The Joys of Study Music

I have become dependent on music to get me through my productive moments. I used to write in silence, with no background music.

Then two things happened:

1. I married Richard, who believes in a decent stereo (as opposed to the iPhone/portable speaker version I used.
2. I discovered Apple Music and an endless collection of albums and, more importantly, playlists.

Because of #1, I have gotten used to music in the atmosphere in our 7.2 Dolby Atmos system (not new, but very serviceable). It sounds much clearer than the iHome speaker in my room. When I listen to the oldies of my childhood, it sounds so much clearer than the AM radio of my childhood that I hear elements in the music that I didn’t know existed.

Because of #2, I have discovered concentration/study music, which focuses me for writing. I never thought I’d find music that would do this.

I can’t concentrate to most music, I’ve discovered. One of my favorite playlists on Apple Music is 70s Singer-Songwriters, because that album is, in effect, my childhood. But it communicates its mood and message too well, because I spend too much concentration in reminiscing. I can remember where I first heard most of the songs on the playlist, and the emotions (“the feels”, in the very evocative language of today) take over my focus.

But then there’s study music, which covers everything from modulated classical music to downbeat electronica to lo-fi. The idea is no words, chill rhythm, and restrained dynamics. The belief is that the music involves just enough of the brain to cancel distractions while at the same time leaving enough room to study, or in my case, write.

This is not the same principle as making playlists to go with an album. Those are typically used to evoke emotions in the listener that translate to characterization and plot elements. I make playlists (not always successfully — this current one is horrible) but they don’t help me focus. The very things that, to me, evoke the emotions — the lyrics — make it difficult for me to focus.

So my writing times are filled with playlists and albums that speak to my brain more than to my heart, and that’s okay, especially for the editing I’m doing right now.

So this morning, after breakfast and coffee, I will go back to editing Gaia’s Hands with the help of my study music.