Ship of Fools: Translucent Music

Thread: Translucent Music Board: Oblivion / Ship of Fools.

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Posted by lilBuddha (# 14333) on :

There are times, when on the computer, writing, sculpting, etc., that I wish some noise in the background that does not intrude into my thoughts.
The song Fragile by Sting is a song which, for me, fits. It disappears into the background, offering a sonic colouration, but no distraction.
Perhaps not what Mr. Sumner was going for.
So what fits this bill for you?

Posted by Alicïa (# 7668) on :

I used to be able to listen to anything while I was working, reading or creating but lately I have only been able to listen to classical music as all other music does intrude into my thoughts. I think that I just love music too much and it is a distraction.

Posted by Not (# 2166) on :

Bach, but only the most gloriously abstract and almost mathematical Bach - Art of Fugue is ideal - not only doesn't distract me but seems to help me think.

Posted by Palimpsest (# 16772) on :

I used to try to listen to operas sung in languages I didn't understand.
I like classical, but it is distracting. I had better luck using soundtracks of ocean surf or rain. The problem with the ocean surf is you do have to go listen to real surf once in a while or it starts to sound like white noise.

Posted by Taliesin (# 14017) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Alicïa:
I used to be able to listen to anything while I was working, reading or creating but lately I have only been able to listen to classical music as all other music does intrude into my thoughts. I think that I just love music too much and it is a distraction.

Ha! I could have written the opposite. Classical... And baroque, and romantic, and medieval music is far too distracting to do anything but drive to,I even have to turn the radio off if traffic gets heavy or I need to park in a difficult space.

I can tune out some music, but prefer to turn it off instead, as ignoring it takes energy.

Posted by Anglo Catholic Relict (# 17213) on :

If I am working I don't hear anything, whatever it is. But when I pause, I like whatever is playing in the background to be relatively calm. Rap would not do it. Probably not anything too loud. But otherwise it doesn't matter what is playing; I am unlikely to notice.

Posted by Gee D (# 13815) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Not:
Bach, but only the most gloriously abstract and almost mathematical Bach - Art of Fugue is ideal - not only doesn't distract me but seems to help me think.

Yes, that, but my preference if absolutely forced is for the solo cello suites and of those, the 5th. Someone once said that the suites ar a conversation between Bach and the performer, but I would add God to that.

Posted by Galilit (# 16470) on :

I like those Nature Sounds (waves, rain, fire).
You can even get 8 and 10 hour ones on YouTube for all night long (perfect when there is a snorer in the house).

Posted by Gildas (# 525) on :

Interestingly after a discussion about the complexities of moving house, with my wife, I felt moved to switch between Sancta Civitas by Ralph Vaughan Williams to the Symphony No. 3 yesterday evening. I can be harangued by She Who Must Be Obeyed or by RVW, Choir and Orchestra, but not by both.

Posted by Lyda*Rose (# 4544) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Galilit:
I like those Nature Sounds (waves, rain, fire).
You can even get 8 and 10 hour ones on YouTube for all night long (perfect when there is a snorer in the house).

Would you have links for some of those? Lately I've been listening to a Pandora station called New Age Ambient Sounds which is nice but still sometimes too tuney to fall asleep to.

Thanks. [Smile]

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :

I don't play any music at w*rk as I share a space with others (although one of them seems to have headphones in most of the time, so he obviously doesn't mind music, as long as it's his own).

When I'm cooking or baking for Christmas I usually put on The Best CD Of All Time™* as it puts me in a festive mood.

* Praetorius' Christmas Mass sung by the Gabrieli Consort.

Posted by Kelly Alves (# 2522) on :

There is a playlist on Youtube that runs about 40 minutes and is mostly comprised of instrumental pieces by Windham Hill artists. When I am studying, writing, whatever, I tend to kick that on. I am making a similar playlist of my own of my favorites.
In fact-- check out Windham Hill in general, for good ambient music. Liz Story, Will Ackerman, Philip Aaberg, Wim Mertens-- sigh.

Posted by nickel (# 8363) on :

Dub music fits that bill for me. Generally no vocals to distract my thought process; but is has a sustained, plodding rhythm to satisfy my (left or right?) brain's desire for predictability, with an occasional fillip of sound to keep it from disappearing totally into the background, so my (left or right?) brain has to keep monitoring it.

I guess the whole left/right creative/logical brain theory is far from proven, but that's how it feels to me: that dub music keeps the logical/controlling part of my mind occupied, which allows the creative side more leeway.

Posted by Chorister (# 473) on :

Although my favourite music is choral church music, I find it very difficult to do anything else at the same time because the words get in the way. Orchestral (or organ) music, on the other hand, doesn't have words so is perfect as background music. Tonight, I've been listening to a CD of Beethoven Adagios, one of a set, the others being Bach Adagios and Albinoni Adagios. All very restful and inspiring.

