The Mozart Effect is research results based off of people listening to ten minutes of Mozart's music while taking an IQ test. When not listening to his music before taking the test, that person would have an average score, but if you let that person listen to ten minutes of Mozart's music they will score almost ten points higher on the IQ test than before. Tests show that it improves short-term memory and performances known to be called "spacial-temporal reasoning."
Spacial-temporal reasoning is the ability to find a pattern and understand how they can fit together. For example, a puzzle. For children who have the liking to do puzzles, play with building blocks, and even try and play an instrument show high results with spacial-temporal reasoning.
Though I am not going to list any Mozart pieces. In fact, I will list five modern composers that I believe show a high level of creativity. Though I did not plan testing, I simply looked back at my past papers that I had to write for school when I did not listen to any music and compare them to the papers I write now when I do listen to music.
If you love listening to classical music and/or listening to scores, you will relate to this article! There are millions of composers out there that not all of us know about even though many of these people I am about to list you may have heard of.
I am a writer and if you ask me how I get inspiration for many of my stories and papers, it is from listening to scores from my favorite movies or TV shows. Here is my list of favorite modern composers that helps me get my creative juices flowing.
1. John WIlliams
Star Wars, ET, The Book Thief, Indiana Jones, Harry Potter, etc. Williams has to be my favorite composer of all time (besides Tchaikovsky). He knows how to set the tone in a movie with his music, it makes everything come to life. His music has helped me get through Mid-terms and even through writers block. If someone asked me who they should listen to if they need to study it would be John Williams.
2. Hans Zimmer
Pirates of the Caribbean, Man of Steel, The Dark Knight, Angels and Demons. Those are my favorite scores to listen to when I need some influence with action scenes and conclusions to papers. With the dramatic music, it will influence you to end your paper, story, test, etc. with a big bang and a mighty victory for the heroes in the story.
3. Danny Elfman
The Nightmare Before Christmas, Corpse Bride, Alice In Wonderland, and Dark Shadows are just a few examples of what Danny Elfman composed. Tim Burton is my favorite director so when I watched Corpse Bride for the very first time, I fell in love with the music that was written and I had to know who it was that made them. Sure enough it was Danny Elfman and I fell in love with all the other movies he wrote music for. If you are writing an eerie like scene for your book, he is the man to listen to.
4. James Newton Howard
The Hunger Games: Mocking Jay (part 1), Maleficent, and soon to be Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them are all composed by the known James Newton Howard. His magical pieces will bring creativity instantly and you will immediately fall in love. ("Hanging Tree" is obviously my favorite!)
5. Howard Shore
This Canadian composer will make you feel at home and magical. You can hear the stories of Elves and Hobbits when you listen to the Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit Score. You will soon be thinking of battling Sauron in no time and will be able to dream up your epic battle scene!
I would like to point out that this is an opinionated article and these composers that I am about to list help with my creativity. Everyone is different. I am encouraging you to try and listen to them as you do your homework or study or even before you take a test. I hope this article influences you to find a certain composer that boosts your creativity!