homework genre of music

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When it comes to the best music for studying, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Musical preferences can vary widely from person to person, and what works for one student might not be ideal for another.

However, there are several types of music that have been found to be particularly effective for studying. Let’s explore these genres, each offering a unique ambiance to enhance your study sessions.

Classical music, known for its soothing melodies and lack of lyrics, is a timeless choice for studying. It often provides a calming backdrop that can improve focus and concentration, making it an excellent choice for tasks that require deep thinking and analysis.

This timeless genre boasts an extensive repertoire of instrumental compositions , from the soothing melodies of Debussy to the dramatic symphonies of Beethoven. Classical music is renowned for its ability to transport listeners to a world of tranquility, making it ideal for deep focus and concentration during your study sessions.

Some students find that music with a steady tempo, such as instrumental tracks with consistent beats, helps maintain a rhythm while studying. This can be especially useful for tasks that involve repetitive actions, like solving math problems or writing essays.

Music with consistent beats and rhythmic patterns can synchronize with your brain’s natural rhythms, enhancing productivity and focus. Whether it’s electronic, instrumental rock, or even some genres of pop, timed tempos provide a steady backdrop for your intellectual endeavors.

Ambient music combines gentle melodies with calming sounds from nature or synthetic elements. It creates a serene environment that can reduce stress and anxiety, making it ideal for relaxation while studying.

 Imagine being surrounded by a serene soundscape where nature’s whispers and soft instrumentals blend seamlessly. Ambient music creates an atmosphere of calm, reducing stress and anxiety. It’s a gentle companion for prolonged study sessions.

The soothing sounds of nature, like flowing water, birdsong, or rustling leaves, can transport you to a peaceful outdoor setting. These sounds can help create a refreshing atmosphere for your study space, fostering a tranquil learning environment.

If you’re looking for a contemporary twist, modern electronic music with its energetic beats can provide the right amount of motivation and focus to power through your study tasks.

Jazz music, with its improvisational and often mellow tones, can be a pleasant background for studying, particularly when you need a relaxed atmosphere to work in.

Rhythm and Blues, with its soulful tunes and rhythm, can add a touch of emotion and groove to your study sessions, making them more engaging.

Lo-fi, short for “low fidelity,” captures the essence of simplicity. Its mellow beats, often accompanied by ambient sounds, create a cozy atmosphere for studying. Many students appreciate its unobtrusive quality, allowing them to concentrate with ease.

Read our detailed article on how to use Lo-Fi beats to improve your focus in study sessions.

By exploring these study music genres, you can tailor your soundtrack to suit your specific study needs and preferences.

 Now, let’s move on to the next section, “Creating the Ultimate Study Playlist,” where we’ll provide tips on curating a personalized playlist that matches your musical tastes.

Now that you’re familiar with various study music genres, it’s time to curate the ultimate study playlist that resonates with your unique style of learning. Crafting the perfect playlist can elevate your study sessions to new heights of productivity and enjoyment.

Creating a study playlist is a personal endeavor, and it begins with understanding your preferences. Here are some tips to help you craft a playlist that syncs seamlessly with your study routine:

1. Know Your Tempo: Consider the pace of your tasks. If you’re tackling complex problems, opt for music with a slow tempo. For more dynamic activities, faster beats can help keep you engaged.

2. Lyrics or No Lyrics: Decide whether you work better with or without lyrics. Some students find that instrumental tracks eliminate the distraction of words, while others draw inspiration from lyrical content.

3. Duration Matters: Ensure your playlist is long enough to cover your study session. Longer playlists reduce the need for interruptions to change songs.

4. Experiment and Refine: Don’t be afraid to experiment with different genres and artists. Over time, you’ll discover what resonates most with your study style.

Top Music Artists for Students to Focus On High Grades in Their Exams

Let’s delve into some popular artists whose music has proven to be a hit among students aiming for high GPAs. These artists offer a mix of study music genres and moods to suit various study preferences.

Taylor Swift’s extensive catalog offers a variety of emotions and tempos, making it adaptable to different study scenarios. Her music has a universal appeal.

Tyler , the Creator’s eclectic blend of hip-hop and alternative rap can provide a unique backdrop for your study sessions. His tracks offer an interesting twist to your playlist.

Rihanna’s diverse discography, from pop to R&B, offers a range of musical options. Her soothing melodies can create a pleasant study atmosphere.

Kendrick Lamar’s thought-provoking lyrics and rhythmic beats can be inspiring while studying. His music often strikes a balance between focus and creativity.

Fleetwood Mac’s timeless classics offer a sense of nostalgia and tranquility. Ideal for creating a soothing study environment.

Post Malone ‘s melodic rap and hip-hop tracks can provide a laid-back atmosphere for your study sessions. Great for unwinding while learning.

Ariana Grande ‘s powerful vocals and catchy tunes can add an energetic touch to your study playlist. Perfect for staying motivated during challenging tasks.

Harry Styles ‘ soothing solo work combines pop and rock elements, making it an excellent addition for those seeking a relaxed yet upbeat vibe.

SZA ‘s soulful R&B tunes can add a touch of elegance to your study playlist. Her music is known for its calming effect.

The Weeknd ‘s atmospheric R&B and pop can transport you to a different world. Ideal for creating a captivating study atmosphere.

By personalizing your study playlist with these artists and considering your own preferences, you can create a harmonious study environment that maximizes your productivity. 

In the next section, we will uncover the numerous benefits of listening to music while studying, including its impact on memory and concentration.

Brainwaves and the Study Soundtrack

To comprehend the intricate relationship between music and effective studying, it’s essential to dive into the world of brainwaves and how different genres can influence your cognitive functions.

In this section, we’ll explore brainwave entrainment, the scientific insights into the best music for studying, and which genres align with various mental states.

Brainwave entertainment is a process where external stimuli, like music, synchronize with your brain’s natural electrical frequencies, known as brainwaves. One intriguing aspect of this phenomenon is the use of binaural beats, a technique where two slightly different frequencies are played in each ear to encourage the brain to synchronize with a specific frequency.

 While the effectiveness of binaural beats is still debated, some students find them beneficial for focus and relaxation.

Numerous scientific studies have explored the connection between music and studying. While individual preferences play a significant role, research suggests that instrumental music, particularly classical compositions, can enhance cognitive abilities, including memory, problem-solving, and creativity.

The ideal genre for studying often depends on the mental state you aim to achieve. For tasks requiring deep focus, instrumental music, such as classical or ambient, tends to be more effective. For creative brainstorming, some individuals prefer listening to rhythmic genres like electronic or jazz to spark innovative ideas.

Understanding how music influences brainwaves and cognitive function can help you select the most suitable soundtrack for your study sessions.

Now, let’s proceed to the next section, where we will guide readers on where to find the perfect study music genre to incorporate into their routines.

Where to Find Study Music Genres

Now that we’ve explored the intricacies of studying music and its profound effects on the mind, it’s time to discover where you can access an array of study soundscapes.

In this section, we’ll share various sources and platforms where you can find the perfect study music to enhance your learning journey.

Spotify: Spotify offers an extensive library of study playlists and curated collections. You can easily find playlists categorized by genre, tempo, and mood to suit your study needs.

Apple Music: Apple Music boasts a diverse range of study playlists and a vast collection of music genres. Its curated playlists can help you discover new tracks that resonate with your study style.

YouTube: YouTube hosts countless study music channels and playlists. Channels like “Study Vibes” and “Calm Pills” curate calming and focus-inducing music for your study sessions.

Lo-fi Livestreams: Explore the world of lo-fi beats on YouTube through live-streaming channels like “ChilledCow” and “Lofi Girl,” providing an endless stream of background music.

Pandora: Pandora Radio lets you create personalized radio stations based on your favorite artists or genres, making it a great platform to discover new study music.

iHeartRadio: iHeartRadio provides a wide selection of radio stations, including those dedicated to instrumental and classical music, perfect for study sessions.

By exploring these sources and platforms, you can uncover a wealth of study music options that align with your preferences and study goals. Whether you prefer curated playlists or personalized selections, the world of study soundscapes is at your fingertips.

In the next section, we will explore how to use music during your study sessions.

How to Use Music to Help You Study

While the benefits of studying music are undeniable, effectively incorporating it into your study routine requires a strategic approach. Here are some essential tips to make the most of music as your study companion:

Music should enhance your focus, not become a distraction. Keep the volume at a level where it complements your study environment without overpowering your thoughts. Opt for instrumental tracks or genres with minimal lyrics to strike the right balance.

