While a lot of people don’t agree on what ‘good music’ actually is, there is no denying that each individual enjoys music in some way. In fact, you will be hard-pressed to find anyone that doesn’t listen to tunes at least once a day.
Unfortunately, a lot of people don’t indulge in their passion the right way. Some people are either guilty of sticking with the same kinds of music while others make the mistake of resorting to poor-quality tunes. So, if you are interested in kicking your music listening experience up a notch, you are going to need some helpful tips:
Step Outside of Your Comfort Zone
A lot of people consider themselves to be fans of a particular genre of music. While there is nothing wrong with this, you should avoid cutting yourself off from other categories. Just because you tend to prefer or identify with one genre over another doesn’t mean that you can’t explore a little. So, the first thing you will need to do is to let go of that mentality.
Once you have done that, what should be your next step? Well, it can be a mistake to head too far out of your comfort zone in the beginning. This is why you should look for a genre that is similar to the kind of music you like. For instance, if you love rock music, checking out some blues tunes would be a more natural progression for you. Then, you can begin to slowly check out what else is out there for you.
Find New Music
Even if you don’t really want to branch out into other genres, you should at least make an effort to listen to new music. Now, new tunes do more than just broaden their horizons, they have an actual impact on your brain. Research has shown that listening to a new song can actually trigger the reward center of your brain. This makes it an incredibly pleasurable act.
If you are wondering how to find new music, there are actually a number of options. For instance, there are radio apps that will help you find similar tunes to the ones that you already like. Then, there are platforms such as YouTube that also provide lists of music that you might enjoy, based on what you are currently interested in.
Of course, there are a lot more personal ways to find songs as well. One tactic you could try is to talk to your friends and even family members about some of their favorite songs. Even if their tastes veer towards older music, it is still worth a listen. At the same time, you can also try asking for suggestions either in comment sections on websites or on forums. This way, you can increase the number of recommendations you receive.
Stick With New Songs
You have probably gone through the experience of listening to a song and absolutely hating it. Then, you hear the song later and end up really enjoying it. So, what happened between now and then? Sometimes, if the song or genre you listened to is unusual, you would have a kneejerk reaction and dislike it. However, you just need to be exposed to something new more than once. This allows you (and your brain) to listen to the song more closely and pay attention to the various details. When you do this, you may actually find that the song is right up your alley.
Pay Attention to Quality
These days, it takes you just a few seconds to download music and when you do, you can be quite certain that your music files aren’t taking up too much space on your music player. Nonetheless, what you may not be aware of, though, is that in many cases you are actually compromising on quality for size. So, while mp3 may be one of the most popular formats, it isn’t necessarily the best for you.
This begs the question, just what format should you be using? After all, while quality is important, you need to make certain that the songs aren’t taking up too much space on your phone or music player. Well, in this case, you will find that FLAC is one of the best options for you. This is because it preserves the studio-like recording quality of the song while also offering up compression. If you tend to use mostly Apple devices, then you may find that Apple Lossless provides you with better compatibility for your devices.
Find the Right Music Outlet
When it comes to listening to music, you will find that one of the biggest debates are between headphones and speakers. To be fair, one option isn’t necessarily better than the other. Rather, it is more important to pay attention to the ambient situation. For instance, if you are alone in a quiet room, then the headphones will definitely provide you with the type of music experience that you need.
However, if you have to contend with a lot of external noise, then it is a good idea to consider another option. See, with headphones, you will be forced to keep turning the volume up, distorting the sound quality and also hurting your hearing. It is a much better choice to go with either wired or Bluetooth speakers. These are more than able to overcome other noises. In case you are worried about the cost, you will be pleased to know that there are plenty of affordable models.
Go Old School
Do you prefer tunes that are several decades old? Or perhaps, you like classical music. In either of these instances, you may want to switch up the way you listen to this kind of music. More specifically, you should invest in a record player. While this may seem like an old-fashioned option, record players are actually becoming quite popular again, especially among those who like to listen to old music.
So, why should you consider getting a record player? Older tunes and classical music were actually produced to be played on record players. Thus, if you want a truly authentic experience, it is best to find and play records on this specific type of player. Otherwise, you will be losing out on what the songs were actually supposed to sound like.
Learn an Instrument
Sometimes, it is easy to take music for granted. After all, most people simply click on a song and plug in their headphones. Due to this, it is not uncommon to get tired of a song or feel like you are simply being exposed to the same kind of music. If you want to change the way you hear, feel, and experience music, you should actually consider learning an instrument.
Once you embark on the learning process, you will realize that it is actually quite difficult to master an instrument. You will also be able to understand the intricacies that go into playing the instrument. In this way, you will be able to appreciate even the most repetitive songs in a whole new way.
These are all of the ways you can expand on your music listening experience. Just remember, when it comes to music, there is so much to discover. So, avoid limiting yourself in any way.