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Do you listen to music while coding?

Rishabh Singh ⚡ on December 26, 2020

If you are a music lover then there's no doubt, you listen to music very often while doing many different things. Laundry with Music! Cooking with ...
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Nishchal Gautam

For me, it depends on what kind of work I'm doing, if I'm doing auth or something similar which is so simple that I can do with half mind, I listen to music in background, but they never are loud.

But if it requires focus or you're stuck at a test which just won't pass, I'll pause music to focus till I figure out, or if I'm doing research which needs attention, then I won't listen to music.

But 90% of things come naturally, so music most of the time.

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Rishabh Singh ⚡

That's exactly what I do too...

Here's the algorithm:

if task == 'attention required':
   music = False
else:
   music = True
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webjoyable • Edited
awake && music
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RVxLab

This exactly, if I need to focus or really think of something I pause the music.

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Eboreime ThankGod

yep exactly

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Sivuyile Magutywa

That's what I do, when I am fixing bugs, refactoring or adding a simple feature.

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Rishabh Singh ⚡

It's a lot of fun honestly :D

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Gautham Vijayan

Without music I cannot code!!

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Rishabh Singh ⚡

Me neither 😂❤️

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Gautham Vijayan

Right now I am hearing some Tamil songs and scavenging through StackoverFlow haha!!!

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Rishabh Singh ⚡

And I am listening to some up-beat K-pop❤️

PS - I am not coding right now🤣

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Hoang Nhat

Me, the same 👏. I even listen to rock/metal 🙏🏻

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Rishabh Singh ⚡

Oh yeah, heavy metal pumps me up... I just love it listening to it in the libraries & coffee shops 😍🎸

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Hoang Nhat • Edited

It's so nice to hear there are developers like me? Thanks for sharing 🙏🏻

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Rishabh Singh ⚡

Thanks for being a part of the community ✨⚡

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Job Oaikhenah

Music most times for me. I usually go for the slow (not too slow), low-pitched ones. I feel they aid concentration for me, and listening with an earpiece or a headset helps block external noise and distractions.

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Hydraulisch

Hey, on behalf of the dev.to community I'd like to welcome you to our little slice of haven!

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Rishabh Singh ⚡

That's the perfect recipe for some real focus music!

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Jason C. McDonald • Edited

Music helps me focus most of the time, even with lyrics many days. It just depends on the style and instrumentation I need for my current mood. I listen to everything from classical to jazz to metalcore to contemporary to melodic rap to cinematic scores.

Sometimes all in the same day.

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Rishabh Singh ⚡

Yeah music helps a lot to calm our mind and focus on coding 👨‍💻

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Sharan

Yeah, I will easily get distracted to "someone's speak" around me. So i will listen to music while coding to get focused. But, some bass extended music also will distract me from coding. So, while coding or designing, I mostly prefer jazz or melody kinda stuff.
If it was a boring work, then this won't work.
So I will go with vice versa.

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Rishabh Singh ⚡

I completely feel you. Even I usually amp up some lovely melodies when working on something creative such as designing or UI/UX...

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Jon Randy 🎖️

I find silence more distracting than music most of the time

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Rishabh Singh ⚡

I completely feel you! Just some beats and we are in full pace!🔥

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Kuberdenis

For me personally, it differs. I always start with a mix (Lo-Fi / Tech House / Techno) and from there, a couple of things could happen:

  • I forget about the music and just code (usually when I don't have to do hard thinking)
  • I bump the music to the max on my headphones (usually when I am pumped up because I know how to do something / fix a problem I had for days)
  • The music stops and I don't pay attention to it, therefore it remains stopped until further notice (usually when I am really deep into it and I need my highest concentration)
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Rishabh Singh ⚡

This is a really interesting approach! Once the brain is occupied in coding it starts to completely ignore the music. I would love to try this someday...

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John

Music pretty much all the time for me. It helps me focus. I pretty much listen to instrumental music though. If there’s lyrics, then I get distracted. If someone is talking around me while I code, I put headphones on and I’m good to go.

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Rishabh Singh ⚡

That's true... vocals can really be distracting!

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Yip

Gotta have music running in the background. If I’m familiar with what I am doing it can be anything but if I am doing something new or complex it’ll be some downtempo/chill playlist mostly without lyrics.

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Rishabh Singh ⚡

Perfect! The best music for focus is the one without vocals🌟

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Joe Izang

I don't think your conclusion is scientific in any way. It is subjective and so doesn't matter. I code to music with no lyrics, so Bethoveen, orchestral type music or anything that inspires on the day. The most important thing is focus. We all know how and what makes us focus.

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Rishabh Singh ⚡

Exactly! Focus is more important but everyone has different ways and approaches to find focus. And all of them are creative and amazing!🤩

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Jhonny A. Ribeiro

Of course it's diferent for everyone, but for me, music turns coding more fun, however sometimes when I need a higher level concentration, when a need to do the hole flux of the code I take of my headphone for a little while...

