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Step 1
Know the difference between major and minor notes and chords. Major notes and chords sound "happy" while minor notes and chords sound "sad". Songs about joy and good things are usually in a major key, songs about loss or grief are usually in a minor key.
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Step 2
Pick out as many instruments as possible. Songs can have many instruments that blend together so well that the common listener may not notice them. Watching a live group, orchestra or band can help you identify what sounds come from what instruments.
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Step 3
Listen for parts other than the melody. The melody is the most obvious string of music. It is what you might sing along with to a song on the radio. Try listening for harmonies, notes sung or played above or below the melody.
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Step 4
Identify cannons or alternate musical phrases throughout the song. Some songs may start out with a melody and the same melody will come in again before the first is finished. This is called a cannon. Other songs will have a string of music that closely resembles the melody but has some small changes to enhance the song.
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Step 5
Notice different rhythms. Notes in the music can come in many different rhythms. Learning how notes and rests can be shortened or elongated can help you identify different styles of music. For example, jazz music uses syncopation, while classical music uses a combination of tied and staccato notes.
