Maybe just not audio fan

Wandered over to Blog Radio website. It's like a whole world I just don't get into hardly at all: listening to talk radio.

I don't even throw on music from our own home collection. Honest, I forget. (We still have our CD collection. :o) We don't have an iPod or any portable audio-disc player. I don't listen to audio-books.

But then I'm the person who doesn't always watch plane movies with dialogue during a flight.
I just don't like audio headsets and earbuds.

Several other reasons for all this. But am I rare? Seems like most people I know do something audio-oriented --listen to music often, etc.

NB: I enjoy sounds of nature, I tolerate alot of low murmur dialogue around me at different workplaces unless it's a critical report that I'm writing, etc.

You are not alone.
In addition to my regular day job, I am a musician who performs in paying gigs on a fairly regular basis. My husband is as well, and we play music often with other musician friends.
However, when I'm not actually playing music, I prefer to not hear background noise/music/talk etc. I detest being forced to listen to other people's choices of music wherever I go.
We very seldom even play cds at home, unless we are trying to learn a new tune or something. We don't watch tv.

I like to hear the quiet and the naturally occurring sounds around me. It's becoming harder and harder to have that choice in our world.

I like to hear a cricket, the breeze, the pretty clink of silverware and low discussion in a restaurant, cat paws trotting across the wood floor, a blue jay in the yard, the clicking of my bike gears and the zing of changing my gear rings. The sound of my tires on asphalt or sand.
I find these subtle unpredictable environmental sounds to be very pleasing and they don't distract me from my own thoughts. :)

There's a time and place. When I used to drive a 52 mile commute, talk radio was fabulous. On long distance drives, you bet.

NPR Science Friday, Rachel Maddow, Fresh Air, etc. I miss the information I gained from those now that I work at home.

But I won't turn them on at home unless I'm cleaning house and need to entertain both sides of my brain. The vacuum alone isn't enough. :p

I love talk radio. I know there's not that many Canadians on here, but I absolutely love CBC radio one. I grew up listening to that or classical music. My mom is a total news junkie so we always had the radio on, at all times.

That said, I really really enjoy cycling on rural roads and hearing the wind, and the birds, and my own breath. Even if I thought it were safe, I don't think I'd listen to music while riding. And I also really love the quiet that I get when hiking or camping.

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Originally Posted by kiwibug

I love talk radio. I know there's not that many Canadians on here, but I absolutely love CBC radio one. I grew up listening to that or classical music. My mom is a total news junkie so we always had the radio on, at all times.

That said, I really really enjoy cycling on rural roads and hearing the wind, and the birds, and my own breath. Even if I thought it were safe, I don't think I'd listen to music while riding. And I also really love the quiet that I get when hiking or camping.

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Not to suggest at all that those who love to listen to talk radio, music, don't like quiet /peace/stillness either. The only time I liked CBC radio, was whenever I heard snippets of classical music. :) The last time I heard CBC radio was listening to a radio audio clip of my partner being interviewed on cycling matters. That was over 8 months ago! :p

I seem to lack patience to listen to radio talk shows. But I can "look" at something for hrs....and get lost in thoughts. I actually get a headache when I listen to music for hrs. and hrs. It's like chewing gum for hrs. and hrs.....it actually wears me out, it doesn't soothe nor motivate me.

Bleeckergirl

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I like to hear the quiet and the naturally occurring sounds around me. It's becoming harder and harder to have that choice in our world.

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Interesting for you since you are musically inclined. (I'm not nor is my partner. Neither of us can play an instrument.) But yes, I do prefer naturally occurring sounds. And not hearing other people's music selections.

Sure the vaccum cleaner isn't harmonious :p, but it's not a jack-hammer. I don't need to have ear-bud music when I'm vaccuming or doing any household chore. :)

As for screaming kids...I dunno. I'm not about to test this, but for reasons of child's safety :o , I probably still wouldn't play music. I did grow up in a large family. As the eldest, hearing baby siblings scream away and often, wasn't foreign. Flipping on music for me, heightens stress in that type of environment.

I'm actually accustomed to hearing alot of human beings around me engaging in low noise activity the whole day. Moving away from home for first year, I realized how QUIET it was...and how noisy a large family was. THat noise was actually comforting to me. So I tried radio music, etc. to cover up the silence. I got a headache, couldn't concentrate on my studies, etc. Forget it.

Only exception is when I get around to painting, I may occasionally put on instrumental music. No lyrics. Music to pique my Muse, stay focused.

I'm a recording/sound engineer, and was a music major (Music Engineering, within the School of Music) in college. I can't imagine a life without music.

I had a friend in college that would put on music whenever she was doing anything that required brain power or else she couldn't think. Her reason was that there was always a song in her head...always. We used to test her on it and she never failed. I think that would be hard to live with...

