by Ethel Smith

Created on: October 21, 2008   Last Updated: November 20, 2008

Listening to music anywhere can have a mixed reception. However listening to music at work is an even more complex matter. Whether the effects of music are calming, distracting or just a nuisance depends on many things.

THE WORKPLACE

Where you work can make all the difference as to whether or not playing music is appropriate. Let's face it if you work at a funeral parlour noisy party music will not probably be allowed.

THE GENRE OF MUSIC

Now this first point leads me onto the type of music. Working in a hospital I fully realise that at times soothing, gentle music can benefit both the staff and their customers, in this case the patients. I also think that when you are sat in a dentist chair, apprehensive as to what your treatment may entail, some calming music helps.

THE NATURE OF YOUR WORK.

Now I do not mean the workplace but what you actually do for a living. The medical records library at the hospital where I work allows the staff to have the radio playing loud music all day. This helps the staff as the work is fairly mundane, repetitive and heavy. This work is done in a huge library and there is little, if any, contact with outside agencies and members of the public. The office where the phone is answered is slightly away from the noise and the system works well. In this instance it actually seems as if the music lifts the mood of the staff and builds team spiri, as well as calming everyone down.

If you are doing complicated work that needs your utmost concentration certain music will probably distract you. However if you pick your music well you should find something that will relax you as you work.

THE VOLUME

If music is played too loudly it will not be calming and may even have the opposite effect and drive you up the wall. Still remember too that if the volume is too low this will also be distracting. You will probably find that you are constantly straining to hear the music and giving it far more of your attention and time than you should be.

OVERALL

Although listening to music can be calming there are a few possible pitfalls. Apart from those already mentioned there is the lack of control. For example, if there are five of you working together and four agree on a choice of music the fifth may constantly hate the music and find the noise irritating.

The most distracting music will no doubt be that which demands to be heard, requiring your full attention. There are certain musical works that are hard to ignore and that will push their way into your brain diminishing your concentration.

However some relaxing classical music, played at an appropriate level, will just amble along in the background allowing you to calmly concentrate on your work. Remember though that even some classical pieces are noisy, and attention seekers, so choose your music well.

The most important issue for me regarding music in the workplace is being able to have some control over the choice of music, and when to turn it off, otherwise it may become anything but calming.

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