Craft a study playlist that aligns with your study goals and timeline. Consider starting with slower, soothing tracks for deep concentration and gradually transitioning to more energetic tunes when you need a mental boost. Ensure the playlist is long enough to cover your study session to minimize interruptions.

Even the most dedicated students need breaks. Plan short, structured breaks between study intervals. During these breaks, you can switch to more upbeat music to recharge your energy. Use these moments to stretch, hydrate, and rejuvenate before diving back into your studies.

While studying music can be a valuable tool, it’s essential to remember that your primary focus is on studying. Use music as an aid, not a substitute for concentrated effort. If you find that the music is becoming a distraction or hindering your understanding of complex material, consider studying without it for a while.

By mastering these techniques, you can harness the full potential of study music genre to boost your productivity and elevate your study sessions. Remember that the key lies in striking the right balance and using music as a supportive tool on your academic journey.

In the final section, we will recap the key takeaways and encourage readers to embark on their journey to find the perfect study music genre, ultimately enhancing their productivity and learning experience.

As we conclude our exploration of study music genres, it becomes evident that music is a valuable tool in the pursuit of academic excellence. Throughout this journey, we’ve unearthed a rich diversity of musical genres, from classical elegance to the soothing simplicity of lo-fi beats, each offering a unique ambiance to elevate your study experience.

Armed with insights into tempo, lyrics, and duration, you now possess the ability to craft the perfect study playlist. Top music artists are ready to infuse their distinctive styles into your study sessions.

FAQs on Study Music Genres

Study music is often referred to as ambient music or background music for studying.

Learning about music genres involves exploring the various categories of music, such as classical, rock, jazz, and electronic, through research and listening.

The best music for focus and study varies from person to person, but instrumental genres like classical, ambient, and lo-fi are often preferred for their calming and concentration-enhancing qualities.

While studying math, instrumental music without lyrics, such as classical or lo-fi, can help maintain focus and problem-solving abilities.

Traditional music can indeed be considered a genre, encompassing the music passed down through generations within specific cultures or regions.

The type of music that’s better for studying depends on individual preferences, but instrumental genres tend to be popular for their non-distracting nature.

Music genres began evolving over centuries, with the formal categorization of genres taking shape in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

In music, a genre typically refers to a broader category, while style encompasses more specific characteristics within that category.

Music genres are important as they help listeners identify and connect with the music they enjoy, serving as a means of categorization and communication.

The effectiveness of study music varies from person to person, but many find it helpful for enhancing concentration and creating a conducive study environment.

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4 best music for homework that’ll dramatically improve your productivity

Choosing the right music for homework can help you focus better and learn faster.

Around 60% of students tend to listen to music while studying. Researchers also found that listening to music was the most popular side activity for teens who juggled studying with another task.

While we may prefer different genres of focus music, we can all agree that the right playlist has the magical ability to boost concentration.

This is because music activates the most diverse networks of the human brain. It’s been proven that people with ADHD focus better with the right music.

This is on top of  existing research  that has found listening to music reduces anxiety, blood pressure, and improves sleep quality, mood, and memory.

Johns Hopkins University researchers have done work on jazz performers improvising inside an fMRI machine to see which areas of the brain light up as well.

They found that jazz musicians make unique improvisations by turning off inhibition and turning up creativity.

In short, if you find the right music for homework, you can elevate both brain power and creativity.

While there isn’t a one-size-fit-all approach to this, let us help you narrow down some of the best genres for you to try:

Here are the five best music for homework to help you increase your productivity:

Having the right music matters, even for top athletes. Source: Tiziana Fabi/AFP

1. Classical music

When picking music for homework, you’ve probably heard how classical music can increase your focus when studying.

There’s a theory dubbed “The Mozart Effect” that suggests this genre of music can enhance brain activity and arouse your brain to focus.

There are also several studies done where students listening to classical music did better on quizzes than students with no music.

Suggestions:

• ClassicFM  (a free radio streaming platform that plays famous classical pieces)
• “Study Playlist: Classical Music” on Spotify
• “Classical Music for When You’re on a Deadline” on YouTube

2. Video game music 

This might surprise you but video game music is actually one of the best music for homework. According to Orion Academy , video game music is designed to keep you absorbed and focused — which is also great for memorising. 

When your brain is focused on just melody, it’s taking a break from trying to break down the lyrics of a song and thus increases your performance .

Video game music tends to stay at a relatively low, constant volume too, preventing you from becoming distracted by sudden increases in volume.

Since video game music is generally fast-paced, your brain will be constantly engaged in the task at hand.

• “Video game soundtracks” on Spotify
• “Video game music for studying” on YouTube
• Choose favourites from this list and create your own playlist!

3. RnB 

If you’re someone who easily gets distracted, RnB may not be the best music for homework for you. There’s a high chance that you might spend too much time jamming to the lyrics of the song instead of focusing.

Though music under his genre generally has lyrics, many RnB fans reported feeling more relaxed, focused, and less stressed, which may have a positive impact on their ability to focus and learn.

• “Study R&B Smooth Songs ” on Spotify
• “Chill R&B Beats Mix – Beats to Relax and Study (Vol.1)” on YouTube

4. Nature sounds 

It’s been shown that nature sounds relax our nervous system. Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute  have also discovered that natural sounds boost moods and focus.

The study found employees were more productive and had more positive feelings when nature sounds were playing in the background while they worked.

Nature sounds include the soothing sounds of the rain, ocean waves on the beach or even the jungle. Some prefer listening to bird calls and animal noises, so feel free to explore if nature sounds aren’t the right music for homework for you. 

Relaxing Nature Sounds for Sleeping – Natural Calm Forest Waterfall Music Meditation Sound for Study on YouTube

“Nature Sounds For Concentration” on Spotify

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Trade Schools Home > Articles > Best Music for Studying

The Best Music for Studying: 5 Genres Worth Trying

By Publisher | Last Updated March 16, 2020

What is the best music for studying? Most students would probably love a definitive answer to that question. Maybe you're one of them. But can there really be just one right answer? And what about the whole premise? Is listening to music while studying actually effective? Does music help you study, or does it hinder you?

Here's the truth: It all depends on factors like your personality, your music preferences, how you learn, what you're studying, whether you're reading or writing, and how loud you play your music. That may not be the most satisfying answer, but it highlights the fact we're all different and complex creatures. When it comes to studying, music can be beneficial, detrimental, or completely neutral. What works for one student may not work for another.

Plus, many experts who have researched this subject recommend silence as the best auditory environment for concentration. Music has been shown, in many studies, to have a negative effect on people's abilities to absorb, process, and retain information. When in doubt, they suggest turning off the tunes altogether—especially if you are reading or studying a foreign language.

Still, we all know that life isn't always so simple. Silence can backfire. Many of us need a little extra motivation or outside stimulation in order to focus. Music can lift our moods and remove some of the boredom of studying subjects that we may not be particularly interested in. Without music, we may not be able to get through an entire study session. That's why using music for studying is often a better choice than trying to make a go of it in uncomfortable silence. At least you're studying.

That may be why, in a survey at one American college, more than 60 percent of students said that they find it beneficial to use music for concentration and studying. But how do you choose which kind of music to study to? Science offers a few clues about selecting the right music. Based on diverse research and the experiences of various college students, the best music genres to try may include:

• Classical music
• Ambient and electronic music
• World music
• Instrumental and atmospheric rock
• Instrumental jazz

Some students also try using audio products that promise brainwave entrainment through binaural beats . However, there is real debate about whether or not such products actually work. Using binaural beats for concentration sounds like a cool thing to do, but you may want to read more about it before spending any money on those types of products.

What Science Tells Us About the Best Music to Listen to While Studying

In fact, the existing research is a mixed bag. Various studies contradict each other, and they often have major limitations. For instance, many widely touted studies on the subject have been conducted with very small sample sizes—some with only eight to 20 participants. That makes it hard to generate reliable or practical conclusions about the effects of listening to music while studying when talking about the wider population. Plus, any given study only considers a few of the many possible variables at play.

