The importance of active listening in practicing

Welcome back to Raising Musos, the podcast/blog that helps families navigate the world of music education with confidence and clarity. I’m Eliza from Music Makers Academy, and today we’re diving into a super important—but often overlooked—musical skill: active listening.

Now, this isn’t just about “hearing” music. It’s about really listening. Active listening is what separates mechanical playing from meaningful music-making. It’s a key to improving faster, performing better, and enjoying music more deeply.

So let’s unpack what it is, how to nurture it, and why it’s such a powerful tool for students of all ages.

What Is Active Listening?

Active listening is the practice of engaging your full attention when listening to music. Instead of just letting the sound wash over you, you’re noticing specific elements:

• Melody

• Rhythm

• Dynamics (loud and soft)

• Tone quality

• Phrasing

• Emotion or character

It’s about being intentional and inquisitive as you listen. Whether you’re listening to a professional performance, a recording of your own playing, or your teacher’s demonstration—active listening helps you absorb more, analyse more, and ultimately improve faster.

It’s a bit like the difference between glancing at a painting… and studying it, noticing the brushwork, the colour palette, the emotion.

Why Is Active Listening So Important?

Here’s the short version: you can’t improve what you can’t hear.

Let’s look at a few reasons why it matters:

1. It Builds Musical Awareness

Students who actively listen start to notice things like phrasing, subtle timing shifts, or tone differences. This builds nuance and maturity in their own playing.

2. It Helps with Self-Correction

When students listen to themselves actively—either during practice or by recording themselves—they begin to identify mistakes or areas for improvement without needing a teacher to point them out.

3. It Makes Practice More Effective

Instead of just running through a piece, active listeners notice what’s working and what’s not. Practice becomes more strategic and focused.

4. It Sharpens Ensemble and Performance Skills

In group settings or performances, active listeners are better at blending, adjusting, and responding to others in real time.

How to Develop Active Listening

Like any skill, active listening can be nurtured with consistent practice. Here are some strategies we recommend:

1. Listen With a Question in Mind

Before listening to a piece, ask:

• What’s the mood or story here?

• How is the performer shaping the phrase?

• Can I sing or tap the rhythm back?

Even one guiding question makes the listening more focused.

2. Record and Reflect

Encourage your child to record themselves once a week. Then play it back and listen with them. Ask:

• What went well?

• What could be clearer next time?

This builds both listening and self-assessment skills.

3. Compare Different Versions

Pick a well-known piece and listen to two or three different recordings. Talk about what’s different—tempo, emotion, dynamics. This helps students hear music as a creative, interpretive art.

4. Play “Listening Games”

For younger students, make it fun!

• Freeze dance with dynamic cues (“freeze when it’s soft!”)

• Rhythm echoing games

• “What instrument do you hear?” challenges

At Home: What Parents Can Do

You don’t need to be a musician to support active listening!
Here are a few simple ways:

• Play great music at home—different genres, different instruments.

• Talk about what you hear. “Wow, that part sounded really calm. Do you think that’s because of the slow tempo?”

• Ask your child to teach you something about their piece—this activates their ears as well as their voice.

Final Thoughts

Active listening is one of those invisible superpowers in music education.
It doesn’t require talent or fancy equipment—just focus, curiosity, and a willingness to really engage with the sound.

When we teach our students to listen with purpose, we empower them to become thoughtful, expressive, and independent musicians.

Thanks for tuning in to Raising Musos. If you found this episode helpful, please share it with another music parent, or leave us a review. And if you have questions you’d like us to explore in a future episode, send them our way.

Until next time—keep reading, keep listening , keep growing, and keep making music. 

📩 Send us a message on Instagram @musicmakersacademy or reach out via email to book your spot.

Until next time — keep raising musos,
Eliza 🎶