We often hear the popular opinion that music, especially classical music, helps calm thoughts and improve focus. You may have seen many people in cafès or libraries with headphones listening to music while working or studying—whether it’s Mozart, Bach, or even heavy metal.

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There’s a belief that classical music might temporarily improve work performance. Indeed, delicate works by Debussy, Mozart, Bach, Haydn, and even Beethoven and Chopin can help calm daily stress and clear your mind. As a result, many people develop the habit of working or studying while listening to classical music.

But is it really that simple? Or, on the contrary, does classical music, due to its complex nature, only distract you? In this post, we’ll explore how classical music – and music in general – affects your brain, the best pieces for studying, and when listening to it might actually harm your productivity. So, without further ado, let’s begin!

Effects of Classical Music on Brainwork

The key reason people get obsessed with classical music is its calming effect. Many studies suggest that listening to classical music has a direct impact on listeners’ mood, stress reduction, and general cognitive performance. Thus, it’s no wonder that light instrumental music also affects your intellectual skills.

Bach’s Effect is a phenomenon that shows how classical music – especially Bach’s – helps students to focus on a topic and comprehend the material faster. It was a heated topic for many decades, but remained quite controversial and unproven.

J.S. Bach: Cello Suite No. 1 in G Major, BWV 1007 – I. Prelude (Gaspar Cassadó, cello)

Nevertheless, it became a trigger for scientists to finally find out if the Bach Effect is actually true. Numerous groups of psychologists tested the effects of classical music on different categories of people.
Particularly, the Bach Effect was tested on university students. A group of researchers from the Institute of Education Science (“Music during Lectures: Will Students Learn Better?”) found out that undergrads who listened to classical music during lectures performed significantly higher on exams.

A total of 249 students were divided into control groups and studied the same videotaped lectures. After the lecture, each group took a MCQ test, where those who listened to classical music scored better than those who didn’t.

While the result is suspiciously inspiring, it still doesn’t prove the magic of the Bach Effect, as the effect from classical music was temporary, though positive. Scientists needed more tests to finally confirm whether the Bach Effect is real or not.

On the other hand, research conducted by David J. Bridgett (“Effects of Listening to Mozart and Bach on the Performance of a Mathematical Test”) from North Illinois University is more skeptical and suggests that the Bach Effect on studying and concentration is exaggerated and doesn’t always improve outcomes.

A total of 61 math undergrads listened to 10 minutes of Bach and Mozart during their lectures. After that, all of them took a math test which didn’t show significant differences or improvements.

After all, classical music certainly helps to reduce stress and anxiety. Pleasant vibrations of classical instruments help to put thoughts in order and calm down, especially after a busy day. It is similar to meditation and always recommended to all groups of people.

The study from the University of Illinois ( “The Impact of Classical Music on Neuroanatomy and Brain Functions” ) suggest that classical music not only helps to consolidate memory and attention but also helps to prevent some cognitive diseases like Alzheimer’s.

So in conclusion, slow, peaceful works by composers like Bach, Debussy, or Mozart can lower cortisol levels – a hormone associated with stress – helping to relax mentality. Listening to classical music activates both areas of the brain, affecting neural connections and improving mental productivity.

Taking into account all this information, we can confidently claim that classical music has a positive effect on our brainwork. It clears your thoughts and helps you relax after work or a stressful day.
However, when it comes to listening to classical music during work, there are more factors to consider. So, the answer to the question “Can classical music help you study?” isn’t as straightforward as we would like it to be. So let’s dig deeper…

Is Classical Music Effective for Studying?

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We all wish there were some magic music that could just fire up our brains and help us pass every exam. However, reality is more straightforward and boring, and there are two key aspects to consider: what you’re studying and what type of music you’re listening to.

I. Type of music

Classical music is definitely the most complex of all musical genres. Whether it’s Beethoven or Bach, their music is more than just melody and beautiful harmonies. It’s intellectual entertainment that requires your full attention to follow the score and the development of the piece.

Franz Liszt: 12 Etudes d’execution transcendante, S139/R2b: No. 10 in F Minor, “Appassionata” (Claudio Arrau, piano)

Otherwise, your attention might get split between the music and what you’re working on. As a result, you won’t be fully focused on either one, leading to distraction and mistakes.

Just imagine listening to Beethoven’s Fifth, Liszt’s Transcendental Études, or Schubert’s String Quartets while trying to prepare for a math test. Of course, this can make your study session more enjoyable, but the outcome probably won’t be great.

