Listening to music is about fully immersing yourself in the sound, setting everything else aside, giving your complete attention to the sounds and observing the emotions and experiences they evoke.
mindful listening, music immersion, active listening, focused music experience, musical mindfulness
Listening to music is about fully immersing yourself in the sound, setting everything else aside, giving your complete attention to the sounds and observing the emotions and experiences they evoke.
Check out our safety recommendations.
Find a place where you can chill out and be free of distractions.
Turn on the radio, or grab your device of choice.
Get ready to listen in.
Once you are set up, head to our Practice Guides and get started.
Looking for detailed practice guides? Hang tight, they are coming soon!
In a world where music often plays in the background as we rush through our daily routines, listening to music in this sense is something entirely different. It’s about setting aside distractions and giving your full attention to the music, allowing it to guide your thoughts and emotions.
This practice isn’t about understanding notes or dissecting composition – it’s about how the music makes you feel. Whether it’s the soulful depth of the blues, the sweeping sounds of classical music or something modern, the goal is to let yourself fully experience the sound without doing anything else.
As you intentionally listen to the music, you’ll notice how it shifts your mood, brings memories to the surface or simply offers a moment of stillness in a busy day. Ready to experience music in a new, more personal way? Let’s explore the art of truly listening.
Listening to music this way can become a powerful tool for enhancing your overall health and mood, offering moments of reflection, relaxation and emotional balance. Read on to discover more benefits.
Emotional regulation
Emotional well-being
Mental clarity
Intellectual well-being, Self well-being
Improved mood
Emotional well-being
Stress relief
Emotional well-being
Physical relaxation
Physical well-being
Paul McCartney
Person
Zoë Kravitz
Actor
Roger Federer
Sports
Soul (Movie)
Movie
You are probably ready to start streaming your favourite music. But before you do, there are some important things to keep in mind. Listening to music can be really enjoyable and these helpful tips will make sure that the first active listen leads to many more positive experiences.
Listening to live music
Listening to a whole album
Tuning breath to the music
⚠️
Opt for a space where you can give your full attention to the practice.
🤔
"Can I really just sit and listen to music?"
😊
"Wow, I’m noticing so many details."
😬
"My mind keeps wandering."
😌
"This is actually really enjoyable."
😊
"I didn’t expect to feel this connected."
Are you ready to start mindfully listening to music?
We are busy working on detailed getting started guides and individual practice guides to follow.
Wondering whether you should start on your own or in a class ? Explore the table below and discover everything you need to know to get your practice started, right now.
Compare
Recommendation for first-timer
2nd pick
Not picked
Availability
Widely
Moderately
-
Average cost per session
Free or low cost
Moderate costs
-
Special equipment required
None or minimal
None or minimal
-
Potential for socialisation & community
Mostly solo
Highly social
-
Safety & skill building
Safe & fast
Mixed results
-
Space or privacy required
Minimal
Some required
-
Ease of scheduling
Very flexible
Need to plan
-
Setup time
Little to none
Up to 30 mins
-
Active practice time
Under 20 mins
An hour +
-
Unexpected advantages
Actually useful
Wholesome
-
In 2019, researchers discovered that plants can "hear" and respond to music.
The song "Happy Birthday" is the most recognized song in the English language.
The phonograph, invented by Thomas Edison, was the first device to reliably play recorded music.
Listening to music while working out can improve physical performance by up to 15%
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2 facts
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13 memes
The impact of background music on adult listeners: A meta-analysis
Kämpfe, J., Sedlmeier, P., & Renkewitz, F. (2010). The impact of background music on adult listeners: A meta-analysis. Psychology of Music, 39(4), 424–448. https://doi.org/10.1177/0305735610376261
Music listening and stress recovery in healthy individuals: A systematic review with meta-analysis of experimental studies
Adiasto, K., Beckers, D. G. J., van Hooff, M. L. M., Roelofs, K., & Geurts, S. A. E. (2022). Music listening and stress recovery in healthy individuals: A systematic review with meta-analysis of experimental studies. PLOS ONE, 17(6), e0270031. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0270031
The biological impact of listening to music in clinical and nonclinical settings: A systematic review.
Finn, S., & Fancourt, D. (2018). The biological impact of listening to music in clinical and nonclinical settings: A systematic review. The Arts and The Brain - Psychology and Physiology Beyond Pleasure, 173–200. https://doi.org/10.1016/bs.pbr.2018.03.007
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7 research pieces
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