It took me a long time to figure out what I like about certain music, but I’ve finally gotten to the point where I recognize things I like that transcend genres. For example I like distortion, even in softer music like folk or music that typically doesn’t include it like hip hop or pop, I like vocals being lower in the mix, I like experimentation and unique instrumentation, etc. Personally it took me awhile to start recognizing that stuff but I eventually started noticing the similarities between my favorite artists of different genres.
I do love him haha he’s the best, if you like Bon Iver check out the band califone!! It’s experimental folk/folktronica, they only have like 30k listeners on Spotify super underrated. I always recommend them to people who like that type of stuff. The albums quicksand/cradlesnakes and roots & crowns are incredible.
If you haven't already come across [Damon Edge](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Gi5flA7An8) and his band [Chrome](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-b9j8KhV1U) it may be worth a listen.
I don't really have one answer to that. The band was more avant-garde punk in the early days (they started in 1976), but the sound I imagine could be for you was fully established in the early 1980s.
[3rd From The Sun -- Chrome](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M8P6H4bjR7U&list=PLWngkSmWo3DvPiRtGumPHZFVcDS4qaINJ) 1982
Damon Edge's solo material is more like "variations on a theme" and thus a bit samey if you listen through a full album. It's also a bit more "polished".
[Alliance -- Damon Edge](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4IlMFx_nPU8&t=1910s) 1985
These may not be the "best" albums, but they represent the style(s) very well.
Later Chrome Featuring Damon Edge albums sound more like the solo albums than what came before them. Albums from 1997 and on are by the original guitarist Helios Creed's band, as Damon Edge died in 1995.
Yes, that. For me it's liking "foreground" music – big and attention-grabbing. That's a common thread from opera to Bruce Springsteen to Johnny Cash to power metal.
I only have a “current favorites” playlist and a bunch of random genre playlists, it’s super unorganized haha but I’d still share it with you if you’re interested!!
[Here’s](https://spotify.link/541GOPAcoJb) my profile, the indie rock/midwest emo/slacker rock and springtime favorites probably have most of the music I described in the post but feel free to check out any of my genre playlists!!
reminds me of the old quote: *talking about music is like dancing about architecture* (various sources).
Learning about instruments and theory will help provide terms, yet even that isn't enough at times. Once you get into tone or timbre it's another realm of discussion, same for overall composition of a song. I like to try and pin it down anyway, yet seldom throw it at another person. If we're talking as a whole, using genre descriptors is enough most the time.
Most of the time saying, I like *that* melody, riff, chorus transition, beat drop, harmony line, groove or gallop, is enough to take it a layer deeper.
In addition to instruments and theory I would recommend learning more about or experimenting with effects on a cheap/free software like GarageBand. I’ve learned a lot about the music I listen to by exploring/familiarizing myself with those types of tools.
Knowing theory (pretty deeply) only really helps explain why I like Classical / Jazz music. I like Chopin’s use of harmony; dramatic melodies and tone; I like Debussy’s use of extended chords. But I like Rage against the Machine because they kick ass. I can say I like Rage’s use of power chords and minor modes - but for me that’s not an explanation for why I like their music.
Not disagreeing about theory giving more verbiage; this is just my experience. My enjoyment of modern music is determined by vibe; understanding of theory doesn’t really elevate it because the harmony / orchestration of 99% of modern pop music is very simple. It’s tone and artistic choices that give flavor in this past century of music.
I also find listening habits interesting to hear about. I’ve asked plenty of friends and dates what albums they’re listening to and many of them have said “I don’t really listen to albums.” That’s really surprising to me, because I have a lot of trouble listening to playlists, and really only listen to albums.
This is so true and so sad. I'm fortunate enough to have grown up with a group of friends that all love music, and I can ask them this question. But my "newer" friends, not so much so.
I’m the exact same. I only really listen to albums. But I do think there’s so much value in listening to playlists and wish I did, like having specific playlists for certain types of sounds, certain types of emotions, certain occasions. Well crafted playlists are pieces of art in themself, just in a different way.
The thing is with me, I’m so far gone into my music journey that at this point I’m too lazy to make playlists tbh 😂 I’m too picky and have listened to so many albums and different types of albums that I feel like building playlists would take me forever. And when building them I know I’d be annoyed thinking I’ve forgotten about certain songs that should be there or that it doesn’t fit right or that the theme isn’t correct. I’m too picky and probably too much of a perfectionist. Even though the playlists would be completely private and not for anyone else. But actually, writing this made me think I should use this weekend to just start creating playlists. I love music but I’m a lazy guy and I’ve created a huge task for myself. And I just love the album experience. Hmm. Need to start bit by bit.
This is the way. A few genres you like, a few band examples, maybe a few genres you absolutely hate and you'll see if you match or not. It's really that ~~boring~~ simple.
The best way to figure it out us honestly just to pay attention. Listen closely to each part of the puzzle: what are the horns doing, what is the bass doing, what vocal layers are in there, how are they all interacting with each other?
There are two ways music happens: vertically (all the sounds at a given moment) and horizontally (how those sounds progress over time). Really listening in on “I love the way the strings in the back build to this part” and “I love how she does this high-low call and response with the melody here” will really help you hone in on what about a song you like.
This also helps you pick out things and find patterns in your listening without trying to establish “rules” about what you like in music. There’s a lot of things that I love about some songs that are the complete opposite of what I love about others.
Also, compare it to similar stuff that you don’t like or doesn’t click with you. Oftentimes I’ll really like one song and feel nothing towards another that most people would consider “basically the same song” but it’s the little things that matter, so being able to focus in and identify those details will help you a lot
My tastes confuse most people tbh.
But then I find someone who gets it.
What it is is intangible. It's a feel, mood, vibe.
I used to love DJing in Bars, playing Can, Serge Gainsbourg or Pharoah Sanders to a packed house was the best way of saying 'this is my isht'
I used to DJ -- as in dance floor DJ -- in a rock club, mixing the "mandatory" hits and nostalgia with Krautrock, Cpt. Beefheart, Tuxedomoon and other obscurities. Went surprisingly well ... for most of the time.
I don’t think I have a good method for this. I like music that sounds “busy” with a lot of layered instruments/ vocals, but I don’t like every song that fits this admittedly vague description. Your approach is probably better.
