Siesta: A New Way to Listen

“Siesta is an easy and enjoyable way to practice listening.

Take a break and listen to one song two times with your eyes closed.” 

One of my daily rhythms with music is an activity I call "Siesta." 

The instructions are: Listen to one song two times with your eyes closed.  

Siesta (although I didn't have a name for it at the time) was something I suggested to a new student during her trial lesson. While telling me about her background, she blurted out, "I just want to feel closer to the music I am playing!" 

Over the years, I've heard many variations on this theme, but there was something about the cadence in her voice on the word "closer" that tugged on the heart. 

Her typical learning experience was stumbling through the sheet music for weeks to months and feeling like she needed to apologize to anyone listening. 

The written piece she attempted to play for me was far beyond her level of independence with reading. 

She mentioned her practice time is filled by memorizing notes measure by measure and then playing through all the songs she wants to remember (admitting that she'll forget them sooner or later). 

Unfortunately, none of this brings anyone closer to music. 

I wondered if she had ever tried to play by ear, and like most people I ask, she had a story about a friend who could but that she couldn't (although she wished she could). 

I told her, "Everyone can learn to play by ear if they know what to listen for." 

But one step before knowing what to listen for is learning how to listen. 

People don't listen to music like they used to. Today, most people listen to music through cell phones or inexpensive Bluetooth speakers while navigating their busy lives. 

Siesta is an easy and enjoyable way to practice listening.

Take a break and listen to one song two times with your eyes closed (if you've got headphones, even better). 

You will pick up on details in songs you never knew were there. Closing your eyes ensures you are not distracted and that the listening is "active." The better you listen, the more successful you'll be with playing by ear, and it will always bring you closer to music.