So it's a good idea to take existing research findings with a grain of salt. However, they do offer some clues that are worth thinking about. For example, consider these findings:

• Your music preferences matter: The effects of background music on concentration are related more to a listener's fondness for that music than to the specific type of music. So, when it comes to concentration, music for work or study is most likely to have a distracting influence if the listener strongly likes or dislikes the music being played. In addition, the connections within people's brains that are responsible for internally focused thoughts and memory tend to be most active when they are listening to their favorite music , regardless of genre.
• Volume is more important than music genre: A moderate level of ambient noise can enhance a person's performance on creative tasks. But creativity and information is harmed when the volume gets too high . People also tend to have significantly higher mental performance under silent conditions than when listening to music. And volume has more of an impact on performance than any particular kind of music.
• The best music selection may depend on what you're doing: The best music for concentration may depend on your specific studying activities. For instance, you may perform better at reading while listening to music that you prefer. In contrast, you may do better at solving math problems while listening to music that you don't prefer.
• Your personality type may play an important role: Introverts may do less well than extroverts on tests of memory and reading comprehension when being exposed to pop music.
• Your age may have an impact: Contrary to the results of many older studies, the learning and memory of today's high school students may not be affected much, if at all, by background music. That may be due to the frequent and widespread use of modern personal music devices , which most young people have grown up with.

So, can music help you focus? Maybe. It really just comes down to experimenting with different music genres and volumes in order to find out what works best for you during different study tasks. But here's a basic process to try:

• Before studying, spend at least five minutes listening to music that you find relaxing or motivational. That way, you can elevate your mood and prime your brain for the task ahead.
• While studying, listen to a playlist of music that doesn't have any recognizable lyrics or vocals. (Avoid radio for that reason.) Play something instrumental at a low or moderate volume. But stop the music temporarily when you face a challenge that requires extra focus.
• After completing your task, review what you've been studying. And play some of your favorite music that has a strong and enjoyable melody, with or without vocals.

Five of the best music genres to experiment with include :

1. Classical Music

Playing classical music for studying is especially worth trying if you don't feel a strong like or dislike for it. That ambivalence may actually be what makes it effective for you since there is less chance that you'll be distracted by it. You may simply receive the benefit of its harmonious and peaceful qualities.

You are probably already familiar with at least some of the music by famous composers like Mozart and Beethoven. You may even be familiar with some of the work by composers of baroque music who preceded them, such as Bach, Vivaldi, and Handel. And most people today have heard the work of modern composers who use elements of classical music in their scores for major Hollywood movies.

So, what is the best classical music for studying? The popular answer might be Mozart since the so-called "Mozart effect" has been so widely publicized. The problem with this answer is that, since the original study that discovered it, many other studies have shown that there is no merit to the idea that Mozart is the only music that can enhance mental performance. It all depends on what you like.

That's why, within this category or any other, the best study music may be anything that gives you a calm sense of energy without drawing too much attention to itself. It could be as simple as music featuring a lone piano or acoustic guitar. Or it could be as complex as a full orchestra with horns, woodwinds, stringed instruments, and drums. Different styles make different people respond in different ways.

When it comes to finding and experimenting with various forms of classical concentration music, YouTube is often a good place to start. For example, pay attention to how the following classical music compositions make you feel:

2. Ambient and Electronic Music

This broad category of music is popular on many college and university campuses. From slow ambient music with long drones to fast electronic dance music (EDM) with quick beats, many songs in this varied genre can be used as good music for studying. That's because, like classical music, it often provides a relaxing influence that can make your mind more receptive to new information.

Since you may be operating on a small budget in college, music of this type is frequently worth getting from websites with free online streams. For example, Soma.fm offers popular online radio streams like Drone Zone, Groove Salad, and Secret Agent. And Digitally Imported offers online radio channels in almost every electronic genre, including cool channels for relaxing study music like Space Dreams. And if you're a Spotify user, you have access to a huge variety of songs and playlists.

Of course, on YouTube, concentration music within the ambient and electronic genres is ever-present. Do the following songs make you feel relaxed and ready to study?

3. World Music

Finding music to listen to while studying is often easier when you become open to possibilities outside of music from North America and Western Europe. The styles from around the rest of the globe are extremely diverse and may offer exotic sounds and rhythms that you have never heard before. And a lot of it is suitable to use while concentrating. (Music for studying doesn't always have to consist of sounds that you already know well, especially if you need to write or channel your creativity or imagination somehow.)

Check out various kinds of ethnic, folk, and indigenous music from around the world. From India to Australia to the Caribbean, the diversity of styles is extraordinary. And, like other genres, you can find many examples from all over the globe on YouTube. Music for concentration is created in almost every culture. Plus, some world music is even effective when it includes vocals (as long as you don't understand the language being sung).

How do you think studying with music like the following examples would work for you?

4. Instrumental and Atmospheric Rock

Some college students find that the best music to study by is so-called post-rock music. It's a diverse genre that includes many bands that focus mostly on playing instrumental music without any vocals. However, some bands do include limited vocals with hard-to-discern lyrics. As a result, their songs often provide ideal background music for studying since they don't draw a lot of attention to themselves.

Explore the work of bands such as Explosions in the Sky, Mogwai, Sigur Rós, and Godspeed You Black Emperor. Rather than traditional song structures, they often employ ethereal or atmospheric soundscapes. And many songs have a minimalistic narrative structure in which they slowly build to a satisfying crescendo.

As with other types of studying music, YouTube is a great place to discover post-rock songs and bands that you may want to add to your playlists. For instance, give the following songs a try next time you have to study.

5. Instrumental Jazz

Even if you think that you're not a fan of jazz, it's often worth giving some of the mellower styles of this genre a chance. You may be surprised at how inspired and relaxed it can make you feel. In fact, using instrumental jazz music to help you study may be ideal if you aren't normally a big fan of the style. As long as you don't totally dislike it, the genre can provide a neutral yet pleasant backdrop that doesn't distract you or make you want to stop and immerse yourself in the music instead of studying.

Much-loved jazz artists like Miles Davis, John Coltrane, and Bill Evans all produced many mellow songs that are perfect for using as background music during study sessions. For example, try listening to the following selections while concentrating on your studies.

What Is Brainwave Entrainment? (Do Binaural Beats Work?)

A binaural beat is basically just an auditory illusion that is created when two tones—each one with a different frequency—are played into the separate ears of a listener at the same time. In addition to the tone on the left and the tone on the right, the listener (who is wearing headphones) perceives a pulse in between them. That pulse has its own tone and frequency and is known as the binaural beat. A similar effect happens when two different frequencies are passed through a single speaker and a person listens without headphones. In that case, the pulses that are perceived are called monaural beats.

Many companies sell audio products with binaural beats that can supposedly change the frequency of your brainwaves in order to help you relax or focus. Some of them even overlay study music. Alpha waves or beta waves are often what their binaural beats are trying to induce in listeners' brains. That's because those waves tend to be present during states of relaxation or concentration. Most brainwaves fall into the following categories:

• Delta waves: These brainwaves are usually present during dreamless sleep. They are represented by frequencies from about 0.1 to 4 Hz (i.e., cycles per second).
• Theta waves: When a person is drowsy, sleepy, or in deep meditation, these waves are typically present. Their frequency range is generally between 4 and 8 Hz.
• Alpha waves: Study after study has shown that alpha brainwaves tend to be present during states of relaxation, mental reflection, and creativity. They range from about 8 to 12 Hz.
• Beta waves: These brainwaves tend to occur when a person is concentrating, intensely focusing on something, or feeling alert or unsettled. Their frequencies range from about 12 to 30 Hz or above.
• Gamma waves: At frequencies of about 40 Hz and higher, a person may experience moments of joyful insight or deep discovery and understanding.

So, are binaural beats safe? And do they actually work? Contrary to some ill-informed reporting by certain media outlets, binaural beats are most likely safe. They are not "digital drugs" that can make you high or cause any kind of "alpha waves overdose." In fact, there is very little credible, peer-reviewed scientific evidence to suggest that binaural beats affect the human brain in any significant way.

To be sure, there is a ton of online hype about binaural beats, study methods involving them, and the potential for alpha wave music to help students concentrate. But you won't find much verifiable scientific substance to back up the bold claims made by many companies who are cashing in on the trend of trying to induce beta or alpha waves for studying. That's why it may be best to save your money.

On the other hand, some students claim to have experienced positive changes while using binaural beats. Focus and a sense of calm are just two of the many purported effects. So maybe binaural beats work in a way that scientists still don't understand. Or maybe those students are experiencing results thanks to the power of suggestion, which is a real, scientifically valid phenomenon.

Either way, you don't have to spend money in order to give binaural beats a try. Plenty of websites offer free online streams or downloads.

What Music Helps You Study?

Have you discovered any answers yet? If not, keep trying different songs and music genres. Try music that you're unfamiliar with or that you think you won't like. The best music for studying may actually be something that you've been reluctant to try in the past. So be bold and experiment.

