It may seem like a stupid question, but it is not. Some people need full concentration in music in order to ''get'' what they are listening to. I am one of those that can hardly surf the internet without losing attention. Are you able to read a book while listening to music? You play video games, browse the Archives, or you just look at the wall?

I don't really ever just listen to metal without doing something else anymore. Generally, I'm either browsing one of a couple of different websites or working on schoolwork.

I usually listen to music when I am driving, hanging with friends or watching some TV. I really enjoy cleaning my room and putting on a record or cassette and listening to stuff I've bought that I don't listen to very much. When I'm reviewing something I tend to just focus on it more and only listen to the music.

If I'm on the computer I'll browse Reddit, StumbleUpon, or this site while listening. I listen to my ipod all day at work. Makes the day go by much quicker. However, when I buy a new album I devote my full attention to it during the first listen. I'll sit on my couch, turn the lights off, and just let the music consume me.

If I'm trying to learn how a band puts their songs together structurally, or how they incorporate a particular instrument into the song, or something like that, I give my full attention to it. I also give full attention whenever I'm first listening to a new album, though I sometimes lose interest after a few songs and start doing something else while I listen. Most of the time though (90% or more) I just have music on as background sound, while I'm surfing the net, playing a video game, eating, or practicing on guitar.

I blow up a bag or smoke a bowl, and just listen, man.

Sometimes I'll listen to it as background music, other times I'll focus intently and imagine scenes to songs. Other times I just exercise or headbang in my room. Also air guitar/air drumming.

Read a book, play video games, fall asleep, wake up, browse the web, work out, eat, sit around doing nothing, cook delicious meals, drink tea, ponder existence, study.

The question should be: What am I not doing while listening to music?
Answer: Things that require me to listen to other stuff.

What makes me sad is how often I sit in total silence because I forget that I could listen to music.

Focusing only on music is something I could try. In general I like to always have something to do while hearing it though. This could be playing games, reading articles or doing some exercise.

Drive

I have a difficult time functioning without a certain level of stimuli (especially audio or tactile), so I usually have some kind of music playing whenver I can. Sometimes I do listen to the music and nothing else, usually to just relax or specifically study it. When actually playing music myself, I tend to actually drown out the rest of it, and just... play. It's hard to explain.

Lately I've been looking up reviews of headphones a lot, and I listen to music on my headphones while I do. I generally listen to music non-stop anyways though, so I guess if I told you everything I did I'd literally be summarizing my entire daily routine; which includes, but is not limited to, browsing metal archives and other music websites, sampling music, playing some video games (with no sound on so I can hear the music), eating, sleeping. That's why I've been so interested in headphones. You take them anywhere and the music goes with them. Pretty cool.

The only thing my girlfriend complains to me about (thankfully!) is also my habit when listening to music. That is, tapping my foot (or feet) against the floor to the rhythm of the song while sitting and listening to music. Metal and electronic music trigger this the most but it happens across the board here and there, lol. I have done this since being little and I don't usually even realise I do it.

In addition to that, I also do headbang and airdrum quite a lot when it comes to metal listening. I also like to air-conduct ( ) when listening to classical music.

Edit: I mistook this thread for "habits while listening to music", so my answer is kind of one-sided. But to add to my answer: I generally don't multitask when listening to music. Some mild studying at the most (revising easy stuff, not acquiring new info or heavy reading). I guess net-surfing is a given too, but apart from that, I give music my full attention at all times. I do like to take walks and jog while listening to music, though, but moving your body doesn't really warrant a multitasking -tag in my opinion. Some upbeat shit sounds wonderful when jogging, and when just walking (nearly always at night), I feel like music "opens" to me in a better way if listening to new albums. That, and I also find that the nightly atmosphere "boosts" music for me in most cases. Maybe it's just me though.

I tend to just sit in a good chair and listen to whatever it is I have playing the majority of the time. If I'm not doing that, though, I like to take walks or hikes, letting the music being enhanced by my surroundings and the weather.