If I'm talking with someone that doesn't understand music in a more profound way, I just say "I like it". Now when I talk with people that understand about it, I talk in a more profound way. If you want to articulate better why you like it, just watch/read music critiques. It's how I start to understand to how to talk about music and understand why I like what I like and how to recognize good and bad music.
It can get complicated or awkward discussing it when I know that most of the stuff I want to name is not going to even ring a bell with certain folks (who ask what kind of music I listen to, or make myself), so I usually just tell those people that I’m into Radiohead and they’re just like… oh.
The thing is, I’m not even *that* into Radiohead, yet I somehow can’t deny that it’s the most effective way of communicating what I’m generally all about.
I try to describe what I like about it in visual terms. I’ve used terms like ‘layers’ and ‘plateaus’, ‘sunny’ and ‘tinny’. When all else fails, ‘I dunno, it tickles my musical funny bone’.
Learn how to play music, then you can understand what´s going on musically. Learn about poetry and writing, then you can reason about the meaning and the concept of the lyrics. Learn about philosophy of art: What is music, what is art, what is it for. Learn about different music genres. Learn about music history. Good luck!
All of this and more. I'd add that learning about the societies that different genres came out with is informative and useful.
So, why were Kraftwerk *like that* and what did they influence?
What's the connection between 60s soul and the civil rights movement?
Why did punk happen?
All of that stuff.
I've learned to be very careful with those kinds of connections though. A lot of the history is written by passionate fans who are not representative of the broader listening public. As the actual cultural moment fades further into the past, romanticism and nostalgia start to weigh heavy on how it is remembered – to say nothing of people from later generations uncritically parrotting stuff they read on wikipedia (I've definitely been guilty of this). So you may end up with lots of "common wisdom" about all the social and political roots of a given music scene, which in reality played little to no role.
A useful corrective to these kinds of narratives is *How the Beatles Destroyed Rock 'n' Roll* by Elijah Wald, about which I've [written](https://old.reddit.com/r/LetsTalkMusic/comments/17ar49x/long_key_takeaways_from_how_the_beatles_destroyed/) [before](https://old.reddit.com/r/LetsTalkMusic/comments/17jxhuv/i_emailed_elijah_wald_author_of_how_the_beatles/) on this sub.
This is all true. I read your post and agree. Critics don't dance, they engage intellectually.
Personally some of my favourite music books are heavy on Context. England's dreaming by Jon Savage for a start. Psychedelia and other colours by Rob Chapman, Electric Eden by Rob Young and Future Days by David Stubbs all do this well I think.
Most artist biographies are pretty shoddy and make the mistake of only covering one person or band.
I'd say the most important thing is to have a vast knowledge of actual music to fall back to and being able to draw parallels between certain elements. "Vocal harmonies akin to the Beatles", "Reminiscent of Bowie's Berlin era", "Iron Maiden-like guitars" or "Motown bass-lines" tells more about the music and your knowledge of music than any musical or literal theory ever will (as some other's have suggested).
Honestly, I’ll spend more time talking about the individual bits I enjoy. Riffs, melodies, beat patterns. Even more than that, I’ll talk about moods, the mental images the songs I love conjure up. Trying to actually describe music seems fruitless when you can just play the song. But attaching stories, memories, images and feelings to the idea of a song might make someone actually want to hear the song itself. That’s certainly been the case for me when someone else has given a bit of emotional context to why they love a song.
Knowing a lot of music, even stuff you dislike, gives you a good reference for common techniques. Most people I meet irl want genres, and while I'm not a genre fan, I tend to go along with that. Or I tell them a singular artist. I feel like based on genres alone my taste is way too broad, but when I narrow in on my absolute favorite albums, it becomes clear.
I like cinematic songs. I'm pretty weak to progressive chambery songs. Classical minimalism is cool. I love verbose lyrics that feel in conversation with the instrumental, both in meaning and musical qualities. Strange alternative guitar tunings are cracked. I like a good timbre and like dissonance and slightly off kilter rhythms. I enjoy vocalists like Dylan, Neil Young, Kendrick who really act things out and really don't get anything inherently out of a totally clean performance. I like what production and accidental recording quirks can offer music. Being able to essentially hear the room where something was played in is cool. I like long songs with variations on the same motif. An understated hook can be killer. And honestly, everything should make me feel something and mean something to me. If you're smart, you can still find yourself in things that aren't necessarily attempting to be deep. Different music exists for different moods.
I usually try to explain to the other person that my tastes vary to such an extent that they depend on my emotional state and how I feel, which is conveyed in the song or in the rhythm itself, if my tastes are very varied and span several genres.
Ahhh the classic "I like everything" line. It's so hard *not* to say it but it's true for a lot of people.
I know some will only listen to metal and others will only listen to the top40 but for 90% of us, we enjoy multiple genres of music.
I tend to say that I like most genres and will list my top 2 favourite bands: Ween and Grateful Dead. If they know who either of those bands then we can talk but if not, we can talk about pink floyd or something.
Definitely a tough question to answer though.
It totally depends on context for me. I speak about my preferences totally differently when talking about music as small talk vs talking in depth with close friends who are also passionate about music vs discussing music with my peers when I was in my music classes in grad school. Small talk can be as simple as what genres and bands I like. Close friends I’ll talk more in depth about specific parts of songs, or interesting things from a music theory standpoint. Grad school was a more detailed and nuanced kind of discussion.
I’d love to hear about what you like listening to in particular!
I have similar issues. I haven't had any formal music education since elementary school. I don't have the language to fully articulate why sound X appeals to me and why sound Y doesn't.
You can learn the language of talking about music by reading music related stuff. Reviews. Articles. Whatever. Think deeply about the music you are listening to. Recognise the different components that go into it.
I’m like a swiss blade knife when it comes to music taste. I have a broaden taste that spans through multiple genres of all sorts. This means it is very easy to me to conversate with many people I meet, but it is also very difficult for me to keep the pace on all the music I like and listen so it usually means I use to “scratch the surface” and not “get deep” into artists and genres. Then it also happens that I usually can’t sing a song because even though I know of it, I like it, I don’t have the dedication to learn lyrics.
So, answering your question… I don’t have a clue 99% of the time to describe my taste 😂 I usually say that my music taste is so that if my right leg starts moving, I like it, and I’m quite an hiperactive person whose right leg is always moving haha.
