The Listening Doorway

An Introductory Practice in Tuning Through Improvisational Sound

This is a short, self‑guided practice.

You don’t need musical experience.
You don’t need to understand anything beforehand.

The invitation is simply to listen, feel what’s present, and respond with sound.

This practice stands on its own.

Living out of tune

Can be so painful.

But you don't have to know.

You can play a different note

and listen for your song.

Tune Yourself offers graceful practices for entering sound without overwhelm.

Two of them are here on this page for you to enter at your own pace.

Before you begin

Find a quiet enough space where you won’t be interrupted for about ten minutes.

If you have an instrument nearby, you can use it.
If not, your voice, hands, or any simple sound‑making object is enough.

There is no right way to do this.

You can pause here at any time.

Practice 1

Listening without playing

For the first few minutes, don’t make any sound.

Listen to what’s already happening.

Ambient sound.

Your breath.

Sensations in the body.

Notice impulses to act, fix, or explain.
Let them pass.

There’s nothing to accomplish here.

Just notice what it’s like to listen without needing to respond.

When the time feels right, move on.

Practice 1

Listening without playing

For the first few minutes, don’t make any sound.

  • Listen to what’s already happening.

  • Ambient sound.

  • Your breath.

  • Sensations in the body.

Notice impulses to act, fix, or explain.
Let them pass.

There’s nothing to accomplish here.
Just notice what it’s like to listen without needing to respond.

When the time feels right, move on.

Practice 2

Sound as response

Now, allow yourself to make sound.

Keep it simple.

One sound at a time.
One action repeated.
One place to return to.

When something asks to move, let it move.
When nothing moves, stay.

Notice how it feels to respond rather than perform.
Notice how listening, feeling, and action relate.

If the sound stops, let it stop.
If it resumes, follow it.

Stay with this for a few minutes.

Reflection

Take a moment and consider these questions. You can write them down, speak them aloud, or simply notice what arises.

  • What did I notice?

  • What surprised me?

  • What would it be like to return to this?

There are no correct answers.

Closing

This practice is complete as it is.

Some people return to it again and again.
Others find that it opens a doorway to longer‑term practice.

If you’re curious, here are a few honest ways to continue:


→ Tune U

A sustained practice over time


→ Drum

Tuning through rhythm, timing, and pulse


→ Piano

Tuning through harmony, gravity, and choice

→ 1:1 Work

Individual accompaniment shaped around your context


Begin where your life can support you.

Living out of tune

Can be so painful.

But you don't have to know.

You can play a different note

and listen for your song.

You’re welcome to return to this practice whenever you like.