Yes. It actually is something i do for most of my literature to be honest. I use it as a way to make sure that i feel out certain clicks or emotions. I'm pretty sure that's a common answer. But it's one of my best ways to really get into it. I even move to the point of actually making play lists for certain characters and such. Which lead to me having a wave of different songs and such. It's mostly used as to just fall into that grip, that sort of taste that lets you flourish in the thoughts of the character you are playing, acting, or writing. Designing even.

Even as i am writing this write now, i am working over a few concepts for a new short story i'll be working on for the character and the themes with the ambience. It's always good in my eyes. :P

As for genre's well...that depends on the muse and the characters. i tend to not fall much into some genre's though. But i have a range of them for each character and their likes and dislikes and such.