Music while you read?

[Kipahni]

Does Anybody listen to music while they read?
If so what do you listen too? Does the soundtrack change for each book?

[Jenny, honorary mod - inactive]

I don't listen to music while I read. I don't think I'd be able to concentrate. Maybe if I listened to music without lyrics. That said I can read with the tv on. Very useful I know!

[Jaime]

I don't listen to music while I read. I love both reading and music so I need my full attention to be focused on whichever one I'm doing at the time!

The tv is a different story for me, too. I can have that on as background noise. I'm not a huge tv fan, so it doesn't usually catch my attention.

[Beth]

Jaime, that's funny because I'm exactly the same way. I can totally drown out the tv but I can't do that with music or when people are talking in the same room I'm in.

[Wanda]

I listen to classical music or "spa" music. I tried jazz once but found my toes tapping and my mind wandering.

[Cecily]

I can't read to the accompaniment of anything with words or with a really strong beat or melody.

My husband watches more TV than I do, but an armchair in the living room is the most comfortable place to read - so I've bought him some cordless headphones and sit with the TV screen outside my peripheral vision. That way we're both happy. :-)

[Victoria]

Sometimes classic fm or jazz fm. Last night i discovered Craig Charles' soul and funk show on 6 music and read along to that.

[Sharon]

I can read with headphone on and music. I can't read with the TV on tho. This causes problems in our house because my other half is a TV addict. However, now the weather is warming up I can go and sit in the conservatory with my book

[Kim]

I'm another who also doesn't tend to listen to music whilst I read- but often have the tv on as background noise. My husband complains that I never actually 'watch' anything as I've always got my nose in a book!

[Rachel]

I normally don't put music on, but sometimes I'll feel in the mood to. I usually choose either classical music or movie soundtracks(without lyrics, they can distract me), I find they can accompany books really well.
It's strange how listening to completely different music while reading the same book can alter its entire tone and the way i interpret it

[Beth]

I'm one of those people who cannot just do one thing at once. I can fully concentrate on upto 3/4 things at a time (depending on what they are!), but I find it very hard to concentrate on just one thing at once.

I usually put music or the TV on in the background whilst I'm reading. The book takes my first priority in attention but I like to have something else going on too.

[Cecily]

Sharon wrote: "I can read with headphone on and music. I can't read with the TV on tho. This causes problems in our house because my other half is a TV addict. "

But your other half cordless headphones. Bliss.

[Tracey]

I can read with the TV on but not music or conversation.

[Cecily]

What if there is music and/or converstaion on TV? LOL

[Cal]

Can't read with TV on - not a problem as I don't have a one :) ---- Music wise I like a bit of classical or jazz whilst reading.

[Spencer]

i love reading with music on otherwise i noramlly cant read at all. i space out so it helps me concentrate. Dave Matthews normally does the trick sometimes other random stuf like smooth jazz works well to

[Sam]

I'm one of those people who can drown anything out when reading, be it the tv, music, people anything, so I would have music on when reading but I'm not necessarily listening to it. It comes in very handy when the other half is watching a footie match lol

[[deleted user]]

Gotta have quiet when I read, unless it's a magazine or the newspaper!

[Stuart]

Jaime wrote: "I don't listen to music while I read. I love both reading and music so I need my full attention to be focused on whichever one I'm doing at the time!

The tv is a different story for me, too. I ..."

I would second what you say. Though I do not tend to read in a room with a TV on. I also never have music in the background, as I also like to concentrate on either music or reading.

[Lea]

I can listen to music anytime while doing anything. I think it's nice if the tone/style of the music matches the book, though. Sometimes a song's lyrics will just match what I'm reading and that totally enhances the book for me. Pop, soundtrack, or classical are goods genres to listen to while reading.

[Ally]

It depends on the volume.

I can read while the TV is on if the volume isn't too high. I can also read wile listening to music if the volume is low.

Overall though, I much prefer to read in the peace and quiet.

One thing I really hate is if I'm reading on the Bus or Train and someone elsewhere on the bus is carrying on a very loud conversation (...why do people do that?) - thats when my iPod comes in very handy. - Its usually classical music I read by - My favourite is Debussy's Clair de Lune or maybe Beethoven's pastoral symphony.

