There are plenty of music libraries (including free) where you can download music for videos or commercial use and there’s certainly plenty of relaxing new age music out there.
However, when it comes to meditation and therapy music it’s not quite enough to simply use any slow tempo song.
You may need something more specific if you want to achieve proper effect.
Furthermore, if your business relies on using relaxation music (to play during a wellness session or to simply stream in a spa lobby), you need to make sure that you have the right license to use that music commercially.
And it would be nice to get it all in one place, right? 🙂
In this post I’ll go over the various types of meditation and relaxation music (spa, ambient, ethnic, and so on) and sounds (meditation bells, healing frequencies, and such) and will introduce you to one of the largest collections of royalty free meditation / relaxation music available for commercial use.
Read my (modest) attempts to categorize relaxation and meditation music or just straight to my recommendations where you can get it.
Common types of relaxing and meditation music
Here I’ll try to categorize the most common types of meditation / relaxation music and give you the links to relevant playlists, so you could listen to examples.
Instrumental new age music
Soft, relaxing piano music (solo piano) can soothe the mind and aid in relaxation.
Native American flutes, pan flutes, and similar wind instruments are extensively used in relaxation music. Listen to the examples of relaxing flute music.
The delicate sounds of a relaxing harp music can be very soothing and are often used in therapeutic settings.
Handpan music is a unique and enchanting category of relaxation and meditation music. The handpan produces a melodic, ethereal sound that resonates with a wide range of harmonics, making it particularly suited for meditative and introspective relaxation music.
Relaxing acoustic guitar music encompasses a broad range of styles and compositions characterized by their soothing, gentle, and melodious nature, played on acoustic guitars. This genre is highly versatile, appealing to listeners seeking calmness, relaxation, or a peaceful background ambiance.
Sleep music
Lullabies represent a timeless and universal form of music designed to soothe, calm, and induce sleep, particularly in babies and young children. These gentle, melodic songs are a staple in cultures around the world, each with its own unique traditions, lyrics, and melodies, yet all serving the same fundamental purpose.
Nighttime music and especially music tuned to 528 Hz is designed to blend the soothing qualities of evening melodies with the healing and restorative properties of the 528 Hz solfeggio frequency (scroll down to read more about solfeggio frequencies and their purported benefits).
Ambient and electronic
Ambience atmospheres and soundscapes are tailored to induce relaxation or meditation states.
Chillout music is a broad category that encompasses various genres and styles, all united by their mellow, relaxing vibe.
Lo-fi music has gained significant popularity as a background sound choice for studying, working, or simply relaxing. This type of relaxing music is characterized by the staple low-fidelity sound quality, which intentionally includes imperfections like ambient noise, tape hiss, and a warm, analog feel.
432 Hz music
432 Hz music is believed to be more harmonious with the natural frequency of the universe, offering a more natural and pleasant listening experience that promotes emotional tranquility and spiritual well-being.
8D music
Relaxing 8D music utilizes a form of audio processing to create the illusion of sound moving in a three-dimensional space around your head, making the experience highly immersive and captivating. This effect can significantly deepen the relaxation experience, as it encourages the listener to focus more intently on the music, potentially leading to a more profound state of calm.
Relaxing soft jazz music
Soft jazz music, often referred to as “smooth jazz,” is a genre characterized by its laid-back, melodic, and often soulful approach to jazz. This style prioritizes smooth, harmonious arrangements and typically features a combination of acoustic and electronic instruments.
The calming nature of soft jazz makes it an excellent choice for creating a relaxing atmosphere.
Classical music
Relaxing classical music provides a peaceful backdrop for relaxation, meditation, or deep focus. Pieces like Debussy’s “Clair de Lune,” Chopin’s Nocturnes, Mozart’s Piano Concertos, and Beethoven’s “Moonlight Sonata” are renowned for their ability to reduce stress, enhance concentration, and promote a sense of well-being.
Listening to relaxing classical music can be a therapeutic experience, offering a refuge from the hustle and bustle of daily life and fostering a tranquil environment for rest, study, or contemplation.
Ethnic and traditional music
Indian music is deeply rooted in spirituality and is designed to evoke specific emotions and states of consciousness.
Gregorian chants, a monophonic, unaccompanied singing, following a simple and serene melody, often used in Christian meditation.
Chinese and Japanese music, with their emphasis on simplicity, nature-inspired melodies, and traditional instruments like the guqin, koto, and shakuhachi, create a serene and contemplative atmosphere ideal for meditation.
Sufi music, including Qawwali and other forms of music aimed at bringing listeners closer to the divine, often used in meditative practices.
Vocal and chanting
Mantras music and chanting helps focus the mind, reduce distracting thoughts, and induce a state of deep meditation and inner peace.
Specifically, the sound “Om” is considered sacred in many Eastern religions and is often used to start and end meditation sessions.
Shamanic drumming is a powerful and ancient practice that uses repetitive drumming patterns to induce altered states of consciousness, often for spiritual or healing purposes.
