Classical Music Open 'n Listen

Music has been used to meditate for hundreds of years and recently scientific studies have studied and listed the types of sounds, instruments and music genres that most help us relax: jazz and classical music, nature sounds (for example, the sound of thunder, rain or water flowing), the use of stringed-instruments and the flute, and Celtic music. And, surprisingly, it has also been proven that singing can also help us release tension and improves our mood.

Many people find in music the perfect way of relaxing. But each of those individuals will think of a different style of music to find peace with themselves and keep their body calm. However, generally speaking, classical music usually works for everyone.

Canon in D Major is the best known work of the German composer of baroque music Johann Pachelbel. Pachelbel composed it around 1680.

This Canon is well known for the harmonious progression of stringed instruments, which have made it one of the most used pieces in contemporary academic music. In fact, it is often listened in wedding celebrations. However, it is a very simple piece of music, with no increases or decreases in rhythm, and in its original version is played by just three violins playing on the background melody of a bass.

Song by Kevin MacLeod licensed under CC BY 4.0

Piano Sonata No. 14 in C♯ minor "Quasi una fantasia", Op. 27, No. 2 was written by Ludwig van Beethoven in 1801 and published in 1802 dedicating it to his pupil, Countess Giulietta Guicciardi. It is one of the author's most famous works.

Beethoven's pupil, Carl Czerny, called it "a night scene, in which a pitiful ghostly voice rings in the distance." In 1832, five years after Beethoven's death, Ludwig Rellstab, a German music critic, likened the effect of the first movement to that of moonlight shining upon Lake Lucerne. As a consequence, the name "Moonlight Sonata" became popular and started being used in German and English publications.

No information about the song nor the artist. Simply and probably one of the most emotional songs we have ever heard.

C Major Prelude is a keyboard composition written by Johann Sebastian Bach and published in his book The Well-Tempered Clavier.

This prelude is famous for its beautiful non-stop progression of the harmony, and because is one of the few pieces of keyboard music that create such fragile and delicate atmosphere. This is why nowadays almost every piano student takes a look at it sometime in their studies to practice.

Unknown but beautiful, pleasant and peaceful piece of music by Californian producer and composer Jason Farnham. People tend to remind remind the ocean when listening to it.

Listening to music can have a profound effect on our emotions and, therefore, on our body. It is a powerful tool that brings beneficial effects on our physiological functions, especially with classical music, slowing down our heart rate, decreasing the stress, lowering blood pressure or even acting as a distraction when something that worries you keeps your mind busy.

Perhaps, finding a proper moment to listen to music in today's society can be difficult or even seen like a waste of time, but it is not like that. You can try turning on the radio when commuting, taking a portable music device when going for a walk, playing a CD when cooking instead of watching the television, or even listening some music you like in your smartphone when having a shower or when studying for an important exam.

But each person has its own musical preferences, and there is a wide range of music genres to choose from, which means that every one of us has to find the type of music we like or suits for each moment and mood. For example, classical quiet music can calm down your muscles and mind, fast-rhythm music with can make people feel more alert, modern electronic music can make you feel more optimistic, and the sound of the nature can make you feel nostalgic and happy.