If all else fails, maybe you and some friends can create your own music. These days, almost anyone can make electronic compositions with nothing more than a laptop computer and a small MIDI keyboard. Even sophisticated mobile apps are available.

And if you want more advanced training, many vocational schools offer convenient programs in music recording and production. You can easily find a program near you by entering your zip code into the program finder below.

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What Are the Best Music Genres to Study?

Javiera vega.

• Student Wellness , Writing Tips

Study Consultant at Gradehacker

Updated March, 2023

If you like learning with YouTube, we have this blog as a video for you!

Music or no music while studying? That is the question!

This is a controversy that many students find themselves in once they start to prepare for assignments that requires memorization, so we are here to clear things up!

At Gradehacker, we have years of experience helping students with their college assignments and improving their academic performance , making us the non-traditional adult student #1 resource. 

Some people say that music only has some sort of placebo effect and doesn’t influence your study performance, while others say that the effects of music help you with all cognitive tasks.

In this article, we introduce you to the power of music when studying! Does it really work? Let’s find out!

Studying With Music: Does it Improve Your Memory Capacities?

We have previously pointed out the best hacks you to improve your memory , but what is our opinion about if music really improves your memory? 

Well, let us share what we found!

We have researched this question extensively and concluded that it could benefit you! This is what multiple reports have to say:

• According to Northcentral University, music changes brain function by improving mood, blood pressure, and heart rate, helping you focus
• According to Water Bear Learning, music helps to enhance learning, creates a positive environment, improves memory capacities, and helps to solidify concepts
• In the news reports by Talker and Fox 29, students who listen to music while studying proved to get higher grades

However, you must choose from different kinds of music, a tune that keeps you on track and awake.

Some of our clients say that while classical music is advertised as the holy grail of study music, others say that the only effect they get from this genre is to fall asleep. 

We had people saying heavy metal is great for waking up in the morning but not precisely for remembering concepts.

We dare to say that the best music genres to study depends on your personal tastes. Still, if you want to try and see if music actually improves your attention span, we made a list of genres that will help you achieve that!

Classical Music

Is it good for concentration.

Instrumental music is probably the most trusted suggestion for music listeners when choosing what to put in the background while studying. 

The Mozart Effect trend seems like it’s stuck in many people’s lives, and now it seems that gentle music is a go-to solution for everything.

Studies from the National Library of Medicine have demonstrated that classical music has a positive impact on increasing dopamine by an 83%. 

Why is dopamine important? 

Well, because it is that little neurotransmitter that makes us feel happy and good. When the body releases it, you will feel satisfied with yourself and confident you are doing a good job.

However, here is the thing. 

Some people fall asleep when they listen to classical music, and not necessarily because they find it boring ( well, maybe there’s some of that, but we are not here to judge .)

We actually found the reason for those claims, and it’s because one of the effects of background music is that the dopamine rush can be taken as a sign of taking a break, making you relax.

If you are not nervous, your mind and body feel like it’s time to take a break, and you will feel sleepy.

We recommend giving classical music a chance, trying to find a connection between music like this in different moments, and seeing the effects!

In case you want to try, here are some Spotify Playlists:

• Calming Classical
• Classical Essentials
• Classical Focus

Heavy Metal:

Can you study with loud music.

Moving on from instrumentals, we are now bringing music with lyrics, and our music choice is heavy metal!  

Not convinced? Yeah, we figured since this genre has some bad reputation and not necessarily because of its lyrics.

Many people think that because of the loud noise will be a distraction. Still, science has a different opinion!

According to the lifestyle website Village Pipol , heavy metal music combats depression and boosts cognitive function, productivity, and focus.

Simultaneously, if, as a listener, you are feeling frustrated or angry for any reason, listening to heavy metal will help you release your negativity and make you end up in a positive mood.

In this case, it is possible to say that heavy metal works great for concentration when you are working on demanding tasks.

But we must clarify that it will work as long as it’s your favorite music.  

If it is not your thing, we wouldn’t recommend trying it when you want to keep concepts in your head.

However, when you have a moment during your study time, try and listen to some songs. They are pretty good!

If you want to give it a try, here are some Spotify playlists to check:

• Metal Essentials
• Heavy Metal
• 90 Metal Classics

LoFi Hip-Hop

The genre that will keep the noise away.

We bet you have seen these videos on your YouTube suggested videos. They are easy to recognize. The Lofi Hip-Hop beats to study are the trend now, and there’s an explanation for that.

Based on the report made by Best Colleges , LoFi music improves studying through increased motivation levels, brain activity, reduced anxiety levels, and enhanced focus.

Lofi Hip-Hop is a type of music genre that makes you forget about annoying background noises.

Its positive effect is not about the music but more about making you forget about the world for a second and not having the chance to get distracted by it.

Like any instrumental music, it has the negative effect of relaxing you to the point you feel like going to sleep or keep reading. This is why we think it is better to try it when you are not in a time crunch.

If it is not for you, you might be in front of a new resource to fall asleep sooner! But if you want to give it a try when you are studying, here are some Spotify playlists:

• Chill LoFi Study Beats

Electronic Music

Is it as good as they say.

In movies, when someone tries to “hack” a computer, you will probably hear some electronic music in the background, making the moment more fast-paced and exciting. This choice of soundtrack is not an accident.

Electronic music is often associated with machines and software, and at the same time, they are commonly associated with positive emotions, efficiency, and speed.

Based on the report made by Rave You Magazine , this genre will help you focus and boosts your overall cognitive performance.  

And according to the specialized music website Birdynamnan , studies have shown an apparent similarity between electronic rhythms and brain waves.

So, when you put on your headphones your favorite songs, you are pushing your brain to work, as Daft Punk would say, harder, better, faster, and stronger.

It’s important to note that electronic music might not be your best option when you have difficulty recalling new information since you need to be calm and relaxed.  

However, this genre is perfect for keeping you motivated when you are in a rush or need a boost.

Here are some Spotify Playlists that can help you in those moments:

• Electronic Music Mix
• Mix Dance/Electronic
• Electronic Concentration

Can You Study With it?

Pop songs often contain tunes with lyrics that are simple and relatable choruses that are easy to sing along with. This makes it well-suited for studying.

Based on the report made by Total Entertainment , listening to pop music as you study will help relax the brain and focus on the creative side of things . This is because the catchy melodies help distract the mind from any potential stress or anxiety related to studying.

It can also provide a sense of pleasure and motivation that can help keep you focused on your studies for longer periods. 

So if you want to start implementing pop music in your study sessions, here are some Spotify playlists: 

• Soft Pop Hits

Music Genres to Improve Your Study Time

So, the question remains: should you listen to music while studying? 

The answer depends on two factors: first, the type of music you like, and second, what type of study you are doing.

Heavy metal and electronic music might be the best option if you want to stay awake and alert, but when you want to take things slower, classical music and Lofi are excellent alternatives.

After reading the reports, we can agree that the influence of background music can be powerful, so we hope your study session goes smoothly and you get the best grade possible!

Still looking for new ways to improve your study productivity? At Gradehacker, we can help you with your college classes and academic assistance if you need a hand to finish your program degree faster .

You can also check these related articles to find out how to retain content more efficiently:

6 Ways to Create an Ideal Study Environment

Best Ways to Study as an Auditory Learner

Best Ways to Study as a Visual Learner

Best Ways to Study as a Tactile Learner

Javiera Vega is a Study Consultant and Content Creator for Gradehacker. She has a degree in Education and Literature and is currently working on getting a master’s degree in Linguistics. Even though words, languages, and books are her thing, science and psychology were her hidden passion for many years. Luckily, Gradehacker has allowed her to use all that knowledge by helping many clients with everything they need. Javiera considers herself a proud nerd who likes to learn and read about everything she can find. From movies and comics to microbiology and genetics, every topic is interesting for her. Her curiosity has no limits. Find her on LinkedIn

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The Ultimate Study Music Playlist

This is a playlist of my favorite study music. It’s great for homework, studying for exams, reading, and generally getting crap crossed off my many checklists.

I’ve been working on this playlist for several years, and it contains music (all non-lyrical) from a wide variety of genres and sources, including video game/anime/movie soundtracks. At the moment, it’s got about 240 songs for you to choose from.

Listening on another app? I’ve worked to mirror this study playlist to other services. Check them out below:

• Spotify Study Music Playlist
• Apple Music Study Playlist

If you’d like, you can study with me in another tab while this plays. You can also listen to the playlist on YouTube instead of on this page.