Did I miss any other type of relaxing music? Feel free to post your suggestions in the comments!
Common types of relaxing and meditation sounds
The two main types of meditative sounds include healing frequencies (meditation bowl sounds and similar) and relaxing nature sounds, like rain, waves, wind, and even common household sounds.
Healing frequency sounds
Singing bowls and meditation bells – the harmonic overtones of these bowls are often used in meditation and healing practices.
Binaural beats sounds are created by playing two slightly different frequencies in each ear to create a perceived third frequency that can encourage various states of mind.
Isochronic tones – similar to binaural beats but uses a single tone that is manually spaced to create a pulse effect, aiming to influence brainwave patterns.
Healing frequencies, often referred to as sound healing or frequency therapy, are specific tones or vibrations considered to have various health benefits, impacting both the physical and mental well-being of individuals. These frequencies are part of an ancient practice that believes in the intrinsic power of sound to heal and transform the body, mind, and spirit. Learn more about healing frequencies.
Angelic frequencies are considered a subset of healing frequencies that are believed to facilitate connections with the angelic realm, enhance spiritual awareness, and promote a sense of peace and well-being.
Solfeggio frequencies form a set of specific tones of sound that have been used in sacred music, including the well-known Gregorian Chants. Each of these frequencies is believed to have specific spiritual and healing properties, affecting the human body and mind in profound ways.
285 Hz is helpful for tissue and cell regeneration and to promote healing.
396 Hz helps with liberation and freedom.
417 Hz frequency helps with facilitation and support.
528 Hz frequency is helpful for repairing DNA and bringing about a sense of transformation and miracles.
639 Hz frequency sound helps with connection and relationships.
741 Hz frequency is helpful for awakening intuition and inner wisdom.
852 Hz frequency helps with returning to spiritual order.
963hz, is a less knows frequency and it is typically associated with spiritual awakening and enlightenment.
1152 Hz is helpful for spiritual purification and to help you access higher spiritual realms.
2172 Hz is a less known solfeggio frequency and it is related to spiritual enlightenment, transcendence and ascension.
Chakra tones are specific frequencies or sounds associated with the seven main chakras, which are energy centers located throughout the body in the subtle energy system according to various spiritual traditions, especially within Hinduism and Buddhism.
Nature sounds
Ocean sounds are essentially natural ambient noises that has been widely recognized for their calming and therapeutic effects. The rhythmic, mesmerizing crashing of waves, the gentle lapping of water against the shore, and the distant calls of marine life create a soothing sonic landscape that many find restorative and relaxing.
Forest sounds, like the rustling of leaves, the chirping of birds, or gentle flow of a stream create a soothing natural ambiance that has numerous benefits for mental and physical well-being.
The sound of rain, ranging from gentle drizzles to heavy downpours, is appreciated for its ability to relax the mind, aid in concentration, and promote better sleep.
Bird sounds like chirps, songs, and calls from different bird species helps to enhance well-being, connect us with nature, and provide a sense of tranquility or peace.
ASMR and various noises
Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR) sounds represent a distinct category of relaxation and meditation sounds.
ASMR refers to a tingling, often pleasurable sensation that typically starts on the scalp and moves down the back of the neck and upper spine in response to certain stimuli, including sounds. These auditory stimuli are designed to trigger the ASMR response, which many find relaxing and which can also help with sleep.
White noise is a type of noise that is made by combining sounds of all different frequencies together, at a level that gives it a consistent amplitude or intensity across the spectrum. This results in a “static” sound, similar to a television set on an unused channel or the consistent hum of an air conditioner.
Did I miss any sounds that would be great for relaxation? Post your thoughts in the comments!
Downloads thousands of relaxation and meditation music tracks, sounds, printables and SAVE!
Finally, if you find yourself in need of relaxation or meditation sounds to make videos or to support your business, here’s a couple of places to consider.
Get unlimited access to two large collections of meditation and relaxation music and sounds at TunePocket and MyRelaxation.Online.
Furthermore, through my partnership with these guys, I’m happy to offer you some savings that should make this deal a bit sweeter:
Option 1: Download thousands of meditation music tracks and sounds at TunePocket
Explore TunePocket’s meditation music collection.
Save $5 on any membership plan purchase at TunePocket with promo code: MEDITATE2024
Option 2: One stop resource for creators of relaxation media
Download meditation scripts, guided meditations, music, sounds, and printables at MyRelxation.Online
Save 10% on any new MyRelaxation.Online membership or download purchase with promo code: SAVE10NOW
Both, TunePocket and MyRelaxation.Online offer commercial licenses, so you can safely use the music in monetized videos or to support your business.
Learn more how to legally use relaxing music in your business.
Conclusion
I tried to categorize all sorts of relaxing / meditation music and sounds and provide you with relevant links, and playlists.
As well as offered you a couple of places where you can downloads lots of such sounds for commercial use and save.
Hope this helps!
Do you have any question or comments? I would love to hear from you!
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