How do I develop a better understanding of classical music?
- Saturday Oct 24,2009 08:10 AM
- By diddy
- In Others
I have a fascination for the biographies of classical composers, but have only been able to understand, and even then slightly, compositions with words. I realize this may be a personality trait of some sort, but I would love to be able to enjoy both equally. How can I teach myself to do enjoy, and if not enjoy, at least understand classical composition? Any suggestions?
Biographies, Classical Composers, Classical Composition, Classical Music, Compositions, Fascination, Love, Personality Trait
4 Comments
This is the best "online" article I’ve come across defining/describing what "classical" music is and is not; very extensive and comprehensive: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Classical_music_(disambiguation)
You can listen to/watch 1,000’s of FREE videos on You Tube; here’s a sampling:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ipzR9bhei_o
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6K_IuBsRM4&feature=fvw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1Gc0StkBBk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JbsvPMbC55A
Alberich
I grew up around music, but only about a year or so have I really been understanding it, and I find that the ultimate way to teach yourself is through the notes. Do you play an instrument? Or can you read notes? Pick up a score and try to follow the music at the same time you are hearing it. I don’t know if this will work for you, but it did for me! You can try to listen to a lot of different composers, styles and recordings to find out what you like. It helps.
My friend uses this book, it’s pretty interesting:
http://bcs.bedfordstmartins.com/listen/default.asp?s=&n=&i=&v=&o=&ns=0&uid=0&rau=0
Good luck!
What do you mean compositions with words? Some music you don’t need to understand.. you just feel it, enjoy it. No need to think so hard about it.
A good way to get to understand any music, is to get hold of a good guide, in which the music is explained with some background info. e.g. Roy Bennett. He makes use of popular, well known, as well as the less well known compositions from all the different musical styles. His books are well illustrated and aimed at young adults and adults, rather than at children. There are quite a few guides like this available in most libraries. I always feel that this kind of guide is invaluable, and although you can find all this info on the internet, a book is somehow more personal and has all the relevant facts put together. When you have formed an opinion about a composition based on these basic facts, you can do further study on the internet.
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