there were two parts to my response, namely mode of listening and the effect of the music.
let me expound a little on both, giving musical examples as i go.
here is how i listen.
i have 4 generres of music--classical, jazz, blues and new age.
since i own over 2000 cds, i take a very disciplined , but unusual approach. i try to listen to all of my cds. considering the number of them, and the fact that i listen to music for 20 hours/wk, it takes almost two years to listen to all of them. so, i listen to all of my jazz cds, then classical, etc.
i play my cds in label order.
when i am just listening i am not conscious (analyzing) flaws in my system.
every once in a while i select from among 25 reference cds and look for flaws, such as lack of bass, or excess treble. i use holly cole "don't smoke in bed", dave grusin and lee ritenour "two worlds", "the eye of the sparrow", from a sheffield sampler, Ravel "alborado del graciso", conducted by ansermet, bela fleck "cosmic hippo" and sophie yates "scarlatti in Iberia (harpsichord solo).
the issue of the effect of the music is dependent upon its structure. i find many baroque composers, especially bach harpsichord pieces, scarlatti sonatas, and couperin harpsichord pieces, helps to stimulate thinking and problem solving.
spiritual music--cantatas and requiems, have a more emotional impact, as do some symphonies and music of chopin, especially his nocturnes and presludes.
i find pop music rather superficial and banal and , in general of no interest.
some jazz music, e.g., some big band is cerebral, while certain musicians' music may produce an emotional response, especially some female vocalists.
when an artist is so accomplished, i tend to be mesmerized by his playing and lose the emotional content.
i hope my term paper gets at least a b.
sorry if i have been a bit didactic.