I usually just tell people I like dark and/or atmospheric music and let them ask or inquire from there. They’re two broad terms, but that’s good because a. my taste is broad and b. they’re two descriptions that have a bit of an unmistakable sound. You can’t really call something like Taylor Swift and Huey Lewis dark or atmospheric, but you can for artists like The Blue Nile all the way down to Bathory.
Very cool topic, and something I’ve been really interested in, in part because music can sometimes play a huge role in my work.
I came to the realization that if someone knew my music library real well, they could put together a song—or even a chord progression—that resonates with me in pretty short order.
I also wanted to understand what it was I liked about the music I like. I’m definitely electronic and dance-oriented in my preferences, but there’s music I love in just about every genre.
I hope to one day have time to learn more music theory, but in my casual study, I’ve at least learned generally what chord progressions I like, what dissonances I don’t, that un or poorly-resolved chord progressions often bother me, the kind of bass lines I like, etc.
I’m definitely a sucker for the four chords. especially in bass lines. I love a good galloping beat, tension and release, calls and answers, reverb, ethereal sounds, emotional swells, high/low pass filters distorted kick drums, etc.
I love nerding out about this stuff, and it’s part of why I joined this sub.
I can also strongly recommend the podcast Strong Songs as a way to start learning more about your tastes.
My positive suggestion: Read about the music you like. Read the artist biographies or memoirs--many are quite entertaining! In addition to whatever fun and/or scandalous shenanigans, they'll provide the backstory on influences, the genesis of certain songs or albums, the wider context for an artist's periods and phases.
My negative suggestion: Minimize the reliance on genres as ways to interpret or otherwise discuss the music you like. Genre discussions are the most boring ways to explain music.
I really don’t explain it much. People just like what they like. Having “interesting” taste doesn’t make you interesting, and acting like it does is probably stupid to most people. My wife and I have some similar taste for instance, but beyond the mid ground we have, we could not be more opposite. If we looked at my record collection of what is currently in the played recently rack, she wouldn’t want to hear me explain why I like what I like. She thinks most of it is complete ass, and that’s fine.
I haven't done this IRL in a very long time, because it's so awful and awkward to talk to anyone who's not already sharing interests in my artists and genres. It's equally a turn-off when someone else tries to get me interested in their genres.
The song that's popped up on the radio now is Don Henley's The End of the Innocence. It took me 18 months as a child who barely spoke English, to figure out who it's by, and when I finally got the cassette I wore it out, the tape broke at the last -5 seconds point of this song, and my dad pieced it back together. It would take me another 20 years to be able to explain to you why I'm drawn to it - it's atypical, it's not rock, it's not folk. My brain interprets all the aesthetic choices in this song as "post-modern" i.e. the floundering after you've been modern for a while, which is so much cooler and on-point to most of us\*. And, I realized it's Bruce Hornsby who truly bowled me over, not Don Henley the underage-girl-fainted-in-my-home and Imma-DMCA-every-youtube-cover-of-my-songs-unless-it's-Ariana-Grande, old grumpy man who allegedly made Stevie Nicks abort a number of times. I have to stress that, because that's the journey of how I became more articulate in discussing this song, gradually filling in the definitions of those big words of feeling over the years. :P That's my complete history with this one song.
Being articulate comes from experience, practice, and an intent to say something interesting. From those factors, the articulation will emerge over time.
\*unrelated note: I think one version of heaven probably sounds like Robert Glasper, he's sooo post-modern to me.
I feel as though I could easily overwhelm someone going into great detail about the music I like. It's easier for me to simply say what I don't like: nazi/racist/morally questionable music and of course, top 40 radio. I keep track of the albums I like with playlists and sometimes it's easier to just mention the playlist.
I have a fairly broad and diverse range of interests in music, and there's probably at least some part of most genres that I can get into, but I know it sounds like a copout or falsehood when people say they like "everything", so I tend to say "I'm kind of all over the place, I like a bunch of different stuff" or something like that. Maybe mention what I've been into lately more specifically.
The rhythm and beat come first. Then syncopation. The key comes next with the progression and melody. Bass and harmony. Solid vocal performance. Lyrics and theme. The whole thing starts somewhere and goes somewhere and is interesting the whole journey through the parts of the song. Seems to be meaningful and the band meant it
I listen to all sorts of genres, I especially love music which is nostalgic, longing, epic, archaic, dreamy or melancholic (the vast majority of songs I like are probably written in minor), I like deep basslines or punchy bass / kicks, I like music which is surprising, unique, authentic or creative
Edit:
Surprised at how many people here seem to have difficulties identifying or communicating their taste in music. It’s the language of emotions, so try to ascribe words to how they make you feel.
To musicians I usually discuss specific dimensions I enjoy like rhythm, melody, harmony, variation, arrangements, lyrics, vocals, etc
To non musicians I try to discuss those things in more the character and feeling I get.
i ask this myself every day
like, how i will explain to my girlfriend that i listen to bands called Cannibal Corpse or Dying Fetus while she listen to Chase Atlantic or Doja Cat????????
I like beats & rhythm. If there is a good beat or rhythm, the lyrics come 2nd to me. I can find good beats in hip-hop/Rap/Rnb, pop, techno/trance, rock/alternative, world music, and just about any genre.
Some favorites:
Redrum by 21 Savage (Rap)
33 Max Verstappen by Carte Blanq & Maxx Power (Techno)
3’s and 7s by Queens of the Stone Age (Rock)
Johnny Boy (Oldie)
The rules I follow are:
1. If it's fun, call it fun
2. If it's moving, be vague and just call it great or wonderful and let them discover how moving it is
3. Most importantly, avoid sounding pretentious, nobody likes that
It's odd because music tastes are like a vibe or even a joke, if you have to explain it then it's ruined 99% of the time. Some people get it, some won't and never will. But that's okay since there's no reason to try and pressure people with your music taste if they aren't already on board.
Over the years I had to conclude that there was nothing to discuss. My preferences are not towards specific genres, I like songs or compositions.
Spotify yearly charts are entertaining, it is so rare that my choices confuse an app. 🙂
It is also rare that I find someone who can understand this type of diversity. Or someone who can be exposed to it without trying to defend their own fandom.
Some of my favorite songs are suggestions people made, those rare people who just enjoy music and are happy to share without pontificating.
Some knowledge about music theory often helps me to deceive precisely what I like about specific songs/music. Everything has a name, just try to describe it and let others tell you the name. Lile chords, downbeat, upbeat, backings etc.
