Finding New Music and Expanding Your Palate
“Music is a mantra that soothes the soul...something our body has to have. It’s important to understand the power of music.” - Michael Jackson
Music is one of the many things that I cherish in my life and cannot live without. If you see me in public, I more than likely have an AirPod in my ear, blasting my Childhood Classics playlist. Growing up with parents who listened to a variety of genres truly shaped my music taste and taught me to appreciate all forms of music. Now, I find myself searching for new songs or discovering them out of the blue.
Sometimes as people, we are not willing to experiment outside of our norm, but when it comes to music, it is the perfect way to gain that experience. Throughout the years, I noticed that as a society we fixate on a specific genre or fear the potential judgement that may come along with exploring something different. We tend to create unspoken rules for ourselves based on our own perception and expectations from others. However, these fictional limitations will hinder your ability to experience a plethora of music.
I understand how unfamiliar and nerve wrecking it can be when stepping outside of your comfort zone, and I am here to assist you with that by providing some quick and easy tips to help push you in the right direction of expanding your musical palate.
Discovery Is Not About Finding Perfect Songs.
There is no such thing as the perfect song, it is strictly about how the music makes you feel when listening. The goal of this journey is not to instantly love every song that you come across but to slowly build a habit of being more open and intentional.
Change Up Your Environment.
Sometimes we do not realize the effect that our environment can have on us. That one song that you tend to skip when you are home or with a group of people, could end up being the anthem for your next car jam session. Maybe you are curious about a particular genre or artist. Being in the right environment can allow you to freely explore that curiosity.
Ask Friends and Family for Recommendations.
Never underestimate the power of your friends and family’s music taste. They will often introduce songs that leave you wanting one song after another, wondering why you did not ask sooner. Trust me on this!
A Small Tidbit for the Road.
Music is universal and meant to be enjoyed by all. Stop holding yourself back from what can be a surprising discovery. At the end of the day, this journey is not only about finding songs to randomly add to a playlist, but also about breaking those limitations and stepping out of your everyday norm!