Posted by orfeo (# 13878) on :

I listen to music at work as much as possible. I'm not sure I'm aiming for it to be 'translucent' though. If anything I'm aiming for it to be engaging and fire up my brain.

I have this theory that my brain is constantly thinking about and recalling music, and that putting music into my ears allows some parts of my brain to free up from that task and get on with something else.

The kind of music varies a fair bit. Sometimes it's pop/alternative, other times it's classical (usually instrumental, as I find non-English vocal a bit distracting - I wanna know what they're saying!). I do sometimes find I'm listening to the 'wrong' thing and have to stop, but that same music might absolutely be right at some other time.

If I was forced to pick a particular genre, right now I'd probably say chamber music because of the wonderful interplay of different 'lines' in the music. But ask me next month and I might say something else.

Posted by Barnabas Aus (# 15869) on :

While I am normally a classical music addict, I have just discovered the Golden Age of Light Music series on the Guild label. So as I ply my paintbrush on our house interior, I have five discs of light music from the 30's to the early 60's on the changer. Cugat and Kostelanetz to Ketelbey to Bernstein and Percy Faith, just thing for that sort of task. It also takes me back to my childhood, when this was my parents' favourite music style.

Posted by mousethief (# 953) on :

George Winston. I no longer have my Will Ackerman records. But I second Kelly's vote for Windham Hill.

Posted by L'organist (# 17338) on :

Not all music, but my favourite when either sorting out paperwork or, worse, decorating is The Best of Sellers.

There are tracks for every mood, from the delights of All the things you are, the wonderful Auntie Rotter (Listen with Mother was never the same again) and, of course, Balham, Gateway to the South.

If I'm having to face something truly horrid - painting, for instance - then anything from The Dudley Moore Trio.

Posted by Leaf (# 14169) on :

Depends on the task.

For filing: late 90's - 2k pop. Many's the time my office has been straightened to the Verve Pipe, Coldplay, Oasis. Leonard Cohen too.

For energetic housework: INXS, and in extreme cases, Nickelback. Yes I just admitted that.

For workout: Top-40 type workout music, which I normally can't stand, but works well in this context only.

Posted by Kelly Alves (# 2522) on :

I am now loving the image of mopping the floor to the beat of New Sensation [Big Grin]

Posted by Leaf (# 14169) on :

Yup. [Hot and Hormonal]

Posted by Emendator Liturgia (# 17245) on :

When wanting to switch off and unwind, I find nothing better than either Beethoven's 'Moonlight Sonata' or Grieg's Piano Concerto in A minor.

Posted by OddJob (# 17591) on :

Patrick Hawes's HIghgrove Suites underwhelm me in the same way that the OP's underwhelmed by Sting's Fragile. They promise much but just don't lead anywhere.

I agree that it can't be flattering to either composer, both of whom I credit with better motives than just commercialism. Fragile HIghgrove Suites

Posted by Kelly Alves (# 2522) on :

quote:
Originally posted by mousethief:
George Winston. I no longer have my Will Ackerman records. But I second Kelly's vote for Windham Hill.

Wynton (trumpet) and Branford (sax) Marsalis. Contemporary jazz instrumentals with New Orleans influences.

I found out the last time I went to a Joe Jackson concert that Wynton was playing a matinee set right across the street at Grace Cathedral. Boy, was I glad I didn't know that ahead of time. I don't think I could have handled the inner conflict.

Speaking of Joe, he put out two decent jazz albums-- "Jumping Jive" (a collection of Louis Jordan and Cab Calloway covers) and more recently "Duke" (exclusivly Ellington covers.)not necessarily "light" or"ambiant" but might be good floor mopping music for the jazz lover. [Big Grin]

Posted by Pulsator Organorum Ineptus (# 2515) on :

I don't like listening to music when I can't give it plenty of attention. I find that music and verbal reasoning compete for the same part of the brain. If I am thinking, I find it stressful to have to shut the music out in order to do so.

Posted by lilBuddha (# 14333) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Pulsator Organorum Ineptus:
I find that music and verbal reasoning compete for the same part of the brain.

I find this true with some music always, some music sometimes and some music never.
The Sting track I reference earlier always fades into the background. As I was typing the OP I had that track on and normally, with something on my mind like this, I would find it impossible to ignore. Not that track.

quote:
Originally posted by Pulsator Organorum Ineptus:
If I am thinking, I find it stressful to have to shut the music out in order to do so.

Again, some. But for me, complete silence drives me mental and white noise makes me sleep.

[ 15. February 2014, 02:21: Message edited by: lilBuddha ]

Posted by Kelly Alves (# 2522) on :

When I am studying in a public place I really need a barrier between me and other people's noises. Everyone concerned is happier that way.

