Music appreciation is the study of learning what to listen for in music and understanding what is happening in any given song. Because musical traditions stem from various cultures and sources, music appreciation often covers the historical background of the styles of music. Many music appreciation courses include western “classical” music as it is a rich, complex art form that helped form modern music. However, music appreciation lessons aim to enlighten you with tools to appreciate, interpret, and connect with music from many different cultures and eras. You do not need to be a musician or play an instrument to take a music appreciation course. Much of the lesson work involves actively listening to recordings.

One cannot overstate the importance of music in our world — it is the universal language and one of the purest forms of expression. However, many people make it to adulthood without a deep understanding of how music “works.” Much in the way that a literature lesson brings books to life, music appreciation lessons increase your enjoyment and relationship with music by helping you visualize and explore it in a more meaningful way. Active listening also engages multiple parts of your brain simultaneously, and scientists have found that it helps with concentration and memory. By appreciating music and learning the vocabulary to discuss it, you will also broaden your communication skills and better incorporate art into your everyday life. Simply put, music appreciation may very well increase the amount of joy in your life by opening the door to a new way of listening.