SQUIRRELS???!!   WHERE???!
 

When working on big computer projects like presentations, I used to get hooked on a CD and just put it on continuous play. Something about the songs and the beats that would help me pace myself. My mind would literally get in the pocket.
 
Don't do it anymore, not sure why.

ampfixer
When working on big computer projects like presentations, I used to get hooked on a CD and just put it on continuous play. Something about the songs and the beats that would help me pace myself. My mind would literally get in the pocket.
 
Don't do it anymore, not sure why.

I still do this.  A LOT.  I find that music like trance to be the best (for obvious reasons), but I use different music when others are around that find electronic music annoying.

Depends.....
 
Sometimes I can plug in the MP3 player and turn it up and work just fine.... no problem concentrating on the work and the music at the same time.
 
Sometimes, if I'm in a bad mood or just don't want to be bothered with people around the job site (sometimes I work in nursing homes and old people in wheel chairs roll up and want to talk) so.... with ear buds in I can ignore them and then after a minute or so, I can pull one bud out and say.... "Oh, excuse me, I didn't know you were speaking to me, I couldn't hear you with this music..... " Then I turn away and get back to work,,,,, with the buds back in. most take the hint and go away, some stay and watch me work.
 
BUT.... when I finish the work and need to test it.... and yeah, the stuff I work on beeps and makes other noises, I do have to shut the music off to do that part of the job.
 
Then, there are other days where no music is the only way to roll. I usually walk around humming the beer barrel polka or some other such song.
 
 

I don't because I generally decide to play my latest earworm... and HAVE to sing along, etc.

Every Sunday I have a ton of work to do on the computer, mainly creating and sending out invoices to customers. And so recently I figured I'd make the task more enjoyable by putting on some music. 
 
My first thought was that classical music would be the least distracting. Big mistake. Every time something really colorful or interesting came on, like some Debussy or Vaughan Williams, I'd get distracted into paying attention to it. And the result was that I made loads of stupid mistakes, which didn't become evident until later on when I got a ton of angry emails from disgruntled clients saying their bills were wrong. 
 
So the next week I tried it with some repetitive EDM. Anything with a steady, banging beat and not much variation. Did wonders for my concentration and I didn't make any mistakes at all. I also find it helps to chew gum. 

+1 on the gum. You wake up the next day feeling like you tried eat a dinosaur.

I used to drive a lot as a job. I'd have a CD of my latest song playing and I'd practice singing and trying out lyrics while driving.

Unless it's a repetitive task which requires very little attention, no. Music just sucks me in and I have a very hard time listening to stuff casually.
 
I remember spending hours at a time just lying on my back w/ the cans on listening to music - mostly Elvis - as a kid. It's one of my first memories, actually. And it remained. I've always preferred to listen to whole albums and to give them my full attention.
 
That being said, I can and most certainly enjoy listening to music when doing chores around the house - usually stuff I'm über familiar with, albums I've listened to for ages. Or when training - music is essential for that, it can give you the drive to push your limits. But again, it won't be just any new album.
 
One odd thing - I can't stand music during a meal, it just ruins it - unless it's some elevator music in the background, at low volume. But pop music w/ vocals? I'm out. I think I've boycotted more restaurants because of the music they played than the food they served.

Rain
Unless it's a repetitive task which requires very little attention, no. Music just sucks me in and I have a very hard time listening to stuff casually.
 
I remember spending hours at a time just lying on my back w/ the cans on listening to music - mostly Elvis - as a kid. It's one of my first memories, actually. And it remained. I've always preferred to listen to whole albums and to give them my full attention.
 
That being said, I can and most certainly enjoy listening to music when doing chores around the house - usually stuff I'm über familiar with, albums I've listened to for ages. Or when training - music is essential for that, it can give you the drive to push your limits. But again, it won't be just any new album.
 
One odd thing - I can't stand music during a meal, it just ruins it - unless it's some elevator music in the background, at low volume. But pop music w/ vocals? I'm out. I think I've boycotted more restaurants because of the music they played than the food they served.

I walk straight out of a restaurant if there is loud music playing. I cannot for the life of me figure out what kind of person thinks that loud music enhances a social meal. For that matter, I cannot understand why anyone would want to go to a loud bar. I've walked out of those too. For some people, standing with a glass of watered down beer and shouting in each others faces over bad music at ear splitting volumes is their idea of a good time. There's only two environments in which loud music is acceptable - gigs and nightclubs.