I think understanding is different than appreciating. I can think of simple songs I understood first listen but have grown to appreciate over time. My appreciation can wax or wane as I grow, mature and change. I often need to understand before I can appreciate…recently I was listening to a classical piece I didn’t relate to until it dawned on me it was written in 7/8. Then it clicked. Interestingly, I pointed the time signature out to my wife, who shrugged and smiled…she had no clue what meter the piece was in but enjoyed it immensely.
How Many Times Do You Have To Listen To Understand A Piece Of Music?
Speaking solely about popular music, broadly speaking, it takes 2 to 3 listens to figure out if I like something. Roughly meaning do I want to hear it again. To get to the point where I think I understand the piece can take dozens of listens. A big factor in how digestible a piece is whether it's a genre, artist or song I'm already familiar with. At least for me truly new music is harder to get into.
Just curious as to how others experience new music.