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If you’ve been listening to music for as long as I have, you know that it is so much more than entertainment. The right kind of music can help you get into a better mood. It can improve your focus and help you think more creatively. It’s a great aid for those who are feeling low or demotivated or blocked. So when I tell you there’s music that helps you study, it shouldn’t come as much of a surprise. All you have to do is sit back and enjoy the therapeutic, stress-relieving music in this blog. If you find something you like, add it to your playlist. It might just enhance your productivity.
Are there any benefits of listening to music while studying?
For over two decades, scientists have been looking at the effects of music on studying. While several of them say that silence is the best aid for learning, many believe otherwise.
The general idea is this – if you are listening to the right kind of music while performing the right kind of task, it will help.
There are quite a few benefits of listening to music while studying-
- It helps you focus your attention
- You will feel your mind relaxing
- With it, you can enhance your imagination
- This is a great way to improve your cognitive performance
- You will feel less tired
- The right beats will keep you motivated
So if you’re trying to concentrate on writing an essay and want to improve your productivity, dive in! Take a look at the playlists that will help you stay focused for years to come.
Classical music
Some studies say that classical music is the best kind of music that helps you study. They talk about the ‘Mozart Effect,’ claiming it reduces stress, improves your focus, and helps you solve spatial puzzles.
While several others refute these claims, there is a general belief that classical music is a great aid for students. You just have to find the right tune – a simple tune or a grand orchestra – that you’re sure will work for you.
You can start by listening to Bach, Vivaldi, or Handel, and explore different classical artists from thereon. I’m sure that you too will start to believe that it’s the best sound for studying.
Smooth Jazz
A genre you might not have considered before, smooth jazz can offer you the soothing tones you need. You must’ve heard it playing in the background at a cafe or by the beachside. This kind of music isn’t big, loud, or filled with musicians trying to get your attention. Instead, it helps you lay back, relax, and find comfort, no matter where you are.
A quick YouTube search of ‘Smooth Jazz songs for studying’ will provide you with an endless list of soothing music you can listen to while studying. And if you find Miles Davis playing smooth tunes while searching, don’t be surprised.
Nature
The sound of waves crashing against the rocks, raindrops pattering, and windchimes tuning can be magical. Not just literally but also for your brain. These sounds help you relax, improve your mood, and help you stay motivated throughout!
What’s more, they also rid you of any distractions and give you the ambiance you need while studying. And it’s ridiculously easy to find this kind of music, be it YouTube, Spotify, or SoundCloud.
Instrumental rock
I discovered that this genre of music helps with studying specifically while researching for this article, and I am hooked. The melodies and catchy riffs in instrumental rock can not only help improve your concentration but also enhance the creativity in you.
Start by checking out artists like Explosions in the Sky and Polyphia, explore songs by Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd, or look for the Spotify playlist created by Live Better Media.
If this doesn’t turn out to be the best background music while studying, I’d be pretty surprised.
Binaural beats
Binaural beats are basically two beats that have similar frequencies but don’t sound exactly the same. Music with binaural beats has been proven to help improve concentration and increase an individual’s focus on a task.
Binaural beats create an amazing auditory illusion and create the best sound for studying. It’s also known for reducing anxiety, helping with insomnia, and removing any distractions.
There are tons of hour-long playlists on Spotify and YouTube with binaural beats. Hell, there’s a music artist with the name Binaural Beats (I’m checking him out as I type)!
Video game music
Yes, I hear you – listening to video game music while studying is crazy. But think about this – video game creators have invested a lot in figuring out the perfect kind of music for gamers. This music is composed in a way that helps you focus on your task as you evaluate, navigate, and fight your way through intense situations.
Listening to this kind of music will quickly propel you onward through the most stressful bits of your day.
Creating your own study music playlist
When creating a playlist and adding music that helps you study, it’s important to keep a few things in mind-
- Avoid music with lyrics. It will only distract you from focusing on your studies.
- Look for slow music with smooth transitions. Listen to the kind of songs that help you relax.
- Keep the volume low. This will help you not concentrate too much on the music itself. So let it be the background music while studying.
- Stick to the songs that you aren’t emotionally attached to. While music can help you get into a better mood, it will also trigger your emotions, so it’s best to stay safe from songs that you think might upset you.
- Keep your playlists only 50 minutes long. Get up for a short, 10-minute break and go for a small walk around the house. Trust me, it will work wonders.
There, you have it. The perfect way to create a playlist that will help you stay focused during the exam times!
And if you feel like I missed out on something or want to share what kind of music works for you, feel free to reach out or drop a comment! I’d be happy to add your suggestions to this blog!
Personal recommendations
If you’ve also been listening to niche music for as long as I have, you’re bound to have a few recommendations for a study music playlist. Here are mine (thank me later :P)-
- Tarakka Bindige, Vedanth Bharadwaj
- Pirates of the Caribbean, Hans Zimmer
- Cycle Song, Imogen Heap
- Atlas I and Atlas II, Sleeping at Last
- Dance Monkey Tones and I, cover by Graziatto
- Experience, Ludovico Einaudi
- Explained theme song, Jackson Greenberg
- Who We Want to be, Tom Day
- Tales of the Night Forest, Black Hill and Silent Island
- Something we all adore, Cafe De Anatolia
What about you? What are your recommendations?