POI, I kind of relate, though, because I can really trance out on songs I like, and a lot of times I will find myself sitting in front of an unfinished sentence on a document, havings broken off in the middle to immerse myself in something like this.

[Tear]

Pardon me for a hour or two as I keep hitting repeat...

[ 15. February 2014, 03:21: Message edited by: Kelly Alves ]

Posted by Golden Key (# 1468) on :

Nature/ambient recordings can also be good if you need something to help you sleep, or ease your mind if you have insomnia. Try running them all night. Oh, and IMHO, the ones without music woven in are the best--with the possible exception of combined Pachelbel "Canon" and ocean sounds.

As to music to mop by: Cyndi Lauper is good, too!
[Smile]

Posted by Galilit (# 16470) on :

Golden: How does one do that?

Posted by Golden Key (# 1468) on :

Could you be more specific? [Smile]

If you mean running the recording all night, you need a player that can do some kind of auto-repeat or endless loop. Start it before you go to bed, and turn it off when you wake up.

Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Golden Key:
Nature/ambient recordings can also be good if you need something to help you sleep, or ease your mind if you have insomnia.

I used to have a cassette of rain in a pine forest which was great, except that it had a few screechy birds on it. In quite a short time you knew which side of the cassette was which, but it was still quite peaceful to doze off to.

I also had another of whale song and one of the sounds of the sea. The sea sounds often seemed to leave me with the feeling that I was being swept helplessly out to sea by a large wave, which wasn't exactly soothing. I daresay it worked for some people, though.

Posted by Golden Key (# 1468) on :

Yeah, tastes vary, and it's a good idea to listen to a sample before buying the recording.

Re cassettes: I did find that lots of all-night use was eventually hard on the cassettes. (E.g., the tape started crawling out.)

Posted by Kelly Alves (# 2522) on :

(Tiptoes onto thread)

ENYA!

(dashes off before people can throw stuff at her.)

Posted by lilBuddha (# 14333) on :

( waits with a bushel of rotten fruit and veg for Kelly to reappear)

I do not own any Enya, but put on the Orinoco Flow sample from iTunes and it does not affect my thinking or typing. So, yes, translucent.
Could fall asleep to it as well.

Posted by Kelly Alves (# 2522) on :

We put her on for naptime at several preschools I worked at.

Translucent music= decent nap music?

Posted by lilBuddha (# 14333) on :

Well, not exactly, not for me. The Sting song I mentioned would not interfere with my slumber, but it would not bring it about either. I think it more the energy level is neither too low nor too high and does not vary with any great intensity. The vocals are the same.
Take Sweet Jane by the Cowboy Junkies. Its energy level is low and consistent, but there is a tension in it which drives me mad if I try to play it in the background.

Posted by AdamPater (# 4431) on :

I once tried Jimi Hendrix Electric Ladyland as music to work by. Lasted about 45 seconds while I kept going cross-eyed in response to the stereo riffs.

Back to Enya.

Posted by jedijudy (# 333) on :

"Meditations for a Quiet Night" is my favorite CD for driving, doing housework and other activities where I don't need to concentrate on the music.

D-U would go to sleep listening to that CD when she was a little thing.

Posted by A.Pilgrim (# 15044) on :

Hmm, non-intrusive music that can be played in the background without distraction from the task in hand? Has to be Tallis Spem in Alium on repeat.
Angus

Posted by Eigon (# 4917) on :

I recently picked up a boxed set of LPs at a local charity shop - under the mistaken impression that they were a collection of music chosen by people who had been on Desert Island Discs. The words "Castaways Choice" and a picture of a gramophone on a beach may have had something to do with that.
When I looked more closely, I found that the set was produced by Readers Digest, and is a collection of well known "easy listening" tracks.
In fact, for me it's perfect translucent music! Because I know the songs so well, the lyrics don't intrude when I'm thinking of something else, and the orchestral bits are pleasant without being distracting.
So that was £2.50 well spent.

Posted by AdamPater (# 4431) on :

quote:
Originally posted by A.Pilgrim:
... Tallis Spem in Alium ...

Thank you so much for this.

Posted by Curiosity killed ... (# 11770) on :

Arvo Part's Spiegel im Spiegel - apologies for the advertisement before (but I do like Jake Bugg)

Posted by Sir Kevin (# 3492) on :

I like listening to classical music and sometimes instrumental jazz on Radio 3 when I am writing my novel or otherwise engaged in serious work on the iMac in my wife's study.

Posted by Kelly Alves (# 2522) on :

Poke around on this site for a while.

I think the "Grooves" section might have some reasonably "translucent" offerings-- back in the day Putumayo used to offer a bunch of instrumental world music stuff, but later they drifted toward more vocal stuff.

I kind of liked the Native American chant album. [Big Grin]

Posted by lilBuddha (# 14333) on :

I love Putumayo!
On a more commercial bent, Capitol's Ultra Lounge series contains translucence.

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