Loud music.. a contributing factor to mental distraction?

Welp, of course there are studies about what it does to hearing :-)

Studies on “background” music of varying types indicate that some people really do let the music *reduce* distractions as it turns into generic background noise and filters out all the other stuff.

There is a lot of variation among people though. So, for me, it would have to be a certain kind of only instrumental music, *just* loud enough to screen other sounds. Otherwise my very auditory- verbal brain would get sucked out into any lyrics or catchy rhythms (or be incensed and annoyed at repetitive MUSAK type stuff).

thanks Sue for answering my questions, whether they are of any relevance or not.

You better believe that when a certain category of teen students found out about the studies (that said the background music helped), it was relevant to them :-) I reckon it annoyed a *lot* of parents & teachers … I was teaching back when the Sony Walkman was the revolutionary technology, but none of my kiddos could afford ‘em so it wasn’t an issue (and/or they weren’t even allowed in the school).
Now, I’m afraid I’d have insisted that I choose the music since I’d be concerned that pumping language into the ear would send all kinds of not quite subliminal psychological messages, so I’d find my best high-energy stuff that didn’t have lyrics that vented venom…

Hi. Joe Tag here.
I switched from Piano to Bassoon ( a double-reed woodwind ) because
with my LD issues, reading two (2) clefs of music was too much.
I think piano music ( Bach’s 2 and 3 part inventions ) and the music
of Chopin are good to study to. If you are a Music Major in HS or College, you have to be selective in your choice of music, and not carried away, LOL. Some of the Bach Brandenburg Concertos are good to study to, also. Some Mozart is OK; other Mozart might be too depressing.
Classical guitar (again, Bach ) or others is nice sometimes.
Good luck in your studies.

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