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Rishabh Singh ⚡

Yes of course! Coding is fun with music!🥰

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arif

Actually it changes. I am listening when im doing my daily work like default system maintaining or bug checks. But when im developing new feature or creating structure im just plugging my airpods and open ANC for full silence.

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Rishabh Singh ⚡

That's neat! I personally like to keep the music loud or else I feel sleepy😂

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Suraj Vishwakarma

Definitely I love listening to music while doing anykind of work. I think it is good practice to listen music as it boost the efficiency. Also with music we can do more work/coding for long time.

I can't live with music ❤️

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Rishabh Singh ⚡

Seriously once we are used to listening music it feels empty without it! Living without Music is really something most of us can barely imagine ❤️❤️❤️

ILOVEMUSIC

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Michal Kunikowski

No vocal music works for me.

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Rishabh Singh ⚡

Yes me too and for many others as well!🔥

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Charly Escalona • Edited

Like a lot of people, the type of music depend of what I'm doing, if I need to focus I'll listen electro, rock, if I want to chill Lo-Fi.

But I noticed I'm really focused when I listen podcast (only when i'm not stuck on a bugs, just create nice features), (I'm french speaker so my brain try to understand english song...), when I listen podcast my brain understand what he says so it's better (and sometimes I listen in english to improve myself).

And when I'm really stuck on a bug, I switch off music 😂😂😂

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Rishabh Singh ⚡

Oh, that's lovely! 😂 Even I love electronic music a lot but I usually avoid it while coding. Love to listen to it rest of the times.

Plus even I am not a native English speaker so it's actually tough to focus on coding with music🤣

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Yash Karandikar

For all the people here who listen to music while coding, might I suggest DomeCode's music module? We provide high-quality lo-fi music that you can put in the background and forget about. And while you're there, you might also wanna check out the rest of what DomeCode has to offer, such as coding tutorials, notes and todo apps, and much more. Go to domecode.com to get started!

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Rishabh Singh ⚡

Sounds amazing Yash! Will definitely check it out!

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Ricardo Castro

I always listen music while coding, the only difference is if is only instrumental or normal music. If I need to focus or deeply understand something I listen to instrumentals(lofi hip-hop/jazz, metal, etc), else, any type of song that I like to listen to

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Rishabh Singh ⚡

Yes, Lofi songs are great when we need to focus on something important.

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Elder1360 • Edited

listening to music is really helping me to focus BUT the type of music is so important, you can find my likes on SoundCloud

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Rishabh Singh ⚡

Such a awesome collection 😍 Will definitely check it out... I wonder what playlists you listen to on Spotify 😃😇

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Elder1360

i mostly stick with soundcloud but folks at freeCodeCamp code radio also stream amazing beats that is just my type 😍

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Rishabh Singh ⚡

Oh yeah, I listen to them very often... 😍

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Elder1360

Hey! i found this today and it's AWESOME!! 💪 it takes me to the journey of undiscovered!! 🙄😁

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Rishabh Singh ⚡

Thanks for sharing Elder! Lemme bookmark it ASAP 😍

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Chris Achinga

I go for relaxing ones

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Rishabh Singh ⚡

Lovely,🤩 Can you share exactly which ones you generally listen to?

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Chris Achinga
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Rishabh Singh ⚡

Entire playlist 😍 Thanks for sharing Chris!

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Eboreime ThankGod

yes! when I know exactly what to write or am familiar with, but solving a stressful problem I don't

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Rishabh Singh ⚡

This is so me... But what kind of music you prefer to listen? Cool username though :D

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Eboreime ThankGod

Thanks. I love listening 🎧 to afropop Nigeria music

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Rishabh Singh ⚡ • Edited

That's beautiful! Someday you must try some north Indian Bhojpuri music. I am sure you will instantly fell in love it! I personally love Ritesh Pandey's "Gori Tohri Chunari ba Lal Lal" & "Yadavji ki Chowki"...

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Eboreime ThankGod

Wow 😀 thanks.

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Rob Arroyo

I tend to listen to non singing music, like vaporwave or synthwave. It helps me focus. Music that I like with lyrics is distracting when coding for me

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Rishabh Singh ⚡

Vapourwave & Synthwave! Sounds really cool! Can you also please share where you actually listen them?

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Rob Arroyo

Sure. I usually look for playlists on Spotify. Here's one that I listen to a lot:

open.spotify.com/playlist/3gWAZPuN...

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Rishabh Singh ⚡

It looks really dope! Can't wait to try it out! Thanks for sharing Rob🔥🔥🔥

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Rob Arroyo

No problem. Greetings Rishabh!

