Aesthetics Case

Jared Kleekamp

To have The Enjoyment of Music

January 22, 2013

Aesthetics

When looking at music aesthetically, one tries to define those properties that make a given piece of music exceptional. Each and every piece of music has its own unique pitch, tone, dynamics, and duration. One appreciates this music aesthetically when one experiences the music for its raw value. This is why it is important to have an aesthetic attitude. This detachment from objective interest in a piece of music can be difficult but is necessary when taking a pure aesthetic view of music. Any preconditioned ideas of a particular piece can limit one's overall experience. This is why any aesthetic attitude must be a positive attitude. Negativity only hinders the aesthetic process.

The way one achieves an aesthetic attitude toward music, besides remaining positive, is by distancing one's self from the music. This means one must clear the mind of all preconceived opinions of the artist and all other objectionable business surrounding the music. Everything must be cleared away to make room for an impractical listening experience. This distancing from music should not be confused, however, with perceiving music aesthetically. One can become distance but still not perceive music. To perceive aesthetically one must comprehend the music and understand its true nature.