You probably already knew that music makes everything better. But have you heard of concentration music that can specifically improve your performance?
Table of contents
1. What effect does concentration music have
Concentration music can take many forms. What they all have in common is that it can improve concentration and memory performance . And we've actually known this for quite some time—since 1993, to be precise. That's when the so-called "Mozart Effect" was discovered.
In a study on intelligence and memory, a group of students demonstrated a significant improvement in spatial intelligence . The study's unique feature: Before the start of their work session, the students were given a 10-minute performance of Mozart's "Sonata for Two Pianos in D Major" [1].
However, we still don't fully understand why certain pieces of music have such a stimulating effect on our mental performance. What is clear is that both music and spatial-temporal thinking activate the cortex, the cerebral cortex [2].
In addition, music has positive emotional connotations for many of us . And a positive attitude makes learning and working significantly easier. In fact, a positive attitude is even essential for our brain's receptiveness [3]!
2. Types of concentration music
Focus, more serenity, a good mood... That's what makes concentration-enhancing music perfect for working ! Studies have shown that calm, slow, and unobtrusive music without lyrics is particularly effective [4]. Fortunately, there are now many different styles of music that meet these criteria!
Classical à la Mozart
A classic—in the truest sense. If you're tired of listening to Mozart's Sonata for Two Pianos on repeat, feel free to switch to other artists. The main thing is that it's a melodic, cheerful, and unobtrusive piece that can easily be played in the background .
Ambient
You're probably familiar with ambient: It's a fairly popular form of electronic music . Its characteristic features are predominantly gentle, drawn-out, and often almost ethereal sounds . Ambient thus conveys a certain calm and warmth. This makes the music style ideal for working, learning, and studying.
Alpha Brainwaves
If you search for concentration music on YouTube, you'll find Alpha Brainwaves among the first results. They're considered an absolute insider tip for high performers, as music with alpha waves activates the alpha waves in your own brain. In alpha mode, you're relaxed, alert, and particularly receptive. This creates a powerful workflow that feels productive yet effortless.
Binaural beats
Like alpha waves, binaural beats aren't actually a style of music at all, but rather a sensory perception: sound at different frequencies is heard in each ear . Scientists suspect that this perception can stimulate brain waves and thus promote greater calmness, sleep, and concentration [5].
Lo-Fi music
Lo-Fi, or Lofi, actually stands for "Low Fidelity." The acronym refers to a very simplistic style of hip hop, recorded with simple equipment and without any fuss. Your brain picks up on the small imperfections and thus primes itself for focus mode .
8D Music
This type of sound processing gives you, as the listener, the impression that the perceived sounds are coming from eight different directions . We've actually known this type of music since the 1970s. The principle is similar to that of binaural beats: the specific sound characteristics actively stimulate your brain waves .
Relaxing music and natural sounds
Meditative and/or natural sounds such as rushing water, wind, or birdsong can also help many people concentrate better. Just like ambient music, meditative relaxation music also has the advantage of creating a calm, peaceful atmosphere .
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3. Conclusion
Concentration music can help you focus better and thus increase your mental performance. However, you don't necessarily have to listen to classical music to benefit from this "Mozart effect." These days, there are a variety of different musical styles from which you can choose.
Loud, aggressive, and heavily lyrical pieces have been shown to be detrimental in many studies. Quiet, gentle pieces of music that also have a calming effect are better. Natural sounds or everyday noises can also increase concentration.
Music for concentration in the office has the crucial advantage of allowing you to easily block out annoying external stimuli. It can also help you lift your mood and relax at work . If you're facing a stressful period, simply put on a calming playlist and work through your to-dos in a relaxed manner.
If you're unsure which of the styles presented here suits you, you can simply search for concentration music on YouTube . You'll automatically come across binaural beats, alpha brainwaves, and the like, and you can listen to them at your leisure.
4. Sources
[1] Stangl, W. (2020), Keyword: Mozart Effect, Online Encyclopedia for Psychology and Education, https://lexikon.stangl.eu/4431/mozart-effekt/ (accessed on 12 May 2020).
[2] Jenkins, JS (2001), The Mozart effect, Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine, Volume 94, Issue 4, p. 170-172, https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/014107680109400404 .
[3] Tyng, CM; Amin, HU; [...]; Malik, AS (2017), The Influences of Emotion on Learning and Memory, Frontiers in Psychology, Volume 8, p. 1454, published online: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2017.01454/full .
[4] Shi, Y.-N.; Huang, R.-H.; Chiang, H.-Y. (2012), Background Music: Effects on Attention Performance, Work, Volume 42, Issue 4, p. 573-578, https://content.iospress.com/articles/work/wor01410
[5] Garcia-Argibay, M.; Santed, MA ; Reales, JM (2019), Efficacy of Binaural Auditory Beats in Cognition, Anxiety, and Pain Perception: A Meta-Analysis, Psychological Research, Volume 83, Issue 2, p 357 - 372, https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs00426-018-1066-8 .
