“The idea that music exists as a product — that you can download or purchase — is a recent phenomenon. A seismic shift occurred in musical culture when music could be listened to on the gramophone, a radio, stereo system or MP3 player without the need to have musicians present.
This constant presence of recorded music has heightened the brain’s shut-off valve: we have learned to ignore it. Although aural stimulus is still coming in, we may no longer be paying attention. Having the stimulus of music when we don’t want it has dulled people to the magic of what music can be.”
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