Maybe just not audio fan

[PamNY]

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.

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.

[Mr. Bloom]

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.

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.

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

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.

I used the classical theme soundtrack from Conan the Barabarian!

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.

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

[Catrin]

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.

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...

[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.

[Catrin]

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.

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.

[PamNY]

Yea, I guess I'm a freak.

Why does that make you a freak?

[Crankin]

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.

[shootingstar]

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.

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.

[WindingRoad]

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.

[SadieKate]

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.

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?

[OakLeaf]

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.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

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.

[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!

[shootingstar]

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?

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.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

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!

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.