I’m a self-proclaimed music enthusiast. I listen to music whenever I get the chance, and headphones are definitely an essential item to bring wherever I go. For those of you who are looking to find some new music or move further down the scale of a music junkie, here’s some advice on becoming well-versed (no pun intended) in the world of music.
Find your source (and make it legal, please)
SoundCloud, iTunes, iHeartRadio, and Pandora are just a few of the great resources for discovering great music. I personally recommend Spotify—not only can you make your own playlists and listen to artist/genre radio stations, Spotify will actually make a “Discover Weekly” playlist catered to your specific taste in music! (Bonus: there’s a big discount for college students)
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Be open to suggestions
In fact, thrive on them. Ask others what they like to listen to and check it out yourself. Then you can add it to your mental list of music you either like or dislike, giving yourself a more concrete sense of your own music taste.
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Don’t confine yourself
You probably know someone who listens to nothing but top 40, refuses to listen to country music, or only listens to one artist. But these types of music-listeners are making themselves blind to so many songs they could potentially enjoy. Be open to things outside of, let’s say, your “music comfort zone.”
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The “one-verse-one-chorus” rule
This is a phrase I have proudly coined and put into use whenever I listen to a song for the first time. If I’m not sure whether I like it or not, I make sure to listen to one full verse and one full chorus before changing the song or turning it off. This is a great way to ensure that you don’t judge a song too quickly.
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Don’t neglect lyrics
As important as the general sound of a song is, lyrics play a significant role too! Certain songs have absolutely captivating, intelligent, or just beautiful lyrics. And some even have lyrics that you can relate to, so make sure to pay attention to the words in each song you listen to.
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Listen to music as often as possible
Relaxing in your room, driving, showering, doing laundry—whatever you’re doing, have music playing in the background. It can brighten your mood and, if it’s new/different music, expose you
to songs and genres you may not have otherwise been exposed to.
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Consider learning an instrument
If you’re looking to get a thrill from more than just listening to music, try playing it! Picking up an instrument is a great hobby that can be enjoyed by both you and others around you. Also, learning to play an instrument allows you to better understand and appreciate music as whole.
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Go to Concerts/Music Festivals
Get familiar with the concert venues around you and stay updated on concerts and music festivals in your area (Loufest, anyone?). Whether you know the groups performing or not, these are great ways to discover new music and find other people who love listening to it just as much as you do. (P.S. pay attention to opening acts. Sometimes they’re actually better than the main performance!)
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