We all listen to music, we hear it everywhere, sometimes spontaneously. We
may land on a website while surfing the internet and music will suddenly
appear. It’s not unwanted, it just wasn’t expected. So, do we listen to it
or just hear it? Is there a difference between the two?

Hearing is a physical function and one of the 5 senses. It doesn’t require
any effort, it just happens. Listening is different. The impact of
listening is felt by all of us. It is a conscious effort to listen. Picture
yourself trying to hear someone who is speaking very softly. You have to
focus, intent on comprehending what is so delicately spoken.

As a musician and a music lover, the art of listening is appreciated and
absolutely necessary for the full completion of the process of the creation
of music and live performance. The listener benefits with auditory
nourishment and the performer is satisfied that his work is not in vain.
Someone caught it, many heard, but some listened.

In some scenarios the music and the performer are heard only, not really
listened to such as in restaurants and shopping malls. In these settings it
is not as likely that a performer would be able to deliver the same type of
performance verses a listening setting. It is possible, however, that a
random person will be listening unbeknownst to them and is thoroughly
enjoying it.

Ultimately, regardless of whether the audience is listening intently,
interacting with the performer or the audience is engaged in their own
conversation and perhaps not even be aware that music is playing at all,
the creation of music in some people’s beliefs is still completed.

Choose to be a listener. Listen and engage in live performance and recorded
music as it enriches your life and completes the process of creation to
performance to response.