If you had to go write a bunch of code on a desert island, what music would you take?
Personally, if I had to pick one composer, it’d have to be J.S. Bach. His music is perfect, in exactly the way I want my code to be perfect. There is something deeply mathematically satisfying about Bach’s music, in addition to just being aesthetically beautiful. I spend a lot of time plunking around on Bach pieces on my mandolin – currently working on the sixth Cello Suite (transposed up an octave and a half for mando).
I’ll admit to having a mandolin addiction, but regardless, my absolute favorite way to hear Bach is on a mandolin. Chris Thile and Mike Marshall both have recordings of Bach out there, including a fantastic rendition of Variation #1 from the Goldberg Variations (originally written for piano). I was lucky enough to sit through an extended 1.5 hour demo with Chris where he played through several movements of the Sonatas and Partitas for Solo Violin on mando, including an absolutely stunning rendition of the E Major prelude. I can kind of get through that prelude, but hearing it done really well is an experience all its own.
Mike Marshall released that particular prelude on his Gator Strut album, and in spite of the fact that he put a little more of his own personality into the piece than I would typically like, it’s still a great recording. Bela Fleck also plays the EMaj prelude on banjo, which makes for an interesting sound.
Although there are others in the running – Mozart for raw aesthetic beauty and flamboyance, Beethoven for emotional intensity and his fantastic sense of melody – Bach would be my desert island coding companion.
I would have to say Dream Theater. They are a rock band that plays almost entirely ballads (no words, 10-20 min long). I am able to tune it out while working but also turn it up while venting about a problem.
P.S. You just had to brag about hearing the Chris Thile demo didn’t you.
I choose music based on the emotion I need at the time. When I code, I either need soothing or enthusiasm. When I am first tackling a problem, or when I get over a serious hump, I like fire, excitement, and adrenaline. The music I really go for is Tango, especially Astor Piazzolla. His music really inspires me to hit it hard, but there are enough peaceful sections that my heart doesn’t explode.
On the other hand, when I am stumped on something, I need to really mellow out and relax. I find the best music for that is Jimi Hendrix. That’s right, I even find his crazy electric stuff to have mellow and relaxing undertones.
I know you can probably find contradictions in my music choices, but hey, I love generalizations.