New Age Music is a genre of international music that emerged in the early 1970’s as a type of soothing and meditative sound to provide an acoustic environment suitable for meditation, relaxation, and other tranquil activities. A number of musicians started experimenting with this music in the 1960’s and 1970’s and their jazz and rock music evolved into a more contemplative type of music. Those not content with the introduction of electronic music returned to more traditional and ethnic types of instruments. They started to compose music for piano and electric guitar and the resulting pieces were peaceful pieces suitable for contemplative environments. This music stayed away from complex harmonies, heavy rhythms, and disturbing sounds. New Age Music was also influenced by Classical, Jazz, and Ethnic Music. The most dominant type of Ethnic Music was Celtic music. In the 1980’s and 1990’s New Age Music became so popular that several record companies emerged as producers of this genre of music.
Stephen Halpern is considered as one of the pioneers of New Age Music. He composed music that was very relaxing and was made to provide environments conducive to meditation and self-reflection. Initially, he published his own records and marketed these in yoga studios, health food stores, and stores selling spiritual items. As this type of music became more popular, the term New Age Music was coined in the 1980’s. Today, many artists compose music that falls into this genre. Some musicians use electronic or computerized instruments to perform their music. Others specialize in solo and ensemble performances played on western instruments such as acoustic guitar, piano, harp and flute. George Winston and Suzanne Ciani belong to this group of musicians. A third group mixes these western instruments with eastern ones like sitar, tabla, and tambour. It also incorporates the human voice singing in different languages from around the world.
Some of the most popular New Age Musicians are Tangerine Dreams, Brian Eno, Windham Hill, George Winston, Keith Jarrett, Enigma, Enya, Jean-Michel Jarre, Vangelis, and Yanni.. Composers such as Steve Reich and Terry Riley have introduced the minimalism of contemporary classical music into their compositions. Music from previous historic periods, such as Gregorian Chant, is another influence on New Age Music.
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