Natacha Diels

How do you practise listening?

I have different modes of listening. Listening for pleasure, for idea generation, as sounding board, for participation, for awareness. I track my friends, and other musicians I’m interested in, and random artists on the radio that catch my ear, and new or old ensembles that I find interesting. I gather tracks from my students and send music to my friends and keep many disorganized playlists that I can rely on when I need or want them. Maybe two times a year I do a more intense deep dive to find new experimental music.

For pleasure – to quiet the silence, to change party moods, to bask in tracks that unhinge me.

For ideas – at concerts, hearing new music, whether I like it or not, is the best way.

As sounding board – listening to music of my friends or my students with a critical ear, preferably prefaced with a particular musical target.

For participation – to exist in the music world among other music makers

For awareness – to know what people outside my immediate circle are doing, whether I like it or not.

When do you need music most?

Music and making music are my lifelines, I need them the most all the time.

What instrument has yet to be invented?

Instrument! A wind-blown string instrument.