The term ‘Calming Music’ has become really overused and is loosely applied to a whole variety of diverse styles. Essentially it is relaxing music intended to make positive emotions, inspiration and relaxation.
The style originally appeared in the 1970′s in Asia with artists such as Kitaro creating what was at that time spacey sounding futuristic compositions by using banks of synthesizers. Kitaro would repeatedly render performances of the impressionist compositions of Debussy.
Now, the archetypal relaxing sound might be made up of sustained synth pads with sequenced runs repeating underneath, this is regularly accompanied by an underlying drone bass or pedal giving a slightly spellbinding and calming effect.
This is the sort of music usually used for massages, healing sessions or other therapies.
You’ll notice though many more different styles that come bundled together in the New Age Music genre. There is quite a lot of melodic music, some piano based or maybe around some other solo instrument. There is a growing trend of using classical instruments alongside the dreamy sythesized sounds. This is sometimes referred to as neo-classical.
The ‘New Age’ label has become a genre group of its own encompassing some of the following sub genres;
Alternative
Ambient
Celtic
Energy Healing
Ethnic Fusion
Healing
Nature
Neo-Classical
New Age
Progressive Electronic
Self-Help
Solo Instrumental
Space
Techno-Tribal
As you can see the term ‘soothing music‘ has become a bit overworked and now the term encompasses a good deal more than just the distinctive ‘wallpaper’ music that it has become renowned for.
Musician and composer Andy Bramhill writes about calming music on his website where you’ll be able to get the latest details on his own CDs now offered for download.
http://andybramhill.com