[prirun]

As a musician (piano), I've never been able to listen to music while working: it's too distracting, even without lyrics. That makes sense to me because for musicians, hearing just the music still makes your brain want to focus on the structure of it, time signature, rhythm patterns, interesting chords, key changes, etc. - things that a non-musician isn't so intellectually aware of, even if they like them in the music.

[herewulf]

Interesting. Guitarist (as a hobby) here. I find familiar, favorite music good for concentration, with or without lyrics. But new music is what gets me. I give it too much attention, similar to what you describe.

I mostly listen to metal and all its various subgenres.

[coldtea]

>That makes sense to me because for musicians, hearing just the music still makes your brain want to focus on the structure of it, time signature, rhythm patterns, interesting chords, key changes, etc

There's special music for focus that tries to keep all those to a minimum. 4/4 beats, no fancy rhythms, no changes, basic chords and repeating melodies etc. After a while, even if you're Mozart, you can ignore it just fine, just get the vibe and the driving pulse.

[danhau]

I‘m also a musician and I can only listen to ambient music when working. Anything else is a big distraction.