We often hear the popular opinion that music, especially classical, helps relax your brain and improves focus. But can it really help you study more effectively? You may have seen many people in cafes or libraries with headphones, listening to music while working or studying – whether it’s Mozart, Bach, or even heavy metal.

Known as the “Bach Effect,” some research suggests that listening to classical music might temporarily improve performance. Indeed, delicate works by Debussy, Mozart, Bach, Haydn, and even Beethoven and Chopin can help calm daily stress and clear your mind. As a result, many people develop the habit of working or studying while listening to classical music. But is it really that simple? Or, on the contrary, does classical music, due to its complex nature, tend to make you focus on the actual music rather than your homework? In this post, we’ll explore how classical music—and music in general—affects your brain, the best pieces for studying, and when listening to it might actually harm your productivity. So, can classical music help you study? Let’s find out!

How does classical music acts on your mentality?

It is no wonder that classical music has a unique effect on people’s minds and helps to relax mentality. Many scientific studies say that listening to classical music has a direct impact on a listener’s mood, stress reduction, and general cognitive performance. Thus, it’s not surprising that light instrumental music also affects your intellectual skills.

As previously mentioned, the Bach Effect is a phenomenon that shows how classical music, especially Bach’s, helps students focus on a topic and comprehend material faster. Research from the University of France showed that among two groups of students, those who listened to lectures with classical music in the background scored significantly higher than those who didn’t. On the other hand, research conducted by David J. Bridgett from Northern Illinois University is more skeptical, suggesting that the Bach Effect on studying and concentration is quite exaggerated and doesn’t always improve outcomes. Nevertheless, classical music certainly helps reduce stress and anxiety. Studies from the University of Illinois suggest that classical music not only helps consolidate memory and attention but also helps prevent some cognitive diseases like Alzheimer! Slow, peaceful works by composers like Bach, Schubert, or Mozart can lower cortisol levels, a hormone associated with stress, helping to relax the mind, especially after intense mental work. This is why classical music is often recommended for jobs requiring concentration, like computer programming. Listening to music activates both hemispheres of the brain, enhancing neural connections and improving mental productivity. Considering all this information, we can surely say that classical music has a positive effect on us. It clears your thoughts and helps you relax after work or a stressful day, much like a glass of wine. However, when it comes to listening to classical music during work, there are more factors to consider. So, the answer to the question, “Can classical music help you study?” is more complex than it might seem. But understanding how music affects our brain allows us to explore this question more detailedly.

Is classical music effective for studying?

We wish there was magical music, which would make your brain work better and help you pass all exams. However, the reality is more straightforward, and there are two primary factors determining whether music helps or distracts you: what you are studying and what type of music is the best for it.

1. What music is the best for studying?

Classical music is definitely the most complex of all musical genres. Whether it’s Beethoven or Bach, their music is more than just melodies and beautiful harmonies. It is intellectual entertainment and requires your full attention to follow the score and the development of the music to really enjoy it. Otherwise, you may split your attention, trying to focus on both the score and your task. As a result, you won’t concentrate fully on either, leading to distraction and mistakes. Just imagine listening to Beethoven’s 5th Symphony, Liszt’s Transcendental Etudes, or Schubert’s String Quartets. Furthermore, any musical genre can destroy your attention, especially loud and aggressive ones like rock or some pop hits. Of course, this can make your studying more enjoyable and even give you some motivation and energy, but the outcome of the study will likely not be amazing. This also depends on the type of tasks you are doing. To study effectively while listening to music, try to choose slower, more static pieces with a BPM of around 60–70, without loud noises or sudden shifts. Beethoven’s sonatas, for example, may not be a good choice for studying, as they are too complex to simply leave in the background. They contain many musical twists and mood changes and are filled with drama and passion, like the third movement of Moonlight Sonata or the first movement of Hammerklavier. Classical instrumental works may be more preferable to modern techno or rap music. Orchestral music creates pleasant vibrations that have a more positive effect on our mentality. Also, try to avoid songs with lyrics or very rhythmic music, like Queen’s We Will Rock You, as they are too catchy. Sudden ads or volume changes can also negatively affect your concentration on the subject. Generally speaking, choose calm instrumental pieces that are not too fast, are static in sound, and lack sudden shifts. Some jazz pieces work perfectly as background music, like Take Five by Dave Brubeck. It has a simple and relaxing piano motif and a saxophone melody that is easy to follow and doesn’t overcomplicate things. Here are some possible choices for you to listen to: • L. van Beethoven – Bagatelles (Für Elise, G minor, etc.) • W. A. Mozart – Serenades, Symphonies, Early Piano Sonatas • J. S. Bach – English and French Suites, Inventions and Sinfonias • F. Chopin – Nocturnes, Preludes Remember that music, especially classical, needs to be listened to attentively to be fully appreciated. You can truly understand the magic of the greatest musical masterpieces only when you listen to every single note and analyze your imagination and feelings.

