Top 10 Scientifically-Proven Tips for Creating the Perfect Productivity Playlist

Some people who do their best work accompanied only by the sound of a refrigerator’s hum and the ticking of a clock. Others flourish amidst the incessant clacking of keyboards and squeaking of office furniture. But for most of us, a more consciously crafted soundtrack is the ticket to sustaining concentration for long periods. Although scientists continue to debate the nature and extent of the benefits derived from listening to music while working, there is a growing consensus that well chosen “study music” does improve focus and reduce mental fatigue.

But of course, there’s the rub. What exactly constitutes “well chosen” study music? Is it only classical music that enhances concentration (the so-called Mozart Effect)? Clearly, there is no one-size-fits-all solution for everyone’s study music needs. There are, however, some general musical traits which are most conducive to maintaining mental concentration.

Everything in Moderation: Musical Elements that Enhance Concentration

When we speak of “study music,” we are referring to music that best supports the completion of tasks requiring your full concentration, known to psychologists as “immersive tasks.” (For more on immersive vs. non-immersive tasks, check out my blog post on the don’ts of study music, ADHD & Study Music.)

Extremes in music — extreme loudness or softness, extremely rapid tempos, extremely high or low pitches — are inherently distracting. Sudden, radical changes in pitch, tone, style, or mood are equally potent concentration-busters. Therefore, moderation is a key quality of all great music for work or study.

So, Does This Mean Study Music Should Be Boring?

Do not confuse moderation with monotony! Imagine having a study soundtrack that consisted solely of a great cellist playing a single note indefinitely. At first, the clarity of pitch and the depth of tone would soothe your nerves and stimulate your mind. After a minute, you’d be annoyed. After 30 minutes, you’d be homicidal. Boring “study playlists” exist in abundance today, but should be avoided. Uninspired music begets uninspired thinking. There is a huge realm of creative possibilities to be found between the extremes of jarring and lifeless; the best study music subtly explores those possibilities.

