2. music
  3. 1029109263

Can you work hard while listening to music?

Could we please hear your recommendations for music that wouldn't ruin your productivity or concentration at work?

My general happiness in life is so improved by music that I would like to put a stereo in my office -- but some of my work can be very technical and I don't want to be too absorbed or distracted.

Of course, I am not talking about "elevator music" -- just trying to identify things (not just classical) that are rich and worthy of repeated listening/study, yet perhaps also have a soothing or meditative quality.

Perhaps this is extremely personal and also varies greatly depending on ones profession -- but if something works for you, perhaps you could remind us of what you do to pay for all of your expensive audio gear.

Thank you.
cwlondon
kennyt8cca
2 posts
 
I suppose it depends. It's been researched in the operating room and found that surgeons work better when listening to music, and that they work best when it's their choice. I can't remember if they listed what they listen to, but i've worked with neurosurgeons who crank out to Iron Maiden, and do great work, and have had to do hearts with a guy who used to listen to Anne Murray (gag me!) over and over again.... I think it depends on your personal taste.

BTW: The neurosurgeon used to turn it down for the really key parts of surgery.
twl
3,251 posts
 
I recommend:
John Handy "Hard Work"
Miles Davis "Workin'"
10 Years After "Workin' on the Road"
Steely Dan "Dirty Work"
4 Tops "Workin' My Way Back to You"
Bachmann Turner Overdrive "Takin' Care of Business"
Grateful Dead "Workingman's Dead"
Johnny Paycheck "Take This Job and Shove It"
Tennesse Ernie Ford "Sixteen Tons"
That's all for now. :^)
wmcmanus's avatar
wmcmanus
171 posts
 
Twl, you forgot "I've been working on the railroad"...

Cwlondon, excellent thread! I hope you'll get a ton of responses. One trick that I've found to be effective when working from my home office is to play music of any kind - light jazz is best - at moderate levels in another nearby room (with the door open, of course). Although I have a nice office system and a headphone setup as well, it's much less involving and therefore less distracting to have the source further away from my work area - which, for me, is a desk, and a textbook that I ought to be revising.
More to discover