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Does Music Help You Focus?
Posted on July 16th, 2008 by Debra Dalgleish
I’ve read articles that claim listening to Baroque music will help productivity, and some research concludes that music can make you more productive in repetitive tasks. When I wrote my books, I usually had flamenco nuevo or contemporary music in my headset, and sometimes listened to the same album several times in a row. (I’m sure that’s not a symptom of anything!) When programming, I like it quiet.
What do you listen to, or do you prefer silence?
If you find that classical music helps you focus, you might enjoy the free concert downloads available at ISGM Music:
http://www.gardnermuseum.org/music/podcast/theconcert.asp
Filed under: Music, Productivity
Comment from Alex J
Time: July 16, 2008, 12:55 am
Music - for sure. Its been that way since university. The right music channels creativity somehow. Right now my choices are Stevie Ray Vaughn, Melanie Doan, and Duffy. Eclectic? Mais, oui. But each, especially Duffy, hits a great groove.
Comment from Debra Dalgleish
Time: July 16, 2008, 8:08 am
Thanks Alex, and eclectic is good. I can listen to Patty Griffin, Joan Osborne and The Weepies for hours when writing. They just sit in the right place at the back of my head.
Comment from Dave
Time: July 16, 2008, 1:34 pm
Baroque music–don’t blame me.
I didn’t bar-eak it
Comment from Debra Dalgleish
Time: July 16, 2008, 7:02 pm
Geez, next you’ll be complaining about violins on television.
Comment from JP
Time: July 22, 2008, 1:44 pm
It’s got to be heavy metal.. Iron Maiden
Classical music is just too relaxing and I have a tendency to start paying too much attention to it.
Thx,
JP
Comment from Debra Dalgleish
Time: July 22, 2008, 4:08 pm
Thanks, JP, Iron Maiden would certainly keep you awake! It probably keeps the neighbours awake too, if you turn it up to 11. Maybe you could listen to Stairway to Heaven instead: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhaFINynWqY