Guiding Listening Questions

I'm very excited about continuing on our personal reflections for different composers in the new year. You all have been doing a wonderful job of putting your most honest comments on paper when listening to composers, and it is a great record of your journey into music appreciation.

But what happens when you are listening to a composer's pieces, and you can't think of anything to write down? I've found a handy list of "helping questions" to guide you through creating a personal reflection.

Questions for Guided Listening and Reflection:

• How does the music make you feel?
• When you close your eyes, what do you see?
• What do you think the composer was feeling when he wrote this piece?
• Does the music tell a story?
• Are there patterns in the music?
• What instruments do you hear?
• Is the music fast? Slow? Loud? Soft?
• Do you like this piece? Why or why not?
• Does this piece remind you of another piece?
• If this piece was a drawing, what would it look like? Can you "draw" the music as a picture?

You don't have to answer all of these questions, but they do give you a good starting point for thinking about the music. Best of luck!