How does music impact productivity?

In classrooms and in workspaces, it’s common to see people with headphones or earbuds in, often to the frustration of teachers or bosses who believe it distracts from lessons or classwork. Yet, a lot of people insist it helps them focus.

Senior Aidan Fobian, an avid music listener, said, “Sometimes it helps me concentrate. Other times it gets me hyped up for work. Music is like a backing track for me while I multitask.”

Senior Dallas Hoeppner echoed this sentiment but added a key distinction. “It depends on the work and how well I understand it. If I get it, I’ll keep the music on and work. If I don’t, I have to turn it off and focus. Even so, it helps with multitasking by adding a layer of stimulation that helps me relax without being overwhelming.”

Hoeppner said she also prefers classical music when working. This brings up a valid point: slower, lyricless music is often more acceptable to teachers, some of whom even play classical tracks during class for students to listen to while working or reading. This suggests that the issue may not be the music itself, but rather the use of headphones.

Many teachers think that when headphones are in, their lesson is out, believing that earbuds equals distraction. Many argue that multitasking—like listening to music while learning—divides attention, and they’re not entirely wrong.

Our brains don’t actually multitask; instead, they quickly switch between tasks, which drains mental energy. This back-and-forth makes us less efficient and reduces focus, even outside of multitasking. So, yes—listening to music while working does split attention, which is why teachers prefer no headphones during class.

That said, genres like classical or Lo-Fi can be helpful. With no lyrics and slower tempos, they’re less likely to distract, allowing the brain to focus better. The trick is moderation—music can boost productivity, but too much can do the opposite.