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HOW MUSIC AFFECTS YOUR PRODUCTIVITY

YOU MIGHT BE ROCKING HEADPHONES WHILE YOU READ THIS--BUT DOES WHAT'S PLAYING MAKE YOU BETTER AT
YOUR JOB?

BY GREGORY CIOTTI

Music has a way of expressing that which cannot be put into words.

It is for this reason (and many more) that music is regarded as one of the triumphs of human creativity--but does
music itself help one to create?

This is an important question to examine, because music has increasingly become apart of the modern-day work
session.

The soldiers of yore may have faced insurmountable odds to the sound of trumpets, but we desk jockeys are
typically left to fend off our piling inboxes with nothing more than iTunes.

With so much of our work now being done at computers, music has become an important way to “optimize the
boring.”

Though it may be a fine way to avoid habituation, the question remains: does music actually make you more
productive? More focused? More creative? Or is all that a placebo?

People like me need to know. For nearly all of my work sessions, I have music playing in the background. I once
wrote 10,529 words on customer loyalty (https://www.helpscout.net/resources/customer-loyalty/) (how
exciting) listening to nothing other than the SimCity 2000 soundtrack--and yes, more on that later.

Am I actively sabotaging myself, or is music spurring me to do better work?

Let’s take a look at the research.

Music may help make repetitive tasks easier

When evaluating music’s effectiveness in increasing productive output
(http://www.sparringmind.com/productivity-science/), one element to consider how “immersive” the task at
hand is.

This refers to the variability and creative demand of the task--writing a brand new essay from scratch is synthesis
work that demands a lot of creativity; answering your emails is mundane work that does not.
When the task is clearly defined and is repetitive in nature, the research
(http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/0003687072901019) seems to suggest that music is definitely
useful.

A series of experiments has investigated the relationship between the playing of background music during the
performance of repetitive work and efficiency in performing such a task. The results give strong support to the
contention that economic benefits can accure from the use of music in industry.

More modern studies (http://graphics8.nytimes.com/packages/pdf/business/LESIUKarticle2005.pdf) would argue

that it perhaps isn’t the background noise of the music itself, but rather the improved mood that your favorite
music creates that is the source of this bump in productivity.

Music with a dissonant tone was found to have no impact to productivity, while music in the major mode had
different results: “Subjects hearing BGM (background music) achieved greater productivity when BGM was in the
major mode.”

The effects music can have in relation to repetitive tasks were further explored in this study
(http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/0003687072901019), which showcased how assembly line
workers displayed signs of increased happiness and efficiency while listening to music.

In a noisy workplace, music may be an escape

Despite the somewhat variable effects of music on the individual, one thing is definitely clear: A noisy workplace
(http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/currency/2014/01/the-open-office-trap.html) can end up halting
productivity in its tracks.

Perhaps a pair of headphones may not be as distracting as some bosses tend to think
(http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/12/jobs/how-music-can-improve-worker-productivity-workstation.html?
_r=0):

Dr. Lesiuk’s research focuses on how music affects workplace performance. In one study involving information
technology specialists, she found that those who listened to music completed their tasks more quickly and came up
with better ideas than those who didn’t, because the music improved their mood.

Again we see that mood is the main argument made.

The idea that headphones might beat out the constant yapping of your office co-workers has caused somewhat
of a debate due to the rising popularity of open offices (http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2014-03-13/too-
distracted-to-work-the-dark-side-of-open-offices).

While the open space may encourage more collaboration, the chatter can be too much for some people to
handle--I know that when I’ve worked in an open workspace, I couldn’t focus on writing without my
headphones.

Music seems to interfere with learning

When it comes to absorbing and retaining new information, distraction in any form is a huge no-no.
According to this research (http://www3.uwic.ac.uk/English/News/Pages/Research-proves-that-silence-can-be-
golden.aspx), music is no exception. Participants had a much more difficult time recalling a complex task when
they had listened to music.

Music demands too much of your attention--even when the sounds are subtle--to be listened to when you are
trying to learn or analyze new information.

Imagine trying to “read above your level,” or reading material that is outside your expertise, while being pulled
away by the sound of music. It makes an already difficult task nearly impossible.

Ambient noise may be the creative sweet spot

For those that do benefit in listening to music during creative sessions, an “ambient” presence of music appears
to work best.

Researchers have shown (http://www.jstor.org/stable/10.1086/665048) that a moderate noise level can really get
creative juices flowing, but that too much noise has the opposite effect.

This would imply that music with especially low-lows or especially high-highs should be avoided.

Deep basses and screeching synths might get you energized, but when listening and engaging in deep work,
favor a more mellow sound.

Lyrics can be very distracting

For those low-immersion activities I mentioned above, music with lyrics can offer huge benefits. As an example,
studies clearly show (http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=psychology-workout-music) that
listening to music can help us with intense exercise (anyone who’s ever been inside a gym could tell you that!)

But with immersive tasks, lyrics are especially destructive to our focus.

Since listening to words activates the language center of your brain, trying to engage in other language related
tasks (like writing) would be akin to trying to hold a conversation while another person talks over you… while also
strumming a guitar.

Lyrics might not have the same effect for creative tasks that don’t directly deal with “verbal architecture,” such as
designing. This study (http://pom.sagepub.com/content/33/2/173) that looked at software developers suggested
that music helped their output while working; I would still argue that for any language-based task, you should
steer clear.

Familiarity is best for focus

It may be beneficial to listen to music you are familiar with if you need to intensely focus for a project.

The reason being is that new music is surprising; since you don’t know what to expect, you are inclined to listen
closely to see what comes next.

With familiar music, you know what lies ahead and thus the sound doesn’t become your primary focus.
While the “journey” of new music is certainly beneficial in other ways, you may want to tread a familiar path if you
are using music to help get things done.

