Music for concentrating

Pete Zicato · 02-25-2010, 10:12 AM

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?

Cloud · 02-25-2010, 10:54 AM

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.

Pete Zicato · 02-25-2010, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cloud

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?

Spexxvet · 02-25-2010, 10:58 AM

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

Cloud · 02-25-2010, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pete Zicato

Cool. Would you list a few of your favorites?

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.

lumberjim · 02-25-2010, 11:20 AM

THIS:

good for doin' it, too

Flint · 02-25-2010, 11:28 AM

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.

Cloud · 02-25-2010, 11:46 AM

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

lumberjim · 02-25-2010, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cloud

Conan the Barbarian -- a great score by Basil Polidorous

Flint · 02-25-2010, 12:32 PM

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

Cloud · 02-25-2010, 12:33 PM

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.

Pico and ME · 02-25-2010, 12:41 PM

'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.

Clodfobble · 02-25-2010, 12:55 PM

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.

lumberjim · 02-25-2010, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cloud

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

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.

Cloud · 02-25-2010, 02:14 PM

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).

02-25-2010, 10:12 AM	#1
Pete Zicato Turns out my CRS is a symptom of TMB. Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Chicago suburbs Posts: 2,916	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? __________________ Talk nerdy to me.

02-25-2010, 10:54 AM	#2
Cloud ... Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 8,360	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. __________________ "Guard your honor. Let your reputation fall where it will. And outlive the bastards!"

02-25-2010, 10:58 AM	#4
Spexxvet Makes some feel uncomfortable Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 10,346	Brian Eno, especially Music For Airports. Sigur Ros () __________________ "I'm certainly free, nay compelled, to spread the gospel of Spex. " - xoxoxoBruce

02-25-2010, 11:20 AM	#6
lumberjim I can hear my ears Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 25,571	THIS: good for doin' it, too __________________ This body holding me reminds me of my own mortality Embrace this moment, remember We are eternal, all this pain is an illusion ~MJKeenan

02-25-2010, 11:28 AM	#7
Flint Snowflake Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Dystopia Posts: 13,136	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. __________________ **************** There's a level of facility that everyone needs to accomplish, and from there it's a matter of deciding for yourself how important ultra-facility is to your expression. ... I found, like Joseph Campbell said, if you just follow whatever gives you a little joy or excitement or awe, then you're on the right track. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Terry Bozzio**

02-25-2010, 11:46 AM	#8
Cloud ... Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 8,360	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 __________________ "Guard your honor. Let your reputation fall where it will. And outlive the bastards!"

02-25-2010, 12:32 PM	#10
Flint Snowflake Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Dystopia Posts: 13,136	Vangelis does great stuff, like the score to Blade Runner. __________________ **************** There's a level of facility that everyone needs to accomplish, and from there it's a matter of deciding for yourself how important ultra-facility is to your expression. ... I found, like Joseph Campbell said, if you just follow whatever gives you a little joy or excitement or awe, then you're on the right track. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Terry Bozzio**

02-25-2010, 12:33 PM	#11
Cloud ... Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 8,360	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. __________________ "Guard your honor. Let your reputation fall where it will. And outlive the bastards!" Last edited by Cloud; 02-25-2010 at 12:39 PM.

02-25-2010, 12:41 PM	#12
Pico and ME Are you knock-kneed? Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Middle Hoosierland Posts: 3,549	'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.

02-25-2010, 12:55 PM	#13
Clodfobble UNDER CONDITIONAL MITIGATION Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 20,012	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. __________________ My book My other book My spirit animal

02-25-2010, 02:14 PM	#15
Cloud ... Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 8,360	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). __________________ "Guard your honor. Let your reputation fall where it will. And outlive the bastards!"

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