What is good music to listen to while studying?

Question

I'm looking for specific recommendations here, I have conditioned myself to the point where I need to listen to music when I'm writing and studying...and I'm not too keen on classical. Thanks!

Answer 1

i like to just turn to npr on my radio dial.

Answer 2

I think you already know the answer to this, because you clearly stated that classical music doesn't have esssence for you. All I can really say to you is as long as you are gaining positive results from the work you do with having the music in your record collection playingin the background, then continue. Music is very subjective personally I like Extreme genres like Death Metal, and Black Metal, I could quite happily work with that music playing in the background, because I feel very at home when I listen to them, But not everyone is comformtable with that kind of music! When it comes to background music it's the volume you are playing it which is the key factor, and not the genre or style

Answer 3

Although you may not be too keen on classical music, Beethoven's String Quartets are very soothing if played at a low volume.

Also, Brian Eno is good, especially some of his early material like Music For Airports, Ambient Music, Voices And Instruments.

Answer 4

I think Bloc Party are a great band to listen to while youre studying - I do all the time!
Their first album in particular, Silent Alarm, is very good. They're the sort of band that you can listen to while concentrating on something else at the same time.
I'm the same as you - I have to listen to music in order to study properly, but my recommendation is Bloc Party. I hope this helps you out!

Answer 5

I remember studies showed that classical music was great for studying, but anything soft is good as well. Easy listening, soft rock, or folk (rock) is great.

I'm not so sure about easy listening, as I only knew one band that I have since forgotten, but as for soft rock and folk (rock), there's Fleetwood Mac, Eagles, Elton John, Simon & Garfunkel, Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, Paul Simon, Eric Clapton, Donovan, etc. I won't guarantee every single song is good for studying, since I'm the kind of guy that studies to whatever I like, but I believe those are fairly soft. Some are upbeat though, but still gentle and not loud.

Answer 6

I listen to music while studying. I find that when I'm actually doing productive work, I'm not really "listening" to the music - by which I mean, I'm not mentally processing it, since I'm concentrating on my work.

If this is the case with you, it doesn't really matter what you listen to. However, you did ask for recommendations - I'll recomment Foo Fighters, since that's what I'm listening to now. :-) The new album (Echoes, Silence, Patience and Grace) is great. When I'm tired, I listen to System of a Down - it stops me falling asleep while working.

Answer 7

I'd reccomend a group called 'Enigma' the music is really chilled out, i'm sure you would have heard some of ther work somewhere along the line (return to innocence is pretty well known)
Give them a try, have a look at the link below for some background info etc

Answer 8

I have to agree with Mortimer, Mozart really does boost your thinking skills. He was a rock star in his own time. I don't like classical music myself but I conditioned myself to listen to Mozart just because of the research and my marks did go up.

Answer 9

Well, I'm studying and on Answers and listening to Whitesnake... but I don't think that works for everyone :0)

Try to listen to something very mellow ans relaxing that won't distract you too much, like Simon and Garfunkel, James Taylor, David Gilmour, and some Pink Floyds.
Or you can try some indie like The Shins, The Postal Service, Iron and Wine or the Kings of Convenience. they're pretty mellow so they probably won't distract you too much.

Answer 10

Too bad you're not keen on classical. Studies have shown that Mozart boosts brain power.

Answer 11

Either of OMD`s first two albums.There are all the early singles on them and some damn good instrumental breaks on the songs which I found excellent when I was studying many moons ago.