Many teenagers have taken on music not only as a hobby, but as an inseperable part of our lives. We live and breath our favorite melodies, and many, like me, are eager to spread the love. Wherever there is a CD player, we quickly volunteer to control what comes out of its speakers. This can be a great opportunity for the music lover to introduce their peers to new sounds, but it must be done properly. The success of such subtle music "propaganda" depends highly on knowing your audience and catering to them.
The classroom is a great environment for exposing others to quality music, if you're lucky enough to have a teacher who will play your mixes. However, many boundaries exist in this setting. Obivously, the lyrics should be school appropriate, but consider the lyrical themes as well -- boys don't want to hear mushy love songs! It's also a good idea to keep the songs fairly in the middle: medium tempo, nothing too "out there." Think of the catchy, familiar melodies of the Beatles, but also look for things that maybe not everyone has heard a million times already. It doesn't have to be radio sludge, top 40 to be "safe."
Music lovers also tend to share their favorite music with their favorite people. When making mix CD's for a friend, it's important to know their existing music collection. No maytter how specific or small it is, there will always be a some kind of influence you can draw from it to find music they haven't heard yet. For example, if a freind listens only to classical piano, considering a mix of Coldplay, Keane, and Badly Drawn Boy. Hopefully, they will appreciate the modern interpretation of an instrument they are already exceedingly familiar with. From here, you can expand their taste with more mixes. It is also good to find out what songs they are liking from what you've given them. If they mention a specific song, give them more music from the same band. Be subtle, but remember that you want to expose them to different things. Don't plateau with your choices. As long as your listener continues to be open, proceed to try introducing them to new types of music.
Another common listening place is the car. True, we are free to listen to whatever we want in this more private environment. We aren't always alone, though, and for those moments when your mom or dad may join you, considering having a "safe" CD (much like the classroom mix). Having a CD that anyone from your family would be comfortable listening to definitely beats having to turn off the stereo all together just because you can't agree on what to play. On the other hand, it may also be fun to have a very upbeat dance or rock CD for those days when you and your friends are driving around town a lot.
Music can create a million different atmpospheres. Always consider the mood you want to create, rather than just choosing any random song that you deem "good." Showtunes are fun to put on a mix CD for your fellow theater loving friend, but your drawing class may not want to listen to The Producers for an hour and a half! Just as a book considers its readers and a movie attends to its audience, the careful science of creating a mix CD must make the listener its number one priority! Present what they want to hear, but continually push those boundaries in an attempt to expose them to new bands. If done properly, you can become the music "master" that your friends look to!