The Day the Music Dies
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
For many, life without music would be unbearable. But thousands in Britain -- including BBC Radio Scotland and two supermarket chains -- have sworn off music for 24 hours today. We talk with Bill Drummond, the former rock musician behind the third annual No Music Day, and David McGuinness of BBC Radio Scotland.
Weigh in: Should No Music Day be observed in the U.S.? Do you think there's too much music in public spaces?
Weigh in: Should No Music Day be observed in the U.S.? Do you think there's too much music in public spaces?
Comments [9]
Regarding the comment about having seen young people on the train plugged in listening to music while reading, i often do this while commuting, not to tune the world out but to carry my warm & fuzzy 'home' experience with me- i'm a radio nut & music lover.... i find a deep sense of peace listening to instrumental music such as Indian ragas or old classic film tunes on a lower volume while reading, it's exactly what i'd do at home. And as a musician i find it's an art to carefully choose a playlist which blends non-vocal music that compliments what i'll read, not clash with it.
As far as a no-music day, for a couple of years now i often go without, to ween myself off the addiction to fill my head with sound. Even joys the best music wears thin, so i'm careful not to overplay my favourites or automatically hit play just because i can. Overall "Fasting" keeps you appreciative, able to enjoy music and all sound, not simply hear it.
Humans make enough noise already so i wonder why we seem to go on automatic when playing music-sadly, it's often watered down, too loud, overplayed and emotion numbing. When did silence such a scary thing? "music as a pacifier" has led to a backlash, finally.
Bring on the silence. I for one, will listen attentively.
Sound has such stong effect I can't listen to music, talk radio, even the news when I need to think or concentrate on something specific(write a letter, study, or navigate when I drive.) Extraneous sound, for me, has a clouding effect in my mind. I like to hear myself think.
I think that a day without no music would work really well here in the United States, especially closer to the Christmas season. Every season, Christmas music seems to get moved back further away from Christmas. Hearing it all the time, in stores etc., might help me to feel more into the spirit. HEaring Christmas music 24/7 the 1st of November jades me to the seasonal music. It might also help me appreciate other types of music if I had one day of musical silence.
During a 10-day silent meditation retreat, we didn't listen to music, talk, read, write, or do anything really but meditate. It was the most profound "cleansing" of the noise in the brain I've ever experienced. My ability to really listen became so much more accute.
Thee orthodox synagogue has the most beautiful music when sung by a good cantor.
What is this "music" you speak of?
What about a day without self-righteous, privileged people making up a bunch of b.s. to convince themselves that their lives have meaning?
I heard no music for a year; and listening to music afterwards was profound & overwhelming. (In orthodox jewish tradition, a mourner does not listen to live music for the year after a parents death. I did not listen to live or recorded music after my father's passing for a whole year)
I'm waiting at the airport today and they keep playing an annoying Celine Deon song at full blast. That in itself is a crime against humanity.
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