Music to help focusing on drawing (or on anything)

Aug 22, 20164 min read

Deviation Actions

Published: Aug 22, 2016

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Hello there,

I like many kind of music, except rap or songs with heavy emphasis on lyrics. There are some exceptions, but in general I prefer instrumental music, or song that are sung in a language that I don't understand (such as in Japanese). I consider unknown language as instrument. Of course, even then it depends how the singing works together with the rest of the song.

There is also certain type of music that I enjoy listening more than others especially when I'm focusing on a demanding task, such as drawing or architectural design brainstorming. Usually this type of music has a lot of repetition in it, are long and loop seamlessly, making them ideal for long periods of concentration. In fact, I tend to listen one song in loop for hours. It takes me very long to get bored on certain songs. I have found that techno, trance and some game soundtracks are the best kind of music for my needs. I like it when there is very distinct bass thump carrying the song from the start to the very end.

A typical example of such qualities in a song: Masayoshi Minoshima - Mystic Water
(I happen to listen Touhou remixes a lot, but it doesn't have to be Touhou, as long as it has this distinct slow paced thumping bass)

Usually some repetitive noise, beeping and patterns are very fascinating.

For example: Alstroemeria Records - Necrofantasia
(Sadly I have some negative connotations on this after listening it on loop while having angst on some school work. I still like it a lot anyway)

The aforementioned songs work well in general. If I have some very specific goals, I try to match the song with the atmosphere I want to achieve in my drawings. If I want to draw something beautiful, I prefer listening some soothing and relaxing music. If I want to draw something epic or action-packed, I look for orchestral music. When I want to get something done, I tend to listen music that has some sort of tension and feel of urgency. If I'm just practicing and I need to focus on something without having any real goal, I tend to go for neutral but repetitive music.

For beautiful drawings and relaxation:
FELT - Tears of the Moon
Alstroemeria Records - Shinto Shrine
(These have some really appealing climaxes and development even when there is clear repetition)

For epicness and action:
Sound.AVE - Fires of Hokkai "the Day of Collapse"
Luminous Arc Ost - Traces of Journey
(Those drums, wind and string instruments are really inspiring. It's difficult to find extremely good orchestral songs fitting my preferences).

For heavy concentration and urgency:
9 hours, 9 Persons, 9 Doors Ost - Extreme Extrication
Ghost Trick Ost - Last Desperate Struggle
(Really digging the bass track and the feel of tension in these. Great DS games btw).

For general problem solving:
Ghost Trick Ost - Dead Afterimage
9 Hours, 9 Persons, 9 Doors Ost - Septenary Game
(Work very well especially when I'm pondering architectural designs).

I also have some weirder preferences, like just listening some noise...
The Best Sounds Ever - MRI sounds
(When I was kid, I was mri scanned several times. The sounds rather... peculiar, but I like it a lot lol)

The songs I listed here are just few examples. I don't know if their effectiveness stems from their familiarity and emotions important to me, so they may not be as useful to you. Anyway, I have found them making it easier for me to focus on any given task, which directly affects the quality of my works.

What's your go to music when you want to focus on something demanding? Or do you agree with my picks as good concentration music?

Nsio of the Hermit Mystics