Regarding the music: I found video game soundtracks to be especially perfect—after all, they’re designed to be background music. But I think there’s more to it than that. I’ve had years of conditioning such that when I hear the Warcraft II soundtrack I immediately get into a mindset of intense concentration and happiness.
Obviously it depends on your tastes and whether you have attachments to particular video games, but here are my favorites:
I’ve been experimenting with Rainy Mood recently (I think someone on LW linked to this but I don’t remember who). Not exactly music but it’s interesting. I don’t know if it actually helps because I’m not being totally consistent about only playing it when I’m working. Also, some people might find the sound of rain depressing (I find it kind of comforting).
I use Rainy Mood too. I need something to block out background noise while I work, but music distracts me to the point that I become unproductive. Rain is comforting to me too, so that’s an added plus. I also downloaded the audio from this video which allows me to listen on the go, without internet access.
musicForProgramming(); is essentially video game music but slower. It’s supposed to be just interesting enough to reduce boredom, without being interesting enough that you end up choosing between tuning it out so you can get work done and listening to it actively and not getting work done.
Choose music that you’re very familiar with it and put it on a loop. New music is much more likely to distract you. (Tip from Matt Mullenweg, interviewed by Tim Ferriss.) That might be more significant than the type of music, although we’d expect instrumental music to be less distracting.
I know a health professional (who has ADHD, and works with people who have ADHD) who finds that AC/DC is best for helping to concentrate. I’m not an AC/DC fan, but I’ll try some fast heavy music one day when I need an extra concentration boost, and see if it works.
I find techno stuff also conducive to working—it aims for the right level of arousal without being too disruptive. Deadmau5, Daft Punk kind of stuff. (will appreciate other suggestions in this vein)
focus@will is pretty useful for me—I’ve never been into movie music, but the cinematic option was very inspiring for me. There is some science behind the project too.
Regarding the music: I found video game soundtracks to be especially perfect—after all, they’re designed to be background music. But I think there’s more to it than that. I’ve had years of conditioning such that when I hear the Warcraft II soundtrack I immediately get into a mindset of intense concentration and happiness.
Obviously it depends on your tastes and whether you have attachments to particular video games, but here are my favorites:
Warcraft 2 Soundtrack: http://bit.ly/1081t8K
Braid Soundtrack: http://bit.ly/11IFF6L (Fantastic music with a range of emotions.)
Braid Music Mod by Schwab: http://bit.ly/10BNcN7 (Excellent fan-made music for the game Braid.)
Might and Magic VI: Mandate of Heaven Soundtrack: http://bit.ly/W7CFan
Heroes of Might and Magic IV: http://bit.ly/149y0vn
Planescape Torment Soundtrack: http://bit.ly/10J2CQw
(non-video game music that go into the rotation)
Any Ratatat playlist: http://bit.ly/10vLjW8
Yo-Yo Ma Bach Cello Suites: http://bit.ly/IPl7h0 (Two hours of Yo Yo Ma cello.)
Two Steps From Hell, Invincible: http://bit.ly/110Nehm (Epic.)
I endorse your taste in video games.
I’ve been experimenting with Rainy Mood recently (I think someone on LW linked to this but I don’t remember who). Not exactly music but it’s interesting. I don’t know if it actually helps because I’m not being totally consistent about only playing it when I’m working. Also, some people might find the sound of rain depressing (I find it kind of comforting).
I use Rainy Mood too. I need something to block out background noise while I work, but music distracts me to the point that I become unproductive. Rain is comforting to me too, so that’s an added plus. I also downloaded the audio from this video which allows me to listen on the go, without internet access.
I wasn’t aware of Rainy Mood, but I think I’m going to like it. I’m in the same situation as Pearwood; work is noisy but music distracts me.
For anyone who, like me, can’t leave a tab open with Flash running all the time, the audio file is here.
This link seems to be broken now. I don’t suppose you still know where the file is available?
Link updated. It’s possible it changes, though.
Thank you!
You’re welcome. I also recently became aware of ChatterBlocker, which costs money, but has a demo and seems quite effective and less repetitive.
musicForProgramming(); is essentially video game music but slower. It’s supposed to be just interesting enough to reduce boredom, without being interesting enough that you end up choosing between tuning it out so you can get work done and listening to it actively and not getting work done.
I do this too and will check out your tracks! I would add Morrowind and Final Fantasy 6.
Also, it’s very easy to find game music on Youtube like you have. Just search ” music, playlist”.
Awesome taste in music. Might I suggest post rock playlists.
Good call. I don’t normally like Post-Rock, but when I’m studying, I can just plug it into Pandora and go.
Here’s another one: Skyrim soundtrack (a bit over 3,5 hours of epic fantasy music, with the last ~40 minutes being purely atmospheric/ambient).
Choose music that you’re very familiar with it and put it on a loop. New music is much more likely to distract you. (Tip from Matt Mullenweg, interviewed by Tim Ferriss.) That might be more significant than the type of music, although we’d expect instrumental music to be less distracting. I know a health professional (who has ADHD, and works with people who have ADHD) who finds that AC/DC is best for helping to concentrate. I’m not an AC/DC fan, but I’ll try some fast heavy music one day when I need an extra concentration boost, and see if it works.
I find techno stuff also conducive to working—it aims for the right level of arousal without being too disruptive. Deadmau5, Daft Punk kind of stuff. (will appreciate other suggestions in this vein)
Splashdown. Archer and Mayan Pilot are my go-to songs for programming.
focus@will is pretty useful for me—I’ve never been into movie music, but the cinematic option was very inspiring for me. There is some science behind the project too.
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Thanks so much!