Ambient Music

Also called ambient. A genre of instrumental music that focuses on sound patterns more than melodic form and is used to create a certain atmosphere or state of mind.

Ambient music is a style of gentle, largely electronic instrumental music with no persistent beat, used to create or enhance a mood or atmosphere. All music with atmosphere and ambience share one thing in common: the sounds help create a sense of space for the listener with tools like sound design, panning techniques, reverb, and more.

Here are some characteristics of the music:

Melody

Ambient music often features simple, repetitive melodies with long, sustained notes and gradual changes. Melodies in ambient music are often atmospheric and create a sense of space and tranquillity.

Harmony

Ambient music utilizes consonant and dissonant harmonies to create a dreamlike and immersive soundscape. Harmonies in ambient music often contribute to the overall mood and atmosphere rather than traditional harmonic progression.

Tonality

Ambient music often explores ambiguous tonality, blurring the lines between major and minor tonalities to create an ethereal and otherworldly quality. The tonality in ambient music contributes to the sense of floating and drifting in the sound space.

Rhythm

Ambient music typically features slow and evolving rhythmic patterns, often with a lack of traditional percussion. The rhythms in ambient music contribute to the sense of timelessness and can create a hypnotic effect on the listener.

Structure

Ambient music often follows a non-linear structure, with gradual developments and transformations over time. The structure in ambient music can be more open-ended, allowing for a meditative and introspective listening experience.

Instrumentation

Ambient music utilizes a wide range of instruments, including synthesizers, guitars, pianos, and various electronic and experimental sound sources. The instrumentation is often used to create atmospheric textures and evolving sonic landscapes.

Texture

Ambient music often focuses on creating rich and immersive sonic textures, incorporating layers of sound and evolving sonic environments. 

Timbre

Ambient music explores diverse timbres, utilising electronic manipulation and processing to create unique and otherworldly sonic qualities. The timbre in ambient music contributes to the sense of sonic exploration and can evoke a range of emotions and sensations.

Production

Ambient music production often involves the use of spatial effects, reverb, and sound manipulation techniques to create an expansive and immersive sonic environment.

Example Artists

Brian Eno, John Hopkins, John Cage and Marconi Union