To study effectively while listening to music, choose slower and more steady pieces with a BPM around 60–70, avoiding loud changes or sudden shifts. Beethoven’s sonatas, for example, may not be the best choice as they are often unpredictable and dynamic.
Also, classical instrumental works usually work better than more modern music. Orchestral instruments create natural vibrations that have a positive effect on the mental wellbeing , as discussed earlier.
Additionally, avoid songs with lyrics or heavy rhythms, like Queen’s We Will Rock You, as they’re too catchy. Sudden commercial interruptions or volume spikes also negatively impact your concentration.

Generally speaking, choose calm, instrumental pieces that aren’t too fast, with a balanced tone. Some jazz works are also great as background music, such as Take Five by Dave Brubeck. It has a relaxing piano motif and an easy-flowing saxophone melody.

Here are some suggestions:

• L. van Beethoven – Bagatelles (like Für Elise, G minor, etc.)
• W. A. Mozart – Serenades, Symphonies, early Piano Sonatas
• J. S. Bach – English and French Suites, Inventions, and Sinfonias
• F. Chopin – Nocturnes

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Serenade No. 13 in G Major, K. 525, “Eine kleine Nachtmusik” (Swedish Chamber Orchestra; Petter Sundkvist, cond.)
Frédéric Chopin: Nocturne No. 17 in B Major, Op. 62, No. 1 (Imogen Cooper, piano)

Remember, classical music needs to be actually listened to. You truly experience the magic of great music only when you pay attention to every note and development of the main themes.

II. Type of Task

The second important factor depends on what you’re studying and what kind of task you’re performing. As mentioned earlier, research shows that music – especially classical – can improve study quality. In fact, it even helped students perform better on exams, which require intense brain activity.

However, in some cases, music can actually be harmful and make it harder to study. Research shows that students who listened to classical music during lectures may have paid more attention and understood the material better – despite background sound.
But real understanding comes when you practice on your own. It’s after making mistakes and asking questions that true learning begins.
Take a math or physics problem, for example. If you’re learning something completely new and need to understand a specific algorithm or concept, you need full concentration to absorb it all. In this case, any distraction – whether music or background noise – will only make it harder to focus.

So, classical music may not help when learning brand-new material. Instead, it makes more sense to listen to music when you’re practising something familiar. In that case, the vibrations of music can help you stay focused on your work.

Tasks like reviewing notes, revisiting theory, or practising familiar exercises work well with music.

The effect of classical music on studying is similar to that of sleep. You may have had moments where you didn’t understand a lesson or a task, where you’re banging your head against it, but after a good night’s sleep, everything became clear the next morning.

The same goes for music – it certainly helps you digest information after you’ve actually understood the task, rather than helping you grasp it faster during the study. So, classical music can help you memorise information quicker, but not necessarily learn it.
After all, the effect of music on how it helps us study isn’t as straightforward. Despite numerous studies and research, it really depends on you. Try studying while listening to some of the pieces listed here. If you find yourself distracted or annoyed, then turn it off and focus on the task.

It is clear, though, that classical music has a positive overall effect on our mental health. It can help you understand material after you’ve fully dedicated your attention to it, if you listen to music afterward.
However, classical music isn’t meant to be played in the background – it requires your attention to truly enjoy it. The Bach Effect comes into play when you actively listen to the score. If you can follow it along without distractions, music becomes quite intellectual entertainment.

Summary / FAQ

1. Can classical music help you study?

Numerous studies have shown that classical music improves brain function and helps with processing information. However, the actual impact of music on learning depends on the type of music and the type of study. Sometimes it can be helpful, but other times it can be distracting.

2. What kind of music is best for studying?

Try listening to light instrumental music without lyrics and with a steady rhythm. Choose music with a tempo between 50-80 BPM.
Listen during study:

• Chopin – Nocturnes
• Bach – English and French Suites
• Mozart – Serenades and Symphonies
• Dvořák – Humoresques

Don’t listen during study:

• Liszt – Transcendental Etudes
• Beethoven’s sonatas and symphonies
• Schubert’s Lieder and sonatas (though some of them may be quite calm)

3. Does the Bach Effect really work?

The concept of the Bach Effect and its positive impact on the human brain has been a topic of numerous studies in recent years. According to these studies, classical music, especially Bach and Mozart, has a relaxing and positive effect on our cognitive function. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean that listening to their music will boost your IQ or make you pass all your exams.

Emily Lamothe is a professional pianist and classical music enthusiast. She studied at the Conservatorio S. Giacomantonio in Cosenza, specializing in classical piano. Since her youth, she has performed in a variety of private and public concerts, including at the Teatro Rendano in Cosenza, the Lviv Organ Hall, and numerous private events. Her repertoire includes works by Beethoven, Schubert, and Bach.

Emily actively participates in musical events and is dedicated to promoting classical music to wider audiences, especially the younger generation. She also studies its influence on human well-being.

Emily publishes her articles on classical music on her website, Classical Echoes, as well as entertaining music guides on her YouTube channel.

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