The best music for studying

Nobody can agree whether music helps or hinders studying - but if you're going to use it, you might as well pick the right tunes.

Music while you’re studying

Most people find music with words too distracting when they are working. So try some of these tried and tested alternatives:

Classical: The Mozart effect is the idea that listening to Mozart’s music boosts your brainpower. Whether that’s true or not, he’s a good choice for any student.

Jazz: If you’ve ever been in a coffee shop, you probably know that jazz makes great background music. Miles Davis is a good place to start.

Foreign-language music: You can keep focused without restricting yourself to instrumental music by playing something in a language you don’t understand! From classic French singer Édith Piaf to desert rockers Tinariwen, the wider world of music has something for everyone.

Try playing the same kind of music whenever you start work. You’ll learn to associate it with study so it will get you in the mood.

Music for breaks

Music can help your breaks in two ways: chilling you out and revving you up.

Chilling out: Chill-out music does exatly what it says on the tin, but there’s plenty more that fits the bill. Try New Age singers like Enya or swing like Frank Sinatra.
Revving up: Whether you’re into rock, hip-hop or cheesy 70s disco, everyone has a few songs that make them feel ready for anything. This is the time to break out those tracks you can’t study with because you’d be too busy singing along.

Finding more music

If you’re working on or near a computer, you might be able to plug the gaps in your CD collection with Spotify. This lets you play albums over the internet for free. You can also share playlists with other users – check out some good ones to study to here.

Keep it down!

Remember, not everyone likes music while they work – and if they do, their taste might be different to yours. So respect the people around you and keep the volume down!

Your shout!

Do you prefer music or silence while you work? Share your favourite study tracks in the comment box below.

Comments

When I Revise/ Study I listen to Heavy Metal.....and that helps me concentrate on what I'm doing...

23-02-10

Spotify is not free anymore. If you ARE in a country where it is available, you now need to either pay, or get invited by an existing PAYING member. If someone got it while it was free, they cant invite you now. There's plenty of alternatives though, lastfm, pandora in the us, and winamp for a good selection of radio stations of every kind.

For studying music, let me suggest you filed recordings- nature sounds. Crickets, water streams, soft ocean waves, frog songs, bird singing, cicadas, storms- you name it. there must be one that brings soothing memories to you and lets your mind relax and absorb or create better. My favourite "artists" are ECHOES OF NATURE.

I will try Mozart though. They say it makes babies smarter- who knows, it might work on adults too! :)

Nikolina · 15-02-10

I have several play lists on Itunes that I listen to when working. One includes all the music that motivates me, my favourite bands, favourite tracks and the other includes classical music and music from films to inspire me. I find that the star wars sound track can help a lot when I'm feeling demotivated!

11-02-10

I always listen to music while working it takes away all the stress and tension from my mind that way i got more space for thinking
ANY MUSIC THAT I LIKE WORKS FOR ME DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY PPLE CANT CONCENTRATE
:S

10-02-10

I find something gentle and folk'y such as Jose' Gonzalez helps me to focus on my work when writing essays. It takes me away from a lot of the other outside distractions.

09-02-10

I personally prefer to listen to music whilst working, however understand why some people may find this distracting. When i listen to music whilst working enjoy songs which i would listen to usually, and feel in no way distracted by it. But occasionally i would prefer to listen to something instumental rather than a lyrical song; whilst working

09-02-10