Background music makes you more productive (but only in a nuanced way)

I wondered: is music hurting my understanding of what I read?

Being a curious boy, I decided to investigate. I pulled up my trusty research tools and went to theory town.

How does background music impact my brain? I asked in science speech. A surprising number of research papers came back.

TLDR–matching scenario and music for productivity

This post will explore the science behind using music for productivity. Want a quick answer? Refer to this table:

Task/Scenario	Advice/Tip
Deep focus and complex tasks (reading, writing, coding, studying)	Opt for simple, instrumental music with low complexity and predictable structure–or silence.
Repetitive, monotonous tasks or when fatigued	Choose up-tempo, energizing music you know and enjoy.
Reducing stress (perhaps for a deadline?)	Select slow, calming, simple music you find relaxing.
Brainstorming	Some find moderately complex, positive-mood music can help stimulate creative thinking.
Language-based tasks (e.g., reading, writing, or complex thinking)	Avoid lyrics, as they engage the language processing parts of your brain and can interfere.
Sustained focus	Generally, use simple, predictable music structures, which are less distracting than highly complex music.
General music selection	Use music you are familiar with and enjoy, as it's typically less distracting, requires less conscious processing, and is more effective at positively influencing mood and motivation.
Finding the optimal sound personally	Pay attention to how different music types actually affect your focus, mood, and productivity for specific tasks. Actively experiment beyond standard playlists.
Trying new sounds	Give any new sound experiment at least 5-10 minutes before deciding if it's effective. Also, what works one day might not work the next—regularly reassess your needs and adjust your choices accordingly.
Evaluating claims about focus-enhancing music (e.g., binaural beats)	Be skeptical of bold or definitive claims, as there's limited evidence for it. Yet, if it works (through placebo or not), nobody is going to tell you what to listen to.

Mozart–Schmozart

You might have vaguely heard about the Mozart Effect.

Back in the 90s, it was a hypothesis that took the world by storm: listening to Mozart for just 10 minutes improved people's performance on spatial tasks!

The conclusion was obvious. The snobs had won. Listening to classical music makes you smarter.

Or so it seemed.

While initial studies sometimes replicated the effect, many others failed.

Eventually, several review papers outright debunked the direct link between Mozart and enhanced spatial reasoning.

The idea of the Mozart Effect wasn't entirely a waste. It sparked curiosity about the broader impact of music on the brain.

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It’s all vibes: the Arousal-Mood Hypothesis

The research shifted focus. Scientists began exploring the “Arousal-Mood Hypothesis.”

This hypothesis suggests that music doesn't directly rewire your brain for specific tasks.

Instead, it primarily influences your mood and arousal (how alert or calm you feel).

• Up-tempo music tends to increase arousal, which can be helpful when you're feeling sluggish or doing repetitive tasks.
• Slower tempos might make you calmer and may help with focus.
• Music perceived as happy can boost positive mood and creativity.
• Sad-sounding music might increase mind-wandering, which could be less ideal.

Moreover, research indicates there's a sweet spot: music too stimulating can be distracting, while too little may not have any effect.

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More concentration and less comprehension?

The answer is simple, right? Just listen to the right energizing music and become a productivity beast!

Eh. Not so fast.

While music might sharpen focus, research suggests it can disrupt tasks that need deep reading, complex analysis, or critical thinking.

It does that by interfering with tasks that tap into the same brain resources needed to process the music itself.

• Complex music needs more resources to process, leaving less brain power for your task.
• Simpler, more predictable music generally imposes less load.
• Music with vocals is disruptive for language-based tasks (reading, writing, studying). Your brain tries to process both the lyrics and the task's language at the same time.
• Interestingly, unfamiliar music can also increase load as your brain tries to process the new patterns.
• For those with musical training, subconsciously analyzing music might interfere with tasks like math or coding.

The bottom line: both the type of task and the features of the music influence its effectiveness.

Choose wisely.

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“It’s personal now”

Adding another layer of complexity, the "right" background sound is deeply personal.

Music's impact is shaped by factors like your personality and neurodivergence.

For instance, some research suggests extroverts might benefit more from background music than introverts.

Similarly, your baseline alertness plays a role. If you're already feeling focused, music might be more of an unnecessary distraction.

If you're feeling sluggish, it might provide a needed boost.

How well you generally concentrate also influences music's effect on your performance.

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Mentally drained? Music to the rescue

Music offers another potential benefit: combating mental fatigue.

While much research focuses on boosting performance, there's also evidence that music can help when your energy levels dip.

For instance, music might alter your perception of effort, helping you push through and stay productive longer.. It can reduce feelings of fatigue and sharpen mental clarity.

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Binaural Beats: a special case

No discussion of music and productivity would be complete without mentioning binaural beats.

Lots of research on that too. Although, nothing conclusive.

(Whether these sounds technically qualify as "music" is a fun debate for another time – read my article about defining music here).

The idea is that listening to binaural beats can ‘sync your brainwaves’ to specific states, improving focus, relaxation, or memory.

While some studies show modest effects, stay skeptical. Evidence supporting these claims is limited.

That doesn't mean they are not worth exploring, but don't expect miracles.

If you find binaural beats work for you, great! Beat away!

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Practical tips for using background music

So, how can you use background sound effectively?

Before hitting play on that “Focus Piano” playlist, consider these practical tips based on the research:

Match the music to your task

• For deep focus and complex tasks (reading, writing, coding, studying):
  Opt for simple, instrumental music with low complexity and predictable structure–or silence.
• For repetitive, monotonous tasks or when fatigued:
  Choose up-tempo, energizing music you know and enjoy.
• To reduce stress (perhaps for a deadline?):
  Select slow, calming, simple music you find relaxing.
• For brainstorming:
  Some find moderately complex, positive-mood music can help stimulate creative thinking.

General principles for using music

• Avoid lyrics for language-based tasks:
  Lyrics engage the language processing parts of your brain, interfering with tasks like reading, writing, or complex thinking.
• Simplicity and predictability for focus:
  Generally, simple, predictable music structures are less distracting and better for sustained focus than highly complex music.
• Use Familiarity and Enjoyment:
  Music you are familiar with and enjoy is typically less distracting, requires less conscious processing, and is more effective at positively influencing mood and motivation.

Finding what works For you

• Self-Awareness & Experimentation:
  Finding the optimal sound is highly personal. Pay attention to how different music types actually affect your focus, mood, and productivity for specific tasks. Actively experiment beyond standard playlists.
• Allow Adjustment Time and Be Flexible:
  Give any new sound experiment at least 5-10 minutes before deciding if it's effective. Also, what works one day might not work the next. Regularly reassess your needs and adjust your choices accordingly.
• Approach Claims with Caution:
  Be skeptical of bold or definitive claims about binaural beats or other ‘focus enhancing’ music. There's limited evidence for it. Yet, if it works (through placebo or not), nobody is going to tell you what to listen to.

Trust your own experience and remember, your worth isn’t measured by your output.

Now, over to you. I’m curious—have you found any music especially effective?

What’s worked (or hasn't worked) in your experience? Share your go-to tracks or strategies in the comments.

Next week, I’ll be exploring a related question: Can formal music training actually make you smarter? Be sure to subscribe if you want to follow along.