I like listening to music while I write, as long as it doesn't have lyrics. I find soundtracks to favourite/relevant movies help put you in the mood and they just fade into the background while you work.
I was just wondering what kind of music (if any) other people listen to when they're writing?
I also have reference-music for certain characters; the two protagonists, teenage boy and girl, are generally associated with the beautiful soundtrack from Studio Ghibli's film, "Arrietty."
I'm a non-lyric listener usually, unless the artist is so inspiring that I can't avoid them (e.g. Soley, for the whimsical tone of my novel / the creepier chapters.) So it's usually the Donnie Darko OST, Mogwai, This will Destroy You, and Godspeed You! Black Emperor.
I find that it helps me to have music on which is relevant to the style of the chapter I am writing/editing at the time. So, for example, if I'm writing a scary chapter I will play something dark and atmospheric (somehow "Phantom of the Opera" works for me for this) or, if it's light and playful I'll play something like the "Friends" theme tune, Ricky Martin or, dare I say it, even something from Disney! I do like to have music on though. It helps me set the mood of the chapter.