I need help finding music to help my sons focus better on study. They are both easily distracted, and can't handle silence when studying (they lose all concentration if it's too quiet, and all concentration if it's not quiet enough). Any good suggestions on music to have playing in the background that won't be too distracting for them, but at the same time help them concentrate?

This is how dorky I am...

I have to read a lot for my major and if I'm cramming for an exam, I have to have absolute silence when reading, but that's hard to come by with obnoxious neighbors. So, I use white noise. Well, no, white noise is too high-pitched for me, I use pink noise (lower... pitch? Not as ear-splitting... ;)).

...but it might be child abuse to blast white noise at your sons. ;)

But just in case anyone else needs it (http://www.simplynoise.com/ is great. They have white noise, pink noise, and brown/red noise they even tell you how to loop it seamlessly. It doesn't seamlessly loop on my MP3 player, which is a shame because it's impossible to do some last minute intensive studying in a classroom.)

I find it useful because it's not completely silent so it drowns out distracting noises, but it sort of blends away as you're studying so that it's not obviously playing. I honestly find it very useful to help me concentrate, but I think there might be some people who would find it obnoxious.

Classical music isn't everyone's cup of tea, but I love classical music when studying because there are no lyrics (for the most part). Though, I do sometimes get distracted even with classical music.

I also agree about ambient music. (Though ambient music has a tendency to make me sleepy. ;D Of course, like I said, I'm usually cramming last-minute. Like now. Shame on me.)

Oh, and sorry I don't have specific bands or CD titles! I tend to listen to http://www.pandora.com/ and don't pay attention. I'm sure Google will know good ones. ;)

Personally, I like ambient music when I need some background noise. Has a good beat, but isn't involving enough to be distracting.

If you have digital cable or satellite, there are usually a couple of ambient music channels you can switch on while they're studying. Or maybe go to a music store and request some good ambient-genre CDs. Unfortunately, I usually get my fill from cable music channels, so I don't have enough ambient music in my collection to make any band suggestions :/

when i was doing homework i liked jazz. because its upbeat enough to not but you to sleep but not too much to distract you. Like Kenny G. He was my all time fave to do home work to.

*put you to sleep (sorry half asleep)