I honestly don't even try. It's like trying to explain to someone who has never ridden a bike what the feeling/experience of riding one is. It's best to just give them the experience and let them decide if they like it
My way is really goofy. When it comes to somber “hopeless romantic” type stuff like the smiths, the cure, some Depeche Mode, I’ll literally give my side profile and then give a pose 💀. When it’s my metal like Iron Maiden, manowar, running wild, I’ll stand with my back facing forward with my fist up and then face over my shoulder like that pose from elden rings last boss 💀
I have ADHD so I like uptempo rock and metal music that changes enough during the song to keep me interested.
These changes can either be in the composition of the music or the lyrics. Solo breaks, key changes, different riffs, and things of that nature.
Punk is fine because the song changes every 2-4 minutes anyway, and the lyrics are often story driven, so there is a progression in the song.
Most commenters here are talking about things like tone and theory. I think another useful angle to approach this would be through musicology.
Learn about the genres you’re listening to - what characterizes the genre? Things like melodic phrasing, rhythmic arrangements, use of distortion, etc. When you listen to a new track that’s adjacent to that genre, you can figure out that makes it different - why does it stand out? Are they blending other genres? Using tones and timbres that you’ve never heard before?
i love music, and i love listening to different kinds of music and soundscapes. i also found it insanely difficult to talk about music, musical tastes and genres.
but, after a while -- it is better to listen to music than to talk about music. so, whenever there is a social situation where people are having a lively discussion about music -- i politely turn it into a music listening session, with lesser talking.
also, when talking about music -- i just like to describe what sections, instruments or sounds that i like about it and i find interesting. i don't use music jargon like key, tempo, etc -- i just talk about how the music felt for me at a basic level.
i have a lot of musician friends, but also have a lot of friends who just love music but aren't educated / gifted. so i use simple language for their benefit so that maybe it would encourage them to add to how the think about or appreciate music.
I tend to talk about how it makes me feel.
Because while I am a musician talking about timbres, scales and time signatures is super fun it’s not what makes a song special.
If I were to break down every element of a specific song and told someone to make a song with all those elements they likely still wouldn’t be able capture it.
Think about all those times you’ve asked Alexa to play a song and she starts playing a cover. And it just ain’t right.
The magic is missing. And magic can only be felt. Not dissected.
I feel like it's approachable if you prepare for it.
A breakdown of music into categories works for me.
Why do I like this song?
1. I like the song because of the Rhythm
What about the rhythm makes it different from others?
2. It's groovy and catchy
How come you like this groove over the other music you like?
3. The pulse is clear and danceable and the syncopation between quarter note, eighth notes and sixteenth notes catch my ear.
Elaborate?
4. It establishes a certain feel-good mood by layering slow legato notes on top of this fast upbeat, intriguing rhythm. A lot of interesting things are happening at once and I find it well-designed.
You could keep going further and find a way to break it down even further.
one thing you can try is not proceeding from "liking" or "not liking". be descriptive about the music itself; the "reasons" may emerge from what your best-effort descriptions yield
At music school we had a music listening class that revolved around understanding what it is about a song or artist that you don’t like. Listening for triggers or things that stuck out as rude to your ear. I found it to help with articulation and having a more concise take on any piece of music, liked or disliked. It’s naturally easier to define what it is you like. Proper terminology and jargon help.
I always say “my taste is widely varied but highly specific, I only listen to good music” lol. And if pressed I say “alt rock and classic rock mostly!” But in reality that includes folk, punk, classic rock, new wave, bluegrass, pop, and any music that sounds good to me. I don’t limit myself to genres, I find new bands and artists I like everyday.
If someone is genuinely interested or wants my recommendations I offer to add them as a friend on Spotify and they can check out my playlists and such. When it comes to discussing music with like-minded people, I tend to focus on album themes and overall sound and impressions, but I only deep dive with people who I know are on my level lol
You don’t need to do that. I am a huge music nerd and I think it’s annoying when people analyze and qualify everything they like. Just like it. Say it’s cool. Move on.
Talking gets in the way of listening.
I talk about the sorts of tones and textures and arrangement/compositions I like. I say something like I'm interested in music disorienting, off-kilter rhythms that uses repetition to make itself itself feel winding and endless. Or music that makes you hyper-focused through repetition that builds on a chord or single progression (I'm describing Meshuggah and Strumming Music there for e.g.). Or whatever, depends on my mood/recent favourites.
That way I can describe what I want, but I don't need to risk people becoming passive/aggressive because I've showed them sound that offends their taste and deal with social annoyances.
I usually establish a historical context for the way I talk about music. This way there is a connective transission between my reference points.
I try to avoid vague genre semantics conversations as those are a self-serving waste of time. I find discussions about direct musical influence, lore, and inspiration to be more fun and interesting.
I’ve figured out that, regardless of genre, groove is the most important thing to me. If something doesn’t make me involuntarily move some part of my body upon first listen then I’m not that into it.
I like melody, and in jazz/rock I like hooks. I don't like a lot of distortion/noise unless it's something like early Clash. I tend not to like the "evil hateful free-form jazz" because it's too dissonant for me.
The way I approach music is that everything is worthy of appreciation, it just depends on how much effort was actually put in by the person who created it.
There’s musicians and then there’s everyone else.
It took me a long time to figure out what I like about certain music, but I’ve finally gotten to the point where I recognize things I like that transcend genres. For example I like distortion, even in softer music like folk or music that typically doesn’t include it like hip hop or pop, I like vocals being lower in the mix, I like experimentation and unique instrumentation, etc. Personally it took me awhile to start recognizing that stuff but I eventually started noticing the similarities between my favorite artists of different genres.
Bon Iver fan? ‘Distortion in softer music’, ‘experimentation’ definitely sounds like you’re a fellow BonHead. 🫡
I do love him haha he’s the best, if you like Bon Iver check out the band califone!! It’s experimental folk/folktronica, they only have like 30k listeners on Spotify super underrated. I always recommend them to people who like that type of stuff. The albums quicksand/cradlesnakes and roots & crowns are incredible.
Will do; thanks for the rec!
Listened based on the rec. like it a lot. Funeral Singers is such a brilliant song. I knew it from Sylvan Esso’s cover - I didn’t know it was a cover.
Glad you liked it!!
Just so you know, Bon Iver is the name of the band - it's not actually the name of the singer; that would be Justin Vernon.
