Ambient music is a genre of music that evokes an atmospheric or visual component to its listener. Often used in the background to create a scenic environment. For example, at a spa to create a soothing atmosphere, or in a restaurant to give you the sense of being in a particular place, like a rain-forest.
Ambient music started in the early 20th century, before World War I. The musician most noted for starting the Ambient genre is French composer Erik Satie. Erik created his background music, that he called “furniture music”, as something that could be played while dining to create an atmosphere, instead of being the focal point of the listener.
The term “Ambient Music” didn’t come about until the min 1970’s by Brian Eno. He referred to the music that can either be “actively listened to with attention or as easily ignored, depending on the choice of the listener”.
