What is GROOVS?

GROOVS is a music app with a purpose. You can simply listen to music that chills you out, or listen with more intention: breathing or tapping along with the rhythm to train your focus.

Who is GROOVS for?

Anyone whose performance suffers when their head gets in the way. The musician before the show. The athlete in the moment. The executive under pressure. The creative chasing flow.

What’s the goal of the training?

Nobody eliminates mental interference. The people who perform best under pressure just get better at noticing and refocusing. That’s the skill. That’s what you’re building.

Curious about the research behind it? Explore the science →

Can I just use Headspace or Calm to train?

If that works better for you, absolutely. But if sitting still makes you restless, GROOVS might be your thing.

Is GROOVS free?

Yes, everything on GROOVS today is free. We may add optional premium content and features down the road, but the core training experience stays free.

Do I need to download anything?

No. GROOVS runs entirely in your browser on mobile or desktop. No app store, no install.

Do I need to create an account?

A free account unlocks the full GROOVS library. Click here to register →

How does a session work?

Pick a GROOV and press play. Just listen, or go deeper: breathe or tap along with the rhythm. Focus, wander, notice, return. That’s a rep. The whole thing takes 5 minutes.

Can I just listen?

Absolutely. Every GROOV works as pure listening music, and being fully present with the music is a practice of its own. We call it mindful listening (researchers call it open awareness). When you want to go deeper, breathe or tap along. See the science →

Does it work on mobile?

Yes. GROOVS is a web app that works on any device: mobile, tablet, or desktop. A native app is on the roadmap but our first priority was making sure everyone could access it, regardless of device.

How long before I notice a difference?

Most people notice something in their first few sessions: a quieter mind, a feeling of reset. Measurable changes in attention build over weeks of consistent practice. Think of it like fitness: the daily compound effect matters more than any single session.

How often should I practice?

The research suggests 13 minutes daily works best. But we’re not robots. Do what you can, when you can. Consistency beats perfection every time.

What kind of music is in GROOVS?

Hip hop. Electronic. Acoustic. R&B. World. Rock. More coming. Every GROOV is originally composed with repeating rhythms and harmonies designed to train your mind. We’re building a library that sounds like your playlist, not a spa.

Will there be more GROOVS?

Yes, we plan to add new GROOVS regularly. We’re just getting started.

Have an idea for a GROOV? Send us a request →

Is the app and music created with AI?

The music is 100% human-made, written, performed, and produced by real musicians. We do use AI to help run other parts of the product and business more efficiently, so we can focus more resources on supporting the musicians who make GROOVS sound the way it does.

What does GROOVS mean by "the goal" of training?

The goal isn’t a quiet mind. It’s noticing, quickly, when your attention drifts, and gently bringing it back. Every refocus is training the brain.

Is this just meditation by another name?

The skill being built (attention regulation) is the same; the path (rhythmic music vs silence) is different. If silent practice works for you, stick with it. GROOVS is for people who find sitting still harder than focusing on something.

Why music instead of silence?

Silence puts the whole burden on you. Music gives your attention a rhythm to anchor to. Engaging enough to keep you with it, simple enough to leave room for the training to happen underneath.

Can I really train how my mind works?

Attention is a skill, not a fixed trait. Studies show measurable changes in focus and mind-wandering with regular practice. It’s like fitness for what you pay attention to.

Does GROOVS make me a calmer person?

Not directly. What it builds is faster noticing and gentler refocusing, useful when you’re under pressure. Many people find that translates to feeling more in control. Calm is often a side effect, not the goal.

What’s the difference between breathing and tapping mode?

Breathing mode anchors your attention to the rhythm of your breath, guided by the moving dot. Tapping mode anchors to the rhythm of your finger or foot tapping. Same training, different on-ramp.

Which mode should I start with?

Whichever feels less effortful. Breathing is the most common starting point. If you find yourself fighting the breath, try tapping. And there’s always mindful listening: simply being present with the music. It’s the one mode you can use while doing other things, whenever you want to be more present.

What’s the "point of focus"?

The single thing you’re paying attention to during a session. In Breathing mode, that’s the sensation of air through your nose. In Tapping mode, it’s the sensation of touch while tapping.

My mind keeps wandering. Am I doing it wrong?

No. That’s the training. Your mind wandering is normal. Noticing it and returning to your point of focus. Wandering more isn’t failing; refocusing is the win.

Should I close my eyes during training?

Eventually, yes, once you’re very familiar with the rhythm. Closing your eyes accelerates training because your mind isn’t distracted by the visuals, so it’s easier to notice when your attention wanders from your point of focus (the physical sensation of your breathing or tapping). Most people get there after multiple practice sessions with eyes open.

How do I know if I’m doing it right?

If you keep returning your attention when it wanders, you’re doing it right. There’s no perfect session. The practice compounds over time, not within any single session.

I feel lightheaded when I breathe slowly. Is that normal?

