How to Listen to Classical Music: Motifs and Seeds

Episode 3: Motifs, Seeds, Structures, and Arguments. How to get THE MOST out of classical music.

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This is the third part of a short series of videos on how to listen to classical music. This video focuses on how music is structured and built into forms such as Sonata Form, Rondo Form, and Preludes, using musical seeds, or motifs, and musical arguments to form a fully expressive piece of music from simple musical ideas.

While many people use classical music for studying, relaxing and relaxation, or sleeping, far fewer people actually enjoy listening actively. Due to the difficult state of music education, most people don't know how to follow a symphony, or how the best composers wrote and structured their works. While it has been proven that classical music can be beneficial to the mental development of babies and kids, I believe it has life enhancing qualities for all ages, and as an art form deserves to be shared, whether through outreach, or tutorials and lessons like these.

Classical music, at its best, can be richly emotional, and I believe that its emotion can be unlocked by anyone willing to follow these guides through. The principles that I will go through apply to all music, whether live in concert or on CD or Spotify, and whether you're listening to Mozart, Bach, Beethoven, Handel, Brahms, Chopin, Wagner, Verdi, or Puccini, and whether listening to Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Orchestral, Choral, or Chamber music.

Many programs suggest that learning an instrument such as the piano, violin, guitar, cello, oboe, clarinet, or singing in a choir, is crucial for music appreciation. Well I think these skills, as well as learning to read sheet music and training your ear, can be extremely useful, I believe that almost anyone can learn to enjoy classical music with minimal training and music theory. Therefore, this short series will be very light on music theory, and will only use it when necessary to highlight certain forms such as sonata, rondo, and other typical forms.

While I originally got into classical music via movie scores and film composers such as Howard Shore, John Williams, and Hans Zimmer, I discovered this way of listening which has completely changed the way I approach and enjoy classical music. I hope through these videos I can share that with you.

Please Subscribe if you want to see more like this, as well as video essays and analysis on movie music and classical music!

[shtef]

Wonderful video, man! I can't wait to show your works to a couple of friends who would like to get into classical music. Hoping you'll do a video on musical semantics similar to the Berstein lectures.

Anyway, I'm subscribed, keep up the great work!

[maxwellroache]

As a long standing pop/rock musician I have always struggled with how to listen to classical music - I’m so used to simple verse/chorus stuff. Got up this morning with a view to googling sonata form etc and trying to find a way in! Found your videos and they are helping for sure so thanks so much. Carefully explained, professionally presented. A lucky find!

[bid]

When people simply theorise I switch off yawning... But when someone does what you do, backing their explanations with actual examples I'm on! And I particularly enjoyed the fact that you go "this piece could simply go like … but instead [Chopin, Beethoven] does this..." Just wish the vid was a bit longer (something I rarely say - usually I wish the opposite!) with more examples. Good job! :)

[ToastedCigar]

To me, motifs and creating pieces based on them is one of the most exciting areas of musical composition. The fact that you can tell a story with carefully placed musical motifs is truly fascinating - I think I developed my interest in this style of writing as a child, as I was watcing LOTR in awe back then, and started to notice connections between the music and the appearing characters, places etc.

[abergavennypeal]

Please don't stop making these explainers. I have learnt more in 20 minutes than I have in two years trying to teach myself.

[abeltshimbalanga]

You have put into words exactly why I like classical music. It is literally an expression of my character, made manifest. From seed to the endless possibilities, and counterpoints. God I had no idea that's what they were doing and now I have the word for them

[perfectlyadaptable]

I love this channel. I just discovered it and it is exactly what I've been wanting for years. I've always wanted to enjoy classical music but I never knew where to start or, more importantly, HOW to listen to it; I felt there is a particular way one should listen to it but I was at a loss of how. I would pick up some insights here and there but a lot of it was still a mystery. Classical music has a language - preludes, sonatas, motifs, etc - and I knew I only knew a few words of it. Thank you so much for these lessons.

[danaianastasiou]

Than for that...honestly...i feel like someone came and opened my heart

[Honoringlife]

This channel is a gift to humanity. Excellent!

[MaxZ_FX]

OH I love your channel, I’m currently mastering Beethoven’s 1st Sonata and your videos just help me understand the music better than I have ever before.
Thank You

[malcolmbojangles]

"Preludes are simple"
Bach: *laughs in BWV 548*

[danielopolot]

I started on the piano when I was 8 or so, but then dropped the lessons when I was 11. It's the only regret I have in my life so far. Though I continued to play the piano through those years, I never went back to learning theory and how to sight read. I'm 19 now and going off to uni in the next academic year; I'm at a great point in my life for me to learn new things comprehensively, I have the enthusiasm and the time. These videos are a great accompaniment to my learning!

[Asad.Mackie]

I tried listening to that swan lake finale but just couldn’t make it to the end, I got too much goosebumps and eargasm game was too strong so I paused and reflected on what just happened. No judgement or bias of the vibrational qualities but pure simple present appreciation. Thanks for this.

[beautyandthefaith]

Great video. We need to let more people understand enough to enjoy classical music... everyone loves it, they just might not know about it yet.

[abigailsy]

THANK YOU SO MUCH for making these much love <3 from a current med student missing the piece of my soul engrained in me that has been pushed down so long being solely focused on academics -- I miss the deepness of music so much and enjoy so much returning to these roots! I took for granted being a part of chorales and playing my harp etc., I really want to develop this language of my soul again. thank you!

[vencheangheng]

I learn so much from this series! Thank you for your work

[AliTori]

I don't know how to express my thankfulness and respect to you and your sophisticated learning material. Thank you

[lilysthapit]

I'm really glad I found this video and channel. I've used your tips on a basic counterpoint fugue, and it sounds better than my last 4 pieces!

[moonchild.]

This is the most beautiful video I have seen in a while

[MemphiStig]

As dry as it sounds, I've always found musical analysis, both aural and visual, in any style or genre, to be essential to understanding what you're hearing and feeling; And it really deepens your appreciation of a piece and the ideas it's conveying. And if you're a musician, it enhances your ability to perform a piece if you understand its structure and use of its ideas. These are excellent explanations of the fundamental concepts. Music is always better with education.