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We debate the pros and cons of being an “earbud person” (gym rats and rugrats) and a “headphone person” (DJs and wannabe DJs). Mark Katz, author of "Capturing Sound: How Technology Has Changed Music," explains the evolution of ear wear. And music writer Christopher Weingarten and Maura Johnston, writer for Popdust, defend their preferred mode of listening in a Soundcheck Smackdown.

Earlier this month, New York Times writer Virginia Heffernan caught the ear of the music world with a column about headphones. She’ll tell us how prolonged headphone use, especially among young people, may be wreaking havoc on our hearing – and we’ll take your calls. Later, we'll hear about the impact of headphones on music and culture from Mark Katz, author of Capturing Sound: How Technology Has Changed Music.

Vibrato, a minute fluctuation of pitch intended to make a musical sound more intense, has shaped – some may say tainted – many genres, from vocal jazz to gospel, Broadway and opera. In light of a current controversial "ban" on vibrato at the BBC Proms, we look at the technique ...

Vibrato, a minute fluctuation of pitch intended to make a musical sound more intense, has shaped – some may say tainted – many genres, from vocal jazz to gospel, Broadway and opera. In light of a current controversial "ban" on vibrato at the BBC Proms, we look at the technique ...