There are many ways to use music as a learning tool. There is no single right way but there are some common denominators:

• Being in a calm, comfortable and relaxed environment helps retention.
• Using non-vocal classical or ambient music that measures 60 beats per minute. That beat pattern is the same rhythm that the average heart beats when at rest.
• Breathing in time to the music delivers oxygen to the brain, feeding the brain and making it happy. The brain releases endorphins, inducing a feeling of well-being. You tend to continue doing what makes you feel good.

Here are examples of suggested techniques to help boost your learning speed.

Lay Back and Take It In

For some, simply breathing in harmony to soft non-vocal classical/ambient music in the background while studying will suffice for accelerated learning.

Synchronizing Breathing and Learning

Synchronizing Breathing and Learning

1. Make sure that the room is comfortable; you should be relaxed and have sufficient light for your eyes.
2. Play non-vocal classical baroque music that contains about 60 beats per minute. You can also use ambient/other music.
3. Begin to breathe in time to the music, slowly, at an even pace.
4. When you are ready, read the first question. Then stop.
5. Again, breathe in time with the music for 8 to 12 seconds.
6. Read the answer.
7. Then repeat step four.

You may find that classical or ambient music doesn't work for you. Experiment. If you can find a 60-beats-per-minute, non-vocal music that puts you into a receptive state then, by all means, use that recording. There are many variations of the techniques. Some advocates even advise you to visualize successful learning of the material or to support and encourage yourself with affirmations.

You should hear music playing from the player in the lower right portion of the webpage. This player works in much the same way as any music software available for computers today. To stop the music, simply press the square shaped Stop button. To skip forward and backwards in the list of available music without waiting for the current song to end, use the buttons on the right and left with double arrows on them. The bar across the top of the player is the volume slider, you can slide this from left (quietest) to right (loudest).