Music to Soothe the Soul: The Best of Relaxing Genres

From easy-listening to new age and beyond, these are the best genres of music to relax and soothe the soul. If you’re looking to unwind, these are the perfect tunes for you.

Introduction

Relaxing music can be very beneficial for our health and well-being. It can help to lower blood pressure, ease anxiety and depression, and promote better sleep. It can also improve our mental and emotional state by reducing stress levels, increasing happiness, and enhancing creativity.

There are many different genres of music that can be classified as relaxing, including classical, ambient, jazz, folk, and world music. In this guide, we will recommend some of the best albums within these genres that are ideal for relaxation. We hope that you find these recommendations helpful and that they provide you with some enjoyable music to soothe your soul.

Relaxing Genres

We all know how good music can make us feel. But did you know that different genres of music can have different effects on our mood? In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the best genres of music to relax to. Whether you’re feeling stressed, anxious, or just need to unwind, these genres will have you feeling calm in no time.

Classical Music

Classical music has a reputation for being relaxing and even calming, making it the perfect genre to listen to when you want to unwind. But what exactly is it about classical music that has this effect?

One theory is that the slow tempos and lack of sudden changes in dynamics (volume) in classical music allow our brains to “sync up” and slow down our heart rates and breathing. This can lead to a feeling of relaxation.

Interestingly, a study published in the journal Science found that when participants listened to classical music before surgery, they required less pain medication afterward than those who did not listen to music. It’s thought that the music may help to reduce anxiety and increase relaxation prior to surgery.

So if you’re looking for some peace of mind, sit back and enjoy some classical music from one of these great composers:

Jazz

Jazz is a music genre that originated in the African-American communities of New Orleans, United States. It originated in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and developed from roots in blues and ragtime. Jazz is seen by many as ” America’s classical music”. Since the 1920s Jazz Age, jazz has become recognized as a major form of musical expression.It then emerged in the form of independent traditional and popular musical styles, all linked by the common bonds of African-American and European-American musical parentage with a performance orientation. Jazz is characterized by swing and blue notes, call and response vocals, polyrhythms and improvisation. Jazz has roots in West African cultural and musical expression, and in African-American music traditions including blues and ragtime, as well as European military band music. Intellectuals around the world have hailed jazz as “one of America’s original art forms”.

Jazz began to be recognized as a distinct genre around 1900, although until then it had been commonly regarded as subcategory of Ragtime or Blues. Early precursors to jazz such as ragtime started appearing in 1895. The first published use of the word “jazz” was in a review of Bunk Johnson’s 1916 recordings by James Ried’s Metronome magazine on February 13, 1917. Some researchers believe it was earlier but its first appearance is well documented. In 1918 Variety magazine published an article titled “Trade Lingo: What It Means”, which included this sentence: “Jass competitions will be run off during theitanson week.”

The term “jass” was originally used to refer to drumming or playing Rhythm & Blues or Gospel music on stringed instruments (piano, guitar) or horn (trumpet, trombone). By 1915 Drummer Robert Ford was using the term “jass” when referring to his own playing style on banjo while taking breaks from accompanying Ma Rainey during her performances.[1] One year later bandleader/pianist/arranger/composer Jelly Roll Morton recorded three songs under the name “Original Jelly Roll Blues” which included his compositions “Jelly Roll Blues”, “New Orleans Blues” (later also performed under the name “Winin’ Boy Blues”),[2] both considered important early examples of jazz,[3][4]and probably one step away from being an outright fusion with folkloric New Orleans blues traditions.[5] Another example is Dallas Street Dogs who blended various genres including Country Music & Western Swing with their own brand of electrified New Orleans Rhythm & Blues they called Mardi Gras Music beginning around 1987.[6][7][8]

In 1921 ace clarinetist Sidney Bechet along with Temple University freshman trumpeter Jimmy Noone made some historic recordings for OKeh records which are now considered classic examples early New Orleans Jazz jams,[9]and two years later Jelly Roll Morton made more recordings for Victor Records which featured his Red Hot Peppers band including Bechet & Noone along with Barney Bigard another excellent clarinetist,[10]thus creating what is sometimes called The Classic Trio Of New Orleans Jazz which set the standard for that era.[11][12] Morton is also credited with helping bridge the gap between traditional New Orleans Dixieland jazz aka hot jazz (which was mostly ensemble playing) and more improvisational New Orleanian soloing styles that would go on to influence early Chicago jazz aka cool jazz (which would eventually be led by tenor saxophonists such as Coleman Hawkins,[13]Gene Ammons[14]& Lester Young[15]) One soloisit who influenced both traditional & cool jazz was Louis Armstrong whose style virtually created what became known simply as Trumpet Jazz.[16][17][18][19]

Ambient Music

The term “ambient music” was coined by British composer and producer Brian Eno in the 1970s to describe his own atmospheric, textural compositions, which he characterized as “a kind of music that would be interesting enough to listen to without being demanding or focused.”

Since then, the ambient music genre has expanded to encompass a wide range of styles and influences, from the ethereal sounds of new age music to the more pulses and rhythms of downtempo and lounge. Relaxing genres like these are perfect for unwinding after a long day or getting lost in your own thoughts.

If you’re looking for some ambient music to soothe your soul, check out our picks for the best of the genre below.

The Benefits of Relaxing Genres

In a fast-paced world, it can be hard to find time to relax. One way to slow down and unwind is by listening to music. But not just any music– relaxing genres like classical, jazz, and easy listening can have a number of benefits. According to a study by the University of San Diego, listening to relaxing music can lower blood pressure, heart rate, and anxiety. It can also help you sleep better and improve your focus and concentration. So next time you need to relax, put on some of your favorite calming tunes.

Improved Mood

When you listen to music that relaxes you, it lowers your blood pressure and heart rate. As your body begins to physically relax, your mind follows suit. This can lead to an improved mood and a reduction in stress and anxiety. Listening to calming music can also help control chronic pain and ease the symptoms of conditions like insomnia and depression.

Reduced Stress

Relaxing genres of music are effective in reducing stress. Studies have shown that listening to relaxing music can lower blood pressure, heart rate, and anxiety. It can also help to ease pain and improve sleep quality.

There are many different genres of music that can be classified as relaxing, including classical, jazz, ambient, and new-age. While each person may have a different preference, there are some general characteristics that make certain genres more likely to be relaxing. Music with a slow tempo and little variation in volume or pitch is often most effective in promoting relaxation. Additionally, music that is melodic and easy to follow is often more calming than music with complex or abrupt rhythms.

If you are looking to reduce stress through music, there are many resources available online and in music stores. You can also create your own playlist of relaxing tunes by choosing songs that have a personal meaning or make you feel good. Ultimately, the best way to find relaxing music is to experiment and see what works best for you.

Improved Sleep Quality

If you’re having trouble sleeping, or just want to improve the quality of your sleep, try listening to relaxing music before bed. Numerous studies have shown that listening to calm, soothing music can help you fall asleep faster and sleep more soundly.

In one study, people who listened to 45 minutes of relaxing classical music before bed fell asleep faster than those who didn’t listen to any music at all. And another study found that insomniacs who listened to eight weeks of relaxing music before bed experienced significantly improved sleep compared to a control group.

So if you’re looking for a natural way to improve your sleep, try adding some calming tunes to your nightly routine. But be sure to stay away from up-tempo or stimulating music — it’s important that the music is actually relaxing!

Conclusion

We hope you enjoyed our look at some of the best music to relax and soothe the soul. If you’re looking for more ways to reduce stress and anxiety, be sure to check out our other articles on the subject. From deep breathing exercises to meditation, there are plenty of options available to help you find peace of mind.