By the way – I create my own study music as well! If you’d like to give it a listen, here’s a playlist:

You can also follow me on Spotify or on YouTube if you want to be notified when new tracks are released.

Need even more study music?

Here are a few options.

Brain.fm – Music designed specifically to help you focus more effectively. It works really well for me, and I use it for around 50% of my research, writing, and reading sessions – the other half are mostly done with the playlist above.

Piano Study Playlist – If you’re in the mood for a more consistent playlist, check out this one full of solo piano tracks.

Coffitivity – Sometimes I’m in the mood for ambient noise instead of music, and the sounds of a bustling coffee shop are my personal favorite type.

Noisli – An ambient noise generator that lets you create your own mix using sounds like rain, thunder, fan, and white/brown/pink noise.

More Playlists

Work Vibes – My personal playlist of “getting-stuff-done” music. Most of the tracks here have vocals, so I wouldn’t read or study intently with them. But they’re great for crushing emails, working on design projects, or doing other work where I simply need to execute quickly.

Tom’s Workout Playlist – A collection of the tracks that usually accompany me to the gym.

The best music to listen to while you work or study

They say classical music makes the best study tunes, but are we really limited to Bach and Mozart?

You've probably heard that classical music is good for studying, taking tests and doing creative work. This idea stems from the " Mozart Effect ," a term coined in 1993 when scientists discovered that listening to Mozart's Sonata for 10 minutes resulted in better spatial reasoning skills -- a particular type of intelligence that involves visualizing and manipulating images in your brain. 

The findings in that 1993 study got blown out of proportion, however, and classical music became synonymous with intelligence: so synonymous, in fact, that in 1998, then-Governor of Georgia Zell Miller proposed sending a classical cassette tape to every baby born in the state, free of charge, so that the babies would become smart. 

Even though the Mozart Effect has been more or less debunked in the time since, some experts still argue that music can offer other benefits to our brains -- namely, concentration and productivity. 

Read more: How to create the best exercise playlist for better workouts

How can music help us focus?

Consider these few reasons why music might help you plow through your to-do list: 

Elicits positive emotions: People tend to be more productive and efficient when happy ( recent research confirms this ), and the right kind of music can put a little pep in your step. People who listen to music, in fact, may be happier overall than people who don't listen to music.

Makes you feel upbeat: Sometimes, work and life just feel drab. If you've been feeling bored, a happy tune can make lackluster tasks seem more appealing. 

Drowns out other noise: If you've ever worked in a coffee shop or an office with an open floor plan, you've probably been driven up the wall by the sounds of someone sniffling or shuffling their feet. Listening to music, particularly through a good pair of headphones , can drown out distracting noises.

Read more:   Best music streaming: Spotify, Apple Music and more, compared     

If you can't stand the sounds of your work environment, use music to drown them out. 

Can music really make you more productive?

Research on music for productivity is inconclusive, to say the least. Some studies show that background music can improve your episodic memory and overall cognitive performance , yet other research suggests that background music can actually be a detriment to your ability to focus and learn . Still others say that it has no effect one way or another .

There are factors that affect whether background music works, too: Some research suggests that background music needs to be free of lyrics in order to promote productivity ; other studies say simply that whether music aids in concentrating depends on how much a worker likes or dislikes the music . 

Note that the studies discussed in this section measure something different than the aforementioned Mozart Effect. While the Mozart Effect measures the ability of music to enhance intelligence after the music stops playing, research on music for productivity investigates background music, or music that plays while your attention is primarily on something else (your work).

Read more:   Best turntable under $300 in 2020: Audio Technica, Pro-ject, Fluance and more   

40 gorgeous headphones for people who are sick of black

What kind of music helps us focus? 

With the fact that there's no real scientific consensus in mind, it's worth looking at the handful of research studies on different types of music and their ability to aid in concentration.

Classical music

Despite the muting of the Mozart Effect, some research still suggests that classical music can help people learn and focus (just not as impressively so as the 1990s would have you believe). For example, one study found that college students who listened to classical music during lecture learned more than those who listened to the same lecture without classical music. Some research suggests, however, that classical (or any type of complex) music is best when performing simple tasks , rather than complicated ones.

Ambient music

Ambient music is a style of gentle, tone-based music that utilizes ambient sounds like the hum of an air conditioner or the buzz of TV static. Ambient music often lacks a true beat, usually doesn't have lyrics, and ends up blending into the preexisting background noise -- this is why ambient sounds like white noise are often used at sleep aids . 

In terms of focus and productivity, one study found that white noise can help people with ADHD ignore noisy environments and perform tasks with more efficiency. There's still a lot of work to do, however, when it comes to understanding when ambient noise helps and when it doesn't , according to recent research from the University of Alberta.

Nature sounds

We already know that spending time in nature is good for our physical health. It turns out that listening to nature sounds, even when trapped in an office, can boost your mood and promote deep focus . Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in New York found that soothing nature sounds, such as rainfall, can mask intrusive sounds and help workers stay on task. 

This Nature Sounds playlist on Spotify has more than one million monthly listeners, a good indication that the playlist works for something, be it relaxation, sleep or focus. 

Test your music system with these great rock tracks

What type of music to avoid

Just as particular styles of music can help you focus and get things done, other styles can sabotage your efforts no matter how strong your work ethic. There's no research that explicitly compares the effects of different types of music on productivity, but most people can probably agree that it's best to avoid distracting styles, such as dubstep music and heavy metal, while working. 

Truly, though, it all comes down to personal preference. And it's not as if experimenting with background music can really hurt -- we're talking about music here, not whether a food additive is safe or not . The worst outcome is a slow day at work and perhaps a bit of scolding from your boss. 

You should know yourself well enough to understand what types of music and sounds help you focus, and which ones don't. If you find yourself struggling to focus with '80s classic rock in the background, maybe it's a good idea to turn off the Guns N' Roses and switch to something with less electric guitar.  

It's worth experimenting to find out what kind of music helps you focus. I personally can't listen to any music, regardless of style or tempo, that has lyrics. I've tried and tried and failed. I just get too caught up in the words and can't concentrate on the task at hand.

Instead, I've found that I focus much better when listening to soft electronic music or nature sounds (particularly rain and waterfalls). Some of my most productive days have been the result of simply switching on a floor fan to block out distracting noises. 

In the end, as with all things, do what works best for you.   

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October 2021

Best Study Playlists - Study Music, Focus Music

• Online Learning Community

Everybody has their own routine for how to study for exams, do homework, read or focus on a particular task. Listening to a study playlist is a great way to center your attention and lift your mood. Listening to music can also reduce stress, which is a plus when it comes to balancing a busy schedule of work, school and family!

Music Therapy has proven that you can process a wide range of emotions from excitement to thoughtfulness depending on what type of music you listen to. When we’re studying, we’re probably aiming for thoughtfulness. Research has also shown music has the potential to boost memory, which can be a huge plus.  However, complex and distracting music might not be the way to go when choosing the right studying playlist for you.

We have found that the best genres of music to listen to while studying, reading or writing include minimalist, classical, piano and low-fi music. We’ve compiled some of the best lyric-free playlists that will act as brain food while keeping your attention on your studies so you can ace that test and earn that A.

Best Study Playlists on Spotify

This more than 24-hour playlist is full of piano and classical songs to help you focus.

Lofi Girl curates some of the most relaxing and engaging playlists. Her use of lo-fi tracks mixed with ambient pieces will keep you relaxed but never bored.

This playlist is all instrumental all the time!

Best Youtube Study Playlists

This is a deep-focus playlist so you know you’ll finish what you need to get done!

This Bossa Nova & Jazz playlist is a MOOD. It will transport you to a lovely cafe, on a rainy day.

This extra ambient playlist describes itself as “brain power, focus concentration music.” You’ll feel like you’re in a sound bath.

Music is just one way to improve your mental health. See more tips on how to improve your mental health as an online student.

* Arizona Online does not endorse playlist creators. Music is not guaranteed to boost academic performance.

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Can Music Make You More Productive?

• Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic

It depends on the task at hand.

