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Ask HN: What audio resources can improve my technical skills during my commute?

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Re: Ask HN: What audio resources can improve my technical skills during my commute?

#91

Post by hanley »

unpythonic wrote: post #68
taejavu wrote: post #64

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Do you mind sharing where you have found an audiobook of Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance? Doesn't look like it's available on Audible or Scribd.

I got mine from Audible at the link below. If you do use it, please SKIP THE INTRODUCTION . If you haven't read or listened to the book before, it gives away some major plot points as part of the author's update. https://www.audible.com/pd/Bios-Memoirs/Zen-and-the-Art-of-M...

I made this mistake and I'm 1/4 of the way into the book. Can't tell yet how big of a mistake it was.

Re: Ask HN: What audio resources can improve my technical skills during my commute?

#93

Post by astaroth360 »

ordu wrote: post #24

Classical music. Learn it. Learn how to listen it, learn to feel it. It is really fun, when you able to understand it. And it helps to move away from current problems to return back from other side afterwards. Oh... And it will greatly increase interconnectivity of your brains, especially if you would not just listen, but play it too. It may be not just classical music, but modern styles a way simplier, they lack cen…

Jazz is good too, for those of us who like jazz :P

Re: Ask HN: What audio resources can improve my technical skills during my commute?

#94

Post by spiralganglion »

hsdfusa wrote: post #28
ordu wrote: post #24

Classical music. Learn it. Learn how to listen it, learn to feel it. It is really fun, when you able to understand it. And it helps to move away from current problems to return back from other side afterwards. Oh... And it will greatly increase interconnectivity of your brains, especially if you would not just listen, but play it too. It may be not just classical music, but modern styles a way simplier, they lack cen…

> Learn it. Learn how to listen it, learn to feel it. As someone willing to give this a try, where would you suggest one starts?

Go to the symphony. Ideally, go with a friend who enjoys classical music.

Also, spend some time trying different classical music from different periods / parts of the world. You might find you prefer Steve Reich (Music For 18 Musicians) more than you like Bach (Well-Tempered Clavier) or Shostakovich (10th Symphony) more than you like Schoenberg (... good luck).

Spend some time finding a favourite composer. Start with a composer you like, and then try other composers who were alive in the same time and place.

Also, beware of orchestral renditions of pop music. Some of it is good (Alarm Will Sound's album of Aphex Twin), but most of it is awful (Vitamin quartet).

Hope that helps.

Re: Ask HN: What audio resources can improve my technical skills during my commute?

#95

Post by spiralganglion »

jansho wrote: post #27
ordu wrote: post #24

Classical music. Learn it. Learn how to listen it, learn to feel it. It is really fun, when you able to understand it. And it helps to move away from current problems to return back from other side afterwards. Oh... And it will greatly increase interconnectivity of your brains, especially if you would not just listen, but play it too. It may be not just classical music, but modern styles a way simplier, they lack cen…

Can you recommend any minimalist classical music (other than Arvo Part) please? Not bland, it can be sensual like Gnossienne or dramatic as... tabula rasa? My main issue with most classical music is that they feel too heavy and I feel physically sick.

Philip Glass's piano works might be just what you're looking for.

Or how about Steve Reich's Music For 18 Musicians? That could be too much, or it could be just right, depending on what about the music makes you feel sick.

I also like LaMonte Young and Terry Riley, but they might be too spacious if you're looking for compelling melody.

Oh, and stay away from John Adams. (Other people reading this looking for heavy minimalist music: go for John Adams. Start with Short Ride In A Fast Machine, and then dig in to the operas.)

Re: Ask HN: What audio resources can improve my technical skills during my commute?

#96

Post by chadgeidel »

kozikow wrote: post #6

I listen to python podcasts: https://talkpython.fm/ and https://www.podcastinit.com/ . Outside of purely technical subjects, I also like "talking machines" about ML: http://www.thetalkingmachines.com/ . Maybe they won't improve your "core" skills, but it's good with keeping up to date with cool recent libraries or new language developments. I use an app on android that pre-downloads podcasts on wifi and allow me to l…

Apologies for off-topic question, but which Android app do you use? My favorite app (Overcast) is only available on iOS and I cannot recommend it to friends on Android-based devices.

Re: Ask HN: What audio resources can improve my technical skills during my commute?

#97

Post by sotojuan »

hsdfusa wrote: post #28
ordu wrote: post #24

Classical music. Learn it. Learn how to listen it, learn to feel it. It is really fun, when you able to understand it. And it helps to move away from current problems to return back from other side afterwards. Oh... And it will greatly increase interconnectivity of your brains, especially if you would not just listen, but play it too. It may be not just classical music, but modern styles a way simplier, they lack cen…

> Learn it. Learn how to listen it, learn to feel it. As someone willing to give this a try, where would you suggest one starts?

If you want a course, Robert Greenberg's How to Listen to and Understand Great Music - it's on Audible.
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