[seriously serious] Listening to music while working

[Asher]

A colleague has indicated he cannot work with music or the TV on. This is blasphemy. Not only do I work with music on, but I frequently have both music and the TV on while I work.

That said, some music is better than others. Songs I'm already familiar with suffice (don't require careful listening), classical music is always good unless it's the kind that puts me to sleep, and alt-rock is always a good bet.

What say you !

[Wernazuma III]

It actually depends. I don'T listen to music when I have to conceptualize a text or when working on other highly cognitive stuff. It's great while maintaining data bases and doing routines though.

[Lorizael]

Yup. It makes it much easier for me to concentrate. It doesn't really matter what I'm listening to because my job doesn't require much in the way of brain power.

[serious moderator voice] Btw, overuse of the serious tag is like crying wolf. [/serious moderator voice]

[Asher]

I did not use the serious tag.

[Kontiki]

Unless it's manual labour of some sort, I can't do it. I tend to get too into the music to effectively concentrate on any mental tasks. It's also why I find it nearly impossible to listen to music through some ****ty stereo or low-end iPod dock. I'd rather not listen to it at all then have the bad sound.

[Asher]

Maybe it's a young-person thing.

[Lorizael]

I did not use the serious tag.

Good point. In that case, spammers and trollers rejoice!

[Bugs ****ing Bunny]

Most of my work is done in meetings or on the phone. Music doesn't really go with that.

[Krill]

Depends on what sort of work. Making notes, revising, I can't work with music. Writing an article, essay, lab report etc I'm fine with music and TV

[Rufus T. Firefly]

If it's physical labor, yes to music, maybe to tv.

If it's a task that requires any thought at all, then yes to music, but only instrumental music that isn't dissonant in any way (e.g., classic jazz but not modern jazz, Phillip Glass but not John Cage). And absolutely no to tv.

[-Jrabbit]

I used to always have music on, usually rock (classic, alt, punk), no matter the task. But those days are over. These days, I seldom play music while working unless it's a fairly mechanical or repetitive activity (e.g., assembling research for a writing project).

I'm getting old.

[Mon River Monarch]

Alt & Classical but, Country & Oldies

[CrONoS]

Death Metal/Metalcore when doing math.

When I have to write a text or conceptualize a project, I usually listen to WCPE, which is a radio playing classical music. (http://theclassicalstation.org/internet.shtml).

Silence is also not bad...

[Cort Haus]

Definitely when colleagues are yapping into the phone. Much of their call-work is very repetitive, and I need to block it out or it drives me mad.

[Sir Og]

I have music running in the office all day long. I am going through different styles of music though. Although it most often is metal/rock in different flavours.
I cannot concentrate while the TV is on though.