Does Classical Music Help You Focus On Your Work?

byFrankB-1

6.5K followers

3 weeks ago

(Title image by DALL-E 3)

Hi WA Friends!

As a musician, I've thought a lot about this and tried out different kinds of music to see what best works for me. I've experimented with everything from Beethoven to Black Sabbath for over fifty years to find the perfect work soundtrack!

While it's true that mood is a major determinant of the kind of music you'll want to listen to as you work (for those who work with music playing), some musical genres or songs might not be very conducive to increasing your work productivity.

Here are some of the things I've come to realize over the years.

How Does Classical Music Compare To Other Genres?

Classical music often gets a lot of praise for helping people focus. But it’s not the only type of music people use to stay productive. For example, some folks love lo-fi beats, others prefer ambient electronic music, and some even find that heavy metal helps them focus!

Each genre has its strengths, but classical music stands out for a few reasons. It’s complex but usually lacks lyrics, which can mean fewer distractions, especially if you like to sing. There’s no catchy chorus to pull you away or get stuck in your head.

Why Classical Music Might Be Perfect For Focus

Classical music definitely has some benefits when it comes to focus. Many pieces have a slower tempo that can reduce stress and create a calming atmosphere, which can be ideal for concentration. Composers like Bach or Debussy often have structured pieces that can help you feel organized, which is useful for some types of work.

Another great thing about classical music is that it feels "intellectual." It can make you feel motivated in a more academic way. Sometimes, just putting on something like Vivaldi can put you in a productive mindset, even if it’s more about the mood than the music itself.

Some Classical Music Might Not Be Ideal The Ideal Choice

Classical music isn't always the best for focusing. Its complexity can be distracting. The layers of instruments and harmonies can make it hard to concentrate, especially if you tend to analyze what you hear. Instead of fading into the background, the music might draw you in too deeply.

Frequent changes in dynamics and tempo can also break your concentration. One moment it’s soft, and the next, it’s loud. This unpredictability can make it harder to maintain focus.

Classical music can also stir up strong emotions, which can interfere with productivity. The emotional depth of some pieces can really break your focus!

My Personal Take: Simplicity Over Complexity!

I was raised on classical music and opera. As much as I love it, sometimes classical music can be too distracting for me.

Instead of focusing on the task at hand, I can find myself breaking down the different instruments, harmonies, and melodies. I start thinking about how the composer arranged everything, and before I know it, I'm completely off track. Opera can be even worse, with powerful vocals and intense drama that can pull me away from what I'm trying to finish.

Jazz can have the same effect on my productivity as classical music. The improvisational nature of jazz, with its unpredictable changes in rhythm and solos give me new ideas, often leading me to put down the laptop and pick up a guitar (it happens a lot more than you probably think, no matter which type of music I listen to, lol 😂).

I usually go for something like rock and roll or blues when I need to focus on a particular task and get it finished. I find that this type of music is simpler and more repetitive, which helps keep me on track without demanding too much of my attention. I know what's coming and already understand how to play it on a guitar, although a good riff gives me energy and helps me stay motivated. Still, there's always that possibility that I could pick up a guitar anyway. Lol 😎

It's sort of like watching one of my favorite movies again and again. If you miss something, you already know what happened, so it's no big deal.

Tell Me What You Think!

In the end, it really depends on you. Does classical music help you focus while you're trying to work, or does it end up stealing your attention?

If you haven’t tried it yet, give classical music a shot during your next work session, but pay attention to how it affects you. If you find yourself being too distracted instead of finishing your work, then switch to something more familiar.

Let me know in the comments, AND ...

Keep On Rockin' It! 🤘

(Pin by DALL-E 3)

Frank 🎸

~80% Human written content.