zlacker

>>notkai+(OP)
Am I the only person who can't listen to anything while coding? My attention goes straight to the music, and I can't concentrate on the task at hand!

When I was in high school, my math teacher would play Mozart during tests, claiming it would help us. It would drive me crazy, and I doubt that my grades improved as a result of the distraction.

For what it's worth, I have a BMus in Piano Performance. I love music... but never as "background noise"!

>>coreyp+0i
You're not the only person; it's why I absolutely despise open offices. I have trouble getting things done with people talking, and "just putting on headphones" doesn't really work because I have trouble focusing on anything but the music.

The closest thing I'll do to address my particular problem is find audio of stuff like thunderstorms or waterfalls and more ambient stuff. Personally, I find that much easier to tune out.

>>tomber+Jj
Like you suggest, ambient noise (I'm fond of GNOME's pomodoro bird sounds :)) can help. However I've found that earplugs work even better. I had some nice ones because I attend a lot of shows/dance concerts and want to protect my hearing. Started using them in class during tests and found it to be really effective. Generally useful for every situation I needed to 'turn the volume down' on life.