Piano Guidance
Photo by Monstera Pexels Logo Photo: Monstera

Does listening to jazz help you study?

According to William R. Klemm, a senior professor of Neuroscience at Texas A&M University, listening to jazz is good for studying because of its stress-reducing capabilities. Stress, he explains, “is the arch-enemy of memory ability.” Jazz has also been linked to boosting creativity.

Does piano get boring?
Does piano get boring?

Playing piano is a great joy for many people, but sometimes practicing can become repetitive and boring. Here are a few ways to enhance your piano...

Read More »
What is the least popular genre of music?
What is the least popular genre of music?

Jazz is the least popular genre of music in the United States. Feb 15, 2019

Read More »

Everybody’s prime study environment is different.

Some thrive in quiet libraries without an interesting sound, smell or sight around to distract from the task at hand. Others love being amongst the buzz of a busy cafe so they can really get in the zone. The soundtrack of your study session is an important decision. For many, music can calm the nerves, help focus and increase motivation by improving their mood. It can affect your ability to memorise, problem solve and predict trends. In one study, primary school students were shown to perform better at certain tasks than when there was no music. But not all genres are equal. Scientists advise that music listened to while studying should have no lyrics and be played at moderate volume.

So, what is the best genre for you?

Classical

Many studies have now shown a link between classical music and improvements in cognitive ability. Famously referred to as “the Mozart effect”, many say that listening to Mozart will actually make you smarter. While this isn’t exactly true, at least one study has shown that listening to Mozart’s pieces can improve one’s spatial reasoning for 10 to 15 minutes. An often-cited study from Stanford University found that the brain’s ability to pay attention improved markedly after participants listened to the music of an obscure 18th century composer. Research from the Duke Cancer Institute has shown that listening to classical music can also reduce pain and anxiety.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GgEgGK2gZ3k

Jazz

As another potentially relaxing genre that lacks lyrics, jazz is another choice for those less keen on Mozart or Beethoven. According to William R. Klemm, a senior professor of Neuroscience at Texas A&M University, listening to jazz is good for studying because of its stress-reducing capabilities. Stress, he explains, “is the arch-enemy of memory ability.” Jazz has also been linked to boosting creativity. You’ll find plenty of study-friendly jazz playlists on YouTube.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8CgL5Hi5Ro

World music

World music is an alternative option.

According to counselling advice offered by the University of Nevada, Reno, “Native American, Celtic, Indian stringed-instruments, drums, and flutes are very effective at relaxing the mind even when played moderately loud.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mIXVRDR2RUU

Background noise

While not technically music, listening to white or other background noise like waves or nature sounds is a preferable solution for many who are distracted by any kind of music but also can’t handle background noise. Researchers from University College London found in 2010 that introverts’ ability to perform tasks like reading comprehension, mental arithmetic and prose recall were hindered by ambient background music or office noise. So if that’s you, probably best to let the waves soothe you into study.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f77SKdyn-1Y

Study Music and strike a chord with future employers

This teacher is using rap music to promote good behavior

What music do high school students like?
What music do high school students like?

According to nationwide surveys, genres such as pop, hip-hop, rock, jazz, rap and country prove to be the most popular genres among students. Oct...

Read More »
Is P45 still used?
Is P45 still used?

How to get a P45 from your previous employer. From 2019 onwards, you will no longer get a P45 when you leave a job. Instead, your employer will...

Read More »
Join almost HALF A MILLION Happy Students Worldwide
Join almost HALF A MILLION Happy Students Worldwide

Pianoforall is one of the most popular online piano courses online and has helped over 450,000 students around the world achieve their dream of playing beautiful piano for over a decade.

Learn More »

Who is father of jazz?

Louis Armstrong - Louis Armstrong Home Museum. Louis Armstrong was born in a poor section of New Orleans known as “the Battlefield” on Aug. By the time of his death in 1971, the man known around the world as Satchmo was widely recognized as a founding father of jazz—a uniquely American art form.

louisarmstronghouse.org - Louis Armstrong Home Museum

Louis Armstrong was born in a poor section of New Orleans known as “the Battlefield” on August 4, 1901. By the time of his death in 1971, the man known around the world as Satchmo was widely recognized as a founding father of jazz—a uniquely American art form. His influence as an artist and cultural icon is universal, unmatched, and very much alive today.

Satchmo’s Achievements

Louis Armstrong’s achievements are remarkable. During his career, he:

Developed a way of playing jazz, as an instrumentalist and a vocalist, which has had an impact on all musicians to follow; Recorded hit songs for five decades, and his music is still heard today on television and radio and in films; Wrote two autobiographies, more than ten magazine articles, hundreds of pages of memoirs, and thousands of letters; Appeared in more than thirty films (over twenty were full-length features) as a gifted actor with superb comic timing and an unabashed joy of life;

Composed dozens of songs that have become jazz standards;

Performed an average of 300 concerts each year, with his frequent tours to all parts of the world earning him the nickname “Ambassador Satch,” and became one of the first great celebrities of the twentieth century.

Entertaining Millions

Through the years, Louis entertained millions, from heads of state and royalty to the kids on his stoop in Corona. Despite his fame, he remained a humble man and lived a simple life in a working-class neighborhood. To this day, everyone loves Louis Armstrong—just the mention of his name makes people smile.

Read Louis’ Bio

What was Kurt Cobain's tuning?
What was Kurt Cobain's tuning?

Kurt Cobain's primary guitar was a Fender Jaguar, which he tuned to a drop D tuning. He also used a variety of other guitars, including a Fender...

Read More »
How long does it take to get to Abrsm Grade 8?
How long does it take to get to Abrsm Grade 8?

Depends. If you want to pass the grade 8 exam, then 3 years will do, but you will just get a pass. to actually reach grade 8 level, it will take...

Read More »
How did humans sleep before beds?
How did humans sleep before beds?

Before Homo sapiens, the smaller, chimp-like Homo erectus likely slept elevated in trees in order to take refuge from predators. Once early...

Read More »
How can I teach myself songwriting?
How can I teach myself songwriting?

Update: 8 Steps to Learning Basic Songwriting Continue developing yourself as a musician. ... Start with a title and hook. ... Develop your theme....

Read More »