Here are my tips to listen to orchestral music, if you have booked tickets to hear the Queensland Symphony Orchestra.
1. Play What Instrument is that?
I admit this would be more fun if you could talk over beer and play this game with your friends. But while you are listening to a live concert certain instruments take centre stage. Sometimes subtly, at other times gradually building and sometimes solo. You can confirm your guess is correct by checking to see if the musicians are moving their hands on their instruments.
2. Try Music Meditation
Just like regular mediation where you are encouraged to focus your breath. Music meditation is where you focus on the sound. So, if you mind wanders (which it will and is completely normal), gently remind yourself to come back to listening to the music. Ask yourself regularly “am I still listening to the music?”
3. Close Your Eyes
Closing your eyes will take a leap of faith as you’ll be sitting in a room of strangers. But if you are brave enough you’ll be amazed at a) either how difficult it is to keep your eyes shut or b) how immersive it is to just listen to music fully without visual distractions and cues.
4. Feel the Beat
Music has the ability to make you feel emotions and release stress out of your body. While your mind wanders it might change into a theta state. Particular parts of the music might invoke old memories and encourage locked energy to be released. Just focus on the percussion section, tap along and enjoy the ride.
5. Play Musical Detective
Before you head to QSO do some research about the composer of the music. Why was it written? What were they trying to achieve? Finding out the backstory to a piece of music helps you to understand it better. Don’t forget to pick up a brochure about the concert, (if there is one) before you go in to take your seat.
6. Paint a Picture
While listening to music some people can see images – this method is going to work better for visual people. As I listen to orchestral music I’m reminded of old movies, green meadow fields and grand landscapes. I only get flashes of images, but perhaps you can create a whole movie to match the soundtrack.
7. Colour Play
A small group of people can see colour when they listen to music. This has to do with the vibrational frequencies. I don’t see colour, but perhaps you can.
How do you listen to orchestral music?
The new season of The Queensland Symphony Orchestra has been announced, with many of the events listed in the Brisbanista What’s On Calendar.
Head to the Queensland Symphony Orchestra website to see the full program and book tickets.
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