Growing up I was always surrounded my music. My Mom would blast bands like Queen and Supertramp while were in the car. When she started dating the guy who would end up becoming my step dad, he was in a band that would practice at our house seemingly 24/7. Even after I moved out on my own, music has always been a big part of my life.
I’ve always wanted to learn to play an instrument, but fear that opportunity may be behind me. Oh, I know I could learn to play guitar if I practiced. But, putting in the time needed to become even mediocre just isn’t something I see myself doing any time soon. But man, I sure want to play!
I grew up a rocker. I’ve always loved heavy metal, hard rock and some punk music. As I got a little older my likes and dislikes bounced all over the place. Today you could find me listening to Motley Crue, Garth Brooks, Madonna, The Beastie Boys, Nirvana or the Soundtrack to Juno. You just never know.
As much as I love all the bands I listed above and as much as I love music in general, when it comes time to dig in and get some work done on the computer, bet it blogging or programming, I have a very hard time leaving any of their music on in the background. Don’t get me wrong, I love to have music in the background, but listening to music with lyrics while I’m trying to write is nearly impossible for me. Instead I’ll listen to something like Blue Man Group’s Audio CD. This for me is the ultimate background music for getting work done.
I’m writing this post as a reminder to myself. I wasted 2 hours sitting at my desk trying to work on a project while simultaneously listening to the new Guns n Roses CD, Chinese Democracy. There’s nothing wrong with the CD. I’m actually growing quite fond of it. But, there’s a time and a place for it with me. At my computer while trying to work is NOT that place.
What music do you have on in the background while you are working?
Supertramp rules!And I'm totally with you. I've got a set I use that is mostly Four Tet while I'm working. Same IDT/House type feel as Blue Man Group. You gotta go with what you know or you can't tune it out.
Right now, I am kind of a remedial (or advanced, however you want to look at it) background music listener: I open WMP and click "play" – whatever comes up (randomly) out of my library, I hear! Sometimes I do have to "click away – baby, click away" from a song that grabs my "eewwww" nerve and won't let go. However, I don't delete the file, since I know another time I will probably appreciate the song (which is why it’s in my library in the first place) – but, I guess it is in that moment that my ulterior thought process is not jiving with the alpha waves that particular piece of music is creating in my brain.Sometimes I find that just a low beat or music hardly-recognizable-as-music (at such a low volume) will be the teat my mind needs suckle to be lucid – especially when the work done on the computer is under a tight schedule for completion.Being a former classical and jazz musician, I can understand that one grows into appreciating styles of, any type, or even just music itself – it becomes a part of you that you can listen to blindfolded (or is it “deaffolded”?).I think the same applies whenever you are practicing your trade or love: music can be listened to without having to consciously understand it, especially if you are already familiar with the tune(s). The attempt at listening to your new album (which I understand is off the beaten path where style is concerned for GNR) and working on something that is new and/or near-and-dear to your heart (your passion) is a huge undertaking and challenge. Some people are just blessed with the ability to multi-task – not me. I'd have to listen to the new album while doing housework or something which I am not at all in love with. :SWhat do you think musicians listen to as background music when they are creating music? Or, rather, what do they hear in their head when they are creating music? Probably the historical influences of "their" artists they always talk about as to their style or genre.
I have a certain type of CD I listen to while working. It can't have lyrics I have to listen to (So Weird Al is out) and it can't be slow. The Sounds, Postal Service, Bad Religion ("All Ages" and "Suffer"), Rodrigo y Gabriela, Amadou et Mariam and Evanescence have all been work albums. When I put them on I put them on on repeat and listen to that single album until I pretty much can't stand it anymore. By then it's a month later and I find something else. That's the great thing about music, there's just so much of it.
At work lately I've been doing something similar. I have my ipod there and I put it on "artist" and I've listened to the 3 albums by Micky and the Motorcars over and over and over again. Since I don't do a lot of writing at the office, the lyrics don't bother me. I could not do the same at home.
I agree that you can use an album you love to help you get through a task that is less than fun. Seriously, I think that's why radios first showed up in cars. If you have to drive a long distance, the radio makes it less of a chore.