I use classical or instrumental music when I've got long, difficult computations to do at work because it drowns out other distracting noise without distracting me. Same thing for working difficult homework problems when I was in school. I also use music for running on the treadmill or biking on the trainer because I like to drown out the equipment noise.

Other than that, I prefer silence or the sounds of the world...particularly when I am outside. And I cannot stand leaving the TV on for 'background noise'. It drives me insane!

I also don't do audio books except for long drives (they saved my sanity driving across the country with only my cat for conversation!). I read at more than double the speed of an audio book, so I would never choose one when I wasn't intentionally trying to kill time, either.

Audio preference is funny, and very individual. Like I've mentioned before, I love listening to music when I bike. I've always been very driven by a beat, I love dancing, I've been to aerobics classes where I've almost tripped and fallen over because a nervous new instructor hadn't matched her choregraphy to the music :p So I really enjoy fast music when exercising, I feel so much stronger and more motivated. I listen to music for weight training or skiing for exercise too, anytime I need to feel energetic and carried away.

Conversely, I very rarely play music otherwise. Hiking or recreational skiing never. I've taken my mp3 player with me on the bus loads of times and ended up not using it at all. At home there's always someone talking :rolleyes: and when not the silence is so blessed. If I happen to be so lucky that I'm home alone for any period of time I may put on some music after a while, but it takes a couple of days.. Even then it's usually classical, relaxed jazz or something like that.

I just have great trouble filtering music out. It distracts me so that I can't use it as a pleasant background. And I go nuts in homes where the tv is on, because I'm incapable of not watching it. One thing I can do - when working with numbers at work, routine stuff creating spreadsheets, I can listen to music. But not while writing, it interferes completely with those thought processes. Funny.

The only time I really listen to the radio is when driving a car. Never caught onto audio books, I have trouble picking up on meaning when I can only hear someone, not see them. So I dislike talking on the phone except for practical purposes.

I am like you, Shootingstar. I *never* watch the movie on a plane. I read. Even on trips to Europe. I hate audio stimulation. I quit using my I Pod when running or walking, to focus on the environment. I couldn't do work with any music or other outside stimulation.
Not much of a music person, movie person, concerts, etc. I do play the radio in the car. That's it. Never put music on at home, unless I am on the trainer, but even then, I usually watch the news on TV.
I know I am different than most, but, who cares? I liked all of the above when I was a teen, into my twenties, but then I sort of lost interest. It seems like if I am not outdoors riding, hiking, x country skiing, etc,. then I am eating, just hanging out with friends or family, reading, or doing something work related. I do have a theatre subscription, which is 7 plays a year and while I love the plays mostly, sometimes I get irritated at the people in the audience, as in it's just all too much over stimulation for me. I always can't wait getting back to my nice quiet house in the woods.

I can't imagine life without music; few thing bring me such joy and such an opportunity for lifelong learning, emotional rescue and bonds with other people.

Earlier today I was listening to the first "Will the Circle be Unbroken Album" and enjoyed remembering my grandma (to my 19-year-old surprise) singing along with some of the songs (on a Dirt Band album!?!). After my mom had a stroke, her speech was limited but she could still sing, which led to some precious moments during a nightmare period of life.

I admit I'm puzzled by the original question -- what on earth does watching a movie on a plane have to do with, say, Jessye Norman singing Mahler's Second Symphony? And ditto for talk radio? Ick, ick, ick.

Lumping anything "audio" into a single category -- as this discussion seems to be doing -- is so weird I have trouble responding to it.

I hate the sounds of other people in the house with me, but I have yet to find a way to stop that.

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Originally Posted by PamNY

Earlier today I was listening to the first "Will the Circle be Unbroken Album" and enjoyed remembering my grandma (to my 19-year-old surprise) singing along with some of the songs (on a Dirt Band album!?!). After my mom had a stroke, her speech was limited but she could still sing, which led to some precious moments during a nightmare period of life.

I admit I'm puzzled by the original question -- what on earth does watching a movie on a plane have to do with, say, Jessye Norman singing Mahler's Second Symphony? And ditto for talk radio? Ick, ick, ick.

Lumping anything "audio" into a single category -- as this discussion seems to be doing -- is so weird I have trouble responding to it.

I hate the sounds of other people in the house with me, but I have yet to find a way to stop that.

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Maybe the topic has evolved into discovering our preferences for type of background sounds over a sustained time period and our level of concentration on whatever task at hand vs. listening for pure pleasure.

What started me on this topic..is there is a audio clip of an interview for a person I know who gave his spin on effect of Olympics on Vancouver's transportation plans then and now and public perception. I wanted to listen to it but it meant hearing other previous speakers. Audio clip doesn't provide any screen ability to fast forward to desired clip.

I have no patience to slog through half hr. or more of other people's radio dialogue on topics that don't interest me.

What would be more drastic to me..is life without colour, without sight.

