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Oct 27, 3:31 PM
#1

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Nov 2019
653
Do you guys find that you are more attentive when not listening to music when reading?

I think I grasp a lot more when I sit there and just focus on the task at hand, reading. If you listen to anything, what is it?
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Oct 27, 9:33 PM
#2

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Aug 2010
2712
If the song has lyrics with language I'm fluent in, then it will distract me for sure. If the song is in language I don't really understand or has no lyrics, then I can be attentive but I'm sure I'll be most attentive to focus with just reading, unless there are a lot of noise around.

I recently listened to Kdrama OSTs when reading a romance shoujo manga, and it actually enhance my experience since the songs fit the atmosphere so much. I usually don't listen to anything though, to avoid a song unfitting with the scene suddenly playing and ruin the moment.
Oct 27, 9:52 PM
#3
Nostalgia Rules!

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Jun 2008
15808
To be honest for me personally this has the opposite effect, I start listening to the music and forget what I'm reading. Seems like your mileage may vary depending on the individual though.
Oct 28, 2:34 AM
#4

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Oct 2013
10331
In general I don't do that with pretty much all things I read, be it manga or books or whatever, but, as with most of things, there are exceptions of said general rule. ;p For instance, reading Tower Dungeon while listening to dungeon synth tracks can really elevate the whole experience, haha.
Oct 28, 8:40 AM
#5
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Mar 2022
717
I tend to get pretty distracted by background noise so music heps me focus more.
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Oct 31, 12:38 PM
#6

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Jul 2008
3563
I have tinnitus so I need to listen to music or have some background noise while I read otherwise I'd go mad. I listen to anything, really. But sometimes I do try to match the music with the mood of the manga, and often I prefer instrumental pieces.
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Nov 1, 11:13 AM
#7

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Dec 2015
766
I think listening to instrumentals is the best way for reading. Complete silence is okay.
Nov 2, 12:23 AM
#8
Nostalgia Rules!

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Jun 2008
15808
Reply to StarlaFox
I think listening to instrumentals is the best way for reading. Complete silence is okay.
@StarlaFox

To be honest yes I could see that actually. Something a bit more soft and soothing that you can kind of get drawn into the storyline of the manga. I think anything beyond that would be more distracting in my opinion.
Nov 2, 4:27 AM
#9

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Oct 2012
27
I used to read with music on. I tend to concentrate more when there's music playing, it just can't be too crazy and loud (no screaming) so I listened to stuff that was more like lofi.
Nov 9, 5:32 PM
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Jun 2008
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Reply to Azokumi
I used to read with music on. I tend to concentrate more when there's music playing, it just can't be too crazy and loud (no screaming) so I listened to stuff that was more like lofi.
@Azokumi

Yeah I can kind of relate to that. I once tried listening to '80s rock while reading manga, let's just say it didn't work out well for me. XD
Nov 9, 6:38 PM

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Oct 2024
776
Funny enough, I think my concentration level while listening to music depends on how much I like the thing I'm reading. If I like it then the music just adds to my enjoyment+concentration, if I don't like it then the music distracts me.
Nov 9, 8:13 PM
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Jun 2008
15808
Reply to eroguy
Funny enough, I think my concentration level while listening to music depends on how much I like the thing I'm reading. If I like it then the music just adds to my enjoyment+concentration, if I don't like it then the music distracts me.
@eroguy

I can honestly see your point with that. Like if you're listening to some music that has a lot of energy to it and are reading shonen that you're into, might actually help the experience.
Nov 9, 8:16 PM

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Oct 2024
776
Reply to Retro8bit
@eroguy

I can honestly see your point with that. Like if you're listening to some music that has a lot of energy to it and are reading shonen that you're into, might actually help the experience.
@Retro8bit Yeah, I think listening to music that fits the tone of the story you're reading is a fairly common thing. I hear people talk about reading manga while listening to the anime adaptation's OST every so often. OSTs might be the best way to go since a lot of the time they're kinda made to be background noise.
Nov 10, 5:08 PM
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Jun 2008
15808
Reply to eroguy
@Retro8bit Yeah, I think listening to music that fits the tone of the story you're reading is a fairly common thing. I hear people talk about reading manga while listening to the anime adaptation's OST every so often. OSTs might be the best way to go since a lot of the time they're kinda made to be background noise.
@eroguy

Wow you know what's crazy? I've been reading manga for many many years but I've never actually thought about trying this out. Since I always figured music would be a distraction the times I have tried it, but listening to the osts while doing it. Brilliant stuff! Going to try this out tonight.
Dec 11, 3:14 PM

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Dec 2024
35
I'm just like you, I prefer to read without hearing any noise. I've tried listening to instrumental music, and depending on the book it creates a nice immersion, but I still prefer silence
Dec 12, 1:24 PM
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Jan 2021
1
I usually don't listen to music but that's because I almost never find the playlist that fits 100% perfectly with the story I'm reading. It has to be instrumental only! The only exception is a specific playlist I found for reading horror that it's incredible and enhances the experience so much! But otherwise, I've experimented with the reading-listening to music combo and I'm always taken out of the story because it's never exactly what I want and/or the highs and lows of the track are never matching with the highs and lows of the story.
Dec 12, 7:36 PM
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Jun 2008
15808
Reply to _juuj
I'm just like you, I prefer to read without hearing any noise. I've tried listening to instrumental music, and depending on the book it creates a nice immersion, but I still prefer silence
@_juuj

I hear you on that one! It may depend on the manga itself, but personally I find music to be more of a distraction. 😵‍💫
Dec 12, 7:42 PM

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Mar 2019
1693
I never thought of it as distracting. Most yorushika songs are fine to listen to, regardless of the type of manga i'm reading.
Yesterday, 6:30 AM

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Dec 2013
16
If I want to properly follow the story, I prefer to read in silence.


Yesterday, 9:01 PM

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Jun 2010
1190
I usually do most reading - whether books or manga - without any music on. Occasionally, I may have classical or instrumental music playing softly in the background. If I read in the early hours in the morning, I will hear birds chipping outside. That is another type of "music." hahaha
Today, 12:26 AM

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Dec 2025
59
generally I find i'm less attentive, for sure. With that being said, some of my favorite manga were vastly improved by a good soundtrack. I remember reading Alive: saishuu shinkateki shounen with Mogwai going on in the background, and it really elevated that atmosphere of alienation and despair the manga was going for. It's not an amazing manga, but Ratts of the Capitol made it feel like the best thing I'd ever read. Well, coming from Hayate the Combat Butler and Claymore, maybe it was the best thing I'd ever read.

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