[IwannaBaCPA]

I have officially started studying for FAR as of today and was wondering if anyone has an favorite music that helps them focus while studying? I prefer music without lyrics so that it doesn’t distract me, but I need something besides just my thoughts to listen to. Any suggestions is appreciated. I use Pandora Radio, but I just can’t find a station I love…

BEC: 79 - April 2011
FAR: 78 - May 2011
AUD: 81 - May 2012
REG: 79 - October 2012
Ethics: Passed - March 2013
I am finally DONE!

[Accounting Pilot]

I would suggest trying some orchestral music. I personally enjoy listening to orchestral works from the Classical or Baroque periods. Bach's organ music is also excellent to listen to (if done right), but the sharp sounds of the organ can be counter-productive to studying.

Something I also discovered that is great to listen to is soundtracks from movies. Movies such as Lord of the Rings, Narnia, and even music from the Star Trek movies and shows have some great non-lyrical music.

Also look at games for music. I have a space-sim (I am really putting myself out there as a nerd, aren't I?) that has incredible music. I never actually did this, but a couple of times I thought about loading up my game, finding a quiet area of space, and go cruising while the music played and I studied.

The only thing I would caution you on with any music, is to be careful to avoid pieces that might be distracting because they are too loud, exciting, or fast. For example, I have trouble studying when something like Ride of the Valkries is playing…

Wisconsin Candidate. NTS 450
BEC - 82 AUD - 85
FAR - 83 REG - 71, 86

[herbert7890]

I don't use it to study, but I listen to Yanni every time im in the car and it makes me relax plus gives me the added sense of greatness that comes from listening to his music. The song that I listen to right before entering the prometrics center, is called “One man's Dream”.

FAR 88 - BEC 86 - AUD 90 - REG 85

[potatogun]

Helios is my favorite artist to study with.

FAR 92 - AUD 91 - REG 94 - BEC 86

[Anonymous]

I set my XM radio to classical. Anything else distracts me. It is soothing.

Any other time it is on channel 47, ALT NATION!

[Anonymous]

i listen to electronica/trance. my pandora station is: afrojack.

[acct_is_accrual_profession]

I seem to get into a study rhythm when listening to my Ambient station on Pandora. It's pretty soothing, lots of natural-type sounds. Just enough to work.

FAR - April 2011 - Passed
AUD - May 2011 - Passed
REG - July 2011 - Passed
BEC - August 2011 - Passed

[Anonymous]

BEC was jazz, REG and AUD were tabla beats, and now FAR is classical. Always something with no words, and I guess dependent on the subject. Somehow bond amortization and Bach go well together. Good Luck.

BEC/89

AUD/91

REG/93

FAR/when the music stops

[IwannaBaCPA]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions. I am going to try some of them out this week…

Also, I discovered an “Instrumental” Station on Pandora that is very nice and relaxing…

BEC: 79 - April 2011
FAR: 78 - May 2011
AUD: 81 - May 2012
REG: 79 - October 2012
Ethics: Passed - March 2013
I am finally DONE!

[Liz317]

Classical. I read somewhere that it's scientifically proven that classical music stimulates the part of the brain that's involved in the learning process. I don't know how I feel about all of those scientific findings, but it makes studying at least a little more bearable, so it's gotta be good for something!

FAR - 92 --- AUD - 87 --- REG - 80 --- BEC - 87
A licensed CPA in Louisiana!!!

Dear CPA Exam, You are a beast. But you WILL be defeated!

[AARON]

Yanni! Good stuff!

? AUD - 87 (8/12/09)
? REG - 77 (1/15/10
? BEC - 77 (1/6/09 - Expired) / 79 (11/18/10)
? FAR - 75 (2/11/11)

[Anonymous]

How can you studying while listening to music? With me, I must have quiet or I get very grouchy!

[jrsmith416]

I always listened to Phish, Moe, or the Grateful Dead (jam band scene) as they'd go into 20 minute improvisational spacy solos. It's a good calm rhythm with very little lyrics.

[jeff]

Gwar

[Anonymous]

I tried listening to Dave Matthews Band while studying, but their raw talent and unspeakable musical ability makes it impossible to concentrate on anything else.

But really, if it has words in it, I can't possibly listen to it. Well..unless it's something sucky, then I can ignore it. Otherwise, no music is good music when REG is on the brain!

[Anonymous]

These are a few that got me through the CPA exam:

Pandora stations: Nujabes, J Dilla, The Foreign Exchange

Low End Theory Podcasts (loud bassy Dubstep helped me concentrate for some reason hehe)

Stones Throw Podcasts

oh! and…John Coltrane.

[Author]

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