It can happen when you’re new to slow breathing, especially if you’re breathing deeper than feels natural. Ease off. Let the breath be comfortable rather than big. If it keeps happening, take a break and return another day. And if you have a health condition that affects your breathing, check with your doctor first.

Also remember: breathing is just one way in. If it’s not for you, tapping and mindful listening build the same skill.

Should I sit, stand, or lie down?

Whatever lets you be comfortable and stay awake. Most people sit, but there’s no required posture. The training happens in your attention, not your body position.

It also travels well. On the bus, at the office, on a walk (eyes open for that one). And mindful listening goes anywhere the music goes: in the car, doing the dishes, you name it.

Is GROOVS okay for kids?

The training itself is gentle: music, breathing, tapping. Younger listeners should have a parent set things up and join in. If you try it as a family, we’d love to hear how it goes.

What’s the difference between focused attention and open awareness?

Think of your attention like a flashlight. You can narrow the beam to a single point, like your breath or your tapping finger. Call that spotlight focus. Or you can widen the beam to take in everything at once, like the whole song. Call that lantern focus.

Breathing and tapping train the spotlight. Mindful listening trains the lantern. Both matter in real life: the spotlight is how you stay on task, and the lantern is how you stay aware of what’s around you. GROOVS works them both.

What exactly am I doing during breathing or tapping?

Keeping the spotlight on one thing. In breathing mode, that’s the feeling of air moving through your nose. In tapping mode, it’s the feeling of your finger touching down.

Everything else (thoughts, sounds, plans for later) will try to pull the beam away. That’s fine and completely normal. The moment you notice the beam has moved, bring it back. That’s the entire exercise: rest the beam, lose it, notice, return.

What exactly am I doing during mindful listening?

Widening the lantern and taking everything in. The music leads: the rhythm, the melody, the little details you usually miss. But the lantern doesn’t stop at the song. Sounds around you, the feeling of your breath, whatever else is present gets to be there too. You’re not focusing on any one thing. You’re just noticing what’s actually here, as it happens.

Sooner or later you’ll catch yourself lost in a thought instead of the moment. That catch is what counts. Let the lantern open up again. Same skill as the other modes, just with a wider beam.

How do streaks work?

Complete a session and your streak grows by a day. It’s a simple way to see your consistency, which is what makes the practice work.

What happens if I miss a day?

Your streak resets, but nothing you’ve built is lost. The benefits of practice live in your brain, not in the counter. Start a new streak the next day.

How do I save my favorite GROOVS?

Tap the heart on any GROOV and it joins your favorites, so your go-to tracks are always one tap away.

How do I pick a GROOV?

Start with whatever sounds good to you. Liking the music matters more than any other factor. From there, slower GROOVS tend to feel calmer and simpler rhythms are easier to follow. You’ll find your favorites quickly.

What makes one GROOV harder than another?

The rhythm. Some GROOVS follow a simple, steady beat. Others use patterns that take a little learning.

Here’s the thing: the real training is noticing your mind has wandered and returning, and a simple rhythm does that job beautifully. The trickier rhythms add variety and a fun challenge once the basics feel easy. Just know that while you’re still learning a new rhythm, you’re learning, not training. The attention work begins once the rhythm feels familiar.

Should I use headphones?

Headphones make it easier to hear the details and shut out distractions, but they’re not required. Speakers work fine. Use whatever helps you tune in.

Why can’t I change the volume on my iPhone?

iPhones only let the physical volume buttons control web audio, so the in-app slider can’t do its job there. Use the buttons on the side of your phone. On desktop and Android, the slider works normally.

What are Power Tips?

Short pointers that unlock as you go, each one a small way to get more from your practice. When a new one arrives, you’ll see it in your notifications. You can revisit them any time in the tutorial menu.

Can I pause in the middle of a session?

Of course. Life happens. Press pause, handle it, and pick up where you left off. A paused session still counts as practice.

Why does the music loop?

The loop is part of the design. A repeating rhythm gives your attention a steady anchor, and keeps the music from pulling focus with surprises. The repetition is doing quiet work.

Can I add GROOVS to my home screen?

Yes. On iPhone, open GROOVS in Safari, tap Share, then "Add to Home Screen." On Android, open it in Chrome, tap the menu, then "Add to Home screen." You get an app icon without an app store.

Does GROOVS work offline?

Not yet. GROOVS streams over the internet, so you’ll need a connection. Offline listening is on our radar for the future.

How do I share GROOVS with a friend?

Send them to groovs.app. They can try featured GROOVS right away, no account needed, and sign up free when they want the full library.

What data does GROOVS store about me?

The basics needed to run your account (like your email) and your practice activity (like streaks and favorites). We keep it minimal on purpose. The details live in our privacy policy.

Do you sell my data?

No. Your data is used to run GROOVS for you, not to sell to anyone. See our privacy policy for the full picture.

How do I delete my account?

Reach out through our contact page and we’ll take care of it, including your data. No hoops, no hard feelings.