We all have our go-to playlist when we need to get work done, our favorite tunes that help us power through a task and stay focused.
But did you ever stop and think about why music has the ability to improve our executive function and help us concentrate better?
In this blog post, we’ll be exploring the impact of music on executive function – and how to create the perfect focus-enhancing playlist to help you crush your to-do list.
Click here to jump to the TL;DR summary.
Does Music Help With Executive Functioning?
Executive functioning refers to a set of cognitive processes that are involved in planning, problem-solving, decision-making, and self-regulation. These skills are critical for success in academic, social, and professional settings.
Believe it or not, music can have a positive impact on core executive function skills, primarily in inhibitory control.
For example, playing a musical instrument requires focus, concentration, and self-discipline, which are all important skills for inhibitory control.
Even listening to music can improve attention and focus, which are also important skills for inhibitory control. Music can also promote emotional regulation, which is essential for managing stress and anxiety. It can have a direct impact on our ability to make sound decisions.
There are countless ways you can use music to support executive function, either for yourself or for someone you know. We’ll explore the many options in this post.
Before you get started with music as intervention, it can be helpful to know what areas of executive functioning you or your learner may need to boost. Start with our free .pdf downloadable Executive Functioning Assessment to pinpoint exactly what areas of EF skills you’d like to try improving with music.
Using Music to Support Executive Function: Simple Suggestions
Music plays a very important role in our lives. It is powerful, evocative, and can create a deep emotional connection with us.
It can also improve various aspects of executive function – here’s how.
1. Any Type of Music Will Do
Before we dive into some specific strategies and techniques you can try when adding music to your routine, let’s address the elephant in the room – it really doesn’t matter what kind of music you’re listening to. It all works to support executive functioning.
In other words, you don’t have to be a fan of a particular genre to reap the benefits.
Research has shown that any type of music can be effective, whether you prefer classical, jazz, pop, or anything in between.
The key is to find what works best for you in terms of helping you focus and tune out distractions. Some people find that instrumental music without lyrics is less distracting, whereas others prefer listening to music with lyrics to help them stay motivated.
2. Learn to Play an Instrument or Sing
In addition to simply listening to music, actively engaging in music-making can also help support executive function skills. Learning to play an instrument or sing requires a great deal of planning and prioritization, as well as the ability to concentrate for an extended period of time.
Research has shown that practicing an instrument or singing can help improve cognitive function and executive control, especially in older adults.
So even if you’ve never played an instrument before, taking up music lessons could be a great way to boost your cognitive abilities. It’s not just for kids!
3. Try Rhythm Games with Percussion
Another way to use music to improve executive functioning is through rhythm games with percussion instruments. These activities require hand-eye coordination, timing, and focus.
A study published in the Journal of Music Education found that children who participated in rhythm-based activities showed improvements in executive functioning skills such as impulse inhibition and planning.
You can try playing rhythmic patterns on a drum or clapping along to a beat to improve your rhythm skills.
4. Even Just Listening to Music Can Help
Listening to music can also have a direct impact on executive functioning by boosting the release of dopamine in the brain. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter responsible for regulating mood, motivation, and pleasure.
Research supports that listening to music can increase the release of dopamine in the brain, which can enhance cognitive performance.
So even if you don’t have access to an instrument, listening to music can still be a valuable tool to improve executive functions.
5. Use Drumming to Help With Impulse Control
Drumming is a unique and effective way to improve impulse control, focus, and emotional regulation.
When you drum, you have to synchronize your movements with the beat, which requires a high level of cognitive control and coordination.
Drumming can enhance executive function, attention, and working memory, as well as reduce anxiety and depression.
Whether you play a real drum set, a virtual drum kit, or just tap your fingers on the table, try incorporating drumming into your routine. You might find that it helps you release tension and improve your self-control.
6. Try Call and Response Rhythm Games to Help With Short-Term Memory
Music has been shown to be an effective memory aid, thanks to its ability to activate multiple areas of the brain simultaneously.
By associating the information with a particular melody or rhythm, you may be able to recall it more easily later on. For example, if you’re trying to memorize a particular set of instructions or facts, try creating a melody to go along with it. This can be a fun and creative way to improve your memory skills.