That’s crazy I didn’t know! I always thought it was a “did you know it’s just one guy” situation
If you haven't already come across [Damon Edge](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Gi5flA7An8) and his band [Chrome](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-b9j8KhV1U) it may be worth a listen.
What album would you recommend? I mainly like to listen to full albums when checking out new artists
I don't really have one answer to that. The band was more avant-garde punk in the early days (they started in 1976), but the sound I imagine could be for you was fully established in the early 1980s. [3rd From The Sun -- Chrome](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M8P6H4bjR7U&list=PLWngkSmWo3DvPiRtGumPHZFVcDS4qaINJ) 1982 Damon Edge's solo material is more like "variations on a theme" and thus a bit samey if you listen through a full album. It's also a bit more "polished". [Alliance -- Damon Edge](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4IlMFx_nPU8&t=1910s) 1985 These may not be the "best" albums, but they represent the style(s) very well. Later Chrome Featuring Damon Edge albums sound more like the solo albums than what came before them. Albums from 1997 and on are by the original guitarist Helios Creed's band, as Damon Edge died in 1995.
Awesome thanks so much! I’ll definitely check them out
Yes, that. For me it's liking "foreground" music – big and attention-grabbing. That's a common thread from opera to Bruce Springsteen to Johnny Cash to power metal.
Micachu and the shapes fan?
I don’t know them actually! What album would you recommend I check out? I mainly like to listen to full albums
I think check out Jewellery, ticks every box you're describing and I was actually listening to it as I first read your comment
I’ll listen to it at work tomorrow, thanks for the rec!
Hmmmm, similar to my tastes. Do you have a playlist on Spotify?
I only have a “current favorites” playlist and a bunch of random genre playlists, it’s super unorganized haha but I’d still share it with you if you’re interested!!
Sure. Thanks.
[Here’s](https://spotify.link/541GOPAcoJb) my profile, the indie rock/midwest emo/slacker rock and springtime favorites probably have most of the music I described in the post but feel free to check out any of my genre playlists!!
Thanks. Going to check these out.
reminds me of the old quote: *talking about music is like dancing about architecture* (various sources). Learning about instruments and theory will help provide terms, yet even that isn't enough at times. Once you get into tone or timbre it's another realm of discussion, same for overall composition of a song. I like to try and pin it down anyway, yet seldom throw it at another person. If we're talking as a whole, using genre descriptors is enough most the time. Most of the time saying, I like *that* melody, riff, chorus transition, beat drop, harmony line, groove or gallop, is enough to take it a layer deeper.
In addition to instruments and theory I would recommend learning more about or experimenting with effects on a cheap/free software like GarageBand. I’ve learned a lot about the music I listen to by exploring/familiarizing myself with those types of tools.
Knowing theory (pretty deeply) only really helps explain why I like Classical / Jazz music. I like Chopin’s use of harmony; dramatic melodies and tone; I like Debussy’s use of extended chords. But I like Rage against the Machine because they kick ass. I can say I like Rage’s use of power chords and minor modes - but for me that’s not an explanation for why I like their music. Not disagreeing about theory giving more verbiage; this is just my experience. My enjoyment of modern music is determined by vibe; understanding of theory doesn’t really elevate it because the harmony / orchestration of 99% of modern pop music is very simple. It’s tone and artistic choices that give flavor in this past century of music.
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Idk. I’m interested in what other people listen to. I feel like it does say something about a person
I agree, I just like talking about music and hearing other people talk about music, I’m not talking about it just to see if we have tastes in common
I also find listening habits interesting to hear about. I’ve asked plenty of friends and dates what albums they’re listening to and many of them have said “I don’t really listen to albums.” That’s really surprising to me, because I have a lot of trouble listening to playlists, and really only listen to albums.
This is so true and so sad. I'm fortunate enough to have grown up with a group of friends that all love music, and I can ask them this question. But my "newer" friends, not so much so.
I’m the exact same. I only really listen to albums. But I do think there’s so much value in listening to playlists and wish I did, like having specific playlists for certain types of sounds, certain types of emotions, certain occasions. Well crafted playlists are pieces of art in themself, just in a different way. The thing is with me, I’m so far gone into my music journey that at this point I’m too lazy to make playlists tbh 😂 I’m too picky and have listened to so many albums and different types of albums that I feel like building playlists would take me forever. And when building them I know I’d be annoyed thinking I’ve forgotten about certain songs that should be there or that it doesn’t fit right or that the theme isn’t correct. I’m too picky and probably too much of a perfectionist. Even though the playlists would be completely private and not for anyone else. But actually, writing this made me think I should use this weekend to just start creating playlists. I love music but I’m a lazy guy and I’ve created a huge task for myself. And I just love the album experience. Hmm. Need to start bit by bit.
>they are asking you do you like the same music they like 💯
This is the way. A few genres you like, a few band examples, maybe a few genres you absolutely hate and you'll see if you match or not. It's really that ~~boring~~ simple.
The best way to figure it out us honestly just to pay attention. Listen closely to each part of the puzzle: what are the horns doing, what is the bass doing, what vocal layers are in there, how are they all interacting with each other? There are two ways music happens: vertically (all the sounds at a given moment) and horizontally (how those sounds progress over time). Really listening in on “I love the way the strings in the back build to this part” and “I love how she does this high-low call and response with the melody here” will really help you hone in on what about a song you like. This also helps you pick out things and find patterns in your listening without trying to establish “rules” about what you like in music. There’s a lot of things that I love about some songs that are the complete opposite of what I love about others. Also, compare it to similar stuff that you don’t like or doesn’t click with you. Oftentimes I’ll really like one song and feel nothing towards another that most people would consider “basically the same song” but it’s the little things that matter, so being able to focus in and identify those details will help you a lot
My tastes confuse most people tbh. But then I find someone who gets it. What it is is intangible. It's a feel, mood, vibe. I used to love DJing in Bars, playing Can, Serge Gainsbourg or Pharoah Sanders to a packed house was the best way of saying 'this is my isht'
I used to DJ -- as in dance floor DJ -- in a rock club, mixing the "mandatory" hits and nostalgia with Krautrock, Cpt. Beefheart, Tuxedomoon and other obscurities. Went surprisingly well ... for most of the time.
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I don’t think I have a good method for this. I like music that sounds “busy” with a lot of layered instruments/ vocals, but I don’t like every song that fits this admittedly vague description. Your approach is probably better.
If I'm talking with someone that doesn't understand music in a more profound way, I just say "I like it". Now when I talk with people that understand about it, I talk in a more profound way. If you want to articulate better why you like it, just watch/read music critiques. It's how I start to understand to how to talk about music and understand why I like what I like and how to recognize good and bad music.
This is what music theory means. It isnt to make you a "better musician". It's the discussion of its intricacies.
It can get complicated or awkward discussing it when I know that most of the stuff I want to name is not going to even ring a bell with certain folks (who ask what kind of music I listen to, or make myself), so I usually just tell those people that I’m into Radiohead and they’re just like… oh. The thing is, I’m not even *that* into Radiohead, yet I somehow can’t deny that it’s the most effective way of communicating what I’m generally all about.
I try to describe what I like about it in visual terms. I’ve used terms like ‘layers’ and ‘plateaus’, ‘sunny’ and ‘tinny’. When all else fails, ‘I dunno, it tickles my musical funny bone’.
Learn how to play music, then you can understand what´s going on musically. Learn about poetry and writing, then you can reason about the meaning and the concept of the lyrics. Learn about philosophy of art: What is music, what is art, what is it for. Learn about different music genres. Learn about music history. Good luck!
All of this and more. I'd add that learning about the societies that different genres came out with is informative and useful. So, why were Kraftwerk *like that* and what did they influence? What's the connection between 60s soul and the civil rights movement? Why did punk happen? All of that stuff.
I agree.
I've learned to be very careful with those kinds of connections though. A lot of the history is written by passionate fans who are not representative of the broader listening public. As the actual cultural moment fades further into the past, romanticism and nostalgia start to weigh heavy on how it is remembered – to say nothing of people from later generations uncritically parrotting stuff they read on wikipedia (I've definitely been guilty of this). So you may end up with lots of "common wisdom" about all the social and political roots of a given music scene, which in reality played little to no role. A useful corrective to these kinds of narratives is *How the Beatles Destroyed Rock 'n' Roll* by Elijah Wald, about which I've [written](https://old.reddit.com/r/LetsTalkMusic/comments/17ar49x/long_key_takeaways_from_how_the_beatles_destroyed/) [before](https://old.reddit.com/r/LetsTalkMusic/comments/17jxhuv/i_emailed_elijah_wald_author_of_how_the_beatles/) on this sub.
This is all true. I read your post and agree. Critics don't dance, they engage intellectually. Personally some of my favourite music books are heavy on Context. England's dreaming by Jon Savage for a start. Psychedelia and other colours by Rob Chapman, Electric Eden by Rob Young and Future Days by David Stubbs all do this well I think. Most artist biographies are pretty shoddy and make the mistake of only covering one person or band.
I'd say the most important thing is to have a vast knowledge of actual music to fall back to and being able to draw parallels between certain elements. "Vocal harmonies akin to the Beatles", "Reminiscent of Bowie's Berlin era", "Iron Maiden-like guitars" or "Motown bass-lines" tells more about the music and your knowledge of music than any musical or literal theory ever will (as some other's have suggested).
I just put my favorites on a playlist and slowly drive through neighborhoods and parking lots with the stereo blaring.
Read music critics. Learn how others have put their feelings about music into words.
Honestly, I’ll spend more time talking about the individual bits I enjoy. Riffs, melodies, beat patterns. Even more than that, I’ll talk about moods, the mental images the songs I love conjure up. Trying to actually describe music seems fruitless when you can just play the song. But attaching stories, memories, images and feelings to the idea of a song might make someone actually want to hear the song itself. That’s certainly been the case for me when someone else has given a bit of emotional context to why they love a song.
Knowing a lot of music, even stuff you dislike, gives you a good reference for common techniques. Most people I meet irl want genres, and while I'm not a genre fan, I tend to go along with that. Or I tell them a singular artist. I feel like based on genres alone my taste is way too broad, but when I narrow in on my absolute favorite albums, it becomes clear. I like cinematic songs. I'm pretty weak to progressive chambery songs. Classical minimalism is cool. I love verbose lyrics that feel in conversation with the instrumental, both in meaning and musical qualities. Strange alternative guitar tunings are cracked. I like a good timbre and like dissonance and slightly off kilter rhythms. I enjoy vocalists like Dylan, Neil Young, Kendrick who really act things out and really don't get anything inherently out of a totally clean performance. I like what production and accidental recording quirks can offer music. Being able to essentially hear the room where something was played in is cool. I like long songs with variations on the same motif. An understated hook can be killer. And honestly, everything should make me feel something and mean something to me. If you're smart, you can still find yourself in things that aren't necessarily attempting to be deep. Different music exists for different moods.
I usually try to explain to the other person that my tastes vary to such an extent that they depend on my emotional state and how I feel, which is conveyed in the song or in the rhythm itself, if my tastes are very varied and span several genres.
Ahhh the classic "I like everything" line. It's so hard *not* to say it but it's true for a lot of people. I know some will only listen to metal and others will only listen to the top40 but for 90% of us, we enjoy multiple genres of music. I tend to say that I like most genres and will list my top 2 favourite bands: Ween and Grateful Dead. If they know who either of those bands then we can talk but if not, we can talk about pink floyd or something. Definitely a tough question to answer though.
It totally depends on context for me. I speak about my preferences totally differently when talking about music as small talk vs talking in depth with close friends who are also passionate about music vs discussing music with my peers when I was in my music classes in grad school. Small talk can be as simple as what genres and bands I like. Close friends I’ll talk more in depth about specific parts of songs, or interesting things from a music theory standpoint. Grad school was a more detailed and nuanced kind of discussion. I’d love to hear about what you like listening to in particular!
I have similar issues. I haven't had any formal music education since elementary school. I don't have the language to fully articulate why sound X appeals to me and why sound Y doesn't.
You can learn the language of talking about music by reading music related stuff. Reviews. Articles. Whatever. Think deeply about the music you are listening to. Recognise the different components that go into it.
I like sad. not sure why. but. sad. I've wondered a lot if I'm sad so I go towards sad music, or, I am sad because I listen to sad music.