Picking the right type of music, at the right time, and for the right task, can be a powerful productivity booster. At the same time, the specific types and aspects of music that influence our performance are variable. Here are a few things anyone interested in using music to improve their performance should consider:

• Your personality determines whether and how much you benefit from background music while you work. If you’re extroverted, your performance will likely increase with background music or minor distractions. Conversely, being an introvert increases the probability that you find any background noise, including music, distracting.
• Your choice of music is influenced by your desire to enhance certain moods, even when you’re not conscious of it. Most people perform best when they pick music that matches their natural personality.
• The effects of music on performance are largely dependent on task complexity. If you have to work on a boring or easy task (whether it is new or old), music can enhance your attention by providing extra stimulation to your brain.
• Background music can be a good antidote to other distractions. Even for those who prefer to work in silence, picking the right music is more likely to help them relax and focus than having to listen to their colleagues, kids, or strangers.
• Some studies report that background music is more beneficial (and less distracting) when it doesn’t have lyrics.

Where your work meets your life. See more from Ascend here .

Music is magical. It has the potential to boost our concentration, mindset, and performance. In the context of work, background music (including the widely-researched classical genre) has been found to improve our performance on cognitive tasks, such as spatial or verbal ability tests, for short periods of time. My own research has shown that music is a powerful emotional regulation tool, and a recent meta-analysis found that music therapy is an effective way to reduce feelings of stress and anxiety.

• Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic is the Chief Innovation Officer at ManpowerGroup, a professor of business psychology at University College London and at Columbia University, co-founder of  deepersignals.com , and an associate at Harvard’s Entrepreneurial Finance Lab. He is the author of  Why Do So Many Incompetent Men Become Leaders? (and How to Fix It ) , upon which his  TEDx talk  was based. His latest book is I, Human: AI, Automation, and the Quest to Reclaim What Makes Us Unique.   Find him at  www.drtomas.com . drtcp

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Best Pandora Stations for Studying

Hero Images/Getty Images

• B.A., English, University of Michigan

Almost everyone has a smartphone these days, and with it comes the ability to rock out to music whenever the mood strikes. Since Pandora Internet Radio is probably the most well-known place to grab free music on the go, and tons of students love to listen to music while they study, it only stands to reason that people might need some advice about choosing the best Pandora stations for studying and homework.

Genre Pandora Stations

When you log in to Pandora, you can choose an artist, a genre, or a song to get started. A musical genre is simply a style of music. Rock is a genre. So is punk. So is jazz. Pandora's site does have genres such as country and classical and hip-hop, and it also has a set of genres that have more to do with the overall emotional flavor of a collection of music rather than a particular genre. Pandora has a comprehensive and frequently updated genre list that you can browse to get started.

Since researchers are at least agreed that quieter music without lyrics is the most conducive music to study to (barring no music at all), here are a few genre Pandora stations that may be ideal for you to study by. Some are instrumental only, and they cover a wide range of musical styles.

Instrumentals

Fifteen million listeners can't be all wrong: in Pandora's Instrumentals genre you'll find everything from Dr. Dre to bluegrass to techno to jazz. These instrumentals are basically tracks from some of the top names in the business without the words to mess with your brain space; there's even a specific station called Instrumentals for studying .

Quiet Tracks

Willing to risk some lyrics? Pandora has three muted genres that might work for you. Pandora's Wind Down genre includes a collection of stations such as the Buddha Bar, with surreal lyrics, modal harmonies, and a slow-moving bass line.

The Chill genre contains stations that are mostly acoustic playlists, with an emphasis on calm, sedate music. Styles range from coffeehouse-style folk music to pop music versions to classics, country, and indie channels.

Pandora's Easy Listening channels include the light side of movie soundtracks, show tunes, cool jazz, solo piano, and light rock.

New Age and Classical

Pandora's New Age genre has several channels perfect for taking your anxiety over that deadline down a notch or two. Here you'll find music suitable for relaxation, spa, ambient, and a whole range of subareas of New Age music types: instrumental, acoustic, solo piano, and beats. Just don't fall asleep.

The Classical genre has a number of good channels that might trip your studying trigger: classical guitar, symphonies, renaissance, baroque. A  Classical for Studying Radio  channel promises a New Age aesthetic and an overall meditative sound. and a channel for Work might also do the ticket.

In the End, It's All Between the Ears

It's quite possible that some people do better with background music: people have different tastes, different study habits, and different ways of handling noise and distraction. Surveys of students themselves often say music helps them concentrate, keeps them company, alleviates boredom, and helps them learn faster.

With free music sources like Pandora and Spotify, selecting the exact music you need might actually be a distraction in itself.

Is Music While Studying Even a Good Idea?

A few scientific studies have been conducted on the effect of music or other background noise on maintaining concentration. Most report that the best studying environment of all is silence. Since all music processing uses cognitive capacity, the theory goes, listening to music could impair task performance involving your brain. Most of the studies, however, have been relatively unsystematic and somewhat inconclusive, because so much depends on an individual student's preferences and study habits, and the enormous number of musical genres available.

If students study with music playing, they seem to perform better when the music is calm and they don't engage with the music. In other words, don't sing along, for example, or don't pick music that you either don't like or like too much. Your emotional response to music does add to the distraction value: music that is too stimulating or too sleep-inducing will also be a distraction.

So: if you are the kind of student who needs music as a background to study , to act as white noise to keep other people's voices or the radiator's banging or personal worries out of your head, keep it low enough that you won't actually pay much attention to it. If you find yourself singing along, change the station.

• Cassidy, Gianna, and Raymond A.R. MacDonald. " The Effect of Background Music and Background Noise on the Task Performance of Introverts and Extraverts ." Psychology of Music 35.3 (2007): 517-37. Print.
• Furnham, Adrian, and Lisa Strbac. " Music Is as Distracting as Noise: The Differential Distraction of Background Music and Noise on the Cognitive Test Performance of Introverts and Extraverts ." Ergonomics 45.3 (2002): 203-17. Print.
• Hallam, Susan, John Price, and Georgia Katsarou. " The Effects of Background Music on Primary School Pupils' Task Performance ." Educational Studies 28.2 (2002): 111-22. Print.
• Kotsopoulou, Anastasia, and Susan Hallam. "Age Differences in Listening to Music While Studying." 9th International Conference on Music Perception and Cognition . University of Bologna, 2006. Print.
• Kotsopoulou, Anastasia, and Susan Hallam. " The Perceived Impact of Playing Music While Studying: Age and Cultural Differences ." Educational Studies 36.4 (2010): 431-40. Print.
• Umzdas, Serpil. "An Analysis of the Academic Achievement of the Students Who Listen to Music While Studying." Educational Research and Reviews 10.6 (2015): 728-32. Print.
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Music Theory Academy

The elements of music.

The elements of music can be seen as being the building blocks of music . Without them, music (of any style/age) would not exist because sound itself would not exist!

Think of the elements of music like the crucial elements of a car. A car needs wheels, an engine, brakes, doors, a chassis, a steering wheel, etc.. Without these key elements it will no longer be a car. Without the key musical elements a piece of music will no longer be music.

What are the elements of music?

Here is a quick run through of the main musical elements (you will come across variations of this, but these are the crucial ones):

Pitch – how high or low a note sounds Rhythm – the pattern of regular or irregular pulses caused in music by the occurrence of strong and weak beats. (In everyday language this is the “groove”). Duration – the length of a musical note Structure – the way in which an overall piece of music is arranged into similar and contrasting sections. Dynamics – how loud/quiet the music is (either the overall sound or of individual notes/instruments within it) Pulse – the beat of the music Texture – the way in which melody, rhythm and harmony are combined in a piece of music. What each part/instrument is doing at any given point. Tempo – the speed of the pulse Timbre – the tone of a musical note Tonality – the key in which a piece is written (can change as piece progresses) Harmony – the relationship between 2 or more simultaneously sounding notes

Why are the elements of music important?

They are important for 2 reasons: 1. Performing/analysing Music – An understanding of the musical elements will enable you to understand any piece of music, whether you are trying to perform the piece or analyse it. If we know the key elements that make up a car then we can use them to compare any car around the world from a Ferrari to a pickup truck by asking some simple questions – “What size engine does it have? What colour is it? How many wheels does it have? etc..” In the same way, we can understand any piece of music by asking questions – “What is the tempo? How loud is it? What key is it in? What instruments are playing? Etc…”

2. Composing Music – The musical elements are your “composer’s toolbox” – without a clear understanding of the elements of a car you will never be able to build a car. Without a clear grasp of the elements of music your ability to write music will be seriously compromised and you will not be able to reach your potential as a composer (whatever style you are wanting to write in).

The different elements of music are covered in different music theory videos and lessons around the site. I hope they help you on your musical journey.

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About The Author

Ben Dunnett LRSM is the founder of Music Theory Academy. He is a music teacher, examiner, composer and pianist with over twenty years experience in music education. Read More

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These worksheets are designed to focus on listening, appraising and understanding of historical context. With limited access to instruments, this is a great way to encourage our students to have a life-long appreciation of musical genres and styles.

