Whether you have a friend or family member who enjoys classical music, you believe it will help you focus or relax, or you’re just curious to explore the genre a little deeper than movies, TV commercials, and Looney Tunes cartoons, the question often comes up: how can I get into classical music?
The classical genre can be intimidating at first. Composers and their music that are hundreds of years old. Opus numbers, Köchel listings, and titles in foreign languages that seem impossible to pronounce. Movements on top of movements that seem to stretch on forever. (And what are you supposed to do between those movements, anyhow?)
The good news is, the only thing that matters is the sound that goes in your ears.
Here are five tips for how to get past what doesn’t matter and get into classical music:
1. Start with accessible works of shorter length. The famous first movement of Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony (“dun-dun-dun-duuun”) is eight minutes long. The thrilling finale of Dvořák’s Ninth Symphony is a little longer at 11 to 12 minutes. Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue” is about 15 minutes, but feels shorter with its frequent theme changes. Focus on these famous works in shorter chunks until you get more comfortable listening in longer stretches.
As you grow more familiar with the music, perhaps after three or four listens, add another movement from the same work. (If you’re listening to Gershwin, try “An American in Paris” next.) The second, slow movement of Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony is less famous than the first, but it might just surprise you by how gorgeous it is. It won’t be long before you can sit through the entire 35-minute symphony and enjoy it from the first note to the last. There’s a reason why it’s so famous — it’s that good.
2. Explore different composers and periods. The main periods of classical music are Baroque (such as Bach and Vivaldi), Classical (Mozart and Beethoven), Romantic (Brahms, Dvořák, and Tchaikovsky), Modern (Prokofiev and Stravinsky), and yes, even contemporary classical music being written today. Explore a variety of composers from each of these periods, and don’t let any particular work (or period) keep you from exploring others.
You may not enjoy Modern music, which can be harsh-sounding at times, but perhaps the Baroque period is more your thing. Or if Baroque music sounds too staid, see if Romantic music has the passion you’re seeking. There’s so much to explore, it’s nearly impossible to not find something that catches your ears.
3. Dive into streaming services. Classical music can be expensive to collect on physical media, especially if you’re just beginning to learn what you enjoy, and it’s increasingly rare on radio airwaves. Streaming services such as Apple Music Classical (which comes free with an Apple Music subscription), Spotify, or YouTube give you a virtually infinite classical music library right at your fingertips.
Exploring different composers, periods, and even genres such as chamber music and opera is far easier and less expensive thanks to these streaming services. Don’t hold back — dive in and let them be your gateway to the vast world of classical music.
4. Attend live performances (and don’t worry about the bewildering protocols). Classical music is often best experienced live, where you can watch the incredible technical mastery of the musicians on stage and better understand how the music is created. Almost all major cities and even many smaller communities have a symphony orchestra; a little Googling should result in their concert calendar, where hopefully you can find a performance featuring a composer or piece you recognize.
Don’t worry about spending a lot of money on the best seats in the concert hall, and worry even less about how you dress for the occasion or about concert protocols such as when to clap. Just watch other audience members and follow the herd. The important thing for you is just to soak it all in and enjoy the music.
5. Join the community. IntoClassical can be a great place to learn about classical music, ask questions, and connect with other fans of the art form. Other popular communities include Reddit’s r/classicalmusic, Talk Classical, and various groups on Facebook and other social media networks. Find a place that feels comfortable where you can learn and explore at ease. Don’t be shy — join us!
Classical 101 is our back-to-basics series for the classical music newcomer. If you have a question or idea for a future article in this series, please feel free to contact us.
