Do people with poor musical ears lack the ability to realize they are hearing good music?

Question

Some people are tone deaf and others have a horrible sense of rhythm. Does this mean that they can't hear the musical effects that musicians are doing when they play music?

Answer 1

No, it's actually a failure of attention. Unless you have some reason to value music (or art, or complex smells or flavors) you just don't listen attentively and in the right way. Most people who are "tone deaf", or don't appreciate complex music respond, not to the sounds themselves, but to other factors: the cultural/social surrounds of the music, etc.

Answer 2

People all have different tastes in music. What you may enjoy, another may not. I may think a song is the greatest thing ever recorded, while you believe it's the worst.

While some people are tone deaf, this does not keep them from enjoying music.

Answer 3

Speaking as someone with a poor musical ear (and very little sense of rhythm), I can recognize good music - or I recognize what sounds good to me. "Good" is pretty subjective. I don't know what musical effects you're talking about. Maybe I can't hear them, or maybe it's because I've never studied music and I know very little about it.

I don't know the answer to your question, but it's a good question.

Answer 4

I know several people who are "tone deaf". This means that they cannot sing in tune or imitate musical tones. But they do listen to and enjoy music. Recognizing musical tunes and rhythmic patterns does not require a musical ear.

Answer 5

unfortunately so ....i cant understand why someone can think Panic at the Disco or the Strokes is the best music ever and totally ignore the brilliant musicianship of Dream Theater ...its very sad ...