Concentration music is a type of music that one listens to for the purpose of increasing concentration on a particular task, such as studying, reading, or working. Some music is specifically made for this purpose, but the form of music that is best for concentration varies from person to person. Some people prefer completely instrumental or electronic music because they find the inclusion of vocals to be distracting. Others prefer familiar music, whether or not it includes vocals, because it blocks ambient noise without introducing new or unfamiliar stimulation to distract them. People also have different preferences regarding the volume of concentration music and whether to listen to such music with headphones or speakers.
Some music is specifically designed to be used as concentration music, though even music made for this purpose varies significantly. Some concentration music is primarily instrumental and may include calming nature sounds. This form of music is primarily intended to block out ambient noise and to calm one's mind, as stress and excessive excitement can detract significantly from concentration. Other music intended for concentration is primarily electronic and features rapid, repeating beats that also block out background noise. Many find such music to have an energizing effect that strongly promotes rapid and focused work.
Rather than listening to music specifically intended for concentration, many people choose to listen to music with which they are familiar. Sometimes, blocking out background noise is all that's necessary, so any music is sufficient and people choose to listen to what they enjoy. In other cases, people find particular albums or playlists to be effective concentration music because of some particular aspect of rhythm or sound that makes it enjoyable without being distracting. Genres such as heavy metal, trance, and classical music are popular because they tend to either contain no vocals or difficult-to-understand vocals. Many find that vocals make for poor concentration music as they can divert focus from reading or writing related tasks.
Many other factors can influence the effectiveness of various forms of concentration music. Some people, for instance, prefer to listen to music through headphones because doing so often provides the best quality and blocks the most ambient noise. Others may find headphones uncomfortable and distracting. Personal preferences for volume also vary substantially. Some prefer high-volume music that blocks out all ambient noise, effectively isolating the individual from the noises of the rest of the world, while others prefer low-volume concentration music that provides only a quiet rhythm in the background.