But if a choice is available I'd choose silence more often than not.

Ally

[BurgendyA]

I could read with music on, but not way too loud. I could also read with people talking around me aslong if I'm out of conversation. As for the television on I still read with it on but I don't do it often b/c I can't follow it along with the tv completely. =)~

[Larry]

No I prefer to read in silence, that way the book gets my full attention. I cant really read with the TV on either!

[Sofie]

I can't focus with music or television on. Unless, of course, I've been reading for a bit, then I don't even notice.

[Tressa]

I can only do mindless things like clean the house and wash dishes when I listen to music. I cannot think straight when music is playing and I'm trying to read or work.

[Karen]

I can read with music or the tv on,but if there are people talking in the same room then I can't concentrate.

[Stuart]

I very rarely listen to music when I read. Because when I read I want to absorb my self in the book.

[zahtarah31]

I'm bringing this thread back to life...;)
Music or no music?...I'd say it depends. I sometimes listen to music while I read. It's usually classical or instrumental music, something soft and relaxing (avoiding catchy songs, strong beats and lyrics I know by heart - I love music and used to play the drums so unless I'm really focused, my mind will wander and my fingers will start tapping-). I find that when reading, silence (not unlike music) can be relaxing or unnerving... it depends on the book and what part I'm in.
I can read with the TV on but can't really follow both at the same time so it's a bit futile(still that doesn't stop me from doing it).

I'm curious, what factors keep you from concentrating in reading? (For example, I simply can't read when there's someone behind me, or staring at me)

[Susan]

Only my husband and my dogs can distract me from reading. I like to listen to classical music while I read. I read while my husband is watching TV, and sometimes I read and watch at the same time. I read during commercials and during chase scenes, because I can never figure out what's going on during them. When the chase scene is over, I ask my husband who survived. I guess I'm not very visual.

[Cheryl]

The older I get the fewer distractions I can deal with. I'm 48, and I can't even listen to music while I'm doing these group discussions.

[Ericka]

I have to have music on when I do most things, including reading and studying. But usually it has to be songs that I'm really familiar with or I get distracted. I know most of DMB's work and Regina Spektor's work so they're some of my faves to listen to while reading.

[Neen]

I used to be able to read under any circumstances; TV, music, people talking.. But lately unless it's very quiet I can't concentrate at all and find myself rereading pages because none of it made any sense

[Caitlin]

I can read through anything, but at night my radio is always on so, yes I listen to music while I read. I listen to Country music.

[cazdoll]

I can't have have music or tv cause I like silence while I read I love to make a big bubble bath and chill with my book :)

[Sam]

I can read through pretty much anything, my family always say that a bomb could go off right next to me and I wouldn't notice if I was reading (I do hope they're wrong about that one...). I often have music on and it doesn't really matter what it is I can still read. I always tend to have music on anyway so I'm used to having it there and with my somewhat varied tastes (collections varies from classical through rock to operatic metal) I can read to anything.

I can also read with the tv on and have been caught reading in the cinema once or twice (not my film choice, me and my friends alternate who picks, hence the reading) with the help of a small clip on reading light!

[Hannah]

It depends. Once I have started a book, I can read with anything going on, TV, people chatting and listening to music.

However, before I get absorbed in the book, I have to concentrate so I have to read with no disteractions.

[[deleted user]]

I don't read with an I pod on because it distracts me from my book. However, i can usually read with the t.v. or radio on just fine!

[Betsy]

The music has to be at the right volume. Too loud and I can't concentrate,just right and ny attention is going back and forth and enjoying both

[Ana]

Definitely. Sometimes when I reread a book and I know what happens , I rummage through my playlist and search for appropriate background music while I'm reading. It's time consuming, but I love it when the music sets the mood.

[Grace]

It's strange but I cant abide music while I'm reading unless hubby has the TV on. Then I put my MP3 on and listen to classical music and it cancels out the TV.

[Jennifer]

Nope--can't concentrate. Love the silence. Never could do my homework with music on, either!