1.) List seven to ten songs or compositions that you’d like to listen to more deeply in the coming week.
2.) I invite — and challenge — you to try centering your attention entirely on a piece of music.
Here are a few tips to get you started:
- If you’ve got kids, bargain with someone to watch them for a few minutes—or wake up earlier than they do (and yes, I do realize this is easier said than done, especially if you’ve got a newborn in the house).
- Before you sit down to listen, decide how long you’re going to spend listening. I suggest starting with just a single piece of music.
- Get comfortable. If you’re listening on an iPod, smartphone, or other digital device, set it to “Do Not Disturb” mode so that nothing interrupts you.
- Start the music.
- Close your eyes.
- Listen.
3.) Schedule a time when you’ll just sit and listen to a piece of music each day. I find first thing in the morning or last thing before bed are both great times for quiet, contemplative listening.