A beginner's guide to: Listening to music (mindful)

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.

In a hurry and don't have any questions?

  1. Check out our safety recommendations.

  2. Find a place where you can chill out and be free of distractions.

  3. Turn on the radio, or grab your device of choice.

  4. Get ready to listen in.

  5. Once you are set up, head to our Practice Guides and get started.

Looking for detailed practice guides? Hang tight, they are coming soon!

What is listening to music mindfully?

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.

Why listening to music mindfully is good for you

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

People who love listening to music

Paul McCartney

Person

Zoë Kravitz

Actor

Roger Federer

Sports

Soul (Movie)

Movie

Real people's experiences

Starting to listen to music in a mindful way? Read this first

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.

Common styles

Listening to live music

Listening to a whole album

Tuning breath to the music

Safety

⚠️

Opt for a space where you can give your full attention to the practice.

What you might experience

🤔

"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."

Getting started guides coming soon...

Are you ready to start mindfully listening to music?

We are busy working on detailed getting started guides and individual practice guides to follow.

What you need to know about listening to music

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

Availability

Average cost per session

Special equipment required

Potential for socialisation & community

Safety & skill building

Space or privacy required

Ease of scheduling

Setup time

Active practice time

Unexpected advantages

Ancestry, history, facts and other trivia

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

Popular memes

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13 memes

Academic research we rate

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

Introduction guides from around the web

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