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I Hardly Listen to Music Anymore

I've been a frequent observer to Audiogon, but this is the first thread I've started.

I find that I rarely listen to music anymore. (Once every couple of weeks). Let me explain.

I've been into audio for about 35 years. When I first got started listening to music and got involved in audio, in the late 60's, music was not a background pastime. When the new Dylan, Band, Allman, James Taylor, Santana, etc., album came out I'd listen to it in a dark room, in the sweet spot, eyes closed, alone or with friends, for hours on end, to great satisfaction. Since then, that's how I've always listend to music and I still enjoy listening like that for hours on end when I can.

As I grew older, I was never able to listen to music as background, because I can't concentrate on work or anything else when music plays. Consequently, as time goes on, and I have less and less time for serious listening sessions, I find I listen to music less and less. I don't play music at work and do not put the big rig on when I'm just hanging around at home in another room.

Other friends/coworkers constantly have jam boxes, walkmen, ipods etc playing as filler. So the people who care about music less listen to it more and people who care about music more listen less. I also am not as exposed to new music as people who constantly listen as background.

One of life's little ironies, I guess. Anyone else have this experience?

PS- It's not that my stereo is fatiguing. When I have time to listen for an hour or two I fall in love with my system(Wadia 21, ML-335, Wilson Sophia, Transparent cable) all over again. I've finally gotten it to the point where it is detailed yet smooth, and effortless at all volumes. So its not listner fatigue.
mitchell

Showing 1 response by wildoats

wildoats
339 posts
 
I started a similar post awhile back. My theory was all the background music everywhere we go was reducing peoples enjoyment of music. Meaning, the more you do something the less unique and interesting it becomes.

While I still believe that to a certain extent, I have additional thoughts on the subject. I read an interview of a musician and writer of music. I can't remember who. The musician, in answer to questions about his system and favorite musical artists, said he rarely listened to other musicians music. The reason was he could only get into music for so many hours in a day or week, and then wasn't interested anymore. His musical itch was satisfied by writing and playing his own music. That took up all his "musical" time.

Could it be that being subjected today to the constant barrage of muzak at work, stores, supermarkets, restaurants, etc reduces the time we feel like listening to "quality" music?
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