32. The minhag is not to dance during sefira, especially if it is not for a mitzva (מ"ב סק"ה ).
33. The prevalent minhag is not to listen to musical instruments during sefira even without dancing. This is derived through a kal v’chomer from the issur of dancing (ערוה"ש ס"ב, שו"ת אג"מ או"ח ח"א סי' קס"ו, שו"ת מנח"י ח"א סי' קי"א ).
34. Recorded music. Similarly, listening to an audio recording of musical instruments is assur (שו"ת אג"מ שם, שו"ת צי"א חט"ו סי' ל"ג ).
35. A cappella. Today, there are many a cappella recordings [vocals without instruments] specifically for sefira and the Three Weeks. They write it is with the approval of [anonymous...] rabbanim. In practice, the leading poskim opposed this, especially when the singers mimic instruments, as they held that is considered song with instruments (שו"ת שבט הלוי ח"ב סי' נ"ז אות ב', וח"ח סי' קכ"ז אות ב', הגר"נ קרליץ, חוט שני שבת ח"ד עמ' שע"ט, הגריש"א, תורת המועדים ס"ה אות א', מו"ר בעל קנה בשם ).
36. Truthfully, it is only with difficulty that the poskim allowed listening to recorded music all year round, as it is contrary to the halachos of remembering the Churban (שו"ע סי' תק"ס ס"ג ). They only did so based on the weakness of the generation. Therefore, at the very least, one should not listen to music during periods of aveilus, such as sefira or the Three Weeks, and not be influenced by the general disregard of the people who produce this music for profit and extinguish whatever weak feelings of aveilus that are still felt.
37. Stores. Unfortunately, there are stores that play these songs during these days to attract customers to their stores and to open their hearts [and wallets]. To rationalize listening for oneself is a personal matter but it is wrong to lead astray G-d-fearing Jews who want to properly keep the halachos of aveilus.
38. For therapeutic purposes. One may listen to musical instruments if it is not for simcha, e.g., a choleh may listen to music to lift his spirits (הגרשז"א, הליכות שלמה פסח פי"א הערה 54, הגר"נ קרליץ ), and groups or organizations may go to hospitals to play music and cheer up the patients; this is praiseworthy. The same applies to someone experiencing melancholy or some depression (הגר"ח קנייבסקי ). In these scenarios, it is best to listen with earphones if possible so others do not hear.
39. Music on a phone, alarm clock. If one has a musical ringtone on his phone, he does not need to change it, as the point of that music is to notify a person that his phone is ringing, not for simcha. Similarly, one may listen to hold music, as that is not for simcha. One may also use an alarm clock that plays music—that music is not to awaken joy, but to awaken to a new day. On the contrary; people usually try to silence it.
40. Children. Children until about four years old may listen to music if it is necessary to calm them down or help them go to sleep, as the needs of children are like the needs of cholim.
41. Stories with background music. Recorded children’s stories with background music may be listened to if the main thing is the story.
