Sound Habituation and Electronic Music

For me, one of the amazing aspects about electronic music is it's ability to awaken my ears. Familiar sounds that my brain quickly habituates such that I no longer even hear them can become renewed in electronic music--either by juxtaposing them with something new or completely tweaking the sounds until it blows my mind. Electronic music will often take those sounds that I have become accustomed to, and then stand them on their head, forcing me to listen anew.

One of my LEAST favorite mind states is when I can't find anything to listen to that I like--when everything sounds monotonous, as if I've heard it all before and I helplessly click through iTunes or remove one record and replace it with another. And while yes, this might sometimes have to do with the caliber of music that I'm listening to; songs that I once loved, can become "played-out" too. I might sight "Midnight in a perfect world" as a personal example.

My question for the music makers is this: how do you prevent sounds from becoming "played-out"?

What provoked this idea, was I was in the lieu counting my blessings and I heard my leaky faucet. On instinct, I became annoyed and wanted to stop it. But then, I sat there listening (not stoned, either), and was then remarking on how amazing it sounded. Maybe I woke up easily impressed, I don't know, but what I do know is that music, or sound for that matter, becoming "played-out" is kind of tragic, and I'm wondering if anyone has any tricks or insights into re-appreciating the oldies but goodies?

I just listen to a completely different genre. If I feel I've been listening to a lot of electronic music, and it's all become monotonous, I'll put on hardcore, or bluegrass, or jazz, etc.

This works great for writing music, too. If you feel you just keep repeating your old techniques, try listening to stuff that isn't electronic. Try to appreciate a different type of music.

Also, you need to read the rules.

A good suggestion.

  On 6/10/2011 at 7:53 PM, Braintree said:

Also, you need to read the rules.

I read them. I felt that posting here was more appropriate than "general banter" since this has to do with music, though it doesn't have to do with a specific artist. Do forgive me if I don't yet understand the subtleties of this forum.

  On 6/10/2011 at 7:53 PM, Braintree said:

Also, you need to read the rules.

Ah, sorry. Removed the player from my signature.

Having a functional studio where I can sit down and make my own music usually keeps me from getting bored with listening to music in general. That said, some artists are more suitable only for a once-every-6-months listen, rather than something more frequent. With me, artists like that are Led Zeppelin or Boards of Canada. Fresh and potent when you haven't heard it in a while, easy to get burned out on though.

I play music on shuffle always until I get a craving to listen to a specific album, get a new album, or am trying to showcase music to someone. keeps things from getting old, especially with a diverse library.

  On 6/11/2011 at 2:21 AM, Mesh Gear Fox said:

when you get burned out on the idmz just download more from slsk

 

or you could take the shit-obvious answer of just listening to music that isn't electronic

or just not very often. my sensitivity to replay value is ridiculous. i'll hear an album maybe twice a year

  On 6/11/2011 at 4:08 AM, ganus said:

keeps things from getting old, especially with a diverse library.

this really helps too

I like the studio because it puts me in a mental place of appreciating sound, whereas walking around listening to my shuffle, I might not actually give things a proper listen. I suppose it's like a meditation room of sorts. I wonder if any people actively meditate with music. I don't. At least not intentionally.

Yeah, I absolutely do that too. I keep my vinyl in my studio and sit on the floor in front of my speaker system and just listen to it. really amazing experience every time.

sing more. try to make sounds you've never made before with your mouth. record them and make a song out of it.