5 types of music to help you focus

Friday, March 5, 2021

Music to help you focus

Like listening to music as you work?

Whether you’re trying to meet a deadline, cramming for a final, or just studying a new topic, music can help you reach greater levels of focus and productivity in your day… just ask any college student!

Here are a few genres of music that can reduce your stress and anxiety, block out distractions, and help you design a more productive environment.


Lofi Hip-Hop

Lofi hip-hop has seen a surge in online popularity in recent years. Unlike it’s grittier mainstream alternative, “lofi” hip-hop is minimal, downtempo, repetitive, featuring a muted drum machine, instead of a booming 808. Vinyl crackles are typically of songs in the genre, giving it a very analog, old-school, aesthetic.

YouTube Channels: ChilledCow
Spotify Playlist: LoFi Hip-Hop - A Flow State Playlist

Classical

Mozart. Bach. Beethoven. Chopin. Vivaldi. Typically used to describe Western music of the 1700s, "classical music" ranges from full orchestral ensembles to minimal pieces performed by smaller groups and solo musicians. While some pieces are busier than others, classical music can be great background music for studying. An emphasis on melody and harmony in the genre can help create a calm and serene study environment.

A 2007 study at Stanford even found that transition points in classical music might reinforce the brain's ability to anticipate events and sustain attention.


YouTube Channels: Just Instrumental Music
Spotify Playlist: Classical - A Flow State Playlist

Synthwave/Retrowave

Synthwave is another largely online genre, one that saw recent mainstream success with The Weeknd’s “Blinding Lights”. Synthwave songs typically feature melodic synthesizers and old school drum machines. Drawing heavy inspiration from the 80s movies like Blade Runner, synthwave has a very distinct, cyberpunk aesthetic, filled with neon lights, sports cars, and city skylines.

YouTube Channels: ThePrimeThanatos
Spotify Playlist: Synthwave/Retrowave - A Flow State Playlist

Chillstep/melodic dubstep

Chillstep is a kind of milder, ambient sub-genre of dubstep also great for studying or deep work. Songs in the genre are atmospheric and melodic. Chillstep songs typically feature a few classical instruments such as the piano or the violin placed within larger ethereal, synthesized soundscapes, held together by relaxing undertones and slow beats.

YouTube Channels: Mixhound
Spotify Playlist: Chillstep/Melodic Dubstep- A Flow State Playlist

Melodic Piano

Minimal, emotive, pleasant. Great for studying. There are few things quite as relaxing as a solo piano.

YouTube Channels: Rousseau
Spotify Playlist: Melodic Piano - A Flow State Playlist

Music to help you focus

Like listening to music as you work?

Whether you’re trying to meet a deadline, cramming for a final, or just studying a new topic, music can help you reach greater levels of focus and productivity in your day… just ask any college student!

Here are a few genres of music that can reduce your stress and anxiety, block out distractions, and help you design a more productive environment.


Lofi Hip-Hop

Lofi hip-hop has seen a surge in online popularity in recent years. Unlike it’s grittier mainstream alternative, “lofi” hip-hop is minimal, downtempo, repetitive, featuring a muted drum machine, instead of a booming 808. Vinyl crackles are typically of songs in the genre, giving it a very analog, old-school, aesthetic.

YouTube Channels: ChilledCow
Spotify Playlist: LoFi Hip-Hop - A Flow State Playlist

Classical

Mozart. Bach. Beethoven. Chopin. Vivaldi. Typically used to describe Western music of the 1700s, "classical music" ranges from full orchestral ensembles to minimal pieces performed by smaller groups and solo musicians. While some pieces are busier than others, classical music can be great background music for studying. An emphasis on melody and harmony in the genre can help create a calm and serene study environment.

A 2007 study at Stanford even found that transition points in classical music might reinforce the brain's ability to anticipate events and sustain attention.


YouTube Channels: Just Instrumental Music
Spotify Playlist: Classical - A Flow State Playlist

Synthwave/Retrowave

Synthwave is another largely online genre, one that saw recent mainstream success with The Weeknd’s “Blinding Lights”. Synthwave songs typically feature melodic synthesizers and old school drum machines. Drawing heavy inspiration from the 80s movies like Blade Runner, synthwave has a very distinct, cyberpunk aesthetic, filled with neon lights, sports cars, and city skylines.

YouTube Channels: ThePrimeThanatos
Spotify Playlist: Synthwave/Retrowave - A Flow State Playlist

Chillstep/melodic dubstep

Chillstep is a kind of milder, ambient sub-genre of dubstep also great for studying or deep work. Songs in the genre are atmospheric and melodic. Chillstep songs typically feature a few classical instruments such as the piano or the violin placed within larger ethereal, synthesized soundscapes, held together by relaxing undertones and slow beats.

YouTube Channels: Mixhound
Spotify Playlist: Chillstep/Melodic Dubstep- A Flow State Playlist

Melodic Piano

Minimal, emotive, pleasant. Great for studying. There are few things quite as relaxing as a solo piano.

YouTube Channels: Rousseau
Spotify Playlist: Melodic Piano - A Flow State Playlist

Music to help you focus

Like listening to music as you work?

Whether you’re trying to meet a deadline, cramming for a final, or just studying a new topic, music can help you reach greater levels of focus and productivity in your day… just ask any college student!

Here are a few genres of music that can reduce your stress and anxiety, block out distractions, and help you design a more productive environment.


Lofi Hip-Hop

Lofi hip-hop has seen a surge in online popularity in recent years. Unlike it’s grittier mainstream alternative, “lofi” hip-hop is minimal, downtempo, repetitive, featuring a muted drum machine, instead of a booming 808. Vinyl crackles are typically of songs in the genre, giving it a very analog, old-school, aesthetic.

YouTube Channels: ChilledCow
Spotify Playlist: LoFi Hip-Hop - A Flow State Playlist

Classical

Mozart. Bach. Beethoven. Chopin. Vivaldi. Typically used to describe Western music of the 1700s, "classical music" ranges from full orchestral ensembles to minimal pieces performed by smaller groups and solo musicians. While some pieces are busier than others, classical music can be great background music for studying. An emphasis on melody and harmony in the genre can help create a calm and serene study environment.

A 2007 study at Stanford even found that transition points in classical music might reinforce the brain's ability to anticipate events and sustain attention.


YouTube Channels: Just Instrumental Music
Spotify Playlist: Classical - A Flow State Playlist

Synthwave/Retrowave

Synthwave is another largely online genre, one that saw recent mainstream success with The Weeknd’s “Blinding Lights”. Synthwave songs typically feature melodic synthesizers and old school drum machines. Drawing heavy inspiration from the 80s movies like Blade Runner, synthwave has a very distinct, cyberpunk aesthetic, filled with neon lights, sports cars, and city skylines.

YouTube Channels: ThePrimeThanatos
Spotify Playlist: Synthwave/Retrowave - A Flow State Playlist

Chillstep/melodic dubstep

Chillstep is a kind of milder, ambient sub-genre of dubstep also great for studying or deep work. Songs in the genre are atmospheric and melodic. Chillstep songs typically feature a few classical instruments such as the piano or the violin placed within larger ethereal, synthesized soundscapes, held together by relaxing undertones and slow beats.

YouTube Channels: Mixhound
Spotify Playlist: Chillstep/Melodic Dubstep- A Flow State Playlist

Melodic Piano

Minimal, emotive, pleasant. Great for studying. There are few things quite as relaxing as a solo piano.

YouTube Channels: Rousseau
Spotify Playlist: Melodic Piano - A Flow State Playlist

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