This week's question is: do you listen to music while you read? The answer for me is no. I rarely have music on while I am reading, simply because I find it distracting. I find I concentrating on most tasks easier when it is quiet. Isn't it ironic that I am a high school teacher! Hardly a silent environment! But I really find auditory interruptions difficult to process if I am trying to focus. If I do have music on, it would be turned down low and in the next room. I like to listen to really old school music: Motown, old-style R&B, and blues. I love Etta James, Jerry Butler, Jimmy Reed, and Solomon Burke (if you know who the last three are let me know in a comment, and we'll have to chat;). I also love the blues (Muddy Waters and John Lee Hooker) and the vocal stylings of Irma Thomas and Bettye LaVette. But I also listen to opera, and I love Maria Callas and Kiri TeKanawa.
And for running, I like reggae! For some reason, a reggae beat is the perfect rhythm for running.
13 comments:
Visiting from the Hop. I just had to comment because I heart your musical tastes <3 Etta James and Muddy Waters=Love. I've been wanting to listen to opera because I love it when I hear it, but just don't know where to start.
Do I know Jimmy Reed? Did'ja ever listen to Big Boss Man driving down a country road with the windows wide open and the volume turned up?
Your music taste is so much more sophisticated than mine! I'll have to try listening to reggae while running, haven't discovered the right music for that yet. Any favourite songs?
Have a great weekend and keep dancing. I know you do the 2 step when jogging :)
My work environment is the opposite from yours. I work at a library that's very quiet so I like to make some noise at home. =)
Hi Bibliophiliac. Thanks for following my blog, so I'm going to follow you too. Your blog is great!
Thanks for stopping by my blog! You should know I'm now totally inspired to read Middlemarch. There are several books in my pile, but it's definitely getting added. :)
I don't mind a spot of music while I read but I absolutely must have some when I write.
As far as music goes, I'm your man when it comes to reggae. I haven't heard of Solomon Burke and the other two old school acts but I'm a big Etta fan ('I'd rather go blind' gets me every time).
Ever heard of Lightnin' Hopkins? Now that man could sing the blues.
I've definitely been finding it harder to block out noise the older I get - like with every decade you need more silence to concentrate! But I do sometimes have music on while I read.
I don't recognise those names, but I'm a big fan of Nina Simone :) I don't listen to music while I work out (how do you stop the things from falling out of your ears?!) but I do read! Ah the beauty of a cross-trainer with a book prop!
@Kelly-you might try listening to a compilation CD to see what strikes your fancy...
@Grad--You are my kinda girl!
@Daisy--there just seems to be something about that reggae beat--I don't think the song matters, but Bob Marley is always a good bet!
@AisleB--I love that thought--the 2-step and the hokey pokey, why not!
@Chelle--I love libraries!
@John Smith--thanks! btw I know two men who are really named John Smith!
@Molly Jo--thanks for stopping by...
@Mayowa--I think I actually own every single CD ever made!
Hi! I'm a new follower--just stopping by from the hop! As music goes--I used to have music playing all the time, but now I prefer quiet.
Looks like a fun blog!!! Hope you're having a great weekend!!!
nymfaux
http://nymfaux.blogspot.com/
Like I wrote in my Hop post I'm ambivalent about adding music to my reading. I can only handle it when it is 'supportive', otherwise I find it too distracting. Arvo Pärt I can often handle though! Do you know him? Not old school, contemporary classical music but not especially modern.
Unless I'm reading while commuting and my fellow travellers are too loud -- then familiar music will help me get back into focus!
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