I’ve never been able to do intellectual work with background music, and am baffled by people e.g. programmers who work with headphones playing music all day. But maybe for them it does just use different parts of the brain
For me, there is a huge qualitative difference between lyrical music or even “interesting” classical and electronic music, and very “boring,” quiet lyric-less music. Can’t focus at all listening to lyrics, but soft ambient music feels intuitively helpful (though this could be illusory). This is especially the case when its a playlist or song I’ve heard a hundred times before, so the tune is completely unsurprising.
Yes I’ve heard others say they can’t listen to lyrics.
The one thing I’ve started playing recently in the otherwise silent room where I work is quiet birdsong (background level, hardly noticeable). On the grounds it may have a subconscious effect of making me feel I’m outdoors, which may be conducive to creativity (cf walks), or at least be relaxing.
Thanks for your perspective.
For me, there is a huge qualitative difference between lyrical music or even “interesting” classical and electronic music, and very “boring,” quiet lyric-less music. Can’t focus at all listening to lyrics, but soft ambient music feels intuitively helpful (though this could be illusory). This is especially the case when its a playlist or song I’ve heard a hundred times before, so the tune is completely unsurprising.
Yes I’ve heard others say they can’t listen to lyrics.
The one thing I’ve started playing recently in the otherwise silent room where I work is quiet birdsong (background level, hardly noticeable). On the grounds it may have a subconscious effect of making me feel I’m outdoors, which may be conducive to creativity (cf walks), or at least be relaxing.