Where Does Background Music Belong? What's the Best Setting?

byFrankB-1

6.4K followers

3 days ago

(Title image by DALL-E 3)

Hi WA Friends!

Background music isn't just background noise - it's a way to create the perfect vibe, but some places just do it better than others.

So, let's take a look at where background music really shines and see what you think.

Coffee Shop

There's something about a coffee shop with soft music playing that just feels right. Imagine yourself sipping a hot latte and chilling to some acoustic or light jazz playing softly in the background.

The right music makes the whole place feel warm and inviting - ideal for friendly conversations, getting lost in a good book, or catching up on some work. It’s all about comfort without being distracting, which is why coffee shops are one of the best places for background music.

There's a great coffee shop down the street that my wife and I frequent; it's been there for years. They have excellent muffins, scones, and pastries with fresh-squeezed orange juice. There's usually live acoustic music playing in the background. I even played acoustic guitar there one night with a singer. Lol 😎

Bar/Restaurant

A night out is always better with a good soundtrack, right?

Bars and restaurants totally get this!

Bars

Music in bars can vary a lot depending on the crowd. Some bars might have energetic rock or electronic music for a younger crowd, while others might play blues or jazz to cater to a more laid-back group. The music is often chosen to match the personality of the bar and its clientele, creating a unique experience for everyone there.

Either way, the music is typically chosen to keep people drinking at the bar longer.

I used to play guitar on weekends in a band at the local yacht club bar, which was pop and soft-rock oriented, and at a college beach bar, which was Top-40-based music mixed with hard-core rock n' roll! Hey, it helped pay for college textbooks and it was a lot of fun!

Restaurants

On the other hand, restaurant music tends to be more generic.

However, I remember that back in the 1950s and early to mid-60s, many diners had jukeboxes, and some even had mini jukeboxes right at the table! You could drop a coin in and pick your favorite tune while enjoying your burger, fries, and a milkshake. It created a fun, interactive dining experience where people could shape the atmosphere themselves.

Nowadays, the goal of restaurant music is more about creating a pleasant vibe that doesn’t distract from the meal. It’s all about enhancing the experience without overpowering it. The right music can take your dinner or your time with friends to the next level, without being too loud or taking over.

That’s why bars and restaurants have nailed how to use background music to make the overall experience just right.

Outdoor Park

This one’s a little different, but still a good example. Have you ever walked through an outdoor park and heard a live band playing or some mellow tunes during an event?

Parks are perfect for music, especially when you’re enjoying nature and the fresh air. Background music adds a layer of fun, making it easy to relax and enjoy the day even more. Live music in parks can turn a simple day into something truly memorable!

Our local park has outdoor speakers attached to trees adjacent to the walking path leading to the beach area. In the spring and summer they play light jazz and fusion from the "Watercolors" station on Sirius XM. We love walking there and my wife usually softly sings her way down to the water. Lol 😆

Office/Workspace

And then there’s the workspace. For some people, background music can be a huge productivity booster. It helps make boring tasks a little less dull, keeps the energy up, and makes those spreadsheets feel less like a chore.

Of course, not all music works for the office. It usually has to be something calm - not too distracting but still motivating. The key is to keep it low enough that it helps you focus without pulling your mind away from your work. The right music can turn a boring office into a more lively place that helps everyone stay on track.

My medical office played a variety of music in the waiting room for years, including holiday tunes, and had magazines that catered to everyone's interests. At some point, we ditched the music for a large-screen TV, and our patients were more tolerant of their wait time.

I never work at home without music streaming in the background, usually from my laptop or one of the assistive devices around the house. I typically have a very short attention span, and without music playing while I worked, it wouldn't be long before I said screw it and picked up a guitar! Lol 😂

Elevator Music

And then there's elevator music - the awkward soundtrack to every ride between floors. Lol

And, how many times have we heard that smooth version of "Girl From Ipanema"? It seems like it's always there, doing its best to make those silent moments a little less weird. It has practically earned its place as the official tune of elevators everywhere! Hahaha 🤣

Tell Me What You Think

Do you like music playing while engaged in certain activities or are you someone who prefers having a quiet background?

Although most people would prefer to have music playing in a variety of places if you had to choose only one from the list below, which would it be, and why?

Coffee Shop
Bar/Restaurant
Outdoor Park
Office/Workspace
Elevator Music
Other

Let me know in the comments, AND ...

Keep On Rockin' It! 🤘

(Happy Halloween! - Pin by DALL-E 3)

Frank 🎸

~75% Human-written content.