Relaxing Dinner Music
A Peaceful Way to End the Day!
You've worked a long hard day either in an office, at home, or on the road. You drive through busy streets or speeding cars on the highway. You stop at the market for some groceries, swing by the high school to pick up your daughter, drive over to the library to drop off some books, race over to the ball field to pick up your son, then head home.
Time to relax now? No, of course not! You have hungry kids who are demanding an answer that all important question, "What's for dinner?" You send them off to work on their homework while you scramble around trying to make a balanced meal and set the table. Then your spouse walks in the door, also tired and hungry, but gives you a hand getting dinner on the table and calling the kids back to eat.
Everyone's exhausted but still bouncing around with all the "stuff" going on around you. How can you relax a bit to calm your mind and adreneline rush of the day? What can help the family glide into a more peaceful mood?
What if you crave a special meal alone with someone important to you? What can you add to make the time memorable? Or, what if you wish to establish a special tone at mealtime? What about if you wanted to create a certain atmosphere for an international meal? Having some friends over for a dinner and hope to set a comfortable feeling for them? What can even help you digest that delicious food better?
I am suggesting listening to some beautiful dinner music to create the mood of your meal - however you wish it to be!! My fellow Rocket Moms here on Squidoo have created numerous tasty food lenses (webpages) on a huge variety of foods! There are meats, veggies, salads, side dishes, casseroles, desserts galore, and more to help you make a fantastic meal. So, as a professional musician who has performed for many people at banquets, weddings, receptions, and other dinner parties, I decided to contribute by giving suggestions of music you may enjoy listening to during your everyday and special dinners.
Photo thanks to Shellykins2 at Photobucket!
Photo Credit: Photobucket
- Choose music that is in the mood you want to be in at the end of your meal!
- Instrumental music without lyrics may work better if your family or guests want to focus on their conversations more.
- The age span of your family or guests is important to consider. What is relaxing for your teen may not be the same as for Grandpa.
- Consider the purpose of your music when deciding. The reasons that you want dinner music will help you determine the type that would be best.
- If the meal is international or cultural based, choose music with an ethnic flavor.
- If your meal is part of a holiday celebration, then choose some songs of the season, of course!
~ Religious holiday? Consider music that is meaningful to your faith.
~ Valentine's Day? Turn the lights down low with some romantic music and pucker up! ;)
~ Other National Holiday? Share your country's loyalty by playing some patriotic music.
~ Etcetera ...
- Think about preferred styles of music along with the favorite artists of your diners when making your selection.
- You may want to consider turning the music down softly in order to make it easier to hear one another in conversations.
- You may want to consider turning the music up if your children are arguing about whose turn it is to do the dishes. Then you can peacefully smile across the table at your spouse without hearing them yell. Just kidding ... uhm ... sort of! :)
- Overall, choose something that fits the style and mood of your guests.
~ If they need to relax, choose quiet calming music.
~ If it is a celebration, pick upbeat happy music.
~ If it is for family, consider all the members tastes (for food and for music!)
Musical Styles
What do you prefer to listen to while eating?
Classical music is sometimes thought of for formal occasions only, but it works for everyday situations as well. Besides projecting a relaxing essence, classical music has been proven to have many other benefits to the mind and soul. Numerous studies have researched the effects of this great music! It is believed that music increases brain functions and intelligence! What do you think of that? It's the all-in-one phenomina ~ beautiful listening, brain boosting, and relaxing. Calming music is also thought to assist the body in the digestive process!
Listen to some music! It is healthy for you!
Bach, Mozart, & Beethoven? - This recording has them all along with many more famous composers and pieces!
Many people have a favorite composer that touches their heart, but if you like a variety of pieces and style periods or if you are unsure what classical music to pick, this recording has some of the most delightful classics from the greatest masters of music! This MP3 allows you to download all 99 selections or to choose just the ones you love the best! (The full set is a really good deal compared to choosing individual pieces.) Enjoy listening to unforgettable music from: Bach, Beethoven, Brahmns, Clark, Debussy, Dvorak, Gershwin, Grieg, Handel, Haydn, Holst, Mozart, Orff, Pachelbel, Saint Saens, Schumann, Strauss, Tchaikovsky, Vivaldi, an others.
Ludwig Van Beethoven
Beethoven is a name almost everyone recognizes throughout the world despite their age, location, or culture. What makes this man's music stand out so clearly...
Antonio Vivaldi ~ Baroque Composer
Does listening to music of Vivaldi put a "Spring" in your step? Does his music warm your heart like the "Summer" sun? Fall ("Autumn&...
Mellow Out with Soft Jazz
Jazz Music of Many Artists - Jazz music has a special way of speaking to the soul in a wonderful way. The chord structures have a comfortable familiarity, while the solos carry something fresh and new. Listening to it helps unwind your mind and body to relax after a busy day.
Smooth Jazz with Stan Getz
The music flows beautiful from his tenor saxophone to your soul. Truly a way to relax the body and mind. Listening samples are provided at the link.
Romantic Music for Your Loved One
Imagine ... the tasty aroma of your loved one's favorite meal, the table decorated with a beautiful bouquet of flowers, the room dimly lit by candlelight. So what is missing? Romantic music, of course! Music adds so much to one's emotions and helps bring the senses alive. Play your favorite love songs or songs that have meant something special to your relationship to remind your loved one how much you love them!
Ultimate Love Songs
This lovely collection is filled with wonderfully romantic music from Marvin Gaye, Luther Vandross, Gloria Estefan, Michael Bolton, Willie Nelson, Cyndi Lauper, Bonnie Tyler, Paul Young, Gregory Abbott, Regina Belle, Dan Hill, Vonda Shepard, REO Speedwagon, Dan Fogelberg, Bad English, Mike Reno, Ann Wilson, Surface, Bangles, and Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes
Recipes for Meals & Music
Find a fabulous recipe in this cookbook which features "recipes from the finest country inns", then make your meal a little extra special by playing the accompanying classical music CD!
Ethnic Music
Cultural Meals
So much fun!
Everyone has some special recipes that have been passed down from their parents and grandparents that take them to their cultural roots. When eating one of these favorite meals, why not listen to some music from that country? Create moods of your loved family and cozy home! It can really make one feel soothed, and take one's mind off of the busy day.
What if you like eating food from many cultures or are an "American Mutt" (a delightful blend of ethnic ancestry) as I am? Then have fun with your meals! While preparing a great variety of foods and styles from all over the world, enjoying listening to music from that country! There are some songs and instruments that you immediately know where they are from as soon as you hear them. They have a special ability to almost take you to that place when you listen. Just think of the music you would hear at your favorite ethnic restaurants. These wonderful places create a certain mood with their combination of food, atmosphere, and music. Don't forget to decorate and dress for the culture along with saying a few words in the appropriate language! :)
Mexican Music Fiesta! - Make your dinner a party!
Create a special evening!! ~ The exciting kit below contains: an audio CD ( La Bamba; The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly Theme; The magnificent Seven; Guantanamera); "games to play: CD Quizzes; Mexican trivