Being Musically Attuned: The Act of Listening to Music

Detailed Summary of the Book

"Being Musically Attuned" revolves around a central concept: attunement. Wallrup examines how attunement is more than a passive appreciation of music; it is an active and dynamic relationship between the listener and the music itself. Drawing from phenomenology, a branch of philosophy that studies subjective experience, Wallrup argues that listening to music engages us in a way that transcends mere auditory perception. It becomes an act of being and existing in harmony with the musical flow.

The structure of the book takes the reader through various realms of musical attunement: from the initial moments of experiencing a musical work to the prolonged connection we form with certain pieces over time. Wallrup discusses how cultural, historical, and personal contexts influence our listening practices, but his focus remains on the universal aspects of the listening experience—the way music resonates with our emotions, thoughts, and sense of self.

The book also breaks down the concept of temporality in music, showing how our experience of time shifts when we are deeply immersed in music. Wallrup introduces key terms like "listening-as" and "listening-for" to explain how we interpret and anticipate music, enriching our understanding of how musical attunement is both spontaneous and reflective.

Key Takeaways

• The act of listening to music is more than an auditory process; it is a profound connection with our inner being and the world around us.
• Attunement is a dynamic relationship, enabling listeners to engage with music on an emotional, intellectual, and existential level.
• By analyzing how we listen, "Being Musically Attuned" bridges the gap between philosophy and musicology, offering new tools for understanding music’s role in our lives.
• Music shapes our perception of time by creating temporal experiences that differ from daily routines.
• Attuned listening is influenced by cultural and personal contexts but also has universal elements that connect all human experiences of music.

Famous Quotes from the Book

"To listen is to embrace the unfolding of time, to open oneself to the moment and the memory that music evokes."

"Musical attunement reveals not only the world of sound but the listener's own potential for being in harmony with life itself."

"In music, we find a mirror of our temporal existence, through which we glimpse the infinite dance of presence and absence."

Why This Book Matters

"Being Musically Attuned" is a groundbreaking work that reshapes the way we think about musical listening. At a time when music is often reduced to background noise or consumed passively, Wallrup reminds us of the transformative power of being truly present when listening. The book provides a vocabulary and framework for understanding musical listening as a profound and existential act.

Furthermore, it bridges disciplines, contributing not only to musical scholarship but also to philosophical and psychological discussions about human experience. This insight is invaluable for musicians, scholars, and casual listeners alike. In an age of distraction and surface-level engagement, "Being Musically Attuned" urges us to return to the depth and contemplation that music invites.

Ultimately, the book matters because it articulates what many of us feel but cannot express about music: its ability to touch the very core of our existence and transform how we navigate the world. Wallrup’s perspective provides a much-needed reminder that listening is not just an act of hearing but a mode of being.