Music for Learning

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There has been a lot written about whether listening to music can help you learn more effectively. A book called "The Mozart Effect" by Don Campbell condensed the world's research on all the beneficial effects of certain kinds of music.
Some of the benefits are:
  • Calms you down so you can focus more on your study;
  • Improves test scores;
  • Cuts learning time as you become more efficient when learning new information;
  • Improves clarity and creativity;
  • Heals the body faster; and
  • Integrates both sides of the brain for more efficient learning
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Music and Brain Waves
Our brain emits waves at different frequencies based on the activities we are doing.

BETA WAVES  (13-25 cycles pe second) are the fastest waves with the shortest wavelengths. Beta waves are associated with short-term memory - all the senses collect data from the world around us.

ALPHA WAVES (8-12 cycles per second) are the frequencies that are more dominant when we are calm and relaxed.  This is the state in which we are most receptive to new information and our long-term memory is most accessible. Alpha brain waves have many benefits, and learning to take your brain waves to alpha state can have a positive impact on your creativity, problem solving ability, intellectual achievement, and physical well-being. Alpha wave music has been shown as an effective and easy way to get your brain waves to the alpha state.

THETA WAVES (4-7 cycles) are more dominant when we are deeply relaxed. Creativity, insight, and problem-solving are characteristics of the theta state.  Meditation occurs in this state.

DELTA WAVES (0.5-3 cycles per second) are the slowest waves and are characteristic of sleep, when only the automatic functions of the brain are required. 

Alpha Wave Music
Some of the following music has been identified as music that encourages an Alpha state in the brain.