From Mozart to Metallica: The Best Music to Boost Learning

Do you listen to music while you study?

For many, the idea of hitting the books without Dave Grohl’s thumping drums or James Hetfield’s shattering vocals for company is almost unthinkable.

For others, the sound of silence – actual silence, not the Simon & Garfunkel dirge – is essential in order to swot up effectively.

Whatever your preference, psychological studies have shown that playing music as you study allows your brain’s right hemisphere to “have fun” and avoid boredom during particularly tedious tasks.

As you might expect, though, certain genres of music are reportedly better than others when it comes to boosting your concentration levels to help complete that big assignment.

Lyrics Can Hamper Learning

If you’re mad for Morrissey’s melancholic melodies or a fan of Flavor Flav’s lyrical dexterity, bad news – pesky scientists have found music with lyrics can actually hinder your concentration levels.

According to eggheads, the part of the brain attempting to focus on the academic task – reading a book or cracking a maths problem – is the same part of the noggin listening to words in a song.

As a result, boffins advise listening to something devoid of lyrics to prevent your brain from trying to concentrate on both.

However, if music without lyrics is like drinking tea without sugar, it’s recommended you listen to tunes with lyrics unlikely to have you singing into your hairbrush as you attempt to study.

The Mozart Effect

While he may not be to everyone’s taste, scientists also found people perform better on learning and memory tests after listening to a particular Mozart sonata.

Not only that, but the Austrian composer’s music can improve creativity and clarity and integrate both sides of the brain to promote more efficient learning.

Good job, Wolfgang.

But at the end of the day, whether it’s Ride of the Valkyries by Richard Wagner or a cover version by Wagner from X Factor, if a particular piece or genre of music works for you, stick with it.

Here at Anglia Ruskin, we’re doing our part by inspiring our students with a weekly Spotify playlist (#sundaystudysongs) to make hitting the books that little bit easier.

Let us know what you’d like to hear on next week’s playlist by getting in touch with us via Facebook or Twitter – we’d love to hear your thoughts.

Distance learning blog

From Mozart to Metallica: The Best Music to Boost Learning