Mostly minor-key modulations of melodies I remember from highschool band. It's hard to play much of substance given that only my right hand can reach the keyboard from my desk, and only the lower registers at that.
Ask HN: What music do you play, while programming?
31–40 of 44 posts
Re: Ask HN: What music do you play, while programming?
#32I often listen to movie or tv series tracks. Recently that's included music from Hans Zimmer (Mission Impossible [1], Rush [2], etc.), Calm with Horses [3], El Chapo [4, 5], and The Kingdom [6].
I sometimes listen to my favorite bands (Tool, Porcupine Tree, Dream Theater, etc.), but like OP, I'm mostly biased towards non-lyrical while working.
[1] https://youtu.be/3Rmn8HGGFj4?t=677
[2] https://youtu.be/3Rmn8HGGFj4?t=967
[3] https://youtu.be/85Byny4WRLU?t=89
[4] https://youtu.be/BBqgevV5JhQ
Re: Ask HN: What music do you play, while programming?
#33I listen to a lot of lyricless trance/deep house/electronic music. I personally find music to be key to reaching a "flow sate" while I'm working. It's almost meditative. I've curated a Spotify playlist that's nearing 300 hrs long, although I add and remove songs on a daily basis. It was recieved quite well last time I mentioned it on HN. Feel free to check it out: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4kXkKPkOoKmWuhmGnBM…
RIP Trance.fm
Re: Ask HN: What music do you play, while programming?
#34Deadmau5's while 1 < 2 - though a few tracks are a bit harsh.
Re: Ask HN: What music do you play, while programming?
#35Explosions in the Sky or This Will Destroy You are fantastic post-rock bands (no lyrics). Try 'em.
Re: Ask HN: What music do you play, while programming?
#36Synthwave and retrowave
This and other -waves. Nothing else comes closer to The Flow in my opinion. Second place goes to psychill, and sorts of liquid dnb, jungle and ambients. I don’t get it how people can program with rock, instrumental, songs, jazz, techno, etc. Way too chatty and/or disturbing.
I agree. Although I am a vaporwave first person. Nothing like music that feels nostalgic and meandering at the same time. I don't mind synthwave but it has gotten more sub bass and driving over time (less 80s nostalgic and more John Carpenter going dark vibes).
I never got into psychill but I love some old school jungle and ambient dnb. I can't say I am really into the newer jungle/ambient dnb these days.
I have listened to dark techno and I do find it ok to program to. Almost anything with lyrics, solos and the like just get me drawn away. I would recommend Tangerine Dream as one of my favorite old school synth / experimental music makers that I like to listen to while doing stuff (usually before clocking out).
Re: Ask HN: What music do you play, while programming?
#37DI FM and YouTube music with trance /DNB/ trap electro.
Re: Ask HN: What music do you play, while programming?
#38Tiare F.M. in Tahiti. Mostly Jawaiian / Jahitian music but with a lot of weird euro, country, and retro pop songs mixed in as well.
Re: Ask HN: What music do you play, while programming?
#39none while coding. 2pac after coding. lofi hiphop beats to relax and study to when i am researching.
Re: Ask HN: What music do you play, while programming?
#40I own a couple of video game soundtracks on bandcamp (and regularly add new ones to the list if I find something good), and I really like those as background music. The usually have no lyrics, and are often designed to be loopable.
Some of my favorites:
- Crypt of the Necrodancer
- The Chipzel remix of COTND
- Anything Darren Korb (Supergiant)
- Journey
- Moonlighter
- Undertale
- Celeste
- Hollow Knight
- Ori 1&2
- Dead cells
- Bleak sword
- Alone
- Feist
- Aquaria