Does music help you write?

[MFinesse]

I have never tried writing with music but maybe if I did I'd choose jazz music. All instruments. A song in the background , my focus would be on the lyrics.

As an artist also i like to stay away from other artist lyrics when I am writing to create a new song.

[DATo]

Nope! I find all distractions to be quite detrimental to my ability to concentrate when I write.

[Sarah Penney]

I think it depends on what I'm writing. In some cases, I use music as a sort of white noise to help me focus, while in others I'm directly inspired by the music I'm listening to. However, I think I probably write the most when I'm not listening to music. All I know for sure is that I can never (ever) edit and listen to music at the same time. It becomes a complete nightmare.

[Fnstarnes5547]

Absolutely! Music helps me focus on what I'm trying to write or anything I'm doing really. The type of music I'm listening usually depends in what I'm doing or what I'm trying to write about because it inspires me.

[owensbook]

Music has become my key to writing a good book.

[traudilynn79]

Yes, music helps me write. Actually, "Bloodbuzz" by The National inspired my recent haiku.

-- 31 Jan 2016, 21:21 --

I write haikus in my dairy as a stress reliever.

[rssllue]

As long as it is classical music or other instrumentals, then they do indeed help me to write at times.

[Sarah_Khan]

For me music is just distracting and I tend to wander off and daydream while I'm listening to music even if it's lyric-less music or it's classical music.

[traudilynn79]

Some songs distract me. I try to avoid certain music when I'm trying to relax and write.

[Tsveti-Slava Asenova]

I adore listening to music while working and I prefer lyricsless pieces to help me concentrate. My favourites are Mozart and Brahms and other pieces that are on youtube.

[CoachBsABookReviewer]

I have to say that classical music is my go to when I really need to focus. Silence is not golden when I am trying to write or study.

[DATo]

Nope! I find all distractions to be quite detrimental to my ability to concentrate when I write.

I have just discovered something that I have decided to try the next time I embark upon a writing escapade. I have found on You Tube various "white noise" recordings which I think may work for me. Music, as stated above is more of a distraction, but I find the sounds of rain and storms oddly soothing. I think these were recorded for insomniacs but they actually might prove useful for writers as well.

Here is an example (to be played at lower to medium volume) ...

'Rain' 2 Hours of Heavy Rainfall and Thunder Sounds | High Quality Sleeping Sounds

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FzFqlfoHw_4

[CzechTigg]

Nope! I find all distractions to be quite detrimental to my ability to concentrate when I write.

I have just discovered something that I have decided to try the next time I embark upon a writing escapade. I have found on You Tube various "white noise" recordings which I think may work for me. Music, as stated above is more of a distraction, but I find the sounds of rain and storms oddly soothing. I think these were recorded for insomniacs but they actually might prove useful for writers as well.

Here is an example (to be played at lower to medium volume) ...

'Rain' 2 Hours of Heavy Rainfall and Thunder Sounds | High Quality Sleeping Sounds

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FzFqlfoHw_4

Never even realised such videos were uploaded there, but thanks for sharing. Maybe this is just the thing to cure my on-off writers' block!

[Kpfly117]

I would say for me it depends on the mood I'm in. If I already have an idea, then I can just write it out with or without music. If I'm sitting trying to write something then sometimes the music can be a good way to clear my head/get me out of my head and just focus on how I feel to write. After a while of writing, I won't even notice the music any more though.

[Matti]

I think if I've already got the framework or idea conceptualized I can usually listen to music at the same time, but if I'm in the more basic process or dry-writing I'm nowhere near capable of producing anything if I've got music going.