Agenda Listening

When you’re listening to learn, listen with an agenda.

Yesterday I heard Michael Mayo describe an approach to listening with specific agenda that I think is a very effective approach to intentional listening.

Plan on listening to a single piece multiple times. The first time, listen generally, without a specific focus. Then listen successive times focusing on:

  1. Melodic embellishment
  2. Tone
  3. Phrasing
  4. Emotional expression
  5. Ensemble interaction

Make your own list of other things you might listen for, and then listen with an agenda. When you pay attention to just one things, rather than trying to hear everything at once, you’re more likely to pick up on subtle elements that otherwise might escape you.