Music is something we do regardless of whether we are happy or sad, working out, traveling, or relaxing. We believe that our mood, emotions, cognitive performance, and mental health, in general, can be affected by it.
Many students listen to music while studying because they believe it helps them concentrate, remember, or comprehend the material better.
However, is music truly beneficial for studying? And if so, what music is best for studying?
- Is Music Good for Studying?
- What Music Is Best for Studying?
- Scientifically Best Music for Studying
- Best Music for Studying
Is Music Good for Studying?
It’s not easy to answer these questions, as different studies have shown different results. Some have found that music can improve learning, creativity, and productivity, while others imply that music can distract, impair, or interfere with these processes. However, it may not work for everyone in the same way.
Here are some of the main findings from the studies:
- Music can reduce stress and promote a more positive mindset, which can improve your learning outcomes.
- Classical music helps older adults perform better on memory and processing tasks.
- Music can activate the reward centers in your brain, which can provide motivation to study harder.
- Music can improve cognitive function and brain stimulation by engaging different brain regions and networks.
However, music can also have some drawbacks for studying:
- Music with lyrics can be distracting.
- Too fast and loud music can impair concentration and performance.
- Music preference and personal factors can influence how music affects you.
Therefore, the best music for studying may depend on the type of task, the individual’s preference, and the characteristics of the music.
What Music Is Best for Studying?
Therefore, if you want to listen to music while studying, it’s important to choose the right kind:
- Choose relaxing and calming music, as it can help reduce stress and anxiety. Avoid music that is too loud or fast, as it can have the opposite effect.
- Instrumental music is a great option because it can help you focus on your task without distracting you with lyrics or meanings.
- Select familiar and enjoyable music, as it can make you feel more comfortable while studying. Unfamiliar or unpleasant music can make you feel bored or annoyed.
- Consider the task you are working on and choose music that matches its type and difficulty level. It can enhance your cognitive abilities and help you perform better. Avoid music that doesn’t match the task.
Scientifically Best Music for Studying
Some studies suggest that listening to Mozart’s music can temporarily enhance spatial reasoning and intelligence, a phenomenon known as the Mozart Effect. So, choosing something from Mozart for study can be a possible answer to the question, “What is scientifically best music for studying?”
Best Music for Studying
So, based on what we’ve already covered, some genres of music may be more suitable for studying than others. Here are some examples we would recommend for studying:
Classical Music for Studying
Classical music is one of the most recommended genres for studying as it not only stimulates your brain waves but also enhances your cognitive functions.
Mozart: Mozart’s music is known for its clarity, elegance, and harmony. His compositions are widely regarded as some of the finest examples of classical music. Besides, it is believed to boost your spatial reasoning and creativity.
Bach: Bach’s music is known for its complexity, harmony, and structure. His compositions range from complex pieces for solo instruments to grand works for choir and orchestra. Listening to Bach’s music is not only a treat for the ears but also a great way to improve your concentration and memory.
Beethoven: Beethoven’s emotionally powerful and innovative music continues to influence and inspire musicians and music lovers alike. To accompany your studies, you can choose some of his famous pieces (e.g., the Fifth Symphony, the Ninth Symphony, the Moonlight Sonata, the Für Elise, and the Ode to Joy) or choose any of his symphonies, piano sonatas, string quartets, concertos, or many other works.
Instrumental Music for Studying
Instrumental music is another popular genre of music for studying. It can create a pleasant background noise that blocks out other distractions.
- Piano music is one of the most soothing types of music that can enhance your mood and creativity. Here are a few good piano artists and albums for studying: Yiruma, Ludovico Einaudi, and The Piano Guys.
- Guitar music is one of the most versatile and expressive types that can also improve your focus and attention. Try Estas Tonne, Tommy Emmanuel, or Acoustic Alchemy.
- Ambient music is one of the most minimalistic and atmospheric types of music that will help you reduce stress and anxiety. Check Brian Eno and Stars of the Lid for a change.
Lofi Music for Studying
If you’re looking for a calming soundtrack to help you focus while studying, you might want to check out Lofi. This trendy and popular music genre has a low-fidelity sound that creates a nostalgic atmosphere, perfect for creating a cozy and relaxing vibe. Check out the following Lofi genres and artists that are great for studying.
Lofi hip hop: ChilledCow, Chillhop Music, Lofi Girl
Lofi jazz: Jazz Hop Cafe, Cafe Music BGM Channel, Relax Cafe Music
Lofi beats: Idealism, Jinsang, Study Beats Playlist
Jazz Music for Studying
Jazz is one of the most sophisticated and diverse genres of music for studying. It has a wide range of styles and sub-genres, including swing, bebop, fusion, and many others. Jazz is known for its rich, complex sound that often involves improvisation and experimentation. Listening to jazz music has been shown to have many benefits, including improving cognitive skills such as memory, focus, and creativity. Jazz can also produce a calming effect on the body, reducing stress and anxiety.
Smooth jazz blends elements of pop, rock, and R&B to create a soft and relaxing sound. For example, check out Dave Koz:
Cool jazz has a calm sound, featuring muted instruments, complex harmonies, and modal scales. It can help with clear thinking and concentration, especially when listening to Miles Davis’ albums.
Chet Baker is one of the most popular and charismatic jazz musicians, renowned for his smooth and lyrical trumpet playing, as well as his soft and romantic singing voice. If you’re looking for some music to accompany you on those long study nights, you might want to give one of his albums a try.
Stan Getz is one of the most versatile and expressive jazz musicians. He was known for his warm and melodic saxophone playing and his collaborations with other musicians from different genres. If you’re in the mood to listen to a master of the tenor saxophone, choose Stan Getz’s music for your study night.
Baroque Music for Studying
Baroque music is one of the most classical and elegant genres of music for studying. Its steady tempo, complex harmony, and structured form can help you concentrate and think more clearly. It’s also known for its calming effect, which can help alleviate stress and anxiety.
Calming Music for Studying
Calming music is one of the most relaxing and peaceful genres of music for studying. It can help you study better by improving your mood and well-being and creating a pleasant background noise that blocks out other distractions. We recommend incorporating calming music into your study routine to get a more productive and effective learning experience.
Music for Studying and Concentration
There are plenty of playlists with so-called music for studying and concentration. It’s believed that such music makes you more effective and productive in your studies and helps you focus and memorize better, as it has a moderate tempo, simple melody, and minimal lyrics and motivates you to work harder. Check an example from Spotify:
Cafe Music for Studying
Another trend in the list of the best music for studying is cafe music—a list with cozy and enjoyable compositions perfect for studying that creates a comfortable and relaxing atmosphere and makes you feel happy and cheerful.
Soothing Music for Studying
Finally, soothing music can help you study better by reducing stress and anxiety. It can also help you sleep better— Spotify is a compilation of pleasant and relaxing compositions like this one:
Final Thoughts
When it comes to studying, we all have our personal preferences for music. There’s no right or wrong choice, but there are some tips that can help you get the most out of listening to tunes while you study.
It’s best to choose instrumental music that is familiar to you and matches the task at hand.
If you’re looking for some relaxing tunes, you might want to avoid anything with distracting vocals or unfamiliar sounds.
Don’t be afraid to experiment with different types of music until you find what works best for you.
Remember, music can either make studying a great experience or a terrible one, so use it wisely, and good luck with your studies!
