Did you know music can help you study? Studies have shown that the right kind of music can help you relax your mind which enables you to concentrate better. Perfect to studying, doing homework or studying for a test or exam. It cuts down on distractions and helps you focus on your work.
The most cited study is the “Mozart effect” a set of research results that indicate that listening to Mozart’s music may induce a short-term improvement on the performance of certain kinds of mental tasks known as “spatial-temporal reasoning” which is the ability to think out long-term, more abstract solutions to logical problems that arise.
What Kind of Music Helps You Study?
There are many types of music that have been shown to put your mind in study mode. Here are a few of the most mentioned.
- Baroque classical music is said to have mind-boosting effects. Productivity writer David Allen of “Getting Things Done” fame has said he prefers music like Vivaldi’s “Four Seasons,” Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto #3, and other Baroque tunes.
- Others say that music at 60 beats-per-minute is required to put the brain in a “bright and breezy” frame of mind. In this state your thinking and creativity are said to be easier. Concertos for Recorder – Telemann & Vivaldi is recommended.
- Since classical music may not be your thing there are other types of music that have been shown to increase your concentration levels. Ambient music or sound is designed to keep your brain engaged at a lower, subconscious level. Waterfalls, rain, seashore, whatever your taste.
- More modern electronic “Chill out” music genres such as Trip-hop, Nu jazz, Ambient House, Ambient Trance, New Age and other sub-genres of Down tempo are designed to relax the mind and allow it to roam.
- Eno’s “Music for Airports” has been noted as being useful for serious studying and deep concentration. This music was designed to relax stressed out travelers at the airport and put them at ease.
Okay, so most of these listed you may have never heard of or even care for. Just give them a try and see. It really does not matter what kind of music you listen to as long as it puts your mind in study mode.
Where To Find Music To Help You Study
SOMAFM.COM offers free streaming music and a iPhone app as well as apps for other types of phones. Suggested playlists are Drone Zone(Served best chilled, safe with most medications. Atmospheric textures with minimal beats.) and Secret Agent (The soundtrack for your stylish, mysterious, dangerous life. For Spies and PIs too!). Most music players are supported. I know it works with iTunes.
WWW.DI.FM – Digitally Imported offers free streaming electronic and dance music.
If you are a fan of Pandora (who isn’t) try out a playlist created by a Pandora employee Michael Zapruder called Ovals.
MUSOPEN.COM is a site that offers free MP3 downloads by many of the composers mentioned above.
Recommend with Google +1
Personally, I think music is very distracting. You pause and your like “Omg, I love this song!” And you start singing it ruins your hole like…Concentration.
Well, I think then that you should just listen to music without any lyrics. Don’t listen to “modern music” per-say, listen to the relaxation music like the ones mentioned above. I listened to Eno’s Aiport Music and it was really relaxaing. You just have to discipline yourself not to look at the changing pics. Study for whatever you need to study for but while knowing that there is calm music in the background to really boost your brain.
listening to music with lyrics is better so you can enjoy studying like i love listening to justin bieber<3
i prefer dubstep when i’m working.
i would much rather listen to dubstep then justin bieber
yea but you have to listen to the right music
What music would you prefer though?
ROCK
omg
Joan Jette style
I’m actually writing a report on students being aloud to listen to music during class and whenever i study i put on either jazz or trance. it keeps me on a quick beat and their isn’t any words so I’m not trying understand meaning or anything. It works very well and i’m not distracted by things like the TV, or conversations my family is having.
I think it is good to listen to music
i believe that listening to music while working helps students concentrate because, when i listen to music when i am working, i get alot done rather then when i am not listening to music when i am working i space off and get side tracked and listen to the conversations that other students are having and i do not get my work done.when i listen to music at home i get my work done fast and i concentrate hard. so i believe students should be allowed to listen to music in class when we are working.
I find listening to music helps me concentrate on my homework, which is really hard for me unless I have something in the background. But my dad won’t let me! He thinks it would distract me more. I wasn’t even listening to music with lyrics- I was listening to songs from my school band’s winter concert. I don’t understand him.
meh, i tink that it good 2 listen 2 music, i like green day or owl city
Yes, I find it nearly impossible to concentrate with music, except if it is illustration or some type of creative work.. Web programming requires absolute silence. Because once emotions are introduced, you’re screwed.
i think it is jolly listen to music when you are done with studying. because it relaxaing your mind and your body.
YOU HAVE GOT TO BE OLD TO SAY JOLLY
I just love listening to Yiruma if u know wat im talkin about. His piano music is so beutiful I listen to it every time I study, before i sleep or just riding the train or bus waiting to get home. Im also learnin it on piano cause its so beautiful.
The following best: What beautiful stars, The scenery begins, Spring time, …, Chaconne, Photograph, Indigo, With the wind, Falling, Yellow room, Beloved and all the other songs i didnt mention ^_^
Great article.
I find that listening to high-paced dubstep or rock (System of a down and koRn are my faves) helps me to focus more. It acts as white noise so i don’t get distracted. Yes, i do occasionally pause and enjoy the music, but it’s good to take a brief break. It helps me work at a high pace and stay focused.
Who wrote this article? I would like to use a direct quote to support my argument in an opinion article I’m writing for my school’s newspaper but it is mandatory that I give the author credit. Thank you!
Author: Sam Grier
Studying math with music is helpful I always do that and I have 96 in math .
But subjects like biology and chemistry u shouldn’t listen to music cuz it needs memorization and concentration . So the type of music I listen to is R&B and hip hop and pop. It helps me u an try it and find out if ur bad at math cuz before two years I had 68.
Or sometimes before studying try listening to music to cheer u up for like 10 min and it will boost u and u will have energy .
Time, by Hans Zimmer. Best song you can listen to when studying.
Music is very cool, it can help you study. I like metal. It helps me concentrate. Also classical music helps too.
Personally I enjoy listening to music by Clint Mansell, particularly the soundtrack from ‘The Fountain’.
No just concentrate on the teacher when u are at home listen to music and study .