Originally Posted by IsotopeBill

I can't listen to music usually when working or having to apply my mind to a task involving thinking in words (ie I can operate things, do labour tasks but I can't write or construct thoughts as well) but I can with classical music.

However I find listening to classical music that I'm very familiar with, like Beethoven or Schubert symphonies, distracting because I can't help but let my mind follow the music as it goes.

Even music I'm not familiar with can distract me if it's really good and fun! I can't always concentrate when I'm listening to Haydn that I've not heard before because I'm always thinking "my my well this is awesome!"