In his article How We Listen to Music, Aaron Copland shares his views about how people listen to music. Copland, an American composer who wrote numerous ballets and show tunes, defines "active" listening as a blend of three different planes of listening. People listen to music on the sensuous plane, the expressive plane, and the musical plane.
             While people listen to music, whether deliberately or not, they listen on all three levels. Considered the simplest form of listening, the sensuous plane constitutes where people listen to music for pure enjoyment. On the sensuous plane, people listen without thought or consideration. Many people use music as an escape to a place of dreaming while they do not truly listen. Copland believes that all music contains an expressive power, and the meaning behind the notes tells what the piece says and what it means. Although most people want music to have a specific meaning, they should only attain a general concept. Music has an expressive meaning, but no one can positively determine it. Even though most listeners don't realize it, they listen to music on a third level, the musical plane. This musical plane comprises of both the melody and the rhythm of the notes. We all need to become more aware of music on its sheerly musical plane.
             Instinctively, people listen to music on all three planes. Ideal listeners judge and enjoy the music at the same time. Everyone should all strive for a greater level of active listening by becoming more conscious and aware. Understanding of the music deepens when people become listeners who listen for something.
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