do you guys listen to music while you play chess?  If so, what music? Do you think it helps you focus or hinders your play?  I am half tempted to do an experiment and play 20 without music on and 20 with because I am curious. 

sometimes I do, sometimes I don't..

I'm a 16 year old male... it certainly isn't the 'brain stimulating classical' that I like :P

Not listening to any music right now.. except a friend beside me singing one of the worst songs ever.. dork ;)

Listened to What I've Done by Linkin Park not long ago and Seventy Times 7 by Brand New.

 Good songs, on youtube.. if you somehow manage to improve your chess listening to them though you're crazy.. like me :P

ha, brain stimulating classical is fantastic stuff at times (I particularly enjoy Rachmaninov's suites for 2 pianos) but most of the time I'm listening to tech metal, drum and bass, or some other ungodly noise.  I was just curious because I think statistically (at least for studying) not listening to music is better, but perhaps at a casual chess level it could be beneficial?

I listen to music when i play.  All diferent kinds whatever i'm into at the time.  Depending my mood setting it can help or hinder.  I love music though.

I listen mostly to "Pyramid of Cheops" (Yngwie Malmsteen) & "Scare Crow" (Ministry).  Both available on You Tube.  Check them out -- they are AWESOME!

pink floyd is good to play chess by!

Pink floyd is good period!!

I don't listen to music while I'm playing chess.  

   Sometimes I see other players listen to their iPods at tournaments. 

Bluegrass and heavy metal. Technical music for a technical game.

Je_Suis_Ici wrote: Bluegrass and heavy metal. Technical music for a technical game.

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 that's what i'm talking about

I'm more of a metalcore/screamo guy.

As I Lay Dying,
Norma Jean,
The Chariot,
August Burns Red,
Imperial,
The Handshake Murders....

 Just to name a few of course.....

 Although my favorite band in the world is more of a "post" hardcore:

 mewithoutYou

 Aaron Weiss = one of the best lyricists ever (IMHO).

NOW THOSE are the bands you guys need to check out

richfeet wrote: pink floyd is good to play chess by!Also Tangerine dream,Klaus Schulze,Brian Eno(and ambient generally),Jean Michele Jarre,Philip Glass,Vangelis,Saint Germain,Orb,Paco De Lucia,Eric Clapton,Blues-Jazz..

Check this out: http://www.chess.com/groups/home/music-lovers

BassThumper wrote:

I'm more of a metalcore/screamo guy.

As I Lay Dying,
Norma Jean,
The Chariot,
August Burns Red,
Imperial,
The Handshake Murders....

 Just to name a few of course.....

 Although my favorite band in the world is more of a "post" hardcore:

 mewithoutYou

 Aaron Weiss = one of the best lyricists ever (IMHO).

NOW THOSE are the bands you guys need to check out

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haha wow you are like me 4 years ago!  I used to listen to all those bands, i guess my musical tastes matured (although I still give august burns red a spin every now and then, mostly thrill seeker though) I can fully agree with your liking of mewithoutYou though, they are fantastic.

 

Also, thanks aristeidis9 for the link.  I think playing chess to philip glass would blow my mind though...you are more of a man than me :D 

Trance or hardhouse.

I am so glad you posted this, music is awesome when I play, not too loud and its gotta be classical. Mozart of course, Beethoven, but try listening to some RECORDER MUSIC that really, really is good when playing chess. Peace OUT And God Bless.

Mad_dog_96 wrote: Trance or hardhouse.

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 mmm i like psychedelic trance or drum n' bass personally

monk, miles and coltrane.

actually those are my poker musics, but I bet they work with chess too.

Jean-Baptiste Lully (classical). Sometimes Dieselboy: if you can concentrate to techstep, nothing will distract you 

Sam Cooke...guess I'm old

Most of the music on my PC is classical, and so when I play chess I tend to listen to Bach

English Suites 1 and 2 BWV 806 and 807

Partita 1 BWV 825

Whether it helps or not.......