Music can make us feel uplifted, emotional or even angry. But it can also be used for relaxation and concentration. With music platforms such as Spotify and Apple Music consistently doling out playlists titled as 'Intense Studying' and 'Deep Focus', we can see the rise of people using music as a way to focus on their work and studies. In fact, studies have shown that certain types of music can help in memory performance and enhance cognitive function and concentration. Without further ado, here are our top picks for music that will help you ace that upcoming test!
Classical Music
Classical music may not be everyone's taste but it is definitely one of the most effective forms of music that helps in thinking and focusing. In fact, there is a term for it coined as the 'Mozart Effect' in which results show that listening to Mozart can induce a short-term improvement on the performance of mental tasks. Other well-known classical musicians you may want to try out are Bach, Vivaldi and Handel. My personal favorite when it comes to studying is listening to Baroque classical music.
2. Soundtracks
To everyone's surprise, film and video game soundtracks are also one of the most useful genres of music that can aid in concentration. This is due to its instrumental form in which there are no distracting lyrics or vocals. The most highly recommended types of soundtracks are those that are mellow and low in energy such that it acts as a background music that you can immerse yourself in. You can also refer to another article of ours here where we list our top movie soundtracks.
3. Avant-garde Jazz
Avant-garde Jazz is a style of music that combines avant-garde art music and composition with jazz, with elements of improvisation. The best type of avant-garde Jazz to listen to while working are those with minimalist influences, such that we can enjoy its beautiful and effortless melodies without getting distracted by it. For me personally, I enjoy listening to bands such as Mammal Hands and GoGo Penguins, where I can appreciate their music while keeping focus on my studies and work.
4. Lo-fi Beats
Lo-fi beats is one of the most popular forms of music that people listen to while concentrating. It is so widely used that the Youtube stream 'Lofi hip hop mix - Beats to Relax/Study to' became the go-to study playlist among youths. Internet users even created a meme called 'Study Girl' surrounding the cover of the Youtube video which shows an animated girl who doesn’t stop studying. In fact, we have briefly written on the rise of lo-fi hiphop in the music industry in this article here.
5. Sounds of Nature
Ever heard of the acronym 'ASMR'? It stands for Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response. Don't be afraid by its big words, all you need to understand about ASMR is that it is an experience triggered by certain types of auditory stimuli. By listening to certain types of sounds, people can feel positive feelings such as relaxation. Sounds of nature is one of the most common types of auditory stimuli that triggers such feelings. It helps greatly in relaxing one's mind, and clearing distractions so that you can feel energized enough to start working. Give it a try and see what happens!
Zoe is an avid fan of all kinds of music. Her primary instrument is the guitar but she is always passionately learning how to play other instruments such as the drums and keyboard. She is currently playing the bass guitar in a band and has been routinely involved in music since she was a child.