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Music to Let you Concentrate

focusatwill.com

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Re: Music to Let you Concentrate

#83
I like the idea but right now I have no connectivity on this app.

So far I've been using raining.fm because chamber music sometimes slows down and quiets so I can hear my co-workers.

My goal is to shut out what everyone is saying, but not the fact that they're talking. So far raining.fm has been perfect, but the only small downside is that when you take the headphones off it feels like you stepped out of a space shuttle or something.

Re: Music to Let you Concentrate

#84

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Same here! Dark tranquility and Omnium Gatherum works great for me as well!

Listening to New World Shadows right now

Hello there metal fans, I enjoy tuning in people's MDM broadcasts on Grooveshark. With suggestions its a nice mix of background music you don't have to manage and occasional song that you would like to hear.

Re: Music to Let you Concentrate

#85
post #2

"... two out of three of people like to listen to music while they work, study or read but it’s difficult to find and manage music that consistently works well for this purpose." Precisely! I like to listen to ambient music when working and constantly trying to find new music for this purpose is quite a hassle.

Can you recommend a Top 5 ambient albums for working? EDIT: Thanks for all the suggestions!

76:14 by Global Communication is an undisputed classic of the genre, however you might find it distracting because it's so good.

And of course there's Aphex Twin's Selected Ambient Works 85-92, which should go without saying really. Again, you might not be able to work because it's such a good record. Also, it's not ambient in the sense of having no beats. If you've never heard it before you should probably just stop working right now and listen to it. Also he did a SAW vol. 2 album which is more beatless, but it's not as good.

You can't go wrong with Future Sound of London. It's a bit dystopian, but utterly amazing stuff.

The "minimalist" (he hates that word) work of composer Steve Reich is also very good for zoning out. All the other people in the modern "ambient" genre are ripping him off to some extent or another. I suggest starting with Electric Counterpoint.

EDIT - some more:

Hecq - 0000

Almost anything by The Orb, especially The Orb's Adventures Beyond the Ultraworld. Make sure you get the proper UK version not the cut down US release.

Portico Quartet by Portico Quartet

All the Boards of Canada stuff

Re: Music to Let you Concentrate

#86
post #73

Be careful. Music engages your creative hemisphere. This doesn't matter much if what you're doing is a simple, repetitive task. But if you're trying to design or program, it might kill your ability to "think outside the box" and invent creative solutions. In my case, listening to music while programming has a very pronounced effect: I will spend 30 minutes crafting a function that will do something. The function will…

That is a very interesting comment. I think my brain works similarly. I will pay more attention to that.

Re: Music to Let you Concentrate

#87
post #73

Be careful. Music engages your creative hemisphere. This doesn't matter much if what you're doing is a simple, repetitive task. But if you're trying to design or program, it might kill your ability to "think outside the box" and invent creative solutions. In my case, listening to music while programming has a very pronounced effect: I will spend 30 minutes crafting a function that will do something. The function will…

If this is true, this is a brilliant comment!

Re: Music to Let you Concentrate

#88
I've always found myself to be most productive when listening to repetitive electronic music - it motivates but also doesn't distract you too much.

Check out http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bUAAVUKk6Fc - it's rather seedy and excellent in it's own right. Two Lone Swordsmen is okay, too.

Another good one is soundtracks - personally I like futuristic stuff (Deus Ex: HR soundtrack, or Mass Effect, or Person of Interest), as they are designed not to detract from the point of focus.

Lastly, luvstep/liquid dubstep type things are quite vapid but listen-able.

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