ABSTRACT
This chapter explores how musicians listen to music, with specific consideration of this process in the digital domain. It then examines the musicians’ ears: their most important attribute. It discusses aural phenomena and the perceptual aspects of sound. It goes on to describe active listening and its importance in musical situations. This is then extended into critical listening, a crucial skill which relies on a musician’s ability to make informed decisions and to discriminate on the basis of quality. It includes comments on listening to music from the case study musicians. It offers some critical questions as food for thought. It provides three creative projects for practical work in class, and a list of recommended further readings and suggested listening.
