HELP Turning off the Left Brain


Its been over 25 years since I bought my first stereo. All my friends wanted wheels, I just wanted to play my records on something other than my parents stereo console. After spending over 25 years training my ears to distinguish between the tiniest differences in and between components, cables, room acoustics et al (and yes I believe for the most part it is a learned skill), I now find it very difficult to sit down and just ENJOY THE MUSIC without always critiquing the presentation. As a matter of fact, a lot of the music that I originally enjoyed when I was among the great unwashed masses, I can't stand listening to anymore. I always thought that at some point the equipment would allow the music to transcend the medium, but regardless of the quality of the presentation, the left brain always whips out the notebook.

Has anyone found a way to stop the madness?
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Musicfirst, Johnrob offers good advice. Mindfulness meditation is capable, with diligent practice, of helping you turn of your incessant left brain chatter. It's the hardest thing I have done, but it pays great dividends. The other thing you might try, which definitely worked for me, was to learn to play an instrument. Three years ago, I started playing guitar and it transformed the way I experience music. Initially, I only started because I wanted to be a better listener, but as I improved, many other good things happened. Entire new worlds of music appreciation opened up and I quit obsessing over every sonic nit and fault. I still really enjoy good gear, but the music is definitely first.
Nebee's right on here, you may be bored with your music collection. Do you have a tuner? Listening to the radio can be a great way to experience new music. What kinds of music do you listen to? Maybe we could all give you some recs for favorite pieces that have allowed us to rediscover our love of music!
hahaha i understand your prob very well. If you are musician that is an audiophile too you really pick music apart. i go to a music school and for classes will pick the hell out of music and when you learn theory shit it gets hard not to think about it while listening.
A sharp blow to that side of the head with a large, blunt instrument would probably suffice. (Sorry, I couldn't resist.)
Musicfirst--- Have you formed left brain plan to turn your left brain off yet?

John