Music for concentrating
 

I like to have music going when I'm programming. But it can't just be anything. It needs to be non-intrusive enough that I can concentrate while it's going in the background and not interesting enough that I don't start concentrating on the music. It helps if there are no lyrics or if the lyrics are in something besides English.

Often I'll put on Watermark or Shepherd Moons by Enya or the soundtrack to Emma. Beethoven's Sixth works well, but the Fifth is a bit distracting.

Anyone else have favorites along these lines?

yes, I have lots! instrumental movie soundtracks, some (not all) trance/dance music; new age drum and dance music; birdsong. Things without lyrics, and with a fairly even sound level.

Cool. Would you list a few of your favorites?

Brian Eno, especially Music For Airports.
Sigur Ros ()

I'd be happy to, but you'll have to wait until I'm home in front of my itunes. I'm not a music nerd, and rarely remember names/titles.

THIS:



good for doin' it, too

Go to Pandora, create the default "New Age Electronica" and "Instrumental Hip Hop" stations, place into a Quick Mix. This will cycle you between more energetic and less energetic phases of non-vocal music, to prevent fatigue of either dynamic level.

I'm listening to Pandora Reggae at work right now. We're not really supposed to stream stuff, because it slows down the system supposedly, but wthell.

BTW, I mean movie "scores" -- not soundtracks. Soundtracks are usually full of shitty pop/vocal stuff. The scores are usually instrumental, what is termed "light classical." Pete: pretty much look for movies you like, and get the scores from those. I can name ones I listen to often:

Transformers (one of my faves)
Pirates of the Carribbean
James Bond -- I have a fabulous CD of the instrumental scores on this, which is hard to find (NOT the "hit" vocal tie ins)
Harry Potter (I have all of these)
Conan the Barbarian -- a great score by Basil Polidorous
Star Wars
Star Trek Wrath of Khan
Mark of Zorro

Etc. As I said--pay attention to the background music in movies you like

Vangelis does great stuff, like the score to Blade Runner.

that's the one. Are you endorsing it or dissing it?

hmm. I get an error.

ETA: okay, it's cool. That's probably not one of the better ones for concentrating, though. A common problem with classical music for that purpose, imo, is the lows are too low, and the highs are too high. Better stuff for concentrating has a consistent medium tone.

I'll look tonight for some of the other genre stuff.

'Blade Runner Blues is great. It set the tone for the movie so well.

'Putting Out the Fire' did the same thing for Cat People. I love that song.

On the subject of classical scores, I really like the ones for The Red Violin and Sleepy Hollow.

For slightly more upbeat stuff that is mostly in foreign languages, I like 8 1/2 Souvenirs.

I understand that your first instinct would be to expect me to diss it.... but I was merely surprised to find it as described on youtube, so I thought I'd link it in.

ah. thanks; could not tell since you didn't make a comment.

It is kind of dorky, but cool nonetheless. Great movie, too--LOVE Sandahl Bergman in it. "Let me take you back to the days of HIGH Adventure . . . " (narrated by Mako).