It is quite plausible that we are listening in different ways.
For keeping me in the zone I do need the music to be non-trivial or boredom looms and my actual work is probably boring already which is why I need the music. I think it can be not-distracting only if I already know it very well (I certainly recall Equinoxe in the early 1980s on vinyl) so that, while it may have plenty interesting going on, it is so familiar that it doesn't draw my attention. Perhaps once something is good enough to be interesting but also something that I am used to hearing then it can somehow keep me stimulated while backgrounding the actual listening.
I'm tempted to make some analogy with music for long drives but it's also true that I then pay more attention and am more tolerant of slower tempo so long as it remains interesting. Operatic and choral works can be effective and I am more actively listening, also gentler tracks by, say, The Eagles or Pink Floyd, especially for smaller roads. Albums by anyone from Joe Satriani to Smash Mouth to Kveikur work fine for highway driving though. Again, it's about remaining alert while doing something that could be boring and, now I'm back to regular cars, keeping some fun in it too.
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timeasmymeasure
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Date: 2016-03-27 08:36 am (UTC)For keeping me I do need the music to be non-trivial or boredom looms and my actual work is probably boring already which is why I need the music. I think it can be not-distracting only if I already know it very well (I certainly recall in the early 1980s on vinyl) so that, while it may have plenty interesting going on, it is so familiar that it doesn't draw my attention. Perhaps once something is good enough to be interesting but also something that I am used to hearing then it can somehow keep me stimulated while backgrounding the actual listening.
I'm tempted to make some analogy with music for long drives but it's also true that I then pay more attention and am more tolerant of slower tempo so long as it remains interesting. Operatic and choral works can be effective and I am more actively listening, also gentler tracks by, say, The Eagles or Pink Floyd, especially for smaller roads. Albums by anyone from Joe Satriani to Smash Mouth to Kveikur work fine for highway driving though. Again, it's about remaining alert while doing something that could be boring and, now I'm back to regular cars, keeping some fun in it too.