Ambient music Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Ambient music - Essay Example This "Ambient music" essay outlines types of ambient music and peculiarities of this genre. This is what Ambient Music is all about. Ambient music is so diverse because it has borrowed extensively from many different cultures. Music is described as "the science or art of incorporating pleasing, expressive or intelligible combinations of vocal and instrumental tones into a composition having definite structure and continuity," or it is otherwise said to be "Vocal or instrumental sounds having rhythm, melody or harmony." (Webster’s dictionary, 3rd New International Dictionary of the English Language) Therefore Ambient Music is a conglomeration of a wide range of rhythm and sounds which have been incorporated to make it richer and more diverse. Webster’s definition of â€Å"Ambient† is "to go around, surround, encompass. An encompassing environment or atmosphere" (Webster’s Dictionary) Ambient music uses other fractal sounds such as the rush of wind, the fall of waves or a waterfall, the rustling of leaves, the sound of birds, the hissing of a snake, the sound of an airplane, or the sound of rain. Therefore it cannot be categorized in a clear cut manner because of its diversity. Different kinds of ambience need different kinds of sounds and music in order to cater effectively or suit the atmosphere where it is played. This type of ambient uses the synthesizer a lot creating a kind of dreamlike or ethereal drifting feeling which is very soothing and lends a peaceful mood to the person who is listening.