Music for Immersive Tasks: What Works?

Obviously “music that you like” should be given preference, but there are certain types of music that, from the
research above, might be best suited to make us all more productive during immersive tasks.

I chose to look at this in particular because music for more repetitive tasks tends to be an “anything goes”
situation: if Metallica helps you get through your inbox, turn it up until your neighbors complain.

In addition, most people tend to have a fairly wide range of music interests, so coming across or utilizing a
certain type of music just for work isn’t out of the question--they needn’t always rely on what’s currently on their
iPod.

Below, in order to introduce you, I’ll list the type of music, why it may be useful for you, and I’ll try to include
some links on where you can find more.

Classical music (Baroque)

Why it works

Lacking in lyrics and often considered to be the apex of the craft, classical music is a popular choice for getting
things done.

One study (http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090423132615.htm) in particular made it very clear

that Baroque-period tunes appear to have a measurable impact on productivity. The study only had 8 radiologists
as subjects, however all but one reported that the classical music had a notable improvement on their
concentration.

Noting what we’ve discussed above, not all classical music is created equal here--the dramatic twists and turns
of "Toccata & Fugue in D minor" might not be as appropriate as the more delicate sounds of "Für Elise."

Where to listen:

■ Reddit thread, “I’m new to classical music, where should I begin?

(http://www.reddit.com/r/classicalmusic/comments/ehaft/im_new_to_classical_music_where_should_i_start/)”
■ Freely licensed files on Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia%3ASound/list)
■ Reddit’s r/ Baroque music (http://www.reddit.com/r/Baroque/top/?sort=top&t=all)
■ Classical music for exams on Spotify (https://play.spotify.com/album/4GusunD6mDAoPYxtRcHZyP)
■ Pandora’s Baroque station (http://www.pandora.com/music/classical/baroque)

Examples

Two very long collections below, there are obviously many, many others.
Electronic music
Why it works

In electronic music, “ambient electronica”--and its sub-genres of chillout, downtempo, ambient house, and far
too many others--all tend to fit our need for ‘present but unobtrusive.’
This genre also tends to be repetitive, in a good way.

Unlike all of the ups and downs of a symphonic piece, there are quite a few producers out there who aim to
create ‘soundscapes’ (anyone remember Gabe from The Office?) that focus on a few melodies that repeat and
build on each other.

The song’s focus will help your focus, as the repeating tones are nice to have going in the background.

Where to listen

■ Reddit’s r/Chillmusic (http://www.reddit.com/r/chillmusic)

■ Reddit’s r/Futurebeats (http://www.reddit.com/r/futurebeats/)
■ Majestic Casual (https://www.youtube.com/user/majesticcasual)
■ My playlist! (https://www.youtube.com/user/GJCiotti/videos)
■ SoundCloud

Examples

I grabbed two quick examples from Vanilla and Ambinate.

Video game music
Why it works

Game design actually entails an incredible amount of depth, and great game composers know that the ideal
music for certain situations is music that can be played in the background and not distract the player.

Composers for games understand and know how to create music that blends in to the background; don’t let the
“gamer” stigma fool you here.

One of the most popular suggestions of all time

(http://www.reddit.com/r/LifeProTips/comments/1kgc9k/looking_for_good_music_to_work_to_try_video_game/)
on Reddit for “music that helps with concentration” was the SimCity soundtrack, which I found surprising.

It actually makes perfect sense, as Maxis specifically designed the music to be enjoyable but subtle enough that it
wouldn’t distract you from the myriad of things you needed to do in order to build your city.

You can download the .zip here (http://www.mediafire.com/download/s0qquq1iqkin2r4/Simcity.zip) of all the

songs, and I think you’ll see below why this soundtrack and other game music makes for some excellent ambient
noise.

Where to listen

■ OverClocked Remix (http://ocremix.org/)

■ VGMusic.com (http://www.vgmusic.com/)
■ Reddit’s r/GameMusic (http://www.reddit.com/r/gamemusic)

Examples

I grabbed two quick examples from Skyrim and SimCity 5.

“Everything else”
Why it works
There isn’t really a genre I could list here, given that anything else that may be "low key" could be a good
potential playlist for the right people.

If vocals don’t bug you that much during work, give them a go.

Jazz, hip-hop, indie rock, blues, and everything under the sun are really up for grabs here, but remember that
“ambient” is the word of the day for a productive session with music playing, at least if you’re engaged in deep
work.

Where to listen

■ Reddit’s r/Music For Concentration (http://www.reddit.com/r/MusicForConcentration/top/?sort=top&t=all)

■ Music for programming (http://www.musicforprogramming.net/?c=aesthetic)
■ SoundCloud
■ Spotify
■ Pandora

Examples

I really enjoy oldies for work, they tend to have a softer tone.
No music at all!
If you’re tired of these dang kids and their “newfangled dub steps,” fear not--sometimes the sweet sound of
silence is the most fitting of all.

If a task is so demanding that your attention might falter due to any music at all, you should focus on creating a
very quiet workplace.

For some people, however, total silence is off-putting. Is there any way to have a very mild ambient noise in the
background without music?

There are two neat tools you should check out:

SimplyNoise (http://simplynoise.com/): Playing nothing but a low pitch white noise in the background is amazing
for certain productive scenarios, at least for me. I find this can really get me in the zone if there is something
outside that is intruding (like construction work).

RainyMood (http://www.rainymood.com/): Work like it’s drizzling outside even when it’s 80 degrees and the sun
is shining! This plays a loop of a mild storm, turn on a fireplace video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=xQJAJjaRr18) and you can get seriously cozy.

What do you listen to?

This article originally appeared on Sparring Mind (http://www.sparringmind.com/music-productivity/) and is

reprinted with permission.

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