🎶 Background Music to Get Into the Zone
Tags: programming, productivity, discuss, motivation
Published: 2022-01-27 12:07:02

Maybe the most essential skill for a developer is having a crystal clear focus. Some call it "the zone", a state of mind in which your mind is genuinely focussed on the very problem you are dealing with right at that moment.

Your surrounding plays a crucial role in that. In the office, you might easily be distracted by people coming and leaving or your co-workers' conversations. Even when working from home any distraction can snap you out of your "zone" – a dishwasher starts to beep, the postman delivers a parcel for your neighbour or what else can happen.

If it were just about creating a quiet environment, you could just go with a hearing protection aid, such as the [3M Peltor](https://www.amazon.com/3M-Peltor-Optime-Earmuff-H10A/dp/B007JZCVAQ/). I have tried it, but it did not convince me. I need to hear at least "something" in order to not feel lost. 


Here are my personal top pics:

## White Noise by TMSoft
The [White Noise App](https://www.tmsoft.com/white-noise/) by TMSoft is available for mobiles and Desktops. No subscriptions, no ads, and a great collection of background sounds. I use the creator to generate the exact noise setting I need.

## Focus@Will
[Focus @ will](https://www.focusatwill.com/) is a collection of music specifically designed to concentrate. I like the Electro Bach most. Downside: Subscription! However, if you have Spotify, Prime Music or Apple Music, you'll find some of their tracks here, too. Some are even on [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3PZmIKL2Uho&list=OLAK5uy_lAS8JhZjMUu938hPZKEDsNN1ZDucvU1CI).

## Music To Code By
Music to Code By is a collection of lofi music by Carl Franklin. You can get 9 hours of music [for 20 bucks](https://pwop.e-junkie.com/product/MTCB-MP3/Music-to-Code-By-MP3-Collection). Each track is 25 minutes, aligning nicely with the [Pomodoro Technique](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pomodoro_Technique).

## Other Mentions
- [Calm](https://www.calm.com)is an app that not only helps with focus but also contains guided meditations and sounds to improve sleep quality. It comes as a subscription but has a lot of value if you use it regularly.
- [freeCodeCampRadio](https://coderadio.freecodecamp.org/)Just open the website, click play, and you will have a free stream of music designed to concentrate. 
- [brain.fm](https://www.brain.fm/) offers "functional" music and is similar to Focus@Will
- [lofi.cafe](https://www.lofi.cafe/) - a lofi radio
- [music for programming](https://musicforprogramming.net/) - another radio
- [nightride.fm](https://nightride.fm/) - and still another radio
- [Classical Music Only](https://classicalmusiconly.com/) is a collection of classical music


## Some good YouTube Playlists
- [WoW Ambient Music](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xTPn_Nk_KrM)
- [Solar Fields](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SoYkxKWNzoo) (on[AppleMusic](https://music.apple.com/us/artist/solar-fields/26115355)) 
- [Neotokyo](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JI5w1jfGSgU) by Ed Harrison (on [Apple Music](https://music.apple.com/us/album/neotokyo/308384942))
- [Billy Childs](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-KJaeIahZE) (on [Apple Music](https://music.apple.com/us/artist/billy-childs/11776))
- [Anachronist](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_OHjeugEv4)
- [The Witcher Soundtrack](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I-cC3wSKAGk)
- [Dreamscape](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_RlJig87Px0)
- [Stimulus Progression](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AlY3jsxlzVg) The idea of special designed music dated back to 1934!
- [Skyrim](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hBkcwy-iWt8)
- [LOTR - Nazgul](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y1Wum6hQclU)
- [Rain Sounds](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UzEfSjTYvDc)
- [Chilhop Music](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOxqgCwgOqC2lMqC5PYz_Dg)
- [Lofi Hip Hop Radio](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5qap5aO4i9A)


## Suggestions from Friends and Co-Workers
Here are some more suggestions from friends and co-workers. Personally, I find most of these songs too distracting, but maybe there's something in for you!
- [Eminem](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAck_-B_kv0)
- [Wu-Tang Clan](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PBwAxmrE194&list=RDEMfS7XN_ceh10AVMOngmJv6Q)
- [Limp Bizkit](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZpUYjpKg9KY&list=PL119816F23E12BCCB)
- [Linking Park](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGvIdbB67Qs)
- [Papa Roach](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W3l35x8jvJ4)
- [Cornerstone](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4jnLWDyGwM&list=RDs4jnLWDyGwM&index=1)


## Your turn

Feel free to post your favourite music in the comments or in [this Twitter thread](https://twitter.com/bascodes/status/1486673873634480128)