Five Genres of Music That Can Help You Study

Gone are the days when study times had piles of books and stationaries, with yet another cup of coffee, covered with the tit-bits of cookies while you swing to and fro in half-sleep. I remember how my alarm clock was put in the best use back then, to wake me up after short intervals. Though, days are still occupied with daily curriculums, nights are still occupied with 20 kilograms of assignments, coffee is still another late-night partner, but study times have turned interesting. When was the last time you didn’t plug in to your earphones whilst pooling into a novel or while grasping the most important yet boring topic of the chapter late at night? Few hours before maybe, or did I just catch you? Well, you cannot underestimate the power of music when it comes to “let me sit and silently study.” The word “silently” signifies the absence of humans, not the human voice. Music has been considered one of the strongest influences in the lives of students. Some people do not prefer listening to music while doing a task because it distracts them whereas there are a gazillion teenagers who are unable to focus if music is turned off. Research says that there is a particular spectrum of musical properties that the brain prefers, and there needs to be at least a medium level of syncopation in music that increases the productivity and elicits a pleasure response in individuals. That means, “music should be funky, not too funky that would make people to dance”. So, if you can’t put off your earphones and books are calling you, here are some genres you can flavor your study time with. 1. Classical music: Ever heard of “Mozart effect”? Well, it would only be a mistake if you do not try on classical music while studying. If you have a thing for light, harmonious and peaceful music, try on Mozart’s and Beethoven’s composition. Composers like Vivaldi, Handel and Bach offer you baroque music. Mozart’s composition is the only first ever discovered music that can enhance mental performance. Are you adding this to your playlist?

Listen to this:

• Mozart- Symphony 40 
• Vivaldi- Four Seasons 

2. Instrumental and Atmospheric rock: One of the best forms of music to listen while studying is post-rock music. This genre mostly covers instrumental music with no vocals. Some bands include vocals which could be hardly discerned. Without drawing much of your attention away from studies, this genre provides you an ideal background. Some of the best works that you can refer are those of Sigur Rós, Mogwai, Explosions in the Sky, Tortoise, and Godspeed You Black Emperor. With satisfying crescendo with minimalistic narrative structure, this genre is ethereal.

Listen to this:

• Sigur Ros- Hoppipolla 
• Mogwai- Take Me Somewhere Nice

3. Instrumental Jazz: Not much of a jazz fan? Well, when I tell you that there’s nothing more mellifluous than this genre, you must give it a chance. This style of music can relax your bones and give a pleasant backdrop, even if you aren’t an instrumental jazz lover. Giving a mellow background to your study sessions can be best with music compositions by Miles Davis, Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Dave Brubeck. Their smooth beats will help you concentrate in your studies. Listen to this:

• Miles Davis- So What 
• Duke Ellington- It don’t mean a thing

Electronic music: To certain people, especially students, fast electronic beats like electronic dance music (EDM) helps them being more receptive to information during studies. To others, it’s the slow ambient kind of music with large drones that caters to make them feel relaxed and stretch another hour with the books. Are you a Spotify user? Well, if you are then you have an endless list of electronic music enriched with Beta Brain Waves and give you good vibes. You can try on The xx, Bonobo, Deadmau5, Flume, Slow magic, Eric Prydz, Maduk, Eskmo.

Try this:

• The xx- Intro
• Deadmau5- Arguru

World music: Once you start opening yourself to different types of music all around the globe, world music encompasses forms like folk music, ethnic music, cultural music, neotraditional music, indigenous music representing Western music.

Listen to this:

• Bon Iver- Holocene 
• Nusrat Fateh Ali khan’s music 
• Afro Celt Sound System – Honey bee 

So, did you add these to your playlists yet?