D. Brubeck: Take Five

2. What You Study Matters

The second important factor depends on what you are actually studying and which tasks you are performing. Research shows that music, especially classical, improves the quality of study. It has even helped students pass math exams, and math requires intensive brain work. However, music may be harmful in some cases and make it harder to study or practice. Research showed that students who listened to classical music during lectures may have paid closer attention to the material and understood it better, even with music playing in the background. However, actual understanding of the material comes when you practice by yourself. After numerous mistakes and questions, you begin to fully grasp what you were taught in the lecture. Take a math or physics problem, for example. If you are learning new material and have to understand a certain algorithm or task, it requires your full attention to grasp everything. In this case, any distraction such as music or noise will only make it more difficult to focus. So classical music can’t really help you learn new material.

Study Procedure of students – An Experiment by PubMed Central

On the other hand, it is more reasonable to listen to music when you are practicing something you already know. In this situation, the vibrations of music create a pleasant effect and help you stay more focused on the task you already know how to perform. This task could be something like reviewing notes, theoretical learning, or simple practice.

The effect of classical music on learning is similar to sleep. You have probably experienced situations where you couldn’t understand a lesson or how to solve a certain problem, but the next morning, after a good sleep, you got it quickly. The same thing happens with music – it helps you digest information after you’ve actually understood the task, rather than helping you grasp it faster during study sessions. So classical music can help you memorize information more quickly, but not necessarily learn it.

After all, the effect of music on studying isn’t as straightforward as it seems. Despite numerous studies and research, it ultimately depends on the individual. Try studying while listening to some of the pieces listed in this article. If you find yourself distracted or annoyed, then the music won’t help you study more effectively.

It is clear, though, that classical music has a positive overall effect on mental health. It can help you process material after you’ve given it your full attention. However, classical music isn’t really meant to be played in the background; it requires your attention to truly enjoy and appreciate it. The Mozart Effect works when you actively listen to the score. If you can follow it without distractions, then music becomes quite intellectual entertainment.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can classical music help you study?

Numerous studies have shown that classical music improves brain function and helps to process information. However, the actual impact of music on learning depends on the type of music and the type of study. So, sometimes it can be helpful, but sometimes it can be distracting.

2. What kind of music is best for studying?

Try to listen to light instrumental music without lyrics and with a static tempo. Choose music with a tempo between 50-80 BPM.

Here are some suggestions:

Chopin – Nocturnes

Bach – English and French Suites

Mozart – Serenades and symphonies

Dvořák – Humoresques

Meanwhile, here’re pieces not suitable for studying:

Liszt – Transcendental Etudes

Beethoven’s sonatas and symphonies

Schubert’s Lieders and sonatas (though some of them may be quite calm)

3. Does the Mozart Effect really work?

The concept of the Mozart Effect and its positive impact on the human brain has been a topic of numerous studies in recent times. According to them, classical music, especially Bach and Mozart, has a very relaxing and positive impact on our cognitive function. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean that listening to their music will boost your IQ or make you pass all your exams.

How to Listen to Bach: A Beginner’s Guide

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