I struggle to be effective in really noisy environments (starbucks), so i will usually listen to music, but that also seems to be a detractor as I will stop what i'm doing to listen to the words. Instrumentals seems to be the solution but I cant find a good source that just has instrumentals.<p>Does something like Pandora exist with just Instrumentals?
I've had the best luck with electronica/techno. Long time favorites include heavier non-vocal Ministry, which has a nice cadence for typing. Lately I'm on to Aphex Twin's Drukqs double album.<p>Classical tends to draw my attention too much, as the good stuff is really complex and deep, and will pull me right out of <i>flow</i> when it gets to the tricky parts. Same problem with Jazz.<p>Most "easy listening" music makes me want to puke and throw things or stab someone, so I just don't go there.
I too have difficulty focusing in noisy environments. If you're interested in filtering environmental human-sound out while still being able to listen to music, or hear an approaching train, check Mack's Earplugs out.<p>Clickable: <a href="http://www.macksearplugs.com/details/ear-plugs-for-loud-music/pillow-soft-earplugs-6-pair-value" rel="nofollow">http://www.macksearplugs.com/details/ear-plugs-for-loud-musi...</a><p>I use them when flying, or working in a common space. Worth buying in bulk and keeping. They can stay in comfortably on a 13 hour flight without impairing your ability to hear someone approaching/speaking to you.
You could try some musicians earplugs, they have the effect of reducing the noise around you without muffling. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Etymotic-Research-ETYPlug-Protection-Earplugs/dp/B0044DEETC/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1298142432&sr=8-3" rel="nofollow">http://www.amazon.com/Etymotic-Research-ETYPlug-Protection-E...</a>
You might try classical - Mozart and Vivaldi concertos have worked well for me. Also some techno has no words, try the TranceGlobalNation cds, the first one was the best. I like these in particular because the music is upbeat, which seems to help me keep going. Note that when you <i>really</i> concentrate, even without words music can be distracting; sometimes a fan, or fan-forced heater in winter, is just the thing for white noise to help close out the world.
As a European, I don't have much trouble with most of the music since my brain doesn't recognize English words so easily.<p>I strongly recommend some Finnish songs. They have powerful voices and pretty strong instruments with roots to classical styles, but with a metal twist. It might be your cup of tea as well.<p>The point is, do not necessarily avoid human voice as long as it's not your primary language.
I recommend the following (mostly instrumental) styles - all of them works really well for me:<p>* Neoclassical (Arcana, Ophelia's Dream)<p>* Post-Rock (God Is an Astronaut, Explosions in the Sky, Mono)<p>* Shoegaze / Dream Pop (Beach House, Cocteau Twins)<p>* Nu-Jazz (Parov Stelar, The Kilimanjaro Darkjazz Essamble)<p>* Dark Ambient (Lustmord, Desiderii Marginis, Sephiroth)
If you're into the BPM-heavy electronic stuff, I can recommend Kniteforce Revolution with DJ Luna-C. Mostly Hardcore, Breakbeat, DnB, Jungle. For me, some tracks really have shivers/goose bumps potential.<p><a href="http://www.kniteforcerevolution.com/music/mixes" rel="nofollow">http://www.kniteforcerevolution.com/music/mixes</a>
Classical, electronica, and soundtracks all make excellent programming music. Grooveshark provides ample quantities of all three.<p>I've been on a dusbstep kick lately. Heavy bass and fast beats tend to be great for getting into a groove and coding like a maniac.
Do you like classical music? If so, there are plenty of shoutcast streams out there with classical with no vocals. There's also plenty of electronic music (some techno, some trance, etc.) with no vocals, that you can find to listen to.
If you like electronica, this is pretty good:<p><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/EdBangerRecords" rel="nofollow">http://feeds.feedburner.com/EdBangerRecords</a><p>no vocals (or very little), never enough to distract.
how about this: create a HN group on last.fm, use it while working, and everyone can all refer to that instead of these threads popping up every 3-6 months.