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Music for Programming

musicforprogramming.net

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Re: Music for Programming

#91

Post by Scarblac »

3chelon wrote: post #83

Does anyone know of any actual conclusive studies in this area? Like most here, I have my own rules and preferences. The main rule seems to be it must be familiar, in fact it's best if I've heard it a thousand times already. But there are only three kinds of music that work for me:- 1. Music I first got into during my teenage years when I was sitting up all night coding assembler (OK, I admit it, Pink Floyd) works we…

My experience is a lot like yours (especially "must have heard it a thousand times").

I apply one more trick, that I got from some self help book once: my energy level is not always the same, and too little energy is a problem for concentration but so is too much energy. If it's just right, I'll likely be able to find the flow and then the music matters less.

Rage Against the Machine and Rammstein can improve energy levels. Very quiet music (current favorite Carrie & Lowell by Sufjan Stevens) can quiet me down so I can concentrate.

Re: Music for Programming

#92

Post by mnx »

gdrulia wrote: post #82
flanbiscuit wrote: post #69

A few other redditors and I maintain a playlist of Downtempo (mostly) non-vocal electronic music specifically targeted towards developers. It's an open playlist so feel free to contribute! https://open.spotify.com/user/fgutz/playlist/3dBiKJSoAQ6msoY... spotify:user:fgutz:playlist:3dBiKJSoAQ6msoYzl99wp2

is there a way to see the list without logging in to spotify? Non-vocal electronic seems like my cup of tea for when I'm working.

CSV of all the tracks: https://fzak.pl/FILEZ/codersplaylist.csv

Youtube playlist of some of the tracks: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOEg5uEc0bD0wwIEEKTNc...

Re: Music for Programming

#93

Post by mikegerwitz »

I used to listen to various types of classical music on moderate-to-low volume, but I found that on average, it has a negative impact on flow. My mind gets into a cadence with the music (I'm sure there's a term; I don't know it), and that cadence can be devastating for certain types of problems, and often leads to deep stress or frustration and the complete inability to focus at its worst. Even music/sounds that are good for meditation can be detrimental. My mind is chaotic, and I find that to be extremely positive.

Perhaps it's possible that if the problems I'm dealing with are similar enough that such cadence would be beneficial---it does trigger memories and some even nostalgia. These days, I have too many diverse issues that it's just safe to be in silence, though I find that the white noise of my (loud) forced air system (heat/AC) provides a fairly positive effect. Yet white/pink noise does not. Does anyone have any suggestions there?

Re: Music for Programming

#94

Post by scholia »

stevetrewick wrote: post #22
eswat wrote: post #17

I have two rules when I’m listening to music while programming: 1. My favourite genres are K-Pop and Industrial – it helps that they are also very energetic genres — and my rule is that I can only listen to them while programming. Helps to really put me in the “you’re working now” space (thanks to Julian Shapiro for this tip) 2. I pick one song and repeat it for the entire day, sometimes for several days in a row. I’…

> pick one song and repeat it for the entire day I also do this, one or a very short playlist of very similar stuff. Seems to help keep my mind locked into a particular state all day/work period. Currently long Daft Punk tracks are doing it for me.

I sort of do this, but I pick one CD. Usually it's Keith Jarrett but Bach works as well. Especially the harpsichord concertos.

Re: Music for Programming

#98

Post by kubami »

faraggi wrote: post #8

...slightly of subject: I love programming with classical music. Classic guitar music in particular, but any classical will do. I rarely listen to classical other than when driving or when coding.

Yes! I'd recommend Rodrigo y Gabriela. In paricular albums '11:11' and 'Rodrigo y Gabriela'.

Re: Music for Programming

#99

Post by dwc »

3chelon wrote: post #83

Does anyone know of any actual conclusive studies in this area? Like most here, I have my own rules and preferences. The main rule seems to be it must be familiar, in fact it's best if I've heard it a thousand times already. But there are only three kinds of music that work for me:- 1. Music I first got into during my teenage years when I was sitting up all night coding assembler (OK, I admit it, Pink Floyd) works we…

I love classical music, but not for coding. It's too musically interesting and it pulls me off task. I'll be fine and then it gets to that one part, and then I'll notice that I've been actively listening to the music and not coding for 10 minutes.

I tend toward electronia (usually) without vocals. I'll find a suitable artist and get several of their albums and listen to all the albums on loop. For me this is enough to quickly gain that familiarity you mention, hearing the same songs in the same order all day long.

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