Active-listening Quote by Susan C. Young
““You can have the perfect message, but it may fall on deaf ears when the listener is not prepared or open to listening. These listening "planes" were first introduced by the American composer Aaron Copland (1900-1990) as they pertain to music . . . 1. The Sensual Plane: You’re aware of the music, but not engaged enough to have an opinion or judge it. 2. The Expressive Plane: You become more engaged by paying attention, finding meaning beyond the music, and noticing how it makes you feel. 3. The Musical Plane: You listen to the music with complete presence, noticing the musical elements of melody, harmony, pitch, tempo, rhythm, and form.””
About This Quote
Source Article: Listening Planes in Communication, 2023
Effective communication requires listeners to move from passive awareness to full, analytical engagement.
In simple terms: Listening requires active engagement.
Key Takeaway
Cultivate deeper listening habits.
Themes
communication
engagement
mindfulness
Mood
empathetic
educational
Type
practical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- education
- therapy
- team meetings
- customer service
Key Concepts
cognitive psychology
music theory
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you guide others to higher listening planes?
- What barriers prevent full presence in listening?
A Different Perspective
Listeners may resist deeper engagement due to bias.
