The trouble is, while our conscious attention is focused on the task in hand, the unconscious attention system doesn’t shut down it’s still very much online, scanning for anything important in your peripheral senses. So when you hear a noise when you’re alone at home, you’re paying attention to it long before you’re able to work out what it might have been. The unconscious one is simpler, more fundamental, and linked to emotional processing rather than higher reasoning. We seem to have two attention systems: a conscious one that enables us to direct our focus towards things we know we want to concentrate on and an unconscious one that shifts attention towards anything our senses pick up that might be significant. Why would music help us concentrate, though? One argument is to do with attention.įor all its amazing abilities, the brain hasn’t really evolved to take in abstract information or spend prolonged periods thinking about one thing. Most modern pop falls somewhere within this range, no doubt. The middle ground ( funk music like James Brown is what the experimenters reference most) hits the sweet spot between predictable and chaotic, for which the brain has a strong preference.
#FOCUS MUSIC FREE#
In contrast, chaotic and unpredictable music, like free jazz, has high levels of syncopation, can be extremely off-putting and rarely, if ever, entices people to dance. They have low levels of syncopation and certainly don’t make you want to dance. Simple, monotonous beats, like listening to a metronome, aren’t really entertaining. Even if these are not your preferred genres, your brain likes them more than you think.Your own experience will probably back this up. So the next time you’re doubling down on revision or assignments, select a classical or ambient music playlist to be your companion.
This type of focus music sets a tone or atmosphere, allowing you to immerse yourself in it without much thought to song lyrics or structure. Listening to classical music when you study arouses your brain, making it easier to absorb new information in a meaningful way.Īmbient music is another solid option for studying. There’s even a term for this phenomenon: the Mozart Effect. Research has proven that classical tunes are the ultimate focus music. The same goes for songs with complex structures or arrangements.įor students, the right focus music should be tunes that allow you to absorb and retain new information. For example, most people find it easier to focus while listening to instrumental songs - because following lyrics can be distracting. With that said, choosing the right type of music can make or break your focus. Source: Jack Guez/AFP Why ambient and classical are the best focus music At the same time, slower, minor-key music may be more suited to introverts or more complex tasks (which are clearly defined).
This is because major-key music encourages brain activity more than minor-key music. In other words, upbeat “happy” music is better for focus. Undergrads listening to music in a major mode were able to complete tasks faster than those listening to music in a minor mode. Why does any of this matter? Well, one University of Connecticut study found that the key of your focus music can influence your performance while listening to it. On the other hand of the spectrum, you’ll find their minor counterparts A minor and E minor. Pop songs, for example, are usually made up of major notes like C major and G major. Finding the right keyĪt the basic level, each song is composed in a major or minor key. Now imagine the possibilities students like you can unlock with focus music. Research has even proven that people with ADHD focus better with the right music. It’s no secret that music activates the most diverse networks of the human brain. Now, you may be wondering: does this mean we can elevate brain power and creativity with the right music? It allows us to zero in, drown out distractions, and get cracking on the task at hand.
While we may prefer different genres of focus music, we can all agree that the right playlist has the magical ability to boost concentration.
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