Classical Music for Sleeping: The Best Pieces to Help You Fall Asleep
Do you have trouble falling asleep at night? If so, you’re not alone. Millions of people worldwide struggle to get the recommended eight hours of sleep each night. One way to help improve your chances of getting a good night’s sleep is by listening to classical music. This blog post will discuss the best pieces of classical music to help you fall asleep quickly and easily!
Quick Picks: The Best Pieces to Help You Fall Asleep
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Chopin – Nocturne No.2, Op.9 | | |
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Best Pieces of Classical Music
1. Satie – Gymnopédie No.1
The Gymnopédies by French composer Erik Satie are pieces that are often associated with relaxation and peaceful times. The first of the set is the most famous, and it invites you to close your eyes and drift away for a while.
2. Holst – Venus the Bringer of Peace (The Planets)
Gustav Holst wrote a suite based on the solar system’s planets in 1913. After he learned about astrology, he was inspired to write this suite. The second movement is called ‘Venus.’ This movement is about the Roman goddess of love, beauty, desire, and prosperity. The solo passages in the horn and violin are very calm and peaceful. It is perfect for when you are going to bed.
3. Chopin – Nocturne No.2, Op.9
Frédéric Chopin is one of the masters of the Romantic era. He wrote a lot of beautiful, relaxing music for the piano. This nocturne was written when he was just 20 years old. It is overflowing with delicate beauty and is perfect for a comfortable late night.
4. Ravel – Piano Concerto in G Major (2nd Movement)
It may sound like a solo piano piece at first. Still, eventually, the beautiful entry of a flute confirms the orchestra’s presence. The piano melody with curiously gorgeous harmonies is pleasant and serene. This waltz is the perfect recipe for a night of slumber.
5. Beethoven – Moonlight Sonata (First Movement)
Beethoven’s first movement of this famous piano sonata is perfect for drifting off. The gentle arpeggiated figures in the right hand are accompanied by sustained notes in the left, creating alluring harmonies. This nocturnal mood is perfect for relaxing.
6. Bill Evans – Peace Piece
Bill Evans was one of the greatest jazz pianists to have ever lived. He was known for his unique harmonies and how his pieces sounded beautiful and relaxing. ‘Peace Piece’ is a song from his 1958 album Everybody Digs Bill Evans. The song has a repeated figure in the left hand that makes it sound meditative. The right-hand solos are improvised, but they always stay in tune with the peaceful feeling of the song.
7. J.S. Bach – Prelude No.1
Bach is one of the greatest classical music composers of all time. This intro from his collection The Well-Tempered Klavier is famous worldwide for being a piece of simple beauty. It consists of broken chords that are perfect for sending a baby to sleep. Parents can grab a glass of wine and enjoy the other 47 Préludes and Fugues while their baby sleeps to Bach’s music.
8. Massenet – Meditation (Thaïs)
This reflective intermezzo comes from the second act of the opera Thaïs by Jules Massenet. The opera is about a woman named Thaïs who decides to follow a life of purity. The soft piano broken chords perfectly accompany the flowing violin melody. This part of the opera is lovely and peaceful. While Massenet does feature some more intense parts, ultimately, the calm allure of the violin will send you off into dreams.
9. Debussy – Rêverie
This short solo piano piece is perfect for falling asleep. The French name means “dream.” Claude Debussy composed it early in his career. It is a gentle, meditative piece with beautiful harmonies. It shows the early signs of what would become Debussy’s signature sound.
10. Mozart – Concerto for Flute and Harp (2nd Movement)
Although the combination of flute and harp in a concert may seem unusual, their mastery of Mozart shows in his masterpiece. The calming tempo is instantly relaxing, and the beautiful airiness of the flute combined with the grace of the harp is so delicately exquisite that you will fall asleep in a calm way.
Frequently Asked Questions About Classical Music for Sleeping
Classical music can help slow down our thoughts and help us relax. It is a good thing to do before going to bed. Some popular songs today are more slow-paced, but they have lyrics that can keep our brains busy.
Studies have shown that slow music or classical music can be more relaxing and help you sleep better. Slow music or classical music can help slow the pulse and decrease levels of stress hormones.
Classical music has a slow tempo, tranquil melody, and a soothing rhythm, perfect for getting to sleep. It helps the body prepare for sleep.
It is generally better to have some sound playing when you are trying to fall asleep. If it is quiet, any noise will be more noticeable. However, suppose there is a good playing already. In that case, an interruption will be less noticeable and may not even interrupt your sleep.
The researchers found that their deep, slow-wave sleep improved when older adults listened to pink noise. Then they scored three times higher on a memory test the next day compared to how they performed after receiving false treatment.
Pink noise is a consistent type of sound and has a flat frequency. It makes the sound more like rain, wind, or waves.
People generally listen to lo-fi beats on an endless loop because it creates a relaxing effect. Victor Szabo, a music professor who is writing a book about the genre, explained to Elemental that the repetition in the music makes it predictable, soothing listeners further.
