Keeping a list of the music you've been listening to is a great way
to discover new ideas, explore different styles and composers, and
develop a deeper appreciation of music. It's also a wonderful way
to look back on your musical journey and see how your tastes and
interests evolve over time.
Here are some of the things we've been listening to, studying and
teaching lately. Explore the map, follow the timeline and click
on the dots to discover more. What have you been listening to?
You can also explore an interactive timeline showing when composers
lived and how their lives overlapped
here.
Why this is important.
| Composer | Work | Year | Place composed | First performed | Period |
When I was listening to this |
|---|
Listening is one of the most important parts of learning music, but it is so easy for it to become something we do without really noticing how much we are hearing, discovering and learning. A listening diary is a great way of making that process visible and keeps you exploring new things.
There are lots of ways to keep one. A simple list with basic information is fine, tracking particular composers, performances or works. I like the combination of geography and history. Mapping music makes it possible to see composers and works in their historical context, compare different composers and traditions, and follow the ways musical ideas travelled and changed as composers encountered different influences.
It is also a great way of tracking your own musical journey. When I look back over my diary, I am fascinated to see how my interests have developed, the things that I keep returning to, and the connections I was not aware of. Most importantly, it encourages the habit of regular, active listening and continually finding new music.