Music is wonderful and my life is better for it.

As a control freak, I do not listen to the radio. I only listen to cds or music copied to my mp3 player.

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Originally Posted by ny biker

As a control freak, I do not listen to the radio. I only listen to cds or music copied to my mp3 player.

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That's interesting. I find with some types of music I like radio surprises (satellite radio, that is) and others I don't.

Music takes nearly all my attention.

I can't listen to music and read or work. I won't listen to music and run, bicycle, or drive except for long freeway stretches with low traffic, good road conditions and good weather. Too distracting.

I like to have music when I cook, but I don't have speakers that can be heard over the kitchen exhaust fan, and I don't like having earbuds in and not being able to hear other things.

I like to have music in airports, on planes or long train trips, or if I have to wait in a waiting room.

I really enjoy concerts.

I didn't get the impression that anyone was talking about a life without music. I see the thread as more about what kinds of sounds or music we like to have going on, or not going on, while we go about our day doing different activities. :)

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Originally Posted by BleeckerSt_Girl

I didn't get the impression that anyone was talking about a life without music. I see the thread as more about what kinds of sounds or music we like to have going on, or not going on, while we go about our day doing different activities. :)

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Well, the title included the phrase "not audio fan" and since both Mahler and talk radio are, technically, audio, I couldn't pass a chance to point out the distinction between the two. Besides, I'm still running on endorphins from some extremely fine rockabilly on Sunday night, so I'm feeling seriously pro-audio.

Ironically, I almost never listen to music at home although I own a rather large collection! But music when driving or exercising is a necessity for me.

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Originally Posted by kiwibug

That said, I really really enjoy cycling on rural roads and hearing the wind, and the birds, and my own breath. Even if I thought it were safe, I don't think I'd listen to music while riding. And I also really love the quiet that I get when hiking or camping.

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Amen - even riding the same route, the sounds and conditions always make it different!

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Originally Posted by GLC1968

I had a friend in college that would put on music whenever she was doing anything that required brain power or else she couldn't think.

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I used the classical theme soundtrack from Conan the Barabarian!:o

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Originally Posted by SadieKate

There's a time and place. When I used to drive a 52 mile commute, talk radio was fabulous. On long distance drives, you bet.

NPR Science Friday, Rachel Maddow, Fresh Air, etc. I miss the information I gained from those now that I work at home.

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Ahhhh! NPR Podcasts - "Car Talk" and "Wait, Wait Don't Tell" make any long drive short for me!

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Originally Posted by Mr. Silver

Ironically, I almost never listen to music at home although I own a rather large collection! But music when driving or exercising is a necessity for me.

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I love music - and have a lot of it - but I only listen to it when driving, exercising, or doing intense data manipulation at work. I am glad to see that I am not the only one :) I can't see listening to music when I ride

Talk radio is another thing - I just don't care for it. Of course I don't like talk shows on television either...

Yea, I guess I'm a freak. I could live quite nicely without music, radio, NPR, talk radio, any or all of it. Just give me a newspaper. And books.

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Originally Posted by Crankin

Yea, I guess I'm a freak. I could live quite nicely without music, radio, NPR, talk radio, any or all of it. Just give me a newspaper. And books.

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Reading is great, and I love to read. I don't mix reading and music though... which some of my friends have found odd. To me mixing the two detracts from both. That is just me though.

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Originally Posted by Crankin

Yea, I guess I'm a freak.

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Why does that make you a freak?

I'm using the word in a humorous way... when I see so many people around me walking around with music buds in their ears, it makes me wonder. And it's not just people younger than me. I considered the generational aspect, but even my DH listens to music in a much more normal way. I mean, I'm the one who sits and thinks, looking like I am staring into space, on the plane, when everyone else is listening to music or watching the movie.
Quite a few years ago we moved into a community where music is as highly valued as sports, in the schools (not where we live now). My older son had been playing an instrument for a couple of years and was able to transition into the band, etc, quite well. But, I had a shock when I was expected to find and pay for private lessons on my own. In the previous community (which was less affluent) the music lessons were part of the program, if you were in the band. My younger son never had any interest, although I think the talent is there. So, in seventh grade when he had to take the music elective, he failed a test. He was quite upset because the teacher did not believe him when he said he had never taken music lessons and couldn't read notes. I came to find out that all students had this opportunity in the elementary schools where we now were. One of my friends asked me something like, "Don't you think he'll be culturally deprived if he doesn't have this experience?" I said no. No one in my family plays an instrument, sings, or is in a band and I didn't think we were lacking in any cultural things.
So, I think it's purely what you are used to and what your interests are.

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Originally Posted by Crankin

I came to find out that all students had this opportunity in the elementary schools where we now were. One of my friends asked me something like, "Don't you think he'll be culturally deprived if he doesn't have this experience?" I said no. No one in my family plays an instrument, sings, or is in a band and I didn't think we were lacking in any cultural things.
So, I think it's purely what you are used to and what your interests are.

