Pop? Rock? Country? Opera? What kind of music do you like to listen to when you study? Photo by James McIntosh.
With a new semester upon us, I thought it may be appropriate to share one of the best things that helps me focus through studying and homework: music.
Music has the power to transform the mind, transporting it to another land free of distractions. It allows the listener to become fully immersed in our work, uninterrupted by the noise and commotion of the world around us. Music is a powerful tool, one that I use nearly every day, and one that I need to stay creative and focused. I’d like to share some of my favorite categories and genres of music that I personally listen to while working on projects, schoolwork and even writing articles for the Good Five Cent Cigar (including this one!).
My first recommended genre, classical music, is a popular choice for many students, and it is my personal go-to for studying. Incredible instrumental talent combined with excellent composition clearly demonstrates why classical music remains a solid choice for studying. My personal favorite composers are Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, composer of the famous ballet performances “The Nutcracker” and “Swan Lake,” Gustav Holst, Sergei Rachmanioff and Franz Liszt.
The pieces I find myself listening to the most are “Jupiter: The Bringer of Jollity” by Holst, “Clair de Lune” by Claude Debussy and “Piano Concerto No. 2” by Rachmanimoff. There are countless others that I also enjoy, but those are my favorites. “Clair de Lune” is an incredibly beautiful piece of music and one that always sounds nostalgic and sentimental in a very powerful yet graceful way. “Jupiter” is a proud, flamboyant piece that really empowers the listener to work hard. The grand fanfares build throughout its nearly eight-minute long runtime with a strong crescendo to finish. For Spotify users I recommend the playlist “Classical Focus” for some of the best tracks for getting work done.
Similar to classical music, film scores are another great choice. Some of the biggest movies and films would be nothing without their accompanying music. What seems like such a small detail of a film can have a lasting impact on it’s success. As someone who enjoys movies, I certainly understand that the score and soundtrack can make or break a film. One thing that I personally enjoy about soundtracks and film scores is the power to transport the listener to a new world. There is also a great deal of emotion conveyed each piece, mirroring the scene in the film.
In my opinion the soundtrack from “Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith” is a great option for studying. The fast-paced tracks energize the listener without distraction from lyrics or words, while still providing strong emotional connections for the listener. Conversely, the film score from “Inception” is very dramatic and slow moving, but still incredibly powerful. The “Film Scores for Studying” playlist on Spotify features a great mix of scores old and new and of varying pace and tempo.
Electronic music is another great option if classical doesn’t quite work out. I personally really enjoy listening to Lo-Fi instrumental beats while studying. They are both relaxing and energizing in a great way. One thing I love about electronic music, especially Lo-Fi, is its repetitive nature. I find myself grooving along to many songs, and before I know it I’m effortlessly working hard through my assignments. Some Lo-Fi tracks that I enjoy are “Herewego” by Jinsang, which reminds me of an early morning, before the sun has come up and the day is new, and “rolling down this lazy wave” by santpoort which is a calming track with a warm, beachy feel to it. I recommend the “Lo-Fi Beats” playlist on Spotify, which has the description, “Beats to relax, study and focus.”
House music, however, involves generally more fast-paced, uptempo tracks that are extremely energizing and fun to listen to. Some tracks that I especially enjoy are “King Bromeliad” by Floating Points and “Black Water” by Octave One; both make it hard to not start instantly grooving to after listening. There is a playlist titled “House Focus” on Spotify that features great tracks for studying. Electronic music is perfect for late-night studying, as it constantly keeps the listener awake with its exciting and motivating upbeat tempo.
Of course, everyone has their own personal choice for studying, but I hope I provided some new potential options for you. Good luck in this spring semester and stay safe!