Top 10 Tips for Choosing Brain-Nourishing Music for Work or Study

1. Aim for songs with an “average tempo.” According to this study, for maximal concentration benefit, you should aim for study music at approximately at 60BPM (beats per minute). This of course depends on whether you’re counting quarter notes or eighth notes. Most musicians will classify an “average tempo” as either 60 or 120 BPM, depending on whether they have been trained to count “big beats” in music (as is true of classical musicians) or faster, “little beats” that are usually created by dividing each main beat in two (as is true of jazz musicians). Either way, this tempo, lines up exactly with the ticking of the second hand on a clock, so you can easily check for it when you listen to a piece of music. Of course, this is only a guideline, so feel free to use faster music for tasks requiring more energy, and slightly slower music when it is important to work through a problem in a calm, methodical way. Two examples of tracks that nicely embody “average tempo” are The Swimmer by Phil France and Rainfall by Michael Jones and David Darling.
2. Avoid the extremes in dynamics, rhythm, mood, and even your personal feelings about a track. Look for music that is not too loud but not too soft; that has clearly, but not forcefully or violently, articulated rhythms; and that offers interesting but not jarring variations in melody. Avoid the songs you love so much you have to drop everything in awe every time you hear them, as well as those you detest. However, don’t confuse a lack of extremes with a lack of inspiration. Seek out music that is subtle, not simplistic.
3. Explore good classical playlists. Many classical pieces exhibit the music traits scientific research has identified as important in good study music. But don’t feel bad if you encounter classical music that you don’t like. Even the most revered composers of centuries ago produced some clunkers. If classical music is an alien world for you, you can start by exploring curated playlists on services like Spotify. They’ll get you acquainted with the masterpieces that have stood the test of time. Consider also focusing on a different composer each day or week.
4. Include ambient tracks in your playlists. As noted in our article on the don’ts of study music, ADHD in Stereo, almost all good study music is instrumental; lyrics distract the mind. Ambient music is a relatively new and increasingly popular genre of instrumental music that emphasizes tone and atmosphere over tempo and structure. Seek out tracks that blend in rhythmic elements throughout the composition. You might start with “Hoppipolla,” by Sigur Ros, and “Happiness,” by Jonsi & Alex.
5. Incorporate sounds of nature. There is a reason so many great thinkers and writers have immersed themselves in the wilderness to find inspiration. Nature sounds can make a great addition to your study music playlists. Rainyscope is an entirely free service that offers an array sounds corresponding to the seasons. Noisli is a favorite of many because it enables you to create a customized nature soundtrack by blending in elements like rain, thunder, wind, the ocean, and rustling leaves at just the right volumes to please your ears.
6. Aim for a consistent, moderate volume. It is obvious to most people that study music should not be too loud — headaches have never been a ticket to great mental achievement. Many are surprised to learn, however, that very quiet music is equally distracting, because we instinctively strain our ears to hear it. That’s why the sound of a whisper instantly snaps us to attention. One study revealed that 70 decibels (dB) is the ideal volume for concentration-enhancing music, which happens to be almost exactly the volume level of a normal conversation. Before settling in to work, scan through your playlist, listening to a snippet of each song. Delete any songs that greatly differ in volume from the rest. You may also wish to consider downloading the marvelous audio enhancement app Boom 2, which has advanced volume controls.
7. Explore the world of movie soundtracks. Movie soundtracks were created specifically to function as background music, so there is inherent overlap between their function and the function of study music. Soundtrack recordings also feature some of the richest and most beautiful music written today. However, many pieces on soundtrack recordings are too closely tied to a specific scene to embody the overall spirit of moderation that study music requires. One song can be helpful while the next could be too eerie or jarring. This is where curated playlists are especially helpful; consider starting with “Samantha,” from Thomas Newman’s soundtrack for The Judge, and “Cornfield Chase,” from the Interstellar soundtrack by Hans Zimmer. You can also check out my personal Soundtrack Playlist on Spotify for ideas.
8. Incorporate jazz, but approach the genre with caution. Jazz remains one of the most intriguing and inventive realms of music in the world today. Many jazz classics make great study music because of their stable, lightly accented rhythms and combination of repetition and variation. But jazz can also be very distracting because of the genre’s focus on soloing and highly individual expression. In the 1940’s, the BBC had a radio show called, “Music while you work” which was aimed at improving productivity among factory workers. Interestingly, the music had specific rules for what could and could not be played. Among the requirements, jazz was mostly banned because it was too distracting “due to the variability of it’s tone”. Careful selection of tracks is essential. I would recommend “Where or When” by Wynton Marsalis, Brad Mehldau’s “Prelude to a Kiss,” and “Watercolors” by Pat Metheny as great launching off points for your journey into the diverse world of jazz. And as with classical music, curated playlists can serve as great guides.
9. Draw upon the inspirational and therapeutic aspects of music. Tasks which require concentration and creative thinking also require inspiration. But inspiration can be maddeningly hard to come by. Music has the unique ability to influence our feelings and help stimulate creative inspiration. If you find yourself uninspired to focus, consider taking a moment to listen to something you love. Apart from Writer’s Block, if you’re struggling with distracting negative feelings, take advantage music as a powerful therapeutic resource when looking to overcome your stress, depression and negative emotions.
10. Subscribe to a music streaming service like Spotify or iTunes. If you regularly listen to music, such an investment is worth every penny. Here are some points to consider:

• You’ll receive instant access to nearly every song you can imagine.
• You’ll get continuity between your desktop and cell phone devices.
• You’ll have access to a much higher quality of sound (bitrate).
• You’ll have access to many curated playlists and recommendation algorithms.
• You’ll never have to worry about commercials.
• You’ll never have to worry about storing your music (physically or digitally).
• These services are affordable (typically $10/month).

Closing Thoughts

It is unquestionably ironic that we have concluded our recommendations by directing you toward digital music streaming services to meet your study music needs. After all, it was the dawn of the digital age which unleashed upon the world the incessant onslaught of distractions and made concentration a lost art. But every era presents both new problems and new solutions. Tapping into the vast digital music libraries now available is a great way to “fight fire with fire” and master the art of concentrating under any circumstances.