Ask HN: What background music you play while coding? | Hacker News Reader

Ask HN: What background music you play while coding?

8 pointshanszeir21 comments

im sure im the exception to the rule here, but I find it harder to work with music on. it turns into a distraction because I constantly fiddle with the playlist, etc.

but if you have to choose, sample a little john legend

I too find it hard to code while listening to music.

The beat of the music tends to disturb my "beat" of thinking. It's a bit weird but I can only describe it the following way: my mind thinks in a certain rhythm and when I'm listening to music, I feel like I have to adjust my mind rhythm to the rhythm of the music and it drives me crazy.

Sometimes though (depending on the mood) listening to music helps me focus (that's rare though). In those cases, listening to the music stops my mind from jumping all over the place and forces me to just focus on the task at hand.

It's probably related to whether I'm trying to think of possibilities vs just implementing an idea I've already fleshed out in my head.

I'm similar. I used to always listen to music while coding, but over time I realized for a lot of work, it really is a bad distraction. The only time I really listen to music while working now is for parts that are mostly the coding equivalent of manual labor. When I do -- if I need the energy -- I usually listen to http://di.fm/

Stuff from Dwelling of Duels[1] (Video game covers), artists that mix classical instruments with rock/electonic (like Sarina Suno or Yoshida Brothers), or movie/show soundtracks (Hisaishi Joe) - anything with lyrics is too distracting. And that's only if I know what I'm going to write, if I need to sit and think about something, I need silence.

[1] http://dwellingofduels.net/

Trance / Progressive music gives me a good flow and energy. Tracks of Armin Van Buuren, Carl Cox, Deadmau5 and Tiesto works great for me while coding.

Coltrane, Miles Davis, Thelonious Monk.

on an ANALOG stereo?

I use http://www.stereomood.com/ and click for a random mood until it suits me - however I'm hearing impaired so as long as the tone is nice, I enjoy it. (i.e. I cannot pick up on the 'words')

Any song listed in my music-bookmarks.txt. I love listening to music when my work has a steady progress. By that I mean the tasks are being done without having to pause and think for too long. Otherwise I find it easier to think in silence.

http://www.rainymood.com/

also http://www.simplynoise.com/

For me, the "coding music" must be simple and not distracting - something that doesn't make me concentrate on the music instead of the code. Or no music at all.

Tron Legacy Soundtrack or http://www.somafm.com (groove salad)

Go to: http://us.int.teppefall.com View source.

I don't usually listen to any music, but when I do it tends to be dubstep, house, or idm/downtempo

http://www.liquidmindmusic.com/

Hella, Sleigh Bells, Food for Animals, lots of other weird, glitchy, technical rock

in motion- trent reznor and atticus ross lol the social network

deadmau5

lately?.. good dubstep. it's sort of infectious.

Biology major was complaining about his grades. I suggested he turn off his stereo when studying. His grades went up.

YMMV

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