Finding the best music to listen to while studying isn’t a simple task. You need to consider factors like ambience, intensity, BPM and whether it has lyrics. And that’s all before considering personal preference.
Luckily the office aficionados at Slouch have given the topic the serious consideration it deserves and created a comprehensive list of music that fits the bill perfectly.
So take a seat in a stylish office chair that looks as fantastic as it feels and we’ll give you the low-down on what to listen to while studying to keep you engaged and focused.
What to listen to while studying – The top 7 genres
Bear in mind that while the following genres are popular with other people, you might need to take some time to work out what works best for you.
As a general rule we’d suggest that to give the genres below the best chance ensure you’re listening on headphones rather than through laptop speakers. A decent pair of headphones is even one of our key desk must haves.
Let’s jump in with the study music recommendations!
Classical music
Classical music is – well – a classic. That’s why so many people flock to it as their go-to music for studying.
If you’re looking to get into classical music as a newbie, Spotify, Apple Music and many other music streaming platforms have playlists where top streamed music by listeners is collated and can be easily searched for.
Otherwise, take inspiration from Statista’s study of Spotify’s most streamed artists that showed that the top classical musicians as of 2020 were:
- Bach (7.2 million monthly listeners)
- Beethoven (6.1 million monthly listeners
- Mozart (5.7 million monthly listeners)
- Chopin (5.1 million monthly listeners)
- Debussy (4.3 million monthly listeners)
- Händel (2.9 million monthly listeners)
- Schubert (2.8 million monthly listeners)
However, you’re not just limited to composers who died before you were born. There’s a whole new wave of classical music that’s just as relaxing as study music.
Why not try listening to something by Nils Frahm, a renowned modern classical piano musician? Or perhaps try out the Bridgerton film soundtracks, in which the score is made up of sweeping orchestral covers of modern pop songs.
Lo-fi
Lo-fi is having a serious moment with Gen Z listeners. This downtempo electronic music has had a huge resurgence in recent years and is now a firm favourite among students for study music.
The style is laid back and rhythmic with repeating hissing snares and drum loops as a distinct feature of the genre. This repetitive quality is what makes it easy to zone out to. In turn, this is why so many people enjoy listening to it to chill out or fall asleep. It’s also why it makes our list of the best music to listen to while studying.
Shoegaze
This is another ambient, lyric-free style of music. However, it’s distinct from Lo-fi.
Shoegaze is a subgenre of Indie music known for its dreamy, ethereal soundscapes. It features heavily layered guitar and blurred vocals. The genre’s immersive quality, repetitive structures and emphasis on atmosphere make it ideal study music. Key artists to check out include My Bloody Valentine, Slowdive and Ride.
Shoegaze offers a more energetic yet still non-distracting option compared to classical or lo-fi music.
Ambient sounds
Not keen on music for studying? Not a problem – for some people, a melody can be too mentally distracting. Why not opt for an ambient soundscape such as:
- Nature sounds like ocean or junglescapes with animal sounds
- Sounds from bustling ambient spaces like coffee shops or restaurants
- Rain noises in varying intensities from light rain on a window to a thunderstorm
Bonus points if studying to the sound of rainfall and also position your desk by a window for a calming breeze!
Motivation podcasts
Another non-musical option for studying is podcasts. This is a good alternative option for people who like to work to the sound of the television but don’t want to have one on for whatever reason.
If you can listen to voices without shifting your focus away from your work, a podcast can be a comforting background sound for studying. We’d recommend listening to some of our picks of the best motivational podcasts to keep your mood upbeat and motivation cycle triggered from your background listening.
Coloured noise
You’ve probably heard of white noise, right? For some people, it’s a go-to for tuning out the world in order to study. However, there’s now a whole world of coloured noise to choose from. Here are some of the top ones to study to:
- Brown noise is a deep, rumbling sound reminiscent of ocean waves. Listen to it for a warm sonic cocoon that can help to block out any library or office distractions (or distractions from wherever you choose to study) and keep you focused on your studies.
- Pink noise offers a balanced blend of frequencies similar to gentle rainfall, creating a soothing backdrop for studying.
- Blue noise has a higher pitch, like a crisp hiss, that can help you to sharpen your focus and keep you alert during intense revision sessions.
- Violet noise is a high-frequency sound, not dissimilar to the sound of water spraying from a showerhead – perfect for combating mental fatigue.
Ultimately coloured noise all have distinct differences that make them useful for slightly different tasks or situations or perhaps simply appeal to different people’s preferences. Try them out to see if they work for you.
Film scores
Many find scores of whimsical films, such as Studio Ghibli or Wes Anderson films soothing background music for studying. These may be films you watched in childhood, adding some nostalgia and comfort into the listening experience.
Need something extra relaxing? Kick the ambience up another notch with 11 hours of piano covers of Studio Ghibli film soundtracks.
Tip: Switch film genres to raise the stakes
Need some extra motivation for a deadline? Most of these picks are calm, unobtrusive and mood-boosting. However, sometimes when the clock is ticking you need to kick things up a bit.
In this case, why not try the soundtrack to a thriller or horror film. These soundtracks are designed to build tension and adrenaline but don’t tend to have lyrics, making them unobtrusive enough to work to.
While we wouldn’t recommend them as the best music to listen to while studying all the time – they can provide a useful kick if you’re feeling tired or unmotivated during an all-nighter.
How to choose the best music to listen to while studying
There’s a reason why background music is preferred by so many students. Not only does it activate regions of the brain related to memory and motivation but it has a whole host of other benefits, including:
- Improved focus: Music can help block out distracting noises to create a more consistent environment to study in.
- Stress reduction: Calming music can lower anxiety levels, making challenging tasks feel more manageable.
- Mood enhancement: Uplifting tunes can boost your mood, increasing your overall motivation and productivity.
- Better memory retention: Some studies even suggest that certain types of music can improve information recall.
- Increased endurance: Music can make long study sessions feel less long and tedious, helping you stay engaged for longer periods of time – like those long all-nighter deadlines.
Take your study station up a notch
Of course, finding out the best music to listen to while studying is just one piece of the puzzle. Here are some additional tips for creating a study space that will optimise your focus:
- Make sure that the screen distance from any monitors or laptops to your eyes is far enough away to avoid triggering fatigue
- Avoid sitting crossed legged on your chair as it can cause a whole host of bad side effects
- Organise desk cables neatly so that you’re less distracted by clutter when you come to study
- Use a comfy chair and desk that don’t cause you aches and pains
You’ll have to do the work on the first 3 tips, but we can help you out with the ergonomic furniture for studying. Our home working desks and office chairs have been engineered precisely for the purpose of keeping you comfortable hours – making study sessions a breeze.
And that’s before even mentioning that they’re all super easy-to-assemble and delivered right to your door. So why not check out the range?
If you’ve got any questions or queries that our team can help answer, simply get in touch at [email protected].
