I can't listen to music when I write
I can't listen to music when I write. it's very distracting, but more than that I find myself so immersed in the music, the rhythm, the tempo, the melody, and the structure, I completely lose my train of thought for what I am writing. Yes, I am a musician and was trained to listen to everything that's going on in a piece of music, whether it be a Beethoven Synphony, a Brubeck jazz rendition of Brandenberg Gate, or a raucous rock performance by Aerosmith or Led Zeppelin. I just can't listen to music while I write.
And I'm here on Hub pages to write...right? And I write a lot, not just here but on my four blogs, my memoir and a trillion other places on line...so, as you've probably guessed by now, it's pretty quiet around my house, at least in the room where my computer and I are having a 3-5 hour work-out session.
I don't know about the rest of you. People often tell me they play music all day long, while they're studying, doing research, writing, reading, cooking, making love, driving the car. The last three I can handle...but the first four? forget it! I'd never get anything done.
My favorite way to listen to music is to put a CD on...maybe a Beethoven Symphony...turn the volume way way up and sit in the room adjoining the one with the speakers. In my case, it would be my parlor....the speakers are in the dining room (remember, I have a bed and breakfast and the guests like to listen to music while they have breakfast...usually Vivaldi or classical guitar/ early in the morning.)
I would then listen to each movement, analyzing, conducting, and jumping up and down...having the greatest time all by myself. I've heard Beethoven's nine symphonies over and over for years, but they never get boring 'cause every time I hear them, I hear something new or different...that's the way it is with Beethoven symphonies....they are amazing.
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Duran Duran is not exactly pop in my mind. Their current sound is very, well I would say synthesizer and guitar based laden. I do like some pop, but I like Duran Duran because they were originals when it came to videos. People thought they were generic because so many girls like them, but they were very artistic in the way they did their videos on location, being the first to do that. When I realized this, and how Nick Rhodes is very much an artist when it comes to video and photography, and I liked them even more than before.
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Hey Julia...I used to be into all kinds of music, including jazz, rock and country...but I'm not much of a pop music person. And I rarely turn any music on to just listen to it, except Beethoven or Mahler. I've been so inundated with music all my life that maybe I'm a little jaded. Now, it has to be really interesting or unique to get my attention.
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Hi Koralee...Thanks for the comment. Just about the only thing I like to do to music is clean house. I put on a nice repetitive Bach fugue and go to town.
It depends on my mood. If it is a CD with a few eighties songs I like, I can cook or write. If it is a video, I usually like to watch. Lately I just have movies playing on a loop in the background on my TV. It provides background noise, without distracting me too much. I know you like Aerosmith, I was wondering, do you like Duran Duran. They have made a come back of sorts, and I actually really like their new songs on the All You Need Is Now album. There is one really nice acoustic song they did recently.
I am with you - I have absolutely no distractions in my office. I take music breaks though. It amazed me how my daughter listened to music constantly, when doing homework and studying. I couldn't even when I was a teenager... a life ago lol
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@RedElf, Well, I don't have to worry about the kids being home any more...They moved out years ago. And now, if I have guests staying in the B&B, they usually go out sight-seeing all day so it's nice and quiet in the house...perfect for writing!
I find it depends on the music. I have trouble writing when the music has lyrics, especially if I am familiar with the song, but instrumental pieces will do the same if there are lyrics that I know.
I used to write all my term papers to classical music - Bach was always a fine companion for an "all-nighter." I still prefer classical music, but am very sensitive to the feel of the music - it has to fit with what I am writing, and it cannot be too slow or moody.
Silence works well, but I have also learned to write while the TV is on, as it most often is if my "kids" are home.
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Dolores, I love this: "Music for me is great for cleaning and cooking. I need too much of my brain for music. And writing. There is only so much to go around, haha."
My feelings exactly. You've very funny LOL
Hi, Alek - well I am certainly no musician and know nothing about music but I can't write with music either. It's like people who read while they're watching TV. Music for me is great for cleaning and cooking. I need too much of my brain for music. And writing. There is only so much to go around, haha.
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I totally agree. Thanks for the comment, Flora. I did a series of articles on aging Rock musicians. I listened to a lot of heavy metal before I started writing, but had to turn it off to get any clarity while I was writing.
As a singer and daughter of musicians I will pay attention to the music and sing along. I do occasionally have the type of nature music played at a spa while I write if it fits the type of writing I am doing-for example, a poem about nature. Otherwise, no music when I am writing. I do listen to music for much of the day, but then I set aside time for this and am not focusing on other things while I listen to music. I think it is precisely because you ARE a musician that you can't write to music.
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Noise from the Tv would be really hard to tolerate is I were writing.
Some writers feel inspired by music when they write. I love some peace and quiet when I write, though I've to contend with noise from the TV from time to time.
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Hi Green Lotus, nice to see you. Yeah, that's good, if you have no control over it. But if I'm going to write, I mean articles, etc, I always settle somewhere quiet...and then the flow begins...
I'm the same way, although I've gotten better at it...I've learned to tune out the music when I have no control over it!
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@Maren Morgan M-T
"I am a musician, also, so for most activities I cannot have music going. If music is playing, it demands my attention and I joyfully give it."
Exactly the point I was making. Thanks for the comment.
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Hi Suziecat7, Yeah, I think a lot of people do that...at least that's what I seen in some of my feedback.
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@cookingmom11: Interesting comment. 50s beebop? Wow I haven't heard any of that in a long time lol. And I find this amazing: "I get good grades when I write to the online radio station Radio Rivendell. Awesome instrumentals there!" I'm not is school anymore, but I'll have to check this station out.
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@apurva joshi So glad you liked the hub...thanks
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@Jagodka: "Whether or not I can write when listening depends on a couple of factors. Like now, I'm writing and watching Kill Bill lol." Interesting, because according to studies of the brain, it cannot focus on two things at one time...so something has to suffer, cause it keeps jumping back and forth
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@saddlerider, Yes, I can listen to light classical or smooth jazz if I'm at a party or have light conversation in a group. But if I get involved in something "deep", I have to turn the music off.
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princess g: With me, it might have something to do with being a little ADD..I find it very distracting. What do you think accounts for your experience?
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Michelle A: That's amazing to me. I wouldn't be able to do anything except listen to the music...I don't even like it on when I'm cooking.
Alehouse - I am a musician, also, so for most activities I cannot have music going. If music is playing, it demands my attention and I joyfully give it.
I like to listen to music BEFORE I write. It inspires me. But I like the quiet when I finally settle down to work.
Interesting Hub! I like music when I'm studying and writing, but I vary the type of music. For study, I like Classic Rock or 50's beebop type music. I get good grades when I write to the online radio station Radio Rivendell. Awesome instrumentals there!
hi alekhouse... its same here even i can't listen to music when I write. great one enjoyed reading it:)
Whether or not I can write when listening depends on a couple of factors. Like now, I'm writing and watching Kill Bill lol.
I can listen to light classical or smooth jazz when I write.
I can't listen to music whern I write either.
Great hub! I am the opposite. I cannot focus in complete quiet. Even growing up, I always did my homework in front of the tv or with music playing or in the kitchen while grandma was making dinner. Now, when I write - whether it is for my novel, or curriculum and lesson plans, I tend to focus better with background noise. When it's too quiet, that's distracting to me. When I was in college and going to the library to study, if I didn't have my CD player with me or if my batteries died, there was no way I was able to get anything done.
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