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Noise level whilst reading is a really personal thing that depends not only the kind of reader you are but what kind of thing you're reading. If I'm reading a dense theoretical article or a work of fiction, then there is no way that music beyond the realm of background muzak can be tolerated. That said, if I have complete silence then I get distracted far more easily. It's like a part of my brain is a small child that needs to be distracted so the grown-up part of the brain can concentrate. For anything less dense like an interesting but not too challenging article then any music without lyrics is fine, so this is where my 'oontz' collection of Ministry of Sound and the like comes in pretty handy. But if anything with lyrics is playing, then I am really only skimming whatever I'm reading. As for non-musical noise, I have my dear husband to thank for training me to be able to block out nearly anything after years of being in the same room as he plays Playstation games!
In any case, the reason I'm writing this post is to find out from you about your 'reading condition' preferences. Do you need silence? A bit of noise? And if you're one of those incredible people who can listen to their iPod AND read I'd love to hear from you!
I listen to music while reading - generally with the sound low and only as background music - like it would be in a coffeeshop. I even do this when reading meatier stuff (for a class I am taking or whatever) and even studying Chinese! I don't actually listen to the music actively, and I do try to fit the music to the tone of what I'm reading - a fast-paced detective novel will get harder, more bass-and-beat stuff, someone like Amy Tan (or similar to her writing in difficulty/density) will get jazz, like Miles, Ella or Coltrane. Something denser might get classical or acoustic folk.
ReplyDeleteRoss knows that when I'm reading I only want him to play music "with no words."
ReplyDeleteThat doesn't necessarily mean easy listening, but it's the words, not the music that confuse me.
I'm with ya - I can't listen to music while reading, either. But with one clarification: I can't listen to music with lyrics. Classical or new age - which is basically, as you say, background music - actually helps me lock in when I'm reading.
ReplyDeleteIncidentally, I wouldn't be able to read OR listen to music if that girl in the photo was on the beach next to me. ;)
I can't listen to anything with lyrics while reading because I love to sing too much. If it's instrumental, I can listen to anything (but prefer jazz). The volume has to be relatively quiet or I get too distracted.
ReplyDeleteBut I really do prefer it to be quiet when I'm reading. Then I can really sink myself into the story.
I like to have quiet music playing in the background most of the time. Something like Iron and Wine, which won't distract me, but which drowns out other little annoying noises.
ReplyDeleteI can listen to music while reading but when I am reading a good book I tend to zone out into the book and ignore everything else around me, including people talking to me.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was studying I had classical music I would listen to when I was doing my reading. Otherwise I just listen to my normal collection, which ranges from Nirvana and Korn to Spice Girls.
I do find if the book isn't very interesting I will get bored with it and start listening to the music more than focusing on my reading.
I am in exactly the same place as you - I can do lyric-free music to certain pieces but generally reading is a silent activity. By which I mean the background hum of a terraced city house with a partner who loves him some PS3 gaming. I can read while sat in a busy cafe or train without difficulty, but that's background noise, not piping it in to my ears!
ReplyDelete@Jenna - That's really interesting that you choose music by genre of what you're reading! I've never come across that before (admittedly, this is the first time I've asked a lot of people!!) Thanks for commenting.
ReplyDelete@Rosie - I totally agree. Hence the desire for no lyrics when I'm really getting into something. MOS 'oontz' has some lyrics but typically they're so repetitive it's not a big deal. But once the lyrics come in that I can sing along to, all reading concentration goes bye bye.
@Greg - Agreed. What you call 'helping you lock in' I call distracting my inner five year old. If there's nothing going on in the background when I'm reading I start wondering why not and get distracted. Luckily in Taiwan that is very rarely the case - if I'm not playing some background music, there's the outside chorus of scooters, people and horns to keep me going! And LOL - no I don't imagine too many men could do anything remotely cognitive seated next to this young lady!!!
@Roxanne - Sounds like you're more of a "Hush up, I'm reading" kind of person. I'm guessing libraries work pretty well for you? They just didn't or me. I did most of my student reading in the coffee shops on campus when I was a student the libraries were just too darned quiet!
@Avid - Iron and Wine? Never heard of that group/artist. I will have a look after I'm done here. Thanks - love finding new music.
@Carolyn - Haha yeah there have been a few times when hubby said something to me and it just sailed right over my head as I was so into the book. Studying - now that was an interesting one. When I was in high school I could listen to almost anything but as the difficulty of comprehension increased the more backgroundish my music selection became.
@Nose in a book - Ah Playstation obsessed partners,
you gotta love 'em! I am sometimes outright amazed at what he can play (slaying monsters, shooting aliens, war games) without it distracting me. BUT as soon as there is significant dialogue or some kind of narrative, I'm out. It's just too distracting.
It does seem to me that not many people here listen to an iPod type device while reading. Having music in the background of a room is pretty different to having it coming directly into your ears. Interesting stuff!
I've never tried listening to music while reading. I'm guessing it wouldn't work for me because I'm easily distracted. I prefer it to be quiet, but since having kids, I've learned to deal with the noise. If I hadn't adjusted, I would never get any reading done!
ReplyDelete@Kristi - I am in awe of people who still manage to read and write when they have kids. I reckon that must tale an immense amount of skill or patience or both! Thanks for weighing in!
ReplyDeleteI can't listen to music while reading under normal circumstances, but for some reason at a coffee shop it's okay. I have been known to put headphones on while reading on the MRT, but with no music playing. I find people are less likely to try and strike up a conversation with me if they think I can't hear them, and I usually really just want to read my book. Wow, that sounds so antisocial!
ReplyDeleteI can read regardless of whats going on. I used to walk down the road both reading and listening to music. I'm still not sure how I was never in an accident!
ReplyDelete@Bex - Wow! That's pretty incredible! Does it matter what kind of thing you're reading? Or what kind of music?
ReplyDeleteI can't listen to music with lyrics and read at the same time. Even classical music is hard to handle unless I'm reading something relatively light. I wonder if there is only one channel in my brain for information!
ReplyDelete@Catherine - A single channelled brain! Funny! It seems that everyone has a really different experience when it comes to reading and music. So glad I asked, it's fun finding these things out! Thanks for commenting :)
ReplyDeleteSomebody famous, whose name escapes me right now, said that if you catch me listening to music AND reading at the same time then you know that I am truly bored. I am of the focus on one thing at a time school of reading...although I occasionally sneak some non-obtrusive (i.e. instrumental and smoothing) music in to the background while I read.
ReplyDelete