Studying while listening to music is an increasingly common habit among people. Some studies turn to the possible benefits and harms brought to concentration, memory and assimilation of contents.
These studies make it clear that there is significant variation from person to person. Therefore, it is important for everyone to be able to see if studying while listening to music is, in fact, helping or bringing some degree of dispersion that can hinder studies.
Some musical styles such as classical music and jazz can be important allies. Other trends are the music designed to create an environment that favors relaxation and concentration.
It is important to keep the volume at a low level, creating ambient sound, loud music is largely inadvisable.
We prepare a playlist with 50 songs of different styles for you to try which ones best match your study rhythm.
- Johann Sebastian Bach - Cello Suite No. 1 in G Major, BWV 1007: I. Prelude
- Frédéric Chopin - Nocturne en mi bémol majeur opus 9 n°2: Ballade en Sol Mineur No.1
- Frédéric Chopin - Nocturne, Op. posth. in C-Sharp Minor: Slow
- Franz Schubert - 4 Impromptus, Op.90, D.899: No.4 in A Flat Major: Allegretto
- Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart - Piano Concerto No. 21 in C Major, K. 467 "Elvira Madigan": II. Andante
- Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky - Album for the Young, Op. 39: No. 3. Mamma (Maman)
- George Frideric Handel - Handel / Orch. Hale: Keyboard Suite in D Minor, HWV 437: III. Sarabande
- Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart - Piano Sonata No. 16 in C Major, K. 545 "Sonata facile": 1. Allegro
- Antonio Vivaldi - Vivaldi Variation (Arr. for Piano from Concerto for Strings in G Minor, RV 156)
- Franz Joseph Haydn - String Quartet No. 62 in C Major, Op. 76, No. 3, Hob. III: 77, "Emperor": II. little adagio, cantabile
- Ludwig van Beethoven - Bagatelle No. 25 in A Minor, "Für Elise", WoO 59
- Claude Debussy - Suite Bergamasque: III. Clair de lune. Andante très expressif
- Egberto Gismonti - Clown
- Dizzy Gillespie - All The Things You Are
- Thelonious Monk - Monk's Dream - Take 8
- Thelonious Monk - Ruby, My Dear
- Bill Evans - Skating In Central Park
- Duke Ellington - In A Sentimental Mood
- John Coltrane - I'll Wait And Pray
- Miles Davis - Blue in Green
- Miles Davis - So What
- Bill Evans - Peace Piece
- Chet Baker - If You Could See Me Now
- Stan Getz - The Nightingale Sang In Berkeley Square
- Oscar Peterson - Blue And Sentimental
- Oscar Peterson Trio - I Got It Bad And That Ain't Good
- Brière - Unfolding
- Gridlocks - Lemon Squeeze
- Lo Fi Hip Hop - City Pop (LoFi)
- ChillHop Cafe - Lofi Coffee
- k y l o. - Sleepy Birdsong
- Coffe Lofi - Lofi Gorgeous Guitar
- Coffe Lofi - Lofi Flutes & Boots
- Lofi Hip-Hop Beats - Lofi Hip Hop Keys
- Lumipa Beats - Hold me Strong
- Ambiworld - Thunderous Amazon
- Pinetree Way - Chill Waves & Wind in Leaves
- The Rainforest Collective - Zen Nature Sounds
- Alpha Brain Waves - Alpha Waves Study
- Alpha Brain Waves - Brain Synapses
- Alpha Brain Waves - Exam Prep
- Alpha Brain Waves - Ace the Test
- Vorssenn - Binaural Alpha Sinus 100 Hz - 108 Hz
- Naturalis - Gathering Strength (Alpha Waves)
- Binaural Beats - Brain Waves Isochronic Tones - Brain Wave Entrainment - Study Music
- Shaman - Focus (Alpha 11 Hz)
- Vorssenn - Binaural Alpha Sinus 120 Hz - 128 Hz
- Shaman - Energizer (Beta 18 Hz)
- Marco Milone - Binaural Alpha Waves (Only Waves)
- White Noise - White Noise for Studying
total time of playlist: 3 hours and 32 minutes.
What kind of music to listen to?
Preference should be given to instrumental songs (which does not have any singing parts). Sung songs make the brain concentrate to understand the message and take the focus of studies.
Songs in an unfamiliar language create a more harmful effect called the "Irrelevant Speech Effect".
The sound of incomprehensible speech makes the brain activate in the search to decode that (irrelevant) information, making it difficult to memorize the reading.
Relaxing and meditative music creates a healthier environment for studying and improves concentration and memory.
Classic music
A good alternative is the classic music. Studies show that this type of music can facilitate memorization and the solving of math problems.
Some classics like Bach, Chopin and Mozart were quite successful in some scientific tests.
instrumental jazz
For those who don't like this musical style, another possibility can be instrumental jazz, as long as it doesn't exceed 80 bpm (beats per minute).
Some artists nominated are: Miles Davis, Thelonious Monk, Stan Getz and Oscar Peterson.
Chill out and Chill-hop
For fans of electronic music and hip-hop, chill out and chill-hop promise to generate total relaxation (chill out, in English). They are light and quiet versions of the traditional beats and can help those who need to spend hours studying.
Other interesting variants are: trip-hop, lo-fi hip-hop and lounge music.
Nature sounds, binaural beats, alpha waves and white noise
Music and video platforms offer several themes that promise to increase the capacity for concentration, memorization and studies.
Trails composed of sounds from nature generate a certain level of relaxation, which can be interesting for students who are slow to focus on tasks.
Another interesting experience is the use of so-called binaural beats (binaural beats), sounds intentionally produced for focus induction. some trails and playlists promise to activate the brain's alpha waves, responsible for relaxation and concentration.
White noise, on the other hand, consists of sounds that have a constant power and intensity. Studies show that this type of sound can be effective in stimulating focus in people with ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder).
Despite the initial strangeness it may cause, it is also widely used for noise control, a kind of sound mask over unwanted external sounds.
Check out the playlist that we prepared with 50 songs to study and help with concentration:
What not to hear?
In addition to songs with lyrics in a language that is not mastered, sung songs, in general, are not recommended, even in Portuguese. The brain will react to music and the tendency is to lose focus on studies.
Likewise, songs above 90 bpm generate a state of euphoria and interfere with concentration. Thus, the famous 150 bpm funk and some electronic music styles, which can reach 250 bpm, are not recommended to listen to while studying.
However, music, regardless of style, can make the person more willing and excited to start the study journey. It's up to you to understand which tools help and which hinder your routine.
See too: Podcasts to study