Ambient music is music that aims to create a certain atmosphere or mood and emphasizes tone and texture in contrast to the traditional emphasis on melody and rhythm. Melody and rhythm, if they exist at all, are very subtle and may be nearly imperceptible.
Minimalist techniques are frequently used, especially sustained tones and gradual changes to create a sense of depth and complexity and a feeling of peacefulness and unobtrusiveness. Unlike more structured genres, ambient music is designed to enhance the listener's environment without demanding full attention, making it suitable for activities such as relaxing, meditating and studying.
Commonly used instruments include synthesizers and pianos, especially felt pianos. They are frequently accompanied by effects such as reverb, which plays an essential role in enhancing spatial perception, layering sounds, enriching textures, and establishing emotional depth.
Ambient music is often regarded as more experimental and more artistic than new age music, with which it is commonly compared. The latter places greater emphasis on compatibility with relaxation, meditation and healing rather than just serving as "sonic wallpaper," as ambient music is sometimes described. In addition to often making more use of soothing melodies, perceptible rhythms and conventional instruments than ambient music, new age music can also incorporate the familiar structures of other popular music genres, making it more accessible to the casual listener.