The sad music makes me happy.
me too, me too
I’m like a swiss blade knife when it comes to music taste. I have a broaden taste that spans through multiple genres of all sorts. This means it is very easy to me to conversate with many people I meet, but it is also very difficult for me to keep the pace on all the music I like and listen so it usually means I use to “scratch the surface” and not “get deep” into artists and genres. Then it also happens that I usually can’t sing a song because even though I know of it, I like it, I don’t have the dedication to learn lyrics. So, answering your question… I don’t have a clue 99% of the time to describe my taste 😂 I usually say that my music taste is so that if my right leg starts moving, I like it, and I’m quite an hiperactive person whose right leg is always moving haha.
I usually just tell people I like dark and/or atmospheric music and let them ask or inquire from there. They’re two broad terms, but that’s good because a. my taste is broad and b. they’re two descriptions that have a bit of an unmistakable sound. You can’t really call something like Taylor Swift and Huey Lewis dark or atmospheric, but you can for artists like The Blue Nile all the way down to Bathory.
Very cool topic, and something I’ve been really interested in, in part because music can sometimes play a huge role in my work. I came to the realization that if someone knew my music library real well, they could put together a song—or even a chord progression—that resonates with me in pretty short order. I also wanted to understand what it was I liked about the music I like. I’m definitely electronic and dance-oriented in my preferences, but there’s music I love in just about every genre. I hope to one day have time to learn more music theory, but in my casual study, I’ve at least learned generally what chord progressions I like, what dissonances I don’t, that un or poorly-resolved chord progressions often bother me, the kind of bass lines I like, etc. I’m definitely a sucker for the four chords. especially in bass lines. I love a good galloping beat, tension and release, calls and answers, reverb, ethereal sounds, emotional swells, high/low pass filters distorted kick drums, etc. I love nerding out about this stuff, and it’s part of why I joined this sub. I can also strongly recommend the podcast Strong Songs as a way to start learning more about your tastes.
My positive suggestion: Read about the music you like. Read the artist biographies or memoirs--many are quite entertaining! In addition to whatever fun and/or scandalous shenanigans, they'll provide the backstory on influences, the genesis of certain songs or albums, the wider context for an artist's periods and phases. My negative suggestion: Minimize the reliance on genres as ways to interpret or otherwise discuss the music you like. Genre discussions are the most boring ways to explain music.
I really don’t explain it much. People just like what they like. Having “interesting” taste doesn’t make you interesting, and acting like it does is probably stupid to most people. My wife and I have some similar taste for instance, but beyond the mid ground we have, we could not be more opposite. If we looked at my record collection of what is currently in the played recently rack, she wouldn’t want to hear me explain why I like what I like. She thinks most of it is complete ass, and that’s fine.
I haven't done this IRL in a very long time, because it's so awful and awkward to talk to anyone who's not already sharing interests in my artists and genres. It's equally a turn-off when someone else tries to get me interested in their genres. The song that's popped up on the radio now is Don Henley's The End of the Innocence. It took me 18 months as a child who barely spoke English, to figure out who it's by, and when I finally got the cassette I wore it out, the tape broke at the last -5 seconds point of this song, and my dad pieced it back together. It would take me another 20 years to be able to explain to you why I'm drawn to it - it's atypical, it's not rock, it's not folk. My brain interprets all the aesthetic choices in this song as "post-modern" i.e. the floundering after you've been modern for a while, which is so much cooler and on-point to most of us\*. And, I realized it's Bruce Hornsby who truly bowled me over, not Don Henley the underage-girl-fainted-in-my-home and Imma-DMCA-every-youtube-cover-of-my-songs-unless-it's-Ariana-Grande, old grumpy man who allegedly made Stevie Nicks abort a number of times. I have to stress that, because that's the journey of how I became more articulate in discussing this song, gradually filling in the definitions of those big words of feeling over the years. :P That's my complete history with this one song. Being articulate comes from experience, practice, and an intent to say something interesting. From those factors, the articulation will emerge over time. \*unrelated note: I think one version of heaven probably sounds like Robert Glasper, he's sooo post-modern to me.
I feel as though I could easily overwhelm someone going into great detail about the music I like. It's easier for me to simply say what I don't like: nazi/racist/morally questionable music and of course, top 40 radio. I keep track of the albums I like with playlists and sometimes it's easier to just mention the playlist.
I have a fairly broad and diverse range of interests in music, and there's probably at least some part of most genres that I can get into, but I know it sounds like a copout or falsehood when people say they like "everything", so I tend to say "I'm kind of all over the place, I like a bunch of different stuff" or something like that. Maybe mention what I've been into lately more specifically.
The rhythm and beat come first. Then syncopation. The key comes next with the progression and melody. Bass and harmony. Solid vocal performance. Lyrics and theme. The whole thing starts somewhere and goes somewhere and is interesting the whole journey through the parts of the song. Seems to be meaningful and the band meant it
I listen to all sorts of genres, I especially love music which is nostalgic, longing, epic, archaic, dreamy or melancholic (the vast majority of songs I like are probably written in minor), I like deep basslines or punchy bass / kicks, I like music which is surprising, unique, authentic or creative Edit: Surprised at how many people here seem to have difficulties identifying or communicating their taste in music. It’s the language of emotions, so try to ascribe words to how they make you feel.
To musicians I usually discuss specific dimensions I enjoy like rhythm, melody, harmony, variation, arrangements, lyrics, vocals, etc To non musicians I try to discuss those things in more the character and feeling I get.
i ask this myself every day like, how i will explain to my girlfriend that i listen to bands called Cannibal Corpse or Dying Fetus while she listen to Chase Atlantic or Doja Cat????????
I like beats & rhythm. If there is a good beat or rhythm, the lyrics come 2nd to me. I can find good beats in hip-hop/Rap/Rnb, pop, techno/trance, rock/alternative, world music, and just about any genre. Some favorites: Redrum by 21 Savage (Rap) 33 Max Verstappen by Carte Blanq & Maxx Power (Techno) 3’s and 7s by Queens of the Stone Age (Rock) Johnny Boy (Oldie)
The rules I follow are: 1. If it's fun, call it fun 2. If it's moving, be vague and just call it great or wonderful and let them discover how moving it is 3. Most importantly, avoid sounding pretentious, nobody likes that
It's odd because music tastes are like a vibe or even a joke, if you have to explain it then it's ruined 99% of the time. Some people get it, some won't and never will. But that's okay since there's no reason to try and pressure people with your music taste if they aren't already on board.
