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What music do you listen to while reading philosophy?


gradcoffee

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It really depends on how involved I'm getting. If I'm trying really hard to concentrate on it, I actually prefer dead silence. However, sometimes specific philosophers (especially people like Wittgenstein and Nietzsche) actually talk about the specific virtues of specific musicians, so I'll listen to the music they enjoyed to try to get into their heads, so to speak. So, for Wittgenstein, I'll listen to Schubert's Quintet or for Nietzsche, I'll listen to Beethoven or something out of Tristan und Isolde. Sometimes though, I just prefer to listen to music of my own choosing. During those times, I listen to Satie or Chopin, as I prefer their work over any other composer's. 

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It really depends on how involved I'm getting. If I'm trying really hard to concentrate on it, I actually prefer dead silence. However, sometimes specific philosophers (especially people like Wittgenstein and Nietzsche) actually talk about the specific virtues of specific musicians, so I'll listen to the music they enjoyed to try to get into their heads, so to speak. So, for Wittgenstein, I'll listen to Schubert's Quintet or for Nietzsche, I'll listen to Beethoven or something out of Tristan und Isolde. Sometimes though, I just prefer to listen to music of my own choosing. During those times, I listen to Satie or Chopin, as I prefer their work over any other composer's. 

 

Fun fact: Nietzsche was a composer himself, and he was quite good. 

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It really depends on how involved I'm getting. If I'm trying really hard to concentrate on it, I actually prefer dead silence. However, sometimes specific philosophers (especially people like Wittgenstein and Nietzsche) actually talk about the specific virtues of specific musicians, so I'll listen to the music they enjoyed to try to get into their heads, so to speak. So, for Wittgenstein, I'll listen to Schubert's Quintet or for Nietzsche, I'll listen to Beethoven or something out of Tristan und Isolde. Sometimes though, I just prefer to listen to music of my own choosing. During those times, I listen to Satie or Chopin, as I prefer their work over any other composer's. 

 

Sounds like we have very similar taste in music.  I am trained in classical piano, but I have a wide range of interests.  With a good attitude, most music can be appreciated.

 

Interestingly, I can't listen to music when I'm thinking very deeply about anything.  But when I'm really having trouble staying on task, putting on headphones can make a real difference.  Sometimes the music gets me into the mode of thinking, and perfect silence sustains it.

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I am also trained in classical piano, which is exactly why I *can't* listen to classical when I'm studying. It's too distracting. I get caught up in the music. Well, it depends. Sometimes I can manage some familiar baroque.

 

Generally, though, I prefer to listen to simple, not too melodic, electronica. Ellen Allien, Daniel Avery, Livity Sound...those were some of my constants last year when writing.

 

I am fascinated by how we use music to help regulate our lives and activities. On a long run, I need either upbeat pop music, or a really interesting album that I haven't heard before.

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I am also trained in classical piano, which is exactly why I *can't* listen to classical when I'm studying. It's too distracting. I get caught up in the music. Well, it depends. Sometimes I can manage some familiar baroque.

 

Generally, though, I prefer to listen to simple, not too melodic, electronica. Ellen Allien, Daniel Avery, Livity Sound...those were some of my constants last year when writing.

 

I am fascinated by how we use music to help regulate our lives and activities. On a long run, I need either upbeat pop music, or a really interesting album that I haven't heard before.

 

Who's the greatest classical pianist of the 20th century?  My vote (and this is sentimental): Arthur Rubenstein.  I used to listen to him play Chopin on my way to school in the 10th grade.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mgf_6upXw94

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I listen to instrumental metal or doom or stoner metal or sludge (Lento, Russian Circles, Pelican, KYOTY, Year of no Light), but  usually only if I am out in a cafe or some place that is naturally noisy. Sometimes post-rock. At home it's either silence or classical, mostly Mahler. When I write, nothing. 

Edited by objectivityofcontradiction
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