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Sad when participation in school band especially tied in music school means paying for lessons. Never happened where we went nor I don't think for nieces and nephews.

Agree that it depends what one is used to and personal interests. I am happy exploring the world of visual images, colours..and it doesn't need to be always pretty stuff.

Last night I forced myself to put on the blog radio clip: first 2 speakers were a droning background noise for 45 minutes. 3rd speaker, I listened with my partner. It was worthwhile hearing 3rd speaker since he is smooth, elegant speaker and we know him.

This is an interesting topic to me. I have been reading about how some people are just so much more easily stimulated than others. Just by loud sounds, music, talking, TV etc. There is research being done and previously done for that matter trying to determine if this is a genetic trait having to do with how each individual nervous system works. As I am one of those 'easily stimulated' people, i.e. I get overwhelmed by too much sound or whatever I need more down time than some other people who maybe aren't quite so sensitive to this.

I am also a musician so playing music has historically been an outlet for me and a way to gain inner peace, since my life has changed drammatically I am not longer a practicing musician. Cycling has filled that void for me for now. I'm going off on a tangent but I find all your responses very interesting.:D

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Originally Posted by shootingstar

Sad when participation in school band especially tied in music school means paying for lessons. Never happened where we went nor I don't think for nieces and nephews.

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Really? Your schools had the money and resources to provide private instruction to all students for any instrument? Wow.

Instruction in group activities is vastly different than individual instruction. Those that want to excel in music, sports, etc., must usually obtain private instruction or coaching. A band/orchestra leader is not equipped to provide this for all instruments. So Canada provides this?

I honestly don't remember whether I learned to play the flute in private lessons or group classes, but I'm 99% sure it was through my school. It was definitely at school, unlike my private piano and guitar lessons. Once I started band, no more lessons. No more real progress, either. I think wanting to "excel" (or wanting your child to excel) is vastly different from wanting to "participate."

I don't think in the past, group music classes (as opposed to ensemble rehearsals) were that uncommon in schools. Now it's different, of course. And I don't know any athlete from any of my schools, including college, who had a private coach or trainer - but I didn't go to any big schools where kids might have had professional aspirations, either.

I went to public schools and took orchestra, and the orchestra teacher gave everyone a private lesson every week at some appointed time. It was part of the curriculum I think.
Twenty years later, my two daughters went to public schools too, one was orchestra, one was band...and again, both got a free one-on-one lesson from the teacher each week during school hours. None of these public school were 'affluent', just average public schools I'd say.
I can't tell you if the same setup is still going on now that my daughters are around 30.

Wow. Junior high and high schools bands and orchestra at my schools were 50-70 strong. The band and orchestra directors also had the chorus and drama classes.

One lesson per week per student? Don't think so!

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Originally Posted by SadieKate

Really? Your schools had the money and resources to provide private instruction to all students for any instrument? Wow.

Instruction in group activities is vastly different than individual instruction. Those that want to excel in music, sports, etc., must usually obtain private instruction or coaching. A band/orchestra leader is not equipped to provide this for all instruments. So Canada provides this?

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It was group instruction for certain instruments only at high school.
For instance, my niece was learning to play the trumpet. But she took private piano lessons via home.

Her brother took basic violin lessons at high school but like his sister took private piano. He actually is probably more musically inclined than his sis.

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Originally Posted by SadieKate

Wow. Junior high and high schools bands and orchestra at my schools were 50-70 strong. The band and orchestra directors also had the chorus and drama classes.

One lesson per week per student? Don't think so!

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As I recall, the lessons were only about 20 minutes, and not everyone wanted or took lessons. The orchestra had about 35 kids, the band about 45. There was a separate choir and choir teacher. It was certainly do-able. There was a lot of wonderful music in the curriculum in my NYC public grade school back in the 1960's.
Then in the rural area of NY where I live now, my kids got lots of music too in the public middle school and high schools.

So, yes, my son had private half hour to forty five minute lessons with the band teacher in the average-ish school district. In the more affluent, music oriented school, we paid for an hour of private lessons a week, through ninth grade for trombone. Then he got lazy. He had been playing guitar; I paid for private lessons for that for 2 years, while he did jazz band for awhile, in addition to regular band. There was no orchestra at the school (budget cuts), but the band is huge; well over 200 kids. But, so many kids there played violin through other sources. There was a girl in my younger son's class who performed at Carnagie Hall more than once :eek:. If you were in band, you were required to do both marching band and concert band. Our marching band is awesome. Well, I say our, but I no longer live there... in fact the town I live in now is probably more affluent, but has a much smaller music program.
One of the great things about the band was that at the football games, there were almost as many parents there to hear and see the band as the game. There was a mass exodus after the half time show!