Asariel

For that matter, what music do you like while writing, or reading? Or do you prefer reading in complete silence?

I myself like to read with music in the background. What music... that varies from book to book... One of the best artists for fantasy music is surely Lorenna McKennit (sp?)

How about you?

HieroGlyph

I prefer quiet if Im reading an engrossing book. Good tunes distract me :P
But if Im not so engrossed I'll listen to BBC Radio 4! Sometimes music. And my musical tastes are near as picky as my reading tastes...

cornelius

Metal! KoRn, COB, ...

Radiohead and incubus too

I also have a file with " chronicles soundtracks", with most of the the soundtraks of LOTR , zelda, the matrix and all. also songs by enya.

Paradox 99

I find Medwyn Goodall and Jean Michel Jarre inspirational when writing. But for a battle scenes, I found that Clint Mansel's "Requiem for a Dream" really does the trick.

I, Brian

I use a single album to write to - a sort of New Age soundtrack called "Pharaoh" by Phil Thornton.

The advantage of using a single album, means that after a while you condition yourself to be more receptive to writing, as soon as it starts.

Certainly may be useful when faced with writer's block.

__________________

Rosemary

When reading I much prefer peace and quiet.

If writing or researching then I usually play Celtic Dawn, a beautiful album with harp and lute; or a Tony O'Connor album, either Hidden Forest or Mariner. Both of these are musical tracks interwoven with the gentle sounds of the water or the forest.

Abstract

I can write with both music in the background and in complete silence. However, usually my dad's soul music is playing from downstairs anyway, which is quite good to listen to when one is developing a story or writing of some kind.

Paradox 99

Ah yes, I know that one - I also listen to "Sorcerer" too by the same guy.

kyektulu

Asariel

Interesting,
(Darn thing with the 15 posts wont allow me to post... doe sit mean quotes? Because I cant see any darn URLs in the post!)

quote by HieroGlyph But if Im not so engrossed I'll listen to BBC Radio 4! Sometimes music. And my musical tastes are near as picky as my reading tastes...

What sort of music do you get on Radio 4?

quote by cornelius I also have a file with " chronicles soundtracks", with most of the the soundtraks of LOTR , zelda, the matrix and all. also songs by enya.

Yeah the LOTR soundtracks are amazing for inspiration. Enya... she's amazing too! I myself allways listen to music when writing or drawing. Its purpose is not really to listen to, but just a little factor which helps you displace yourself into the magical world you are creating, or trying to depict.

quote by Paradox 99I find Medwyn Goodall and Jean Michel Jarre inspirational when writing. But for a battle scenes, I found that Clint Mansel's "Requiem for a Dream" really does the trick.

To tell the truth I've never heard of these artists, what sort of music do they play? I might as well see if I can find any of them on the web...

quote by kyektulu.... then I can sing along out of tune. lol

Hahaha, how true... As i mentioned I dont focus on the music too much while working, but as you mentioned, from time to time I find myself singing along with some songs ... distracting, yes... but very fun

the_faery_queen

silence, unless i am stcuk! Strangely i find that when i have writers block having music on helps me. It distracts me so that i cannot think about the fact i am stuck and that helps me to write. The music i mostly listen to is 80s stuff, esp the more fast moving stuff
Am an old 80s reject

cornelius

If I get a writers block, I usually quit writing and put on some metal, or play a bit of Morrowind.

direghost

I actually have a "Writing" folder on my hardrive. It has some of the stuff people mentioned above (enya) but also I find afro celt sound system, Sigur Ros, Air, Amethystium, Portishead, Massive Attack, and Deep Forest all to be really good writing Music. For battle scenes, it's a little cliched but Orff always does the trick.

Salazar

I listen to one of the Harry potter Soundtracks (except COS) when I read or when doing hand-written homework

cornelius

for the descriptions of landscapes, I plat Enya, the LOTR soundtracks, or a bunch of other soundtracks from films. When describing Fightscenes, metal ( KoRn, Children Of Bodom, Amon Amarth, and towards the end a bit of Blind guardian and Iron Maiden)