Don’t get me wrong- I also enjoy having Lil’ Wayne and Kesha in the background while I study. But let’s all be honest with each other- anything on a top 40 countdown is not conducive to major academic accomplishments. It’s been scientifically proven that the best music to listen to while studying is classical baroque music. I know it’s scientifically proven, because I read it on Wikipedia. True story.
I won’t lie to you- classical music is an acquired taste. When I first started listening to it, I was more distracted by how much I didn’t like it than I would have been if I had just kept on singing to the Paradiso Girls. But eventually I got into “the zone” of when I actually focused in on my work, and miracles happened. My back-ache was cured, my runny nose dried up and I no longer need to wear my glasses to see long distances! OK, maybe not. But I can and will vouch for this classical baroque stuff. It really is significantly more calming than listening to all my favorite hits. I focus better, so my readings get done faster.
And because I love it so much, I’m sharing it with you for free- yes, FREE- today on YouTube. It’s a 16 song playlist, so you’ll probably finish before it does. (That’s what she said!) Behold:
Also, I think it would be approximately 15 different kinds of awesome if we could all build this playlist together. As in, after you begin to listen to classical music and your tastes grow, you let me know of songs to be added to the list, and I’ll add it on. And then we’ll have a hugely epic, 9 hour long classical baroque playlist for those kids who don’t do their assignments timely and need something in the background for all nighters. Cool, right? Yes, I thought so too.P.S. I lied. This list is not 100% classical baroque, but there were some other classical pieces that I thought just needed to be in the mix, as they are too bad to pass up. Don’t worry- nothing bad will happen to you. Enjoy your programming as normal.
BLABLA
P.P.S. If you liked this post, you should see what I post to twitter each day. follow @aydaring.
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Yes, the list is not 100% Baroque, though it is interesting to note the effect the era of music has on the process. Classical music can be divided into 3 big eras: Baroque (Bach, Vivaldi etc), Classical (Mozart, Beethoven etc), and Romantic (Debussy, Ravel, Mahler, Stravinsky, Tchaikovsky etc), so it is a little unwise to lump them all under “classical music” because they sound drastically different from each other. Listening to something by Bach may in fact have a different effect from listening to the works of someone like Stravinsky or Mahler.
Scientifically, there has been some research done on classical music affecting how the brain runs, particularly when studying. Most of the time though, they use music from the Classical era, so perhaps you’d want to stick to that. Might also want to check out the Mozart Effect — proof (or not) that listening to Mozart during tests will help you do better.
Agreed.
When I said classical music though, I meant it in the same sense in which you first used classical music- not to refer to the era of Mozart et al. but to refer to the music of our fore-fore-fore fathers.
You are so right about this. I find that classical music calms me and keeps me focused.
You are so right about this. I find that classical music calms me and keeps me focused.
Classical music is good to work to, but I still like to mix it up. Sometimes I just need the energy of some fast paced music. It totally depends on what I’m doing. For some tasks, I need music that I can concentrate to, while for other tasks I just need something to help pass the time.
I big fan of music. I’ll check it out the this playlist.
Classical music is probably the best way to go. I can’t imagine how metal fans can listen to Metallica while doing their HW…..boggles my mind.
I do enjoy my Buddha Bar type World Music, and some nice PsyTrance in the background doesn’t hurt either. As long as there are no vocals I can work with music, but the minute some vocalist’s ego gets imprinted onto the track it just throws me right off.
Thanks for the list, it’s working well for me! FYI, the audio for Vivaldi Summer has been disabled. I’d love it if you could remove it or replace it, since the 3 minutes of silence messes up my studying groove. Thanks!
I find that classical music calms me and keeps me focused.You are so right about this
lmfao @ “I can’t imagine how metal fans can listen to Metallica while doing their HW…..boggles my mind.”
agreed. the hallway of my residence is forever pumping with angry guitar rifts well until midnight some days. I don’t even bother trying to study in my room anymore.
@Abby….I’ll look into that! I have all these songs on a playlist on my computer now, so I haven’t used it in a while :S
@Abby…fixed that problem. The playlist should be working famously now!
i find that it’s easier to concentrate without any music at all, any music distracts me..
Sorry but I dont like that one.
You are so right about this.
I find that classical music calms me and keeps me focused.
Yes the Classical music is good to work to, but I still like to mix it up. Sometimes I just need the energy of some fast paced music.
You are so right about this.
The problem is, I’ll still listen to the music. It distracts me anyway.
Lately I have been listening to more and more music at work. While it may be a slight distraction, it at least blocks out other distractions around me.
I prefer to listen to Mozart, for some reason I am able to concentrate and retain more information. You should try it!
I can’t listen to any music while i’m studying. It has to be completely silent, otherwise I can’t concentrate!
Me neither, even if I really like classical music. But when I’m studying it has to be quiet. I can’t even hear anyone talk.
Calm, quiet music can really help concentrate on your work. I used to work in a totally silent environment but then I moved in to a house full of people so the noise doesn’t disturb me so much now.
I can’t concentrate on study with music, but i’ll try this music.
sure it’s easier with music like that than with rock. I love listening to classical music while I’m studyind, it relaxes me and help me stay calm if I have an exam ahead for example.
I have discovered the beauty of classical music during my last term at the university. Too bad, I never listened to what other people say about it. I’ve always thought they are boring and dull, but I was wrong. It keeps me relaxed and helps me to get focus.
I love classical music but I like as well the top 40. Maybe it is different for me because I am from Europe. One of my favorites is Vivaldi’s Four Seasons!!! Just listen to it while studying and you will see…
I prefer listening to instrumental music, expecially flamenco songs.
There have been studies regarding this a well. It is quite true that it helps focus and reduces stress levels. I kinda got into listening to big band the 40 50 station on TV from my mom, so i can still kinda rock out but with out the words so i don’t get as distracted.
sell books online, i totally agree with you. listening to mmusic while studying increases the concentration of some people.
You are so right about this. I find that classical music calms me and keeps me focused.
I hope you know that Wikipedia is not very reliable. Anyone with an accoun can change the info on there!
Classical music could be excellent listening to while even studying hard or focusing on complex matters.
If the Classics are not available, I really recommend easing the mind via some Piano masterpieces.
I’ve also recently started listening to “classical” (thanks to looseleaf for educating me on the difference) when I study and find it helpful. As for the youtube video you’ve posted… love the music but find it hard to watch the video and read at the same time. ;P
Classical music is good to work to, but I still like to mix it up. Sometimes I just need the energy of some fast paced music. It totally depends on what I’m doing. For some tasks, I need music that I can concentrate to, while for other tasks I just need something to help pass the time.