![]() ![]() There does not need to be much effort required – it’s a very light approach. The focus of mindfulness is much like a spotlight that we can gently guide our attention towards with a sense of curiosity and openness. Being able to really tune into the music we listen to can enhance the experience and provide qualities of reassurance and calm. It is undeniable that it affects people’s moods and emotions. There is no need to make judgments or criticisms of the sounds that you hear. ![]() If you find that you become distracted, then you can bring your attention back to the body, the breath and the sounds you experience. Naturally, you will become distracted by thoughts and feelings – but try not to resist them. Mindfulness is about accepting what arises without judgment, and to rest in the present moment. Try and pay attention to the tone, the emotion, and the melodies expressed by the singer. What sort of voice does he or she have? It could be softer or a more powerful voice. Does the song sound smooth and melodic or is there more harmonic dissonance?Ĥ.) If the song has vocals, focus on the unique tone and the range of the singer. Is it bright and cheerful? Or does it perhaps have a more solemn tone? Notice if the song progressively builds up in tension and offers a climactic release. ![]() Is it soft and balanced or more aggressive by nature? Rhythm plays a huge part in music and offers infectious energy to the listener.ģ.) Now absorb the mood of the music. Without judging or analyzing, familiarize yourself with the beat and how the music flows. As the song develops listen to how the different instruments communicate with one another within the composition.Ģ.) Notice the dynamics of the song and the changing levels of intensity. Imagine it’s the very first time you have ever heard a particular type of instrument. Here are some different ways you can bring a curious mind to the sounds in a piece of music.ġ.) Try paying attention to the timbre of the different types of instruments you can hear. Bringing a mindful approach to music can totally transform the experience and allow you to engage with the music in a more meaningful way. There are so many new ways to explore music, and every song is completely different. Close your eyes and focus on all of the different aspects of the music as it unfolds. Once you are ready, press play and simply absorb all the sounds through your headphones or speakers. Take some deep breaths and feel yourself grounded in the chair or wherever you are sat. It can be a familiar song you enjoy or something entirely new. Pay close attention to the contact of your body on the chair, and your feet on the floor, and notice what the breath feels like inside your lungs as you inhale and exhale.Ĭhoose any piece of music to listen to. When practicing mindful listening, I invite you to pay extra special attention to all the different sounds you can hear and all of the sensations you feel. In fact, the health benefits of mindfulness are truly nothing short of extraordinary. Practicing mindful listening is proven to boost our overall wellbeing and reduce stress. In this article, I will be sharing how we can listen to music with a mindful approach – using sound as an object of focus for the mind.īoth music and mindfulness offer incredible therapeutic potential, and the two individual practices are able to complement one another. Mindfulness is a wonderful tool for everyone. The way we are able to train mindfulness as a skill is to intentionally bring our focus to the present moment and to everything we experience. It has been practiced for thousands of years and it’s about bringing attention, awareness, and curiosity to all of the senses that are present in the here and now. Mindfulness is a liberating practice that allows us to be completely engaged in the present moment. “What is mindfulness?” You may be asking. Fortunately, we have the ability to train the mind, and we can learn how to feel more at ease and calmer through practicing mindfulness whilst listening to music. Put simply, the mind is often its own greatest threat. The mind is a story-telling machine – it loves to overthink, plan, judge, critique, and organize itself in unhelpful ways.
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