Bach to the future: Neuroscientist says a centuries-old classical tune could be the secret to crushing your to-do list.
To instantly get in the zone, Friederike Fabritius, MS, author of “The Brain-Friendly Workplace,” swears by listening to “Goldberg Variations.”
The hour-and-a-half-long 1741 classical piece by Johann Sebastian Bach has been her go-to concentration hack for decades.
“When I have to focus, I always listen to [that] same song and I instantly get into flow,” Fabritius told Parade in a recent interview.
“You can actually condition your brain to get into flow and focus by always listening to the same music when you want to focus. It creates a ritual for your brain and a very strong connection.”
Fabritius’ strategy is simple: play the same music every time you need to concentrate, and your brain will learn to associate those first few notes with “time to focus.”
But is Bach really the best study buddy?
According to Dr. Erin Hannon, a psychology professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, classical music is a solid choice — but it’s not the only option.
Hannon told Parade that she recommends music with a “slow to moderate tempo, with moderately predictable pitch and rhythmic structure and lower levels of chaotic noise and dissonance, such as screaming.”
In other words, the less chaotic the tune, the easier it is to stay on task.
But what works for one person might not work for another.
Hannon also pointed out that music’s impact on mood and focus can be different for everyone, and “there is probably no one genre of music that can help with focus” for all of us.
A 2022 survey backs that up.
According to the survey by OnePoll on behalf of CSU Global, people who listen to music while studying were more likely to have a GPA above 3.2.
“Listening to music while studying can be an extremely helpful tool for some students in improving their focus,” said Dr. Christina Agvent, program director of teaching and learning at CSU Global.
The report also found that younger students were more likely to plug in their earbuds while studying — 58% of 18- to 25-year-olds said they listen to music while studying, compared to just 41% of those aged 58 to 76.
And it’s not all classical.
Respondents named “Riverside” by Agnes Obel and Drake’s “God’s Plan” among their favorite study jams.
For Fabritius, though, Bach’s “Goldberg Variations” is the ultimate focus anthem.
“You should not listen to loud, busy disco or techno music,” she said.
“Classical music that’s soothing and peaceful — hopefully without lyrics — supports focus rather than something that can additionally distract you.”
So the next time you’re struggling to concentrate, maybe forget the pop hits and give Bach a shot.
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