The estimated reading time for this post is 3 minutes
Sometimes, no matter how hard you try, you just can’t focus on a task. Maybe you have noisy neighbors, a busy workplace, family members who turn the TV up too loud, or a train full of chatty commuters. Whatever the reason, you may need help in tuning out the world so you can concentrate on your work.
When you’re having difficulty in focusing, try listening to video game music. Unlike other forms of music, video game music is specifically designed to help you tune out other distractions while allowing you to concentrate.
[tip]You don’t have to be a fan of video games to use video game music to help you focus. [/tip]
Think Beyond Pac-Man
If your first thought is the wacka-wacka-wacka sounds of Pac-Man, well it’s time to leap into the 21st century. Video game music has come a long way as the video game industry has grown into a multi-billion dollar market.
Instead of simple synthesized sounds, video game music has developed into full orchestral pieces to accompany increasingly complex games. Soundtracks and concerts of video game music have become available as fans of video games have also become fans of video game music.
Video game music is usually composed without vocals so you won’t be distracted by words that may lead your thoughts in an unruly direction. The music is intended to help you concentrate so you can do your best in a game, achieving a new high score and leveling up. Why not use this tool for other parts of your life?
Trying Video Game Music
Whether or not you enjoy video games, you may find value in video game music. You may discover you like the music and that it helps you concentrate on a project.
Want to try listening to video game music? Check out this Legend of Zelda soundtrack. You can listen while reading this article to give it a try:
(Be sure to use headphones if you’re at work or another place where you’ll be distracting others.)
Where to Listen to Video Game Music
Good news! You can find plenty of sources for video game music, many of them for free.
• YouTube is filled with video game soundtracks, some of which are hours long. Search for video game music on YouTube to see a wide selection of videos you can play in the background while you focus on your work.
• Check out http://vip.aersia.net/vip.swf, an online playlist of video game music that plays a wide variety of songs. Over 900 tunes are included that are automatically shuffled so you won’t be hearing the same song twice, at least not for a very long time…
• If you’re a Spotify fan, you can listen to the playlist Keith’s Orchestral Video Game Music to give you a sample of songs to help you focus:
• If you listen to Pandora, try this Orchestral Video Game Station.
• Also check out Overclocked Remix, a free website dedicated to the art of video game music.
• If you’re a member of Amazon Prime, you can listen to video game music soundtracks for free with Prime Music. You can sample the Prime Music video game music and add any of the music to your library. You can even listen to Pac-Man music!
[note] If you own an Amazon Echo you can ask, “Alexa, play Prime Music Video Games Live Level 2.” [/note]
• Do you use Apple Music? Ask Siri to “Play video game music” or listen to The Greatest Video Game Music playlist by the London Philharmonic Orchestra and Andrew Skeet.
=> Don’t miss: Apple Music – 25 Things You Need to Know
• Google Play Music fans should check out Video Games Live Radio
• Still can’t get enough video game music? Try 8Tracks.com Video Game Music website with 221 video game music playlists you can listen to for free.
https://youtu.be/BnSSsFUeh1g
Your Thoughts
Have you ever had trouble focusing? Have you tried listening to video game music to help you focus? Which video game music is your favorite to help you concentrate?
Share your thoughts in the Comments section below!
* Music image (edited) courtesy of Timothy Valentine via Flickr and Creative Commons
Hi Carolyn,
Informative indeed 🙂
Honestly speaking, I cannot focus if there is music playing on the background! I need to switch off ALL kinds of distractions, whether it’s the mobiles, music, or television, when I sit to write, or I cannot get my work done.
However, there are people, especially like my sister, who need music to focus and they just cannot function when there’s no music in the background. Some students are like that also, so this would surely help them a great deal. I love music otherwise, and it’s always playing in the background when I am not writing – while cooking, cleaning, or doing the laundry etc, but just not while working.
Thanks for sharing. Have a nice week ahead 🙂
Hi Harleena, I am the same way as you. I prefer total silence when I work. But unfortunately our environments can’t provide total silence constantly. Sometimes noise infiltrates our world so we must try to tune it out.
When my life gets noisy I put on my headphones and turn on video game music. I have found that’s the best way to tune out the other noise and help me concentrate. Now I even turn it on when my room is silent because I find it helps me focus more.
My daughter first suggested video game music and when I started doing research on it I found that many people do use video game music to help them concentrate.
I hope that you and your family members are able to try listening to video game music to see if it helps you focus better.
Interesting post! I never thought of listening to this type of music to concentrate.
Hi Mike, Yes, give this a try. You may find that listening to video game music helps you concentrate and do a better job at the task at hand.