These worksheets will work perfectly for any teacher who is trying to teach students who have no or limited access to instruments at home.

Each worksheet explores different genres and styles of music and will make a great one-off lesson, homework task, cover work or could even be expanded into a longer class project.

Each worksheet has an opportunity for students to complete initial individual research of the specific genre of music.

There is a listening exercise that expands upon the historical and musical context already learned by the students.

Each worksheet finishes with the opportunity for independent project work where students can pick a task from the list and use it as a final assessment piece that can be assessed by the teacher. Students will have the flexibility in how they present the work for assessment making this a great student-led project.

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Musical Genres and Styles Mini-projects book 1 & 2 for KS3 & KS4 music

Musical Genres and Styles Mini-projects Book 1 & 2 This series of worksheets was originally created for KS3 & KS4 music classes during online teaching. The series have been popular with music teachers as it offers a set of projects that work for music classes, extended projects and cover work for non-specialist teachers. The worksheets are designed to focus on listening, musical appreciation and improve understanding of different historical and musical contexts. These worksheets work for any teacher who is teaching students who have no or limited access to instruments at school or home. However, the projects do give freedom to supplement the tasks with practical work of your choice where and when possible. Each worksheet explores different genres and styles of music and will make a great one-off lesson, homework task or could even be expanded into a longer class project. The idea is to share a musical appreciation and life-long love of music with students, even if practical work is limited. Each worksheet has an opportunity for students to complete initial individual research of the specific genre of music. There is a listening exercise that expands upon the historical and musical context already learned by the students. Each worksheet finishes with the opportunity for independent project work where students can pick a task from the list and use it as a final assessment piece that can be assessed by the teacher. Students will have the flexibility in how they present the work for assessment making this a great student-led project. I hope your students enjoy these tasks!

Cover work lessons for secondary music classes

Stuck for cover work that is suitable for a cover teacher to teach? In this bundle you will find a wealth of different resources that are perfect for middle and high school general music classes. Resources include powerpoints, worksheets and more. Topics include listening exercises, music theory, quizzes, programme music and pop history as a starting point. All resources have been used and taught in the classroom and cater for a variety of different musical abilities.

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• Playlist Genre

Music Genre Finder

Find genre of song or artist and discover genres, track analysis, music genre finder | song analyzer.

What music genre an artist or a song belongs to? what key or tempo is this song? You can use our free music genre finder and analyzer to quickly find genre and more interesting information( song’s key, BPM, popularity…) about any music you love, or to find an artist genre.  Just enter the song title/artist name and leave the rest to our genre checker tool.

“You are what you listen to”. Music tells people a lot about who you are and what you care about, this is the first reason why some people want to know what type of music they listen to, the second one is that they want to listen to more music similar to it, but they often don’t know what the genre is called to be able to search for it.

What genre is my music?

It’s really not a simple process to identify The music “genre” of a song or an artist. Since musicians can be very creative, not all songs/artists have a specific and defined genre. Some are a combination of many, others present a new pattern with no associated genre at all.

Something that would be very difficult because there’s not universal agreement on what constitutes most subgenres to start with and there are so many. For example, electronic music has 200+ sub genres on its own, 250+ rock and metal subgenres.  So we here to help you with this free online tool that defines what type of music a song/ an artist belongs to?

How to use this music genre finder ?

Artist/Song genre finder tool is the best way for music lovers and playlist curators to find the genre of a song or an artist. All you have to do is type your song name in the search box, and the app will match that music or song in the databases of Spotify and Wikipedia, and if the match is found then the music or song details will be displayed on section below that contain more interesting information such as song’s key and bpm…

Don’t worry if you can’t remember your favorite song name correctly, search box will automatically suggest a few songs for you to select from. You also can start with artist name instead of song name.

You can also find an artist genre using this tool, all you should do is to select artist option then start typing your favorite artist name in search box. Identify the artist and get his music category with one tap.

Song mood analysis

In seconds, this music genre finder app will analyze the song mood like energy and happiness, and it will give you helpful metrics about your favorite music that you were looking for and more.

In addition to providing song genre tags according to Spotify and Wikipedia databases, this tool also  works as an audio analyzer so you can get track analysis which contain the following musical attributes:

• Duration : length of song. Is it long or short?
• Tempo (BPM): The overall estimated tempo of a track in beats per minute (BPM). The speed at which a song is recorded and performed has a profound impact on how it is perceived . Is it slow or fast?  0-79 Slow 80-129 Medium 130+ Fast
• Key : What key is this song in? You can use this tool as music key finder, it gives you the Key in which a song was composed. In music theory, the key of a piece is the group of pitches, or scale, that forms the basis of a music composition in classical, Western art, and Western pop music.
• Camelot : An alternative notation used by DJs.
• Popularity: popularity here depends on the total number of plays the track has had and how recent those plays are.
• Happiness : Scores with a higher number sound more positive (e.g. happy, cheerful, euphoric), while tracks with a lower number sound more negative (e.g. sad, depressed, angry).
• Danceability describes how suitable your favourite song is for dancing based on a combination of musical elements including tempo, rhythm stability, beat strength, and overall regularity.
• Energy represents a perceptual measure of intensity and activity. Typically, energetic tracks feel fast, loud, and noisy.
• Acousticness : A measure whether your music is acoustic. The higher the number the more acoustic sounding your music is.
• Instrumentalness : The closer the instrumentalness value is to 100, the greater likelihood the track contains no vocal content.
• Liveness : Detects the presence of an audience in the recording. Higher liveness values represent an increased probability that the track was performed live.
• Speechiness: Speechiness detects the presence of spoken words in a track. the closer to 100 describes tracks that are probably made entirely of spoken words.
• Loudness : Is this song quiet to loud? It is measured in decibels (dB). Values typical range between -60 and 0 db.
• Explicit : Is this song has sexual content or not?

Find which genre of music an artist belongs to

By using this tool, you can find artist genre tags according to Spotify and Wikipedia databases. You can also see Artist popularity and followers count.

We hope this song/artist genre finder will help you discover more about your favorite music whether it was classical or pop/rock or any genre of music and better understand the streaming landscape.

• You can use our Playlist generator to get a playlist of similar songs to your favourite one.
• Songs/Artists data is provided by Spotify.
• You can check the genre of any Spotify playlist using the Playlist analyzer.

Homework Soundtrack

April 20, 2024 39 Songs, 1 hour, 54 minutes ℗ 2024 Warner Music Group - X5 Music Group

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• Hip-hop and the White House: UB scholar discusses how politics intersect with the music genre

UB scholar Bakari Kitwana appears in a new HULU doc, ‘Hip-Hop and the White House’

The distinguished visiting scholar discusses how hip-hop and politics intersect.

By Douglas Sitler

Release Date: April 23, 2024

Bakari Kitwana

BUFFALO, N.Y. - Bakari Kitwana, a distinguished visiting scholar in the Department of Africana and American Studies, is an internationally known cultural critic, journalist and activist in hip-hop and Black youth political engagement.

Kitwana has been involved countless projects that document the intersection of hip-hop and electoral politics. That includes debating Bill O'Reilly on Fox News and Tavis Smiley on PBS, and leading town hall discussions around the country with Van Jones, Eddie Glaude, Cornel West, Adam Mansbach, Chance the Rapper, Talib Kweli, Latosha Brown, Bun B, Chuck D, Michael Eric Dyson, Common, Rapsody, MC Lyte and many others.

He was previously editor-in-chief of The Source magazine and the editorial director of Third World Press. His essays and commentary have appeared in The New York Times, Village Voice, The Los Angeles Times, Newsday and more. For the last decade, he has lectured and given keynote talks at numerous universities, including Harvard, Stanford, Dartmouth and Columbia.

On Monday, April 22, the HULU documentary, “Hip-Hop and the White House,” premieres with Kitwana as an expert. It examines the relationship between what Kitwana says is the most powerful American cultural movement of the past 50 years and the most powerful position on the planet – the president of the United States.

Kitwana came to UB as part of the Distinguished Visiting Scholars program in the College of Arts and Sciences. Each year, the program brings a cohort of highly accomplished scholars and artists whose work elucidates social inequality and advances social justice to the university and Buffalo community.

Below, Kitwana answered some questions about his involvement in and the importance of the new documentary. 

Why is it important for the people to understand the historical relationship between the cultural force that is hip-hop and the president of the United States?

