You will often come across somebody who says that they heard something and they really didn’t like what they experienced.  You have to wonder if this person just superficially let the material float over their ears, or if they were actively engaged in the experience.  The difference between hearing and listening can be vast. 

Music, and sounds in general, present themselves in layers.  If you are only partially engaged in the hearing experience then you are cheating yourself out of layers.  For example, if you are listening to an operatic aria, let’s take “Che Galida Manina” from Puccini’s “La Boheme” as a place to start.  If one is just casually hearing the sound they may just hear words in an unfamiliar language and the basic sounds of an orchestra.  However, if you take the time to really listen to what is going on a whole new world opens up.  You don’t have to be knowledgeable in the field of music to deep the benefits of this amazing 5 minutes.  The distinct sincerity that comes through the lyrics.  The swell and crescendo of the orchestra indicating the end of a statement and a lead in into the next.  The way that the tenor’s voice is always at the forefront but yet the orchestra is telling its own story.  Notes, hanging in the air and flawlessly flowing into another as the tension rises and decreases.  Even if you don’t like the genre you can easily gain a new appreciation for it by merely listening over just hearing.

For those that aren’t fans of opera, let’s take a look at another example.  The song “Crossroads” by Cream.  If one merely hears this song they will hear the vocals of Eric Clapton and some clearly great guitar riffs.  Somewhere in the background is a bass guitar doing its thing.  When you turn up the volume and actively listen to this song a whole new world opens up.  A guitar solo that is clearly coming from what some would say is a different planet.  The raucous sound of the band creating layers as if it was a full orchestra.  A bass solo that defies gravity and expectations.  The bass playing of Jack Bruce is unreal, complicated, and beautifully clear.  When you get done listening to this song remember just one thing, everything that you listened to came from just three individuals.

Take the time to listen instead of just hear.  This simple mindful action will open up entirely new worlds into whatever sound is coming towards your ears.