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limusina10

Well in my case I only listen to music with is Instrumental such as Lofi

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Rishabh Singh ⚡

Yeah these are pretty great choices when working on something important 🔥

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Carlos

I listen to coderadio.freecodecamp.org/ most of the time. If a lot of focus is needed I lower the volume.

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Rishabh Singh ⚡

Oh manh! I love this... Do you know any more sites like these... A real time saver when it comes to selecting 🎵🎶

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Carlos

No, just that; and they also have a Youtube live music feed.

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Rishabh Singh ⚡

Hey, that's cool! Will definitely check it out :D

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Mehmed Duhovic

I love music, especially something that can be played in the background - that I notice it being only subconsciously there, Binarual beats, ADHD music, or any lofi remixes.

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Rishabh Singh ⚡

Binaural beats are really amazing honestly ❤️ I personally never trued ADHD music but definitely will check it out... Can you please recommend some good ones...

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Mehmed Duhovic

Tbh, I started listening to ADHD music just because I read online that the reason my mind is unfocused is because we multitask all the time and we destroy our 'focus muscle'. I just youtube-d some ADHD music and it does wonders, I can work longer without any problems :D.
definitely try it ! :D

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Rishabh Singh ⚡

That's such a great coincidence! I was listening to ADHD when I read this comment! And yes it does wonder 😍

Thanks for sharing @bracikaa

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Samuel Okoroafor

Lofi beats do not affect my ability to read and code. I use them often for ambience and focus.

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Rishabh Singh ⚡

Yes infact many believe that it helps them to focus even more... What are your preferred sources for Lofi beats supply?

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Samuel Okoroafor

I just search lofi on Spotify or Youtube. Music Lab on Youtube has 24/7 live streams for lofi

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Rishabh Singh ⚡

Music Lab here I come :D
Thanks for sharing Samuel :D

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MrsHDex

I listen to music often while coding. If it's a straightforward task, I listen to anything in my Playlist. If it requires a lot of thought, I listen to music without lyrics.

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Rishabh Singh ⚡

That's indeed a perfect approach! Btw what kind of music you prefer to listen while coding?

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MrsHDex

This is a tough question. I suppose I typically play classical music with difficult coding tasks or instrumentals of music from old NES games. But I usually listen to everything under the sun otherwise. I love all kinds of music. I watch a lot of Japanese anime, so I listen to soundtracks from those the most I think. Like "WIN" by the K-Pop group CIX. Or "database" by Man with a Mission featuring Takuma.

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Rishabh Singh ⚡

That's lovely! Even I love to taste all the flavours and yeah who doesn't love anime😍

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Vaishnav

Mostly listen to Chillhop, Lofi beats while coding.
Chillhop
This girl got my back,⛄😄

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Rishabh Singh ⚡

She is iconic 🤣 I wonder what you listen to when you are not coding...

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K M H Mubin

For me, I always listen instruments music special flutter, piano and violin.

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Rishabh Singh ⚡

Oh, I just love instrumental but sometimes that makes me feel sleepy... Hence most of the time I prefer something louder like K-Pop & Bhojpuri...
What are your opinions on this?

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K M H Mubin

I'm not listening to that much k-pop, but I do listen to anime music.

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Rishabh Singh ⚡

Yeah, anime music is really great! Even I love to listen to soundtracks from many of my favorite titles

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pirvanm

Monday Morning i like : chillwhispers.com/playlists/top-ch... , after middle day, i like some :
chillwhispers.com/playlists/top-trap , after some lo-fi chillwhispers.com/watch?v=XKDGZ-VWLMg

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Evan Roggenkamp

This is a relatively simple equation for me.

If I’ve solved the problem, and I just need to write the code; music. If I’m trying to THINK of how to solve the problem, make a critical decision, or think up a design, usually no music, or Low-Fi so it doesn’t interrupt.

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Rishabh Singh ⚡

Perfect equation Evan! I follow the same approach 😃

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Avi Charlop

Music without words using noise cancelling headphones is how I get it done. I usually start with something lighter like jazz or classical till I get into a flow then standing desk and edm. Them dance and code till my feet or brain are tired

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Rishabh Singh ⚡

I love the transition from jazz to EDM😂 But dancing and coding is something I really need to try😂
Thank you so much for sharing Avi!

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Raí B. Toffoletto

As someone who works as a frontend developer, but went to university to study music and got 2 bachelor's and a master's, I cannot listen to music nor podcasts, to get my focus I use a mixture of rain/forest/streams sounds. Because the weird thing is if I'm in silence, I'll listen to the music in my head...

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Rishabh Singh ⚡

Yes, nature sounds are the best melody for relaxation and focus.
What is your opinion on special kinds of music like - focus music, coding music,etc ?

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Yasmim Vieira

I agree with you, I can't listening music while I coding, I tryied sometimes because my friends work don't stopped speak and that distracted me and I tryied listening music for better focus, but I can't, so I just need silence!