Call-and-response rhythm games are one particularly fun and engaging way to train your short-term memory and cognitive flexibility. In these games, one person plays a rhythm or a melody, and the other person repeats it back with a slight variation. This requires you to listen carefully, remember the pattern, and adapt to changes in real time.
Whether you play with a friend, a family member, or a virtual partner, try incorporating call-and-response rhythm games into your music practice. You might find that it helps you become more creative, adaptive, and resilient in your daily life.
How to Create a Focus-Enhancing Playlist
One of the best ways to use music to support executive functioning skills is to create a focus-enhancing playlist.
Here are some tips.
1. Start with Music that Isn’t Distracting
When crafting a playlist to enhance executive function, instrumental music is often a good starting point. It eliminates the need for your brain to process lyrics, allowing you to focus better. Choose compositions that are enjoyable but not overly stimulating to create a relaxed yet focused state.
While classical music, particularly Mozart, has been popularly linked to improved cognitive function, this idea, known as the “Mozart Effect,” has its flaws. The original study suggested a temporary boost in spatial-temporal abilities, not a broad improvement in executive function. Moreover, scientific evidence supporting the Mozart Effect mainly exists as anecdotal, observational, or in non-randomized and non-controlled interventional studies. It’s more accurate to say that the benefits may be related to individual preference and emotional state rather than the genre itself.
A systematic review indicates that music training, rather than mere exposure to music, shows a beneficial effect on core executive function performance in children, particularly in inhibitory control and, to a lesser extent, in working memory and cognitive flexibility. Another study suggests that a combination of family-related variables, early music experience, and pre-existing cognitive makeup is a likely explanation for the decision to enter a music curriculum.
Therefore, don’t limit your playlist to just classical music. Experiment with other instrumental genres like jazz, ambient, and electronic to find what works best for you.
2. Keep it Consistent
Once you have a playlist, make sure it’s consistent throughout. Avoid sudden shifts in tone or genre – this can disrupt your concentration. Instead, choose pieces that have a steady, consistent beat and tempo. Music with a repetitive structure can help carry you along and keep you on task.
3. Build Your Playlist Strategically
Think about what kind of work you’re going to be doing and pick music that fits that task. For example, if you’re doing something creative, you might want to choose music that inspires creativity, such as jazz or acoustic guitar.
On the other hand, if you’re doing something that requires a lot of focus, such as mathematical calculations, choose music that has steady, repetitive rhythms.
Start with slower-tempo songs and gradually increase the tempo throughout your playlist to keep your energy levels up.
4. Use It As a Timer
Use music as a timer to help you stay on task. Choose a set of songs that add up to a specific amount of time, and use that as your work session.
When the music stops, take a break before starting your next session with a new set of songs. This can also help you with pacing and prevent burnout.
5. Experiment and Personalize
Finally, it’s important to experiment and personalize your playlist. What works for one person may not work for another. Test different genres, tempos, and even instruments to find what resonates with you.
You may find that a specific type of music works best for certain tasks, or that you need multiple playlists for different moods. The key is to keep trying until you find the perfect music to help you stay focused and productive.
TL;DR – (Too Long, Didn’t Read)
Music can be a powerful tool to support executive function skills and enhance cognitive abilities.
Whether you’re listening to music while you work or actively engaging in music-making, there are many ways to harness the power of music to boost your productivity, focus, and memory.
By incorporating these tips into your daily routine, you can take advantage of the many benefits that music has to offer.
So why not try creating a playlist, taking up music lessons, or simply listening to your favorite songs during your break today? You might be surprised at just how effective they can be.
Further Reading:
- Kim, Soo Ji et al: Instrument Playing as a Cognitive Intervention Task for Older Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis – PMC
- Rentfrow, Peter et al: The Structure of Musical Preferences: A Five-Factor Model
- Rodriguez-Gomez, Diego Alejandro et al: Effects of music training in executive function performance in children: A systematic review
- Amy Sippl: Executive Functioning 101: The Basics Of Emotional Control
- Amy Sippl: Executive Functioning 101: All About Impulse Control
- Amy Sippl: Executive Functioning Skills 101: The Basics Of Planning