Growing up, I was fortunate to have many fine music teachers. While I admired their technical skill, what impressed me even more was their ability to listen with depth and insight.
One of my teachers, Bill Klickman, the program’s co-director, once shared with me a story from his time in music school. He said that he and his friends would sit in front of a radio tuned to the classical station. As soon as the broadcaster started speaking, they would turn down the volume so they wouldn’t know any details about the piece that was about to play. Then, when the music began, they would turn the volume back up and listen intently, trying to discern who the composer was, the name of the piece, and even which conductor was interpreting it.
At the time, this exercise seemed like a superhuman feat—like watching Olympians perform medal-winning routines. Looking back, I realize it wasn’t magic—it was the mark of a master. As my choir director often said, “A musician’s greatest instrument is their ear.” Musicality is about more than technique; it’s about learning how to listen.
If you want to grow as a musician, you must focus on developing your ears. Listening, when done properly, is just as demanding as performing. Ask yourself: Are there habits you could adopt to encourage active listening? Are there distractions that keep you from listening well which you could remove from your life? Your ear is your most important instrument. Learn how to use it well.