New to classical music but interested in exploring it? In that case, there are three basic strategies that will help you ditch the popular misconception that classical music is relaxing, boring, or will put you to sleep. Nothing is further from the truth, but to discover this you must:

1) Turn off the radio and go buy a few CDs (or purchase MP3s from iTunes)
2) Turn up the volume
3) Explore different ensembles, composers, countries, centuries!

1) The reason you have to turn off the radio is because (with a few notable exceptions) the radio stations are the ones that propagate the "classical is boring" myth. Now I am not saying there's anything wrong with Mozart, and the occasional dose of Vivaldi can sometimes put me in the best mood, but the selections most stations play (over and over and over) are such a minuscule segment of the classical genre (which has come to refer to a whole range of eras - Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Impressionist, etc. etc.) that after a short while the listener wants to stab themselves in the forehead with a fork, they are so bored. Often the radio station will not play an entire piece of music (which can take 45 minutes for a symphony or a quartet) but chop things up, so that they can advertise at you in between times. There's another good reason. Most classical music does not adapt well to listening in the car, because of the huge dynamic range (really really loud parts after really really soft parts). So the radio stations limit themselves to music which is more or less the same dynamic all the way through - voila - boring! They justify this choice by trying to convince people that classical music is akin to new-age music; something to soothe your road rage, but this in not an apt description.

2) The reason you need to turn up the volume is because if you always listen to classical music as a background to your dinner party, all you hear is the top line, the violins and the occasional screech of a piccolo or the blaring of some trumpets. This is not how the composer intended for the piece to sound; the inner lines and the bass are pivotal to the listening experience. To fully appreciate these, turn up your stereo and fill your apartment with a sound big enough be actually emulate a symphony orchestra. Remember, it should sound as loud as 40 people playing their instruments. All of a sudden a rich soundscape with multiple melodies, countermelodies, harmonies, colors, moods, and tones emerge, and you have an entirely different beast than somebody's tired corelli whining in the background of dinner party chatter. Dance around the living room if you get inspired, and sing along at the top of your lungs.

3) Last, it's really important to identify what you like. Ravel is as different from Tchaikovsky as bourbon is from chocolate pudding. 20th century is as different from romantic as autumn is from a stapler. Of course (lest you get the wrong idea) romantic music is nothing like a stapler, but you get the idea. Some folks prefer orchestral music, some like chamber music, others take to opera or choral music. Also, different countries have different traditions, and the variety is immense. Begin your adventure by going out and getting 5 CDs of 5 different composers, from 5 countries, performed by 5 different ensembles, and span 3 or 4 centuries while you're at it. Find out what you've been missing, and enjoy!

Learn more about this author, Alexia Schulz.
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