Hearing Nature's Music

When was the last time you sat outdoors and heard not the rumble of car engines, but the quiet rustling of the leaves overhead? If you’re like most people, you probably don’t even remember. In an age where even 10-year-olds have iPods, it’s hard to appreciate nature’s music—the sounds that come not from the music studio, but from our natural environment.

Most of nature’s sounds are beyond the audible spectrum, which means you can’t hear them with the naked ear. Modern recorders can pick up and amplify these sounds, creating what is called “biomusic.” Of course, you can simply just take a walk in the woods or spend a few hours in your backyard, and listen to the bird songs. After all, that’s the beauty of nature music—it’s as much about the experience as it is about the sound.

Nature sounds are a great way to relax and spend some quiet time alone. Here are some things you can do to get the most out of your nature music experience.

Find lots of sources. When most people think of nature music, they think of chirping birds, ocean waves, or rustling leaves. But while they do make great nature sounds, there are lots of other places you can look. Rolling thunder, for example, creates a strong mood and very interesting sound patterns. Cricket sounds make great nighttime music—it works wonders for people who have trouble falling asleep. Other sounds you can try are waterfalls, insect buzzes, and beach waves.

Listen in peace. The point of nature music is to relax, de-stress, and get away from the hustle and bustle of modern life. It’s best to listen alone in a quiet place where you can’t be disturbed. Find somewhere far from your computer, your kids, your alarm clock—everything that gives you stress. Yoga and meditation are both great opportunities to play nature music, as the calm, relaxing sounds perfectly suit your laid-back state of mind.

Put your mind to work. Good nature music doesn’t just sound pleasing; it should make you feel like you’re in a different place. Listen in a meditative state and just let your mind wander. Try making mental images of the sounds you hear—clear, flowing water, snow-capped mountains, crisp autumn leaves. This helps make it more realistic. If you’re in a room, listen with your eyes closed to help you visualize the scenes.

Explore your surroundings. If you’re looking for live nature sounds—those that aren’t recorded—go to parks and woods outside your town. One thing about nature music is its variety. The sounds you hear in your city are not the same sounds you hear in the next. So instead of just hearing them, think about what makes them unique, the pitches and patterns, the way it all comes together. You’ll be surprised at how different the mood gets.

Create moods. Nature music is about the mood, so why not go all out to create the right one? Dim the lights, get scented candles, make a nice bubble bath—whatever suits your fancy. If you’re really into it, set up a surround sound system in your favorite listening room. The sounds coming from all over the room make it more ambient and realistic.

Keep it low-key. Birdsong isn’t the kind of music you play on full blast in your iPod. Set it at a comfortable volume, loud enough to drown out ambient sounds but not to render you temporarily deaf. Of course, what may be a comfortable volume for someone may not be as comfortable for you. As a general rule, you should still be able to hear yourself talk over the music.