Can you listen to music and read at the same time?

[Kanga SA MU EL]

I honestly have tried to but I really haven't succeeded because I always end up join in the singing too and get distracted

[Catherine Radford]

I often have music on in the background when reading, I’m not sure how much I am really listening to it though.

[nisayvx]

I love it, I usually listen to classic music while reading.

[Obianuju Chris]

I love a good combination of music and reading. The music quietens my loud mind, giving me laser focus on the story at hand.

[seddiki]

I think the music will confuse the reader.

[MusicTecno]

Do you find that listening to music improves your reading experience or detracts from it. For myself, I can't concentrate on reading while music is in the background because I either get lost in the book or lost in the music. What's your opinion?

“Undoubtedly, the type of music and the literary genre I choose are key elements. For instance, when delving into a fantasy novel, epic music with grand orchestration enhances that experience. However, when I immerse myself in a non-fiction book or a more contemplative reading, I opt for softer melodies or even instrumental music to avoid distracting from the content. The ideal combination between music and literature is essential to enhance my focus and fully enjoy both activities.”

[G Duda]

I love reading to music, but that's probably because it helps drown out all the other annoying sounds of the world. I do have a few major rules for reading & listening though:
1. I never listen to music while reading poetry. The two are too similar & distract me from one another.
2. I try not to listen to music in the same language as the book I'm reading. I'm bilingual, so I both read & listen to media in two languages. I try not to mix them too often (i.e reading the Witcher in Polish while listening to Coma) because that often leaves me confused.
3. Music without lyrics is the best for reading. Funky beats often add to the atmosphere the book creates.
4. If I don't want lyric-less music, I stick to one-three songs on repeat. Listening to the same small number of songs helps in the same way that the lyric-less music does, at some point you completely ignore the fact that the song has words & just hear it as another instrument, so to speak.

[Ika Apro]

I usually lose concentration when I do those two together.

[Rukayya Yusuf Hameed]

I can read with music in the background or even noise. As long as I put my mind to it. If I concentrate on the book. I find myself tuning out the music or sound that's around me.

[Luiza Miranda]

For me music only improves concentration when I'm reading a romance. I guess the music helps to build the right mood for the chapthers. But if it's not a romance then it will always distract me, I get too lost on the melodies or the words of the song and forget to focus on the book.

[Msasa Shabangu]

I also can't listen to music and read at the same time. It's either I'll zone out on the song and focus on the book or vice versa. But I can't do both

[milyjohnson]

I listen to music while I'm working because it keeps me alert. It's challenging to listen to it when reading. I find myself reading the same page more than once.

[Shiru Elizabeth]

Indeed, I find solace in listening to instrumental or calming music while reading. It creates a harmonious ambiance, enhancing the reading experience without distracting from the narrative. The right soundtrack can complement the mood of the literature.

[Bron Bakers]

I can't do this. I'd stop paying attention to my books and more to the lyrics of the song

[Zanne Crystle]

Yes, I do, usually just as background noise because sometimes I don't like how quiet it is.