Music increases my productivity.

I stumbled on this fact several years ago.  I noted when I play particular CDs or artists when I write, I write longer, with less mental strain.  I had known for years that I work better — in all situations, not just writing — that I get more focused and driven when I have music in the background.  I didn't realize, though, that certain music was invoking the process better than others until I realized at one sitting I had played a certain CD ten times in five hours and it hadn't even annoyed me.  In fact, I wasn't even aware I'd listened to it.  Yet, the new words sitting on clean, fresh pages was astounding.  So I researched the subject and discovered there are reasons why music enhances creativity.  We're going to venture into the science area for a minute, but I promise I'll keep it simple.

Remember studying brainwaves in school?  Beta, Alpha, Theta, Delta, Gamma?

No?  Quick review then with just examples, not definitions. 

Beta – a person in active conversation, a debater, a person making a speech, a talk show host

Alpha – opposite of beta, completed a task and have sat down to rest, taking time to reflect or meditate

Theta – daydreaming, driving on the freeway and can't remember the last five minutes, doing something automatically like showering or brushing your teeth where you brain can disengage and wander;  ideas take place during this time.  This is also the state you're in when you dream, especially when your brain creates a complete and vivid world, and makes it so real that you don't even know you're dreaming.

Delta – deep, dreamless sleep

Gamma – never maintained; but happens when you have a burst of precognition or suddenly process information that makes you 'get' a solution to a problem, what I call the AHA! moment.

Our brainwaves change frequencies when we change activities.  When we lay down in bed to read, we are in low beta.  When we put the book down and turn off the light to go to sleep, we descend from beta to alpha, to theta and finally to delta. 

With me so far?

Brainwave research has shown that when the brain is in a particularly creative or inventive state, there is a predominance of Theta brainwave activity.   

 Ok.  So what does this have to do with music?

Music is heard in frequencies.

When you're listening to music, your brain will match frequencies. Ever wonder why some music makes you sleepy, why some distracts the heck out of you, why some sooths?  This is why.

Certain specific pulsed sound frequencies woven into a musical soundtrack can draw you into a theta pattern, leading you to enhanced personal insight, creativity, or artistic vision.

Neuroscience has found that when we experience a sudden flash of creative inspiration (in the theta state), there is at that same moment, a synchronization of the left and right hemispheres of the brain.  This is where the creative energy comes from.

What has this got to do with muse management?  Glad you asked.

Are you having difficulty working?  Blocked?  Procrastinating?  Whatever the excuse, it doesn't matter.

You can invoke this creative energy state by listening to music that copies the brainwave frequency you want to tap into.  Repeated training, by listening to the music, drops you into that frequency with greater ease the more you do it.  This has a name – binaural beat.  (No, there won't be a test later.)  Once you achieve synchronization between the music you're hearing and your brain, both sides of your brain will begin to function in concert with each other, increasing electrical activity and the energy pattern on both sides.  Once this happens, you can expect to operate at an increased level of inspiration, clarity, and creativity.  This is certainly an avenue to explore if you're having difficulties or just plain want to increase your focus and your production.

Ok, Patti Ann, you've convinced us.  Tell us what kind of music we have to listen to in order for this to work?

Uh, I don't know.  You're going to have to figure that one out yourself as it appears it is different for every person.  If you research this on the internet, you will find several places that promote their brand of audio technology to 'train your brain'.  They can certainly sell you a few expensive CDs to help you establish your creative energy.   I have a few of these programs.  Do I recommend any of them?  Not really.  The music was nice, but I didn't sense much brain training going on and I was achieving greater results with the music I already had.

So here's the challenge for today.  Make note of what you're listening to and what affect it's having on how you're writing.  It you're not having any success with this type, switch to another.  Burn some CDs with some of your favorites and pay attention to when you tune out the music and into your work.  Try it again the next day and see if it happens again.  Then you'll be on your way to training your brain and improving your productivity.

Ah yes, for me it's Jim Brickman, Michael Buble, and 50-60s oldies.  See, I knew you were wondering.  For you, it might be classical or hard rock, however, and that's okay.  It doesn't matter that it's different, just that it works.  Leave me a comment and let me know what you write to, or how music affects your creative process.