Browse the web, read manga, play games, drive, workout, walk, drink, pretty much everything I can

Mostly it's while walking and driving for me, walking being the more enjoyable experience thanks to my car speakers sucking. If I'm listening on my computer though it's usually while I browse the net or writing stuff. I won't listen while gaming or watching videos though, that stuff gets too distracting. I don't ever simply sit and listen, it just feels like a poor piece of time management.

I used to hardly ever listen to music if I wasn't going for a full on listening. I was working a lot around power tools, and when I got home I just needed quiet. These days I'm doing different work, going to school, and studying, so I listen to music virtually any chance I get .. CERTAINLY on commutes to class.

LOL brilliant, Ted!

Me, i most often listen to music on the bus. So i don't get stuck overhearing strangers' personal conversations in public.

I usually browse the web while playing music. Sometimes I'll just listen to the song and do nothing else or listen to music while studying, but never while reading a novel.

Cool thread. It really depends. Sometimes I'll just put on an album and or song and listen to it, maybe headbang by myself, haha. A lot of the time though I'll be browsing the internet, cleaning, doing something like that - I put music on a lot before I have the band over to jam - so while I'm setting up amps and shit, having some food, just stuff around the house. I also listen during any commute, whilst walking, stuff like that.

The only problem is I can't really write whilst listening to music, so it gets in the way of that, haha. Drawing is very different, however.

If a video game (I play mainly on PS3) has audio options and I can turn the music down, sometimes I'll put music on whilst playing, depending on the game. Skyrim is damn good listening to Bane of Isildur.

These days, Battlefield Bad Company 2 (the last great online FPS).

What I consider "proper listening" is full focus on the music, listening at night with headphones, usually with lyrics.

On PC I listen to albums I already know more or less well, and I often listen when doing stuff on teh internetz or playing games.

DRIVE, play video games, surf internet, play stupid iphone games, working out/running, watch sports games of teams I don't really care about, work, lay in the dark zoning out, falling asleep, sleeping.

Traveling to and from work (35 minutes), browsing around at work, cleaning the house, making dinner, blah blah.

Although many nights I will turn off the TV and stuff and just enjoy the music.

This.

The only time I don't like listening to music is when I'm studying. And even then if I'm in the mood something mellow like Brian Eno works perfectly.

If I am at home then my music will be on 24/7 basically. I can't read, study, play video games, or anything else without music. But usually, I just browse random sites, read science stuff, interviews, and find new music to listen to. I don't do much in general besides that really...

I listen while I drive, a lot. I have a nice stereo system in my car. I look forward to road trips because I can listen to metal for hours undisturbed. It's great.

Also, I have some go-to playlists for my workouts. I'll put on Kreator, or Slayer, or even Lamb of God and go for a run.

Sometimes -- like right now -- I put some music on before bed, and browse the internet while listening.

This is probably very typical.

Honestly, unless I'm talking to someone or watching something that requires my attention on the narrative, I'm always listening to music...

I really enjoy driving while spinning an album for the first time. There is something magical about driving down backroads listening to something new, especially if I haven't driven the road before, or go on it very rarely. Following it with a hike for reflection is almost manditory. I also really like gathering small groups of people to listen to an album for their first time. Sitting in silence with good friends while our eardrums are bombarded with good music is second only to playing metal and attending/playing shows.

I'm usually on the laptop or outside walking.

I wanked to Type O Negative last night...

...it used to be Pantera...

Faptera?

Mostly reading and IRC.

Well, I'm browsing this forum while I'm listening to some metal.
I do this sometimes.

Unfortunately, my schedule doesn't permit me to sit and listen to music like I used to be able to. The CD player in the car skips all the time so that's useless... I really don't know. I spend much more time playing the guitar now than actually listening. Feels much more rewarding, but now when people talk to me about new albums, I start feeling a little unfamiliar, and I scratch my head sometimes.

I make sandwitches and cookies while jamming to Sigh and Darkthrone

I don't actually do anything when listening to metal! I just listen...

i am mostly too restless to just sit and do nothing while listening to music. So it is often browsing, chatting and other random internet stuff.
Late at night i regularly do reach the state where im no longer restless and no longer need to do something while listening. However often enough i also have listened so much music in a day that i've had enough.

My ''just listening quietly'' mood always comes at night, I don't know why, but when I'm tired and sleepy my ears become fully opened.