Good Tunes to Work to, Part I

I had a roommate at high school who was a musical genius to me. She would sit at her desk solving problems for her Advanced Maths A level with one hand, and every now and then her other hand would suddenly rise  to play her invisible violin to the Dvořák concertos streaming from our speakers. If ever there was living proof that music and learning go well together, she was it.

Years later, I am still listening to much of the  music I first heard in that dorm room.

(Thank you Maiko).

Choosing music to work to is always a bit tricky, because it’s hard for me to just hear the music without actually listening to it. I am easily engaged by lyrics, dramatic solos, thundering crescendos… But put something on that gets my head bobbing involuntarily, and I can slip into a ‘zone’ for hours without even feeling the time go by.

That state of flow, famously described by psychologist  Mihalyi Csíkszentmihályi is the ultimate work state. In fact, Professor Csíkszentmihályi  actually uses a music metaphor to describe it as  “being completely involved in an activity for its own sake. The ego falls away. Time flies. Every action, movement, and thought follows inevitably from the previous one, like playing jazz. Your whole being is involved, and you’re using your skills to the utmost.”

Doesn’t that sound exactly like where you want to be!?

In my quest for getting transported to that place, I’m putting together a playlist that helps me shut the world out and get those twin powers: focus and productivity.  Channel your inner superheroes..“Wonder-twin powers….Activate!”

(In my mind I can also hear Mr. Miyagi from Karate Kid saying ‘Focus, Daniel-san!!’..but I can’t find it on You Tube to share with you..)

Research suggests that music that has a tempo close to our resting heart beat (60 beats per minute), is most conducive to concentration. All I know is that good music makes me happy, and when I’m feeling happy, I do good work.

Here are some  of the tracks I listen to for working.

Now go! Flow !

• Anouar Brahem – Le Voyage du Sahar .  Trio of Oud, Accordion & Piano
• Ino Hidefumi – Living Message. Jazz piano / electronica from Japan – Not sure what to call it, but I like it.
• Johann Sebastian Bach Suites for Cello Nos. 1-3.  Beautiful, unaccompanied Cello.
• Brian Eno – Music for Airports.  Not tunes, just trippy ambient sounds but bizarrely soothing. I forget it’s on, which is good.
• Franz Schubert – Piano Sonata in B flat Major Andante Sostenuto.  Lovely and peaceful.

What music do you listen to when you’re working? Click on  COMMENTS  to share, and I will include them in Part II.