To put that feeling in perspective, I find myself listening to certain types of music to match my mood, like listening classical to music whenever I'm working because it has no words so I dont get distracted. Listening to chill rap/RnB on my way to class because it's chill and gives me confidence in the mornings and jazz at night before bed to relax me, all the music I listen to reflects the way I feel and want to feel in that moment.

So overall, the reason I listen to music is because I enjoy the way I am able to put on music which reflects me and be in my own world with it.

I listen to music because of how it makes me feel, and how it makes me think.  Music can make me feel happy, joyful, or sad.  If I want to relax, I will listen to a slow, soft piece of music, breathe into it, and sometimes meditate.  I will choose a piece with a fast tempo and move to the beat to get moving.   This is especially helpful during a workout.   The result is I feel happy, my mood improves, and my outlook is bright.

Music also makes me think, who wrote that, what is the writer’s intent, am I receiving the intended message, what is the writer’s background, and what else have they written?  These provoking questions (and others) direct me to look up the answers, which leads me to other artists to be discovered.   There is joy in learning more about the music that makes me feel good!

Sometimes certain pieces of music are attached to special moments or time periods of my life that are worth looking back on. I would say that these nostalgic memories attached to music are the most important to me and may be the biggest reason why I enjoy listening to music so much.

I also listen to music as a way to connect to the experiences of others through the emotions and stories being expressed. When I listen to a song, it's easy for me to get lost in the music and feel a strong connection to the artist (even if I've never gone through the things they're singing about).

Lastly, I love listening to music soundtracks from my favourite TV shows because it helps me feel more attached to the story and characters even after I've finished watching the series. Music can often increase my connection to fictional stories, making them feel more real in my mind.

I listen to music to match my emotions or energy, or to fit certain settings or atmospheres. Many times I will create playlists for specific moments or emotions, so that I have the right music ready to go. Another reason I listen to music is because it acts a may to explore different cultures and upbringings. I like to find smaller artists with great music and learn more about the art that they are trying to create.

I use music as a way to pass time when walking to classes. It keeps me entertained and is much better than hearing the stampeding footsteps of passing students. Most of the songs I listen to on these walks range from 3 to 5 minutes in length and I have about a 10 minute window to travel between classes. So I also, in a sense, use music to track time because once the second song finishes I know I have to hurry to class.

When I watch shows or movies, I get to hear a lot of songs that I eventually add to my playlists. At the same time, I also think about how that scene or moment in the movie would have felt differently if there was a another piece of music or no music at all. I think about things like why they might have used a classical orchestral piece to match the setting rather than something more modern. So in this context, I listen to music to appreciate creative direction.

If I find a song that I really like, I might sit down and slowly analyze the song from start to finish. I pay attention to the chord progressions, changes in dynamics, drum patterns, key changes, instruments and vocal texture, and so much more. This sort of analysis allows me to appreciate the work of the producers, songwriters, and performers much more than simply listening to it on the side while I do something else.

There's so much more to music I don't know about. So I think I listen to music to discover new ways to appreciate having it.

If I'm focused on the act of listening itself without other distractions, I would play music to mimic my mood or create a mood I want to initiate. I find every song has its purpose & quality. For example, if I want to feel confident I could put up a song that's upbeat & has a loud bass. Of course, a song that's upbeat with a loud bass can create a different image or emotion. But I believe that's part of the beauty of music. Everyone has their own tastes & experience with music.

If I'm listening to music in the background (ex. when I'm walking), it comforts me in a way that pushes me to keep going. It's almost strange how just listening to a song that I like can motivate me. However, it can also create a blissful distraction from the task at hand.

Essentially, I feel like a different person, or in a different environment when I listen to music.

For entertainment, I listen to music to pass the time and to entertain myself. For example, while walking, there are times where I would listen to music to make the act of walking not cumbersome and instead make it fun.

This also ties to ambience as different kinds of music, especially while studying, set different moods to otherwise mundane activities. For example, fast paced music would energize and motivate me while working.

Finally, for curiosity, it more has to do with me scrutinizing the music I am listening to. There are times when I have a music playlist playing in the background, and when it plays a song that I've never heard before and find interesting, I find myself stopping what I'm doing to focus in on the song to better understand why I'm so captivated by it. All in all, music is fun.

For example, I listen to fast paced and upbeat music at the gym to mirror the experience I am having. The fast-paced tempo helps with keeping me on track when I am running, and louder music adds to the intensity. For yoga, studying or before bed, I usually choose instrumental music, or something slower paced so I can focus on the more pertinent task. I usually switch to French music before any of my French classes to start up that part of my brain, without having to focus on the content of a French podcast or TV show.

Overall, I usually choose music to augment the experience I am already having or trying to engage in.  

Music also shapes culture and influences my style, hobby and even the friendships I form. It's something that connects me to myself and to others. That's why I believe music is a universal language, it has the power to bring everyone together.

I also play music, specifically jazz, which is why I am so intrigued by the theory of music. Jazz theory is probably my favourite thing to study and takes up a lot of my time. I listen to pieces I have played, play, or want to learn and listening to those helps me improve my skills as a musician.

When doing school work such as studying or writing tasks, I listen to instrumental jazz to help me focus. Music with lyrics are often too distracting for me, and I often find myself analyzing classical music rather than mindlessly listening. Jazz allows me to zone out any other distractions and just focus on my work. I don't know enough about jazz to catch myself analyzing the pieces, making it the perfect genre for me to listen to while trying to focus.

Lastly, is emotional regulation. Whether I am at the gym, stressed, or happy, I use music to match my mood. It can motivate me while working out, and comfort me during times of distress. I find this to be the most common reason that people listen to music, as well as the most common reason that people write music. It can be used for every situation universally, allowing individuals to connect with themselves and others.