3 Ways to Hear More In Music

The best way to become a music expert is to begin actively listening to music.
Actively listening is doing nothing but focusing on the music hitting your ears.

Start Small

• No one is an expert to begin with. Take it one song at a time.
• It will be easy for your mind to wander, but just keep trying.
• If you can focus on one minute of a three minute song, you are off to a good start.

Choose one thing to focus on

• Choose one element of the song to focus on throughout the duration of the song.This could be the lyrics, rhythm, harmonies, or instruments.
• In most interesting music there’s always something new to latch onto!

Hear what you know then listen for what you don’t

• Before listening to the song next time, try to remember as much as you can about it.
• Listen to the song and focus on these parts you remembered.
• Now listen to the song a second time – and try to focus on anything except those parts. Pick out the elements you couldn’t remember or didn’t realize were there.

Source: Easy Ear Training