Anatomy of music

I discovered a new habit recently. It started in Shetland when we were listening to a live band in a pub (which, by the way, was really good). There were seven people playing all sorts of interesting musical instruments, most of which were with strings. Recognising the fiddles and the guitars was easy, but there were also weird-shaped things that produced the most amazing sounds.

Having nothing better to do, I entertained myself trying to detect the sounds of various instruments, which is a hard enough task for an ear not accustomed to (actually) listening to music. After enormous efforts and confusion, by the end of the second hour, I could distinguish all the different sounds.

It would all be good if I had only left this silly amusement back in a Shetland pub. Last night at a concert, when I caught myself listening to the different sounds of the instruments played by the five guys in the band, I realised that my innocent entertainment risks growing into a habit. I wonder if such an anatomic approach to live music will ruin my chances of enjoying concerts.