Music 4 Success
Personal Stories
Classical Music in a Tire Store
It was a warm summer day in 2012 when I stopped at a Discount Tire Store to fix a tire. As I waited in line, I was surprised and delighted to hear the Brandenburg Concerto playing over the loudspeaker. I love classical music, and it was such a joy to hear it in a place where I expected loud rock.
When I reached the counter, I mentioned the music to the young manager. He told me he intentionally played classical pieces in the waiting room because customers were noticeably more positive and had fewer complaints. People simply seemed happier.
That small moment stayed with me. It was amazing to see how beautiful music could transform the atmosphere. I hope more business owners will follow his example.
−Teresa A.
Music's Role in True Connections between People
Music has been part of me since childhood − my mother said I was singing before I could talk. I grew up surrounded by harmonies, from my dad’s piano to the folk songs that shaped the sixties and seventies. Yet even then, I felt called toward something more.
That search led me to Sufi dances and Bhajans, where I discovered how profoundly beautiful music can lift the spirit. At the same time, I noticed how harsh, repetitive sounds were taking over public spaces, making true connection almost impossible.
Every so often, I’d stumble into a place playing gentle, intentional music − a mom and pop shop, a service station, a student café − and the whole atmosphere changed. People relaxed. They talked. They smiled. They connected. It showed me how powerful sound really is.
Imagine if uplifting music from around the world filled our shared spaces. What kind of world might we create? I believe it could move us closer to the love and peace so many of us long for. I would like to help make that vision a reality!
− Patricia C.
Classical Music's Effect on Learning in the Classroom
Music4Success reinforces the importance of using specific types of music in my work with students. Incorporating beautiful classical music into the learning environment has led to improved concentration and a deeper level of understanding, particularly in math and writing. Even Albert Einstein was known to listen to music when working through challenging mathematical problems.
I am truly grateful for the valuable resources and support provided by Music4Success.
− Rosalinda M. Kettinger, M.Ed., M.A., AMI
Restaurant Experiences with Classical and Instrumental Music
Having worked in the food service and retail industries, I can attest to the power that music has over mood, function, and harmony in a workplace and its customers.
When there is aggressive, loud music playing, it becomes difficult to focus on the tasks at hand as well as difficult to hear the customers talking to you. The energy becomes chaotic all around, and customers can seem irritated or on edge.
As a stark difference, when uplifting, gentle music plays in the background (particularly instrumental or classical), performing tasks becomes a breeze in comparison. Customers are calmer and take more time to talk with you and make a connection.
My observation is that loud, harsh music sends one’s nervous system into a state of fight or flight, whereas calm, soothing music creates peace in the nervous system. I am very surprised many people play aggressive music in their workplaces when the effects it has on their businesses are so negative.
I had the pleasure of introducing acoustic guitar and traditional Hawaiian slack key guitar music to my current workplace in Hawaii, where I have been employed for just over a year. Before I started working there, my coworkers would play a mixture of pop, rock, and reggae music daily. Once I began playing harmonious instrumental music on my shifts, my coworkers would tell me they felt calmer and more at ease in general.
I have had a couple dozen customers tell me how much they appreciate and enjoy the peaceful music, and a lady just the other day told me, “This music makes me actually want to stay and buy something!” The difference is truly night and day. I have noticed that people stay in the store significantly longer when the guitar music is playing, which increases their chances of buying an item.
These observations prove to me that music makes all the difference in how customers feel, and it even affects their purchasing decisions. It equally, if not more, affects employees, and just as peaceful nervous systems are related to good health, so beautiful, harmonious music contributes to good health also!”
− Moria G.
Musings on Music Played in Public Places
As an amateur musician, when music is playing in my environment, I tend to “tune in.” I have a live-long appreciation for classical music and other genres that are uplifting to my soul and spirit, including traditional folk music. The pervasive music forms in public places have become limited to mainstream pop-rock and other similar genres. I find this distracting and annoying, especially when the volume is turned up.
Restaurants that play rock music, to a volume level where you have to raise your voice to be heard in your table conversation, leave me wondering why the management thinks this conducive to enjoying a relaxing meal with family or friends.
On occasion I have asked for the music in stores to be turned down. The response is generally along the lines of “the management controls it,” or something to that effect. My wife and I have asked people at the check-out stand how they feel about the music, and they often quietly admit they don’t like it.
Doctor’s offices, banks, airports, the list goes on of locations where whoever is controlling the background sound seems to think everyone wants to hear nothing but the latest pop-rock hits. My personal opinion is that if they try music that is relaxing and uplifting, they would have happier employees, a more harmonious work environment and pleased customers, in short, it could have a positive impact on the success of their business.”
− Richard C.