Can music in the background make you focus more in chess?

Hi, I always see chess streamers playing music in the background while playing chess. And this made me wonder, "Does it make them play/focus better?" I tried it once but I ended up playing the same. Same mistakes, good moves, blunders, literally everything. So why do chess streamers play music in the background?

It can help by putting you in a good mood, drowning out other noise, and I find the beat can help move faster in speed games.

If the music is too much fun / distracting, then it can make me play worse, so I generally like songs with no instruments or lyrics (so, for example, EDM). It has a good beat and becomes white noise.

Streamers may also do it because it's more entertaining than silence.

Okay, thank you

I don´t get how anybody can concentrate on anything if there´s music going on in the background, but then I´m a professional pianist/composer and any music, anywhere, no matter how bland or bad it is, grabs at least half of my brain and forces me to listen and analyse (and yes, enjoy, if it`s good!). So chess in silence.

(PS Hikaru´s stream is great, but he gets big minus points from me for that background supermarket/elevator/hotel lobby music he´s always semi-grooving to )

Ironically I listen to music to distract myself from focusing too much in blitz. Otherwise I start to care too much and suddenly three hours are gone from my day.

I think it depends on the person. Some people focus better when theres some noise in the background. Others (like me) prefer complete silence when concentrating.

Personally, I don't like playing with music in the background. It makes me focus too much on the music and not in the game. Although it is extremely helpful for bullet and speedchess. Normally, I am already in a good mood before I play chess, and if not after a couple of games I am. Although, it really depends on the player, if you can concentrate well, maybe it can help you play.

Preach it my brother! Musician myself and I cannot focus on chess with music anywhere that I can hear. Perhaps it’s that music has been a passion in my life while chess is simply a hobby I find enjoyable.

Acuatly no it will make u tired

Even as someone who knows nothing about music, it's a big distraction to me if it's "interesting" music... but stuff like Eric Hansen listens to can help me focus.

For example I've played chess to this

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I don't listen to music, but it isn't a bad idea. Listening to music does indeed improve your brains ability to think and helps you focus.

i love listening to music while playing chess (especially blitz) because my intuition takes over and i don't overthink as much so i can play relatively quickly and still maintain a solid or even advantageous position. However in longer games like rapid it might be better not to so you can focus on the position and do some calculations.

Yes,it does . Not physically but mentally and helps our brain to do slightly better. GMs like Hikaru listen to some nice music and hence get to do better than they can do.

Most people have it different. For me, it disturbs me a lot. I tried listening to different types of music, but no chance of helping me focus.

i think it will help if you listen to some BASIC MUSIC. no too peaceful nor too rocky

The effect of background music on an individual's focus and concentration can vary from person to person. Some people find that certain types of music, such as classical or instrumental music, can help create a conducive environment for concentration and focus during activities like chess.

However, it's important to note that the impact of background music on focus is subjective. Some people may find music distracting or overwhelming, especially if they are more sensitive to auditory stimuli or prefer a quiet environment for concentration. Additionally, the type of music and personal preferences can also play a role. Some individuals may find certain genres or songs to be more distracting than others.

If you're interested in incorporating background music while playing chess, I recommend experimenting to see what works best for you. Try different genres or styles of music, and observe how they affect your ability to concentrate and make strategic decisions. Ultimately, it's about finding the right balance that enhances your focus without becoming a distraction.

What a bunch of nonsense... chatGPT vibes.

I listen to music while playing bullet games

I can only opine on my situation. Any noise, even music, distracts me.

Depends on what mood my brain is in, sometimes it distracts me, sometimes I can't focus without background music.

It does for me. I even listen to podcasts, but that's just me... music or podcasts can be distracting for other folks. 
Try playing instrumentals or video game music - the latter is specifically designed so that you can do tasks and concentrate while it is playing.