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Rishabh Singh ⚡

Yes, silence works well!

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Justin Lampe

If I'm doing work I'm familiar with, I can listen to any music I like without being distracted. If I'm grokking something new, referring to documentation, or debugging I prefer instrumental music like classical or dreamwave.

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Rishabh Singh ⚡

Perfect! Our ideologies match flawlessly :D

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Lorenzo

I listen music every day and at every time. Rock for me

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Rishabh Singh ⚡

Who doesn't love rock at work 😍💯✨🔥

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Khondakar Afridi

I love listening to music while coding. Well, yes coding requires a lot of focus and beats can be really distracting and thats exactly why I stick with LoFi. I love em. Not tooo chaotic, not too dull either.

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Elena.NET

Chillhop, retrowave... best genres to listen while coding IMO

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Rishabh Singh ⚡

Oh, man! Welcome to the club😍 Can you please recommend some sources for retrowave and chillpop?

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Geet Gobind Singh

Music helps me focus more and cutoff all other noise.

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Rishabh Singh ⚡

Yes it actually helps to focus!

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guess

I 💕 🎶

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Rishabh Singh ⚡

ME 🕑

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Chris Achinga

Then when over hyped I code with hip hop, then it gets messier

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Rishabh Singh ⚡

Yeah some hip-hop and the beast unleashes 😂 I wonder how you deal with it?

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Stepan Stulov

Yes, but strictly without vocals as vocals seemingly occupy the same linguistics-related neural paths as programming.

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Rishabh Singh ⚡

Really, vocals are distracting... But what caught my attention is that you have a deep knowledge in neuroscience as well😃

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Cuong Nguyen

Yes, I often listen to anime music while coding 👌

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Rishabh Singh ⚡

Oh anime music🔥 Can you please recommend some...? I love them too😍

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Răzvan Stătescu

Usually yes 👍 It kind of helps me be more active and focused.

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Rishabh Singh ⚡

Our opinions match😍🔥

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Rishabh Singh ⚡

I completely feel you, my friend. Music brings positive vibes into coding hence makes it more fun!

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Stephanie Handsteiner

Instrumental music, yes. No vocals, as they're distracting.

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Rishabh Singh ⚡

Vocals are distracting and can get very annoying when you're trying to focus.

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Sai Sandeep Vaddi

No. My concentratiom always goes on lyrics (if I understand the language). So huge distraction.

So mostly I don't listen while coding. But when I do, it's mostly instrumental.

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Rishabh Singh ⚡

Yes right! Instrumental music is pretty helpful in improving focus.

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Facundo Corradini

Normally I don't, as it pulls me out of focus. Sometimes I feel the need for some music though, so I go with chilled, instrumental stuff

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Rishabh Singh ⚡

Yes I understand! The ambient music is good to keep us focused!

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Emanuele Pavanello

I listen music only when I need to be focused, piano music

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Rishabh Singh ⚡

Lovely! Piano really helps to stay calm and focused 😃

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pasindu p konghawaththa

Sometimes yeah.really depends on work.

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Rishabh Singh ⚡

Yes! Most of the time I prefer listening to music while working.

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Rishabh Singh ⚡

oh my! you should try listening to ambient and white noise. Hope it helps in your recovery!💙

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Clavin June

I always listen to this in a small volume, the pros listening to bgm is you can't sing along with it so the focus isn't divided

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Nazanin Ashrafi

If I play music and do something else at the same time, all my focus will be on the second thing and I literally won't be hearing the music it's like my ears block it 🤣

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Rishabh Singh ⚡

That's amazing 🤣

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devcoder

if i am doing css then yes otherwise no because i need to think clearly and any noise is a distraction

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sayem

Ambient sound helps me to focus. Even the piano works really great for me. Lyrics can be distracting for me.

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Rishabh Singh ⚡

Lyrics are indeed distracting especially if you're familiar with the song...

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chiragpurohit71085

I generally listen white noise ( yiu may not consider this as a music 🙂). It keeps me focused.

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Rishabh Singh ⚡

White noise is honestly very effective... This is what I go for when my ears can't hear anymore music.😂

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mouhcineToumi

I listen to podcasts. Sometimes ASMR to relax.

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Harris

Trappin in japan all day.

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Rishabh Singh ⚡

Thanks for sharing Koray! I'll check him out soon...🔥

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ProMikeCoder2020

Depends... Sometimes i don't use music other times I listen to a playlist on Spotify called intense music

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Rishabh Singh ⚡

This is very true... Inspiration can literally come from anywhere✨

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Ali Jawish

I do listen to LoFi music and i found that it makes me focus more on the code.

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Mário Marroquim

Yes! The right kind of music gets me into the flow and I code better. Classical and 60s are my favorites!