I Want To Listen To Some Different Music

Why is it important to listen to many different genres of music?

I wouldn’t necessarily say that it is important, but it can be beneficial in that it is always good to expand ones horizons and keep an open mind in everything. For instance, how will you know you aren’t missing something unless you give it a try?You could completely become enveloped in classical music upon listening to it for the first time. Had you not given yourself the chance, think of what you might have deprived your self of.I learned a very long time ago to keep an open mind in everything. As life is very short, you certainly don’t want to miss anything.Another reason I became so involved in all genres of music was that I wanted a better understanding of music’s roots and how one genre plays a role in another. I found it extremely intriguing to learn that some of my favorite singers actually listen to narratives such as books on tape not simply for the story line but to listen to and learn of the various ways to enunciate and communicate words alone. Strange I know, but interesting.I happen to have grown up in Seattle in the 70’s and 80’s and listened to Rock and Metal. For a long time I refused to listen to anything other than that Genre. When I began singing, I found that it was important for me to broaden my horizons and began to listen to a bit of everything, today I own over 35,000 different songs which are made up of Classic Rock, Rock N Roll, Heavy Metal, R&B, Soul, Soft Jazz, Contemporary Jazz, Classical, Opera, A bit of country and very little Rap. My rap collection includes mostly the very early stuff, NWA, Too Short, Public Enemy, Grandmaster Flash, etc.Never limit your ability to learn. Take advantage of every opportunity…

Why do we have different tastes in music?

At least some of our music preference is cultural.Certain combinations of sounds may be more common in particular geographic regions. Lifelong familiarity with these patterns would be a reason to prefer themIn a tiny study the babies of musical mothers , several infants were placed backstage during the performance of the mothers. In each case the baby most soothed was the one currently listening to music played by its own mother. The music played by other musicians were not as effective.Consider that each infant had already spent several months during gestation listening to the music of its own mom (as well as its mom's voice and heart beat. ) .All of these auditory inputs were familiar and calming to the baby.Nim Tottenham studied musical preferences of kids who were born in 1990. She went through the "Hit Parade" and selected songs which were on the “ top of the charts” during the time these kids were 7 yrs old (For her group, the number one tune in the USA was by the Backstreet Boys).In 2012, when these kids were 22, she looked musical preferences (and emotional comfort- defined by biorhythms) while listening to various songs from different eras- including those which were on the charts when these subjects were childrenThat music experienced by these subjects when they were children had the greatest capacity to reduce anxiety at the point in life when they were 22 yrs old. Tottenham's explanation is that, in early childhood, before the higher brain networks are developed, learning is much more driven by emotions.So musical experiences acquired at that time would be more emotional than cognitive.(Note: this was not true among age matched peers who were raised in other countries and did not grow up listening to the Backstreet Boys. Those newcomers preferred songs which were popular when they first arrived in the USA .Another feature which shapes our musical preferences is influence of peers . Every generation seems to have its own music that the older generation "doesn't understand". Young people introduce each other to different musical styles and bond around their own brand of music-Of course, this answer doesn't explain why some people like Rap music while others in the same social circles might hate it.

Why do some people have music tastes depending on different moods?

Dr. Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, co-author of the study, writes that because mood is so closely related to personality it would make sense that musical preference gave insight to who a person was.“There is a difference between the music that people report to like and what they actually listen to,” Chamorro-Premuzic said. “That’s because people are aware that liking certain music is linked to certain values and personalities.”Since people are already hypersensitive to the fact that their musical preference reflects their personality, it would make sense that those wishing to portray a certain image would purposely say they prefer a specific genre. However, Chamorro-Premuzic explained that although a person’s musical choices will always change, their personality, as of the ages of 15 to 20, is set. By recording personality and musical choices of volunteers in this age group, it was possible to gain an accurate idea of their personality.Although personality played a big part in musical choice, other completely unrelated factors also dictate what a person likes to listen to. “You may watch a movie or hear a soundtrack that touches you and you may prefer that song,” said Chamorro-Premuzic, explaining how personal experiences also play a part in musical preference.As for me, I usually choose Ed Sheeran's songs)Ed Sheeran – PhotographEd Sheeran – Thinking Out Loud