How do you choose the relaxation music that works best? You can certainly start by experimenting with many different types. After all, it seems likely that what one person finds relaxing another will find irritating. But is it all just a matter of personal preference?
Actually no. Though ones personal tastes enter into the equation, there are reasons that some types of music are more relaxing than others. For example, both science and the experience of many people point to the usefulness of baroque music for relaxation. Studies have shown that baroque music at 60 beats per minute causes your brain to produce more alpha brainwaves. Why does that matter? More on that in a moment. For now, here are some specific examples of good relaxation music.
“Harpsichord Concerto in F Minor,” by J.S. Bach
“Concerto No.10 in F Major from Twelve Concerti Grossi,” by A. Corelli
“Winter” from “The Four Seasons,” by A. Vivaldi
“Canon in D,” by Pachelbel
“Adagio in G Minor for Strings,” by Albinoni
Often it’s just a passage from these that has the most relaxing effect. In the first three examples above, the movements referred to as “largo” work best.
What other types of music help people relax? Light jazz (try Luther Vandross) works for some. Eastern music, like that which uses the Indian Sitar, is another favorite (try Ravi Shankar). Generic easy listening music with sounds of nature mixed in is a common choice as well.
