Roots

Stephen Bezzina writes: The soundtrack to my learning space during the MSc in E-learning is composed of different artists and genres, from Kitaro (new age) to The Bloody Beetroots (electro house), from Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (classical) to Dj Rush (hardtechno), from Kraftwerk (early electronic music) to Plastikman (techno). Yet, all influence me and inspire me, in different ways. My chosen playlist, which incidentally I managed to mix, is my first contribution to this interesting project. It is entitled “Roots” and contains the very top ten tracks, in the early electronic music genre, which I played during the last year, since I enrolled on the programme.  Having been for the past ten years in the techno and hardtechno business, both as a dj and producer, I feel that these tracks are representative of the roots to which I belong. 

For me, listening to music is a state of mind in itself, it's like looking at a Rembrandt and feeling that sense of gloom and mystery. A right state of mind, which is an absolute necessity for me, to for instance read, write or even think. Background and accompanying music creates an ambience which is in itself both stimulating and conducing to a richer learning environment. 

And it has indeed to be an accompanying music, in the sense that it does not have to be louder than my own thoughts - in fact I spend the first minute or so, adjusting the right volume - the one which merges with my own thinking process and creates that right atmosphere.   

Roots by Elektronicheslernenmuzik on Mixcloud

Reading  
During my reading activities, I prefer to listen to music with a higher BPM (beats per minute) as I find such tracks to be more uplifting and help me to push myself further. Most of the time I try to match the pace of my reading to the track. In fact I look for tracks with a 127+ BPM  for my usual reading activities. Tracks like Living On Video (Trans-X) and Blue Monday (New Order) are the ideal backing music whilst enjoying some Dreyfus or Gee. Yet, if a text is particularly difficult to follow or must be read thoroughly throughout, I could also change playlist and go for a more slow, sluggish, down-tempo track.   

Writing  
Whilst writing, I also opt for faster music, but prefer instrumental versions over vocal accompaniment, reason being that such tracks carry an empty vacuum which brings about the necessary space and time for me and my writing. Tracks like The Chase (Giorgio Moroder) and Tokyo Jam (Moskwa TV) were the soundtrack to my blog-writing activities during GBL. Again, the fast-paced music helps me in keeping focussed and on track.
 
Thinking 
Most of the time on the MSc is spent thinking. Jean Michel Jarre and his album Oxygene (with the second part being my favourite track and thus mostly played) set an inspiring context with rhythms and patterns that guide my creative thinking. I feel inspired by and identify with the sounds of the synths and the nature of the hook lines.

Stephen Bezzina is a DJ, producer, record label owner and participant on the MSc in E-Learning.