Can You Focus Better on Coding while Listening to Music?
Published: 2021-08-17 11:54:11

Can You Code and Listen to Music?
 
Ever since I had been a little kid, I was a die-hard fan of rock & metal music. [AC-DC](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AC/DC), [Metallica](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metallica), [Guns n Roses](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guns_N%27_Roses), and many others were my jam. I used to listen to their music all the time while doing my homework, my chores, sometimes even while taking a bath!

Nowadays, I love listening to music while coding!

However, While I was looking for some suitable music for coding, I realized that a lot of people there were very confused about whether can you code and listen to music.

**Well, you can definitely code and listen to music simultaneously. However, you have to select that type of music that will increase your productivity and not affect your workflow.
Let’s discuss how you can code effectively while listening to music.**
 
##How Coding with Music Can Help with Your Flow

Have you ever felt distracted and couldn’t focus on your work even though there wasn’t anything distracting?

I’m sure that you have faced this situation at least once in your life.

Do you know why this happens?

Well, as you already know- there are two major portions of the brain: the left and right cerebral hemispheres. However, you probably didn’t know that most of our day-to-day work is processed by the left portion.

Music is processed by the right portion of our brain. Therefore, whenever you are coding and listening to music, your brain tunes out all the other noises out there – significantly helping you to get into the flow and give your best.
 
##Coding with Music: When You Should and Shouldn’t Listen to Music

Do you know how we just stated that the right hemisphere of the brain is responsible for processing music? Well, it’s also responsible for a lot of other functions that can get a bit creative. Therefore, there are some situations where you are better off without listening to anything.

Coding can be really creative sometimes. Other times, it can be pretty monotonous as well. Let’s look at some situations and discuss whether you should listen to music or not.

###When You Have Your Creative Hat On

The world of coding is vast. There are so many things where coding is used. For instance, if you’re thinking about creating a UI that analyzes the color preference of a user and changes accordingly will need some serious layers of coding.

When you’ll be doing this or anything similar, it’s best not to listen to anything that could overlap with your thinking. Once you’re done with the part and know what to do, hit the play button!

###Beginning of a Project

Usually, at the beginning of a project, I like to sort out a lot of stuff the old-fashioned way – printing out and setting up notes, to-do lists, and whatnot. While I do enjoy doing all these with some light music, I’ve seen a lot of people not being comfortable until they’ve sorted the initials.

When you start to work on a new code, there can a be a lot of factors to be figured out. So, our advice would be to try out some light music and see how it works.

###Repetitive Tasks

In the line of coding, some tasks can get very repetitive and even monotonous. Most of the time, you have done them hundreds of times and looking to power through.

A qualitative study by [TunersRead](https://www.tunersread.com/) showed that programmers can get into a working flow and work efficiently significantly faster when they’re coding with music on!

So, when you’re working on something you know your way around, you can definitely power through with some music!

###Analyzing Codes to Find A Problem  

Part of a coder’s job consists of analyzing codes and trying to find out a problem or a bug. In these types of situations, we would advise not to listen to music while analyzing.
In order to find a bug or a specific problem, you need to very thorough. Therefore, it’s essential that you put all your concentration into figuring it out.

###Solving a Problem

There will be a number of times when you’ll be tasked to solve some plain textbook problems. Even after analyzing the code and finding out the bug, your task becomes pretty straightforward. In this case, music will definitely help you get into flow and work more effectively.
 
##Types of Music that goes with Coding

Generally, when you’re coding with music you should listen to stuff that you’re comfortable with. It depends on your choice of music. However, the wrong kind of music can literally be a concentration killer. So, you need to choose the right music in order to push yourself to the optimum level.

###Instrumental

Instrumental music works best for most people. According to Sam Howard, if you’re listening to a song and you know the lyrics – your brain will automatically zone in the lyrics and you’ll lose your concentration. On the other hand, instrumentals tend to have a positive effect on your work.

###Classical

Classical music is very relaxing to listen to. Moreover, if you’re familiar with the Mozart effect, you know how it can boost peoples IQ during work.

###Soothing

Music that is soothing to the ears are known to help increase concentration. If you’re thinking about starting coding with music, then you should definitely try out some jazz or blues. I listen to Yiruma whenever I want myself in a relaxing work environment. You can try that as well!
 
##Frequently Asked Questions

**Can I Listen to Radio While Coding?**

*Well, you certainly can. However, it can divert your concentration and slow you down with all the commercials and breaking news from time to time.*
 
##Final Thoughts

As time went by, just like everyone else- I grew up. But you know what they say! Rock n Roll never dies. Neither did my love for music.

Being a professional coder, I spend a fair share of my time coding. And most of the time, I turn on my favorite playlist which helps me to get in the flow. If you can find the right music, you’ll definitely be able to work efficiently as well as listen to some tunes.

References:

1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guns_N%27_Roses
2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AC/DC
3. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metallica
4. https://tunersread.com/
5. https://www.pexels.com/@negativespace