Music to Help You Study: Best Playlists for Focus and Memory (2024)

FAQs

What is the best music to listen to while studying for memory? ›

We have found that the best genres of music to listen to while studying, reading or writing include minimalist, classical, piano and low-fi music.

Listening to Classical music is known to be both peaceful and harmonious, creating a calm and serene study environment. It is often referenced as one of the best studying genres for students because listeners report side effects like better mood and increased productivity—often referred to as the Mozart effect.

“Studying can be stressful, and excessive anxiety can hinder learning and memory consolidation,” says Medina. “The right choice of music, such as instrumental or ambient music, can help block out distractions, improve concentration, and maintain attention during study sessions.”

Other studies, as noted by the Mozart Project, support the theory behind the Mozart effect, which hypothesizes that listening to classical music improves memory and retention.

Many people with ADHD gravitate to instrumental music because it generally has a very structured rhythm that helps people focus. 3 In addition, instrumental music is more common because it doesn't have words that can be distracting.

Classical: The best music for concentration

As far as concentration goes, science dictates that classical music is the best for studying. This calming playlist is 3 hours long and features some of the most famous and brilliant piano sonatas by Mozart. It's perfect for studying, concentration and reading.

Another group of researchers found that the type of music that most positively influences learning is “soft-fast,” songs like Jason Mraz's “I'm Yours” or “Love on Top” by Beyoncé. “Loud-fast,” “soft-slow” and “loud-slow” music tended to hinder learning.

Bilateral music is a type of music that you listen to using headphones, where you can hear the music alternating between the left and right ears. This alternate stimulation of each side of the brain can be helpful when people have anxiety, stress or trauma.

Consider creating a playlist that transitions from one genre to another over time, mirroring your study breaks. Studies have shown that songs with a BPM between 50 and 80 can enhance concentration and cognition. These tempos can subtly encourage your brain to get into the 'zone'.

What is the best playlist on Spotify? ›

The Recommended Songs section is another neat way to discover new music. It contains five new pieces of music which you can quickly insert into your playlist using the add button. If none of the 5 songs interests you, there's also a refresh button. You can find this section at the bottom of all playlists.

Classical music isn't for everyone due to it being historic, but a variety of studies have proven that listening to it can be relaxing and calming to get you in study mode. Such famous studies include the Mozart effect, which states that listening to classical music can improve your mood and productivity.

The bottom line. Music can improve your mood and help you feel more motivated to tackle important tasks, but it doesn't always work as a study tool. Even people who love music might find it less than helpful when trying to concentrate.

“Music activates both the left and right brain at the same time, and the activation of both hemispheres can maximize learning and improve memory,” says Dr. Masha Godkin, a professor in the Department of Marriage and Family Sciences at National University.

White noise can be a powerful tool for improving focus and concentration while studying. Rather than silence or distractions, background sounds like rain, waves, or subtle coffee shop chatter can help drown out disruptions. This allows you to delve deeper into your work and achieve a state of flow.

Studies have shown that “music doesn't just help us retrieve stored memories, it also helps us lay down new ones.” A tune connected to an event or information forms a kind of soundtrack, which, when replayed, can spark a recollection.

Because white noise is monotonous, a lot of individuals feel that it works best for deep focus. White noise, for instance, might aid in concentration when working on a subject that demands a lot of focus, such as learning new study material or crafting a challenging essay.