MUSIC AND WORK

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21208, 3 September 1940, Page 7

MUSIC AND WORK

HIGHER OUTPUT CLAIMED WALTZES ARE MOST POPULAR (Times Airmail Service) LONDON, July 31 Waltz tunes and military marches are the most popular music for “factory concerts,” I was told today by the National Institute of Industrial Psychology, says a writer in the Evening Standard, London. In addition to loudspeaker and gramophone music, well-known artists are giving recitals in the factory canteens at the lunch interval and at midnight. The performers are usually a singer and a pianist. In their programmes Chopin and Rachmaninoff are particularly appreciated.

Reduces Fatigue Employers find that in repetitive work where concentration is not essential music reduces the workers’ fatigue. “One trouble is that when there is a definite rhythm imposed by the machine the music must be selected in accordance with that rhythm,” said a research officer of the National Institute of Industrial Psychology. “There are a great many jobs where music cannot possibly interfere with the work, and actually proves to be extremely beneficial. Music may be used either during rest pauses or, instead of them, as an antidote to boredom.” The Industrial Health Research Board has found that where music is played as an accompaniment to work the output has increased by an amount ranging between 6.2 per cent, and 11.3 per cent.