Listening as Interaction: Rethinking the Role of the Listener in System-Based Music Theory

This paper explores the role of the listener within a system-based understanding of music, extending beyond passive reception toward active interaction. While traditional music theory has largely focused on composition and structure, recent perspectives suggest that music emerges through a dynamic relationship between structure, perception, and emotional response. Building on this view, the study examines listening as an active component that participates in the formation of musical meaning. Rather than treating the listener as an external observer, the paper proposes that perception functions as an integral layer within the musical system itself. By integrating concepts from music theory, cognitive perception, and interdisciplinary research, this work develops a framework in which listening is understood as an interactive and adaptive process. This perspective extends earlier system-based approaches to music (Serez, 2026), emphasizing the continuous interaction between composer, structure, and audience. The model provides a flexible foundation for analyzing contemporary musical practices where listener engagement plays a central role.