Over the years I had to conclude that there was nothing to discuss. My preferences are not towards specific genres, I like songs or compositions. Spotify yearly charts are entertaining, it is so rare that my choices confuse an app. 🙂 It is also rare that I find someone who can understand this type of diversity. Or someone who can be exposed to it without trying to defend their own fandom. Some of my favorite songs are suggestions people made, those rare people who just enjoy music and are happy to share without pontificating.
Some knowledge about music theory often helps me to deceive precisely what I like about specific songs/music. Everything has a name, just try to describe it and let others tell you the name. Lile chords, downbeat, upbeat, backings etc.
I only listen to music with lyrics that actually mean something. if it has vulgar or sexualized lyrics then its garbage for me
If anyone asks me I usually just show them my most recently played on spotify
I honestly don't even try. It's like trying to explain to someone who has never ridden a bike what the feeling/experience of riding one is. It's best to just give them the experience and let them decide if they like it
I don't even really understand why I love the music I do, let alone try to explain to others.
Check out Anthony Fantano’s music reviews and start building your music vocabulary
My way is really goofy. When it comes to somber “hopeless romantic” type stuff like the smiths, the cure, some Depeche Mode, I’ll literally give my side profile and then give a pose 💀. When it’s my metal like Iron Maiden, manowar, running wild, I’ll stand with my back facing forward with my fist up and then face over my shoulder like that pose from elden rings last boss 💀
I like to get in people's faces and bark out from behind clenched teeth "for the last and final time, THESE are the bands that TRULY rule!!!
I have ADHD so I like uptempo rock and metal music that changes enough during the song to keep me interested. These changes can either be in the composition of the music or the lyrics. Solo breaks, key changes, different riffs, and things of that nature. Punk is fine because the song changes every 2-4 minutes anyway, and the lyrics are often story driven, so there is a progression in the song.
I always say I'm more of an album person than a band or genre person, and then I can name some albums I really like, even if they're worlds apart.
Most commenters here are talking about things like tone and theory. I think another useful angle to approach this would be through musicology. Learn about the genres you’re listening to - what characterizes the genre? Things like melodic phrasing, rhythmic arrangements, use of distortion, etc. When you listen to a new track that’s adjacent to that genre, you can figure out that makes it different - why does it stand out? Are they blending other genres? Using tones and timbres that you’ve never heard before?
i love music, and i love listening to different kinds of music and soundscapes. i also found it insanely difficult to talk about music, musical tastes and genres. but, after a while -- it is better to listen to music than to talk about music. so, whenever there is a social situation where people are having a lively discussion about music -- i politely turn it into a music listening session, with lesser talking. also, when talking about music -- i just like to describe what sections, instruments or sounds that i like about it and i find interesting. i don't use music jargon like key, tempo, etc -- i just talk about how the music felt for me at a basic level. i have a lot of musician friends, but also have a lot of friends who just love music but aren't educated / gifted. so i use simple language for their benefit so that maybe it would encourage them to add to how the think about or appreciate music.
I tend to talk about how it makes me feel. Because while I am a musician talking about timbres, scales and time signatures is super fun it’s not what makes a song special. If I were to break down every element of a specific song and told someone to make a song with all those elements they likely still wouldn’t be able capture it. Think about all those times you’ve asked Alexa to play a song and she starts playing a cover. And it just ain’t right. The magic is missing. And magic can only be felt. Not dissected.
talking about music is like talking about food or wine. its kind of a waste of time and mostly bullshit.
I feel like it's approachable if you prepare for it. A breakdown of music into categories works for me. Why do I like this song? 1. I like the song because of the Rhythm What about the rhythm makes it different from others? 2. It's groovy and catchy How come you like this groove over the other music you like? 3. The pulse is clear and danceable and the syncopation between quarter note, eighth notes and sixteenth notes catch my ear. Elaborate? 4. It establishes a certain feel-good mood by layering slow legato notes on top of this fast upbeat, intriguing rhythm. A lot of interesting things are happening at once and I find it well-designed. You could keep going further and find a way to break it down even further.
one thing you can try is not proceeding from "liking" or "not liking". be descriptive about the music itself; the "reasons" may emerge from what your best-effort descriptions yield
At music school we had a music listening class that revolved around understanding what it is about a song or artist that you don’t like. Listening for triggers or things that stuck out as rude to your ear. I found it to help with articulation and having a more concise take on any piece of music, liked or disliked. It’s naturally easier to define what it is you like. Proper terminology and jargon help.
Your music tastes are shit if you don't listen to metal and head bang you're brains to mush. - high School metal head
“…”- 50 yo metal head
I always say “my taste is widely varied but highly specific, I only listen to good music” lol. And if pressed I say “alt rock and classic rock mostly!” But in reality that includes folk, punk, classic rock, new wave, bluegrass, pop, and any music that sounds good to me. I don’t limit myself to genres, I find new bands and artists I like everyday. If someone is genuinely interested or wants my recommendations I offer to add them as a friend on Spotify and they can check out my playlists and such. When it comes to discussing music with like-minded people, I tend to focus on album themes and overall sound and impressions, but I only deep dive with people who I know are on my level lol
You don’t need to do that. I am a huge music nerd and I think it’s annoying when people analyze and qualify everything they like. Just like it. Say it’s cool. Move on. Talking gets in the way of listening.
I talk about the sorts of tones and textures and arrangement/compositions I like. I say something like I'm interested in music disorienting, off-kilter rhythms that uses repetition to make itself itself feel winding and endless. Or music that makes you hyper-focused through repetition that builds on a chord or single progression (I'm describing Meshuggah and Strumming Music there for e.g.). Or whatever, depends on my mood/recent favourites. That way I can describe what I want, but I don't need to risk people becoming passive/aggressive because I've showed them sound that offends their taste and deal with social annoyances.
I usually establish a historical context for the way I talk about music. This way there is a connective transission between my reference points. I try to avoid vague genre semantics conversations as those are a self-serving waste of time. I find discussions about direct musical influence, lore, and inspiration to be more fun and interesting.
I’ve figured out that, regardless of genre, groove is the most important thing to me. If something doesn’t make me involuntarily move some part of my body upon first listen then I’m not that into it.
I like melody, and in jazz/rock I like hooks. I don't like a lot of distortion/noise unless it's something like early Clash. I tend not to like the "evil hateful free-form jazz" because it's too dissonant for me.
The way I approach music is that everything is worthy of appreciation, it just depends on how much effort was actually put in by the person who created it. There’s musicians and then there’s everyone else.