The IQ Playlist - Music to Improve Productivity, Concentration and Cognitive Performance

By Adam Sinicki

I've tried all sorts of things to improve my concentration and productivity, but still I find myself here writing useless articles when I'm meant to be revising. Still, there are some things you can do to tip the odds in your favour with no effort and one is to choose your music wisely. And so I present - The IQ Playlist!
The 'Mozart' effect is possibly the most well known example of music improving productivity, however further studies have shown that Mozart is actually no more beneficial than many other tunes in aiding the working progress. The key is to find something that's fairly rythmic with gentle melodies and no lyrics. The idea here is that you're distracting the 'creative' part of your brain so that the more logical productive part can get on with work - unhampered by daydreams/thoughts about what your superhero name would be etc. Lyrics are generally a no-no however as that can distract both sides. I've included a couple of lyrical tracks here however you may notice as repetetive/muffled lyrics are fine while some thoughtful introspective lyircs can set you in the correct frame of mind/inspire creativity. Additionally, as well the quieter melodic, rythmic classical stuff, I've added some more driving, forceful beats with more complicated molodies and harmonies, often with electronic instrumentation. This harks of computers, digital work, and industry in general, so hopefully inspiring industry and the ability to multitask in the listener (as well as giving you a break from the boredom). This has proven effective in my own studies.
And then there's the odd one out - Aphex Twin - which aledgedly uses Binaural Beats in its compostion and so should help 'entrain' the brain waves. Apparently it doesn't work so good as music, but worth a try (requires headphones). Wack it all in a playlist, hit play, and work away!


The IQ Playlist

Sound of Silence - Simon and Garfunkle
Driving With the Top Down - Ramin Djwadi
Mercury, The Winged Messenger - Holst
Clarinet Concerto in A - Mozart
To Where You Are - Josh Groban
Spiderman Theme - Danny Elfman
Shine On You Crazy Diamond - Pink Ffloyed
Falling - Julee Cruise
5th Symphony - Beethoven
Overture - Patrick Wolf
Everybody Wants to Rule the World - Tears for Fears
Concerto in G for 2 Mandolins - Vivaldi
Bierko Enterring the Gas Company - Sean Callery
Children - Robert Miles
American Beauty - Thomas Newman
Douglas in the Jungle - Hawkwind
Fire on High - Electric Light Orchestra
This Love - Craig Armstrong
Magic - Delerium
Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger - Daft Punk
Equinox (Part 4) - Jean Michelle Jarre
Love is Like Oxygen - Sweet
Remedy - Aphex Twin
Escape - Vince DiCola
Claire de Lune - Debussy
Terminator 2 Theme - Brad Fiedel
Insitutionalised - Suicidal Tendancies