldom put music on because it just doesn’t occur to me.
I have a friend who also doesn’t like any music. There’s some that she can bear to have on, but she doesn’t like any of it actively. I once spent a long car journey with her trying bits of my favourites on her, and trying to articulate how each made me feel. Of course I couldn’t - the only language capable of summoning up those emotions for me was the music itself. Music is such a huge part of my identity and my understanding of myself that I felt sorry for her at first, like she was missing a huge part of herself, but I think I eventually understood a little better.
Perhaps not entirely coincidentally she’s the most introverted person I know - almost the exact opposite of me in terms of personality.
I’d like to know how Fossil feels about bird songs.
I’m an amateur musician and songwriter so, yes, I’m really into it. Can’t imagine being without music. Having said that I’ve experienced burnout with it too and have gone through periods of shunning listening to or making music. Even now I tend not to put music on in the background if I’m doing something. So to a certain extent I can understand why some enjoy silence.
Interestingly, I once saw an interview on youtube with the musician Carl Newman (leader of the band New Pornographers) and he very seriously stated how making noise and playing music aloud on their band tour bus was frowned upon. These folks are so sick and tired of making music as their job that they can’t bear to hear it (or any unnecessary noise) on their off hours. He even talked about someone buying a bag of chips to eat, how much noise it made and that it was obviously meant to annoy everyone on the tour bus.
I know a fellow who can’t stand any non-classical music. No jazz, no rock…he’s really irritated by it. He likes movies so maybe he somehow is able to suspend his aversion in that context. He admitted to me that he wished he wasn’t like this, hinting that it was probably a source of conflict in past relationships. I’ve heard similar sentiments from Woody Allen, who likes jazz and classical but not rock. He concedes his shortcoming and wished he had an appreciation for it, noting that there are many people he knows and has respect for who do love rock music.
Anyway, it’s very interesting reading the variety of responses to this thread. I’m a visual artist too and am glad to hear Fossil is getting into painting and photography.
Fossil, your reply was not too long and was easy to read. Your answers reiterated enough of our replies to let us know what you were replying to. I don’t know that including quotes would have improved it. You were also pleasant and personally honest.
If you’re interested: you can hit the button with the quote symbol (not the word quote) at the lower right of any reply that you’d like to quote (it’s the middle button - if you mouse-over it will say Multi-Quote This Message). When you get to the bottom of the thread and hit the reply button, the quotes will all appear in the reply window that pops up. The multi-quote button will turn red while the quote is included and if you change your mind, you can hit it again to drop it.
There are rules about not changing anyone’s quote, but it’s okay to cut the quote down to the part that you’re replying to, if you make it clear that’s what you’ve done. I use ellipses ( . . . ). Some people use things like: [snip].
Thanks for starting an interesting thread.