The Benefits of Listening to Music You Don’t Like: An Essential Task for Musicians

Music is a vast and diverse art form, and it's essential for musicians to step out of their comfort zones and explore different genres and styles. While it's natural for musicians to gravitate towards the music that resonates with them the most, there are numerous benefits to actively listening to music that you don't particularly enjoy. In this article, we'll delve into why it's crucial for musicians to embrace this practice and explore the potential advantages.

Understanding the Power of Other Genres

As a musician, you're familiar with different genres and styles of music, each with its unique sound, structure, and technique. For instance, a drummer like the author can benefit significantly from listening to fusion music, even if they're more aligned with rock, metal, and progressive rock. Fusion music introduces new rhythmic concepts and compositional techniques that can broaden the drummer's playing.

Similarly, the son of the author, a jazz drummer, can learn from his father's diverse musical tastes, including Jethro Tull, Led Zeppelin, Rush, Dave Weckl, Harvey Mason, and Steve Smith. These differences in musical style can provide a rich tapestry of learning opportunities, broadening both artists' horizons and enhancing their overall musical proficiency.

Enhancing Creativity and Freshness

Being a musician necessitates a delicate balance between the need for freshness and frequency. Fresh music keeps listeners engaged, while frequent releases ensure that listeners don't forget you. However, when you focus solely on your preferred genre, you risk falling into a rut. This is where the exposure to music you don’t like plays a crucial role.

When you listen to music you don’t particularly enjoy, your brain is challenged to find patterns, learn new techniques, and understand different contexts. This exposure can help you break out of your comfort zone and come up with fresh, innovative ideas. Even if the concepts or techniques you encounter can't be directly translated into your music, the process of exposing your brain to new ideas can make you more versatile and creative.

Growing Your Musical Palette

If you only listen to music that you've already enjoyed, you're limiting your musical palette. This limits your ability to truly understand and appreciate a wider range of sounds and techniques. Listening to music you don't enjoy means taking a chance that you might not immediately like it. However, just as some people find that they grow to love music genres they once disliked, the same can happen with you as a musician.

By actively seeking out and listening to new music, you can expand your horizons and gain new insights. This can lead to a more well-rounded and versatile musician. Understanding why you like particular pieces of music and why you might not like others can also enhance your appreciation and transformative capabilities. For example, if you listen to music that others enjoy but you don't, you might discover new sounds, techniques, and compositions that you can incorporate into your own work.

Why You Should Listen to Difficult Music

At the very least, listening to music you don't like provides an opportunity to challenge your preconceptions and biases. It can also help you develop a better understanding of the context and style of the music. By actively listening to music you don't enjoy, you can learn why certain artists or groups are celebrated, and what makes their music stand out.

Moreover, listening to music you don't particularly like can help you understand the sentiments and feelings behind different genres. This can deepen your empathy and appreciation for the diverse musical landscape. Being able to analyze and appreciate music from multiple perspectives is a valuable skill for musicians, and it can lead to more profound and meaningful compositions.

Conclusion

In conclusion, listening to music you don’t like is not only beneficial but also essential for the growth and development of a musician. It broadens your horizons, challenges your creativity, and enhances your understanding of the diverse musical world. So, while you may not fall in love with every genre you explore, the act of listening to music you don’t particularly enjoy can enrich your musical journey and contribute significantly to your overall musicianship.

Key Takeaways:

Broadens your musical palette Enhances creativity and freshness Deepens your understanding of different genres and styles