Can you work hard while listening to music?

I am at this moment listening to Genesis Selling England by the Pound and banging out paperwork at my desk.

It is VERY therapeutic. As a matter of fact I am building a new building for my business and designing my office to better accommodate my system. I run a Resolution Audio CD 50 direct to a Counterpoint NPS 200A to Tyler Acoustic Ref monitors

Great fun

CW,

You wrote:

Or is the baby Mozart stuff just some hoax marketed to striving yuppie parents?

If you are referring to the study that claimed that children who listened to classical music became more intelligent, it is a hoax. I am friends with a psychologist that was involved in the study for the state of GA and he downplays it. (Remember those CDs that were given out to new parents???)

As far as music and work or concentration go (in my experience), when I am able to block out the music and concentrate on the task at hand I am much more deeply focused. It only lasts for minutes at the time, though. But, when I am distracted, I am DISTRACTED!!!!!

The way I see it is, when I can shut the music out and concentrate for a while, I then reward myself with a little musical distraction. I repeat this process until I have accomplished what I set out to do, or give up and listen to some tunes. If the distraction becomes too powerful I go with silence then binge on music later when I have time.

Brad Day
Atlanta, GA