There is a long history of hip-hop artists interfacing with the White House that goes back to President George Bush, Sr. and continues pretty much during every presidential administration since. It's important for folks to understand because of the contemporary economic and sonic impact of hip-hop in American and global culture, and because it partly tells the story of the post-civil rights generation's political journey as well as the major political and policy issues that matter to the generations that came of age after the civil rights movement, including the current millennial generation.

Do you see hip-hop playing a role in the 2024 Presidential election? If so, how?

Hip-hop will absolutely play a role in 2024, as its presence and impact has continued to play a role from George H.W. Bush to President Biden. Increasingly candidates on the left and right have continued to reach out to the hip-hop audience, whether it's Biden in conversation with Cardi B (via Elle magazine) and the Breakfast Club in 2020, or Kanye West and Waka Flaka in conversation with President Trump in recent years, or the recent dust-up between Eminem and Republican presidential hopeful Vivek Ramaswamy. As candidates try to connect with young voters, hip-hop is a natural fit. Hip-Hop is centered in youth culture and cuts across several post Baby Boom generations. These younger generations, especially millennials can’t boast much about political victories via electoral politics, so they have become increasing critical and outspoken of presidential politics as we see when it comes to police brutality, inflation, war, student loan debt, foreign policy, and more.

Why is it important to have discussions centered around hip-hop’s role in politics?

As a scholar and hip-hop expert, I do this work because it's important to provide clarity to where and how hip-hop enters these crucial discussions. There is a long history of hip-hop being misinterpreted and distorted as the problem and as a vehicle for demonizing young people. The impact that hip-hop as a cultural force plays in the lives of young people and within the American electorate should not be minimized. But it's a long history that continues to evolve and requires someone familiar with that history and its nuances to ensure that what is at stake is carefully articulated.

Hip-hop just celebrated its 50 th anniversary. Is this music genre having its moment?

Hip-hop has been enjoying its moment for decades as the dominant selling music in the U.S. But even beyond sales, the music also has influenced the format of other musical genres. Hip-hop has been around for 50 years now. Which means there are hip-hop artists well into their 50s and 60s. The hip-hop audience is also now an audience that reaches across six decades. It's arguable one of the most influential cultural phenomena in our lifetime. One of the great things about the 50 th  anniversary was that it showcased the pioneering artists to an emerging hip-hop audience. In doing so, it demonstrated hip-hop's staying power and allowed a collective looking back at hip-hop's many accomplishments. But mostly the celebration was about artists. Hip-hop journalism and hip-hop electoral politics engagement are two significant areas that have too long remained underdiscussed. This very comprehensive documentary pushes the nation to look more deeply at what hip-hop has meant in the political arena.

Media Contact Information

Douglas Sitler Associate Director of National/International Media Relations Faculty Experts Tel: 716-645-9069 [email protected]

With Beyoncé’s foray into country music, the genre may finally break free from the stereotypes that have long dogged it

W hen Beyoncé released “ Texas Hold ‘Em ,” the first single from her new country album, “ Cowboy Carter ,” it elicited a mix of admiration and indignation.

This is not her first foray into the genre, but it is her most successful and controversial entry. With “Texas Hold 'Em,” Beyoncé became the first Black woman to have a No. 1 song on the country charts . At the same time, country music stations like KYKC in Oklahoma initially refused to play the record because it was “not country.”

Many non-listeners stereotype country music as being white, politically conservative, militantly patriotic and rural. And you can certainly find artists and songs that fit that bill.

But the story of country has always been more complicated, and debates about race and authenticity in country are nothing new; they’ve plagued country artists, record companies and listeners for over a century.

As someone who researches and teaches Black culture and country music , I hope that Beyoncé’s huge profile will change the terms of this debate.

To me, Beyoncé’s Blackness is not the major bone of contention here.

Instead, the controversy is about her “countryness,” and whether a pop star can authentically cross from one genre to the next. Lucky for Beyoncé, it’s been done plenty of times before. And her songs are arriving at a time when more and more Black musicians are charting country hits.

Cross-racial collaboration

Americans have long viewed country music – or, as it was known before World War II, hillbilly music – as largely the purview of white musicians. This is partly by design. The “hillbilly” category was initially created as a counterpart to the “ race records ” aimed at Black audiences from the 1920s to the 1940s.

But from the start, the genre has been influenced by Black musical styles and performances.

White country music superstars like The Carter Family and Hank Williams learned tunes and techniques from Black musicians Lesley Riddle and Rufus “Tee-Tot” Payne , respectively. Unfortunately, few recordings of Black country artists from the early 20th century exist, and most of those who did record had their racial identity masked.

Johnny Cash’s mentor, Gus Cannon , proves a rare exception. Cannon recorded in the 1920s with his jug band, Cannon’s Jug Stompers , and he had a second wave of success during the folk revival of the 1960s .

Similarly, the genre has always included a mix of Anglo-American and Black American musical instruments. The banjo, for instance, has African roots and was brought to America by enslaved people.

In the case of “Texas Hold ‘Em,” which begins with a lively banjo riff, Beyoncé has partnered with Grammy- and Pulitzer Prize-winning MacArthur Fellow Rhiannon Giddens , America’s foremost contemporary Black banjoist and banjo scholar. (I would argue that this choice alone undercuts objections about the track’s country bona fides.)

Different tacks to navigate race

By releasing these tracks, Beyoncé joins performers like Charley Pride and Mickey Guyton – country stars whose success has forced them to confront questions about the links between their racial and musical identities.

Pride, whose hits include “Kiss an Angel Good Mornin’,” “Just Between You and Me” and “Is Anybody Going to San Antone?,” became, in 1971, the first Black American to win the Country Music Association’s Entertainer of the Year award. In 2000, he was the first Black American inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame .

But throughout his career, Pride resisted attempts to emphasize his Blackness. From his 1971 hit “I’m Just Me” to his 2014 refusal to discuss his racial “firsts” with a Canadian talk show host , Pride consistently strove to be seen as a country artist who happened to be Black, rather than as a country musician whose Blackness was central to his public persona and work.

At the other end of the spectrum is Guyton, who gained recognition and acclaim for songs like her 2020 hit “ Black Like Me ” – a frank, heartfelt commentary on the challenges she’s faced as a Black woman pursuing a career in Nashville, Tennessee.

Both Pride and Guyton reflect the zeitgeists of their respective decades. In the wake of the civil rights struggles of the 1960s, Pride’s “colorblind” approach enabled him to circumvent existing racial tensions . He chose his material with an eye toward averting controversy – for example, he eschewed love ballads , lest they be understood as promoting interracial relationships. At the start of his career, when his music was released without artist photos, Pride made jokes about his “ permanent tan ” to put surprised white concertgoers at ease.

Guyton’s work, on the other hand, resonated with the national outrage over the murder of George Floyd and tapped into the celebration of Black empowerment that was part of the ethos of Black Lives Matter.

And yet I cannot think of another Black musical artist with Beyoncé’s cultural cache who has taken up country music.

Some might argue that Ray Charles , whose groundbreaking 1962 album, “ Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music ,” brought legions of new listeners to country artists, is a forerunner of Beyoncé’s in this regard.

Without diminishing Charles’ significance, I believe Beyoncé’s new album outshines Charles’ landmark recording .

Black country in the 21st century

Over the past five years, in addition to the buzz over Lil Nas X’s “Old Town Road ,” a significant number of Black musicians – including Darius Rucker , Kane Brown and Jimmie Allen , to name a few – have charted country hits.

The Black Opry Revue , founded in 2021 by music journalist Holly G, produces tours that bring together rising Black country musicians, giving each more exposure than performing individually could.

Luke Combs’ cover of Tracy Chapman’s “Fast Car” topped the country charts and made Chapman the first Black woman to win the Country Music Association’s Song of the Year award. Their performance of the song at the 2024 Grammys went viral, demonstrating both the fluidity of genres and the power of collaboration .

Beyoncé’s loyal fan base, known colloquially as “the Beyhive,” has already propelled “Texas Hold ‘Em” to the top of the pop and country charts. While there may continue to be pushback from traditionalist country music gatekeepers, country radio executives holding sway over national broadcast networks are calling Beyoncé’s new songs “ a gift to country music .”

As more and more listeners hear her directive to “just take it to the dance floor,” perhaps the sonic harmony of the country genre will translate to a new way of thinking about whether socially constructed categories, like race, ought to segregate art.

And what a revolution that would be.

This is an updated version of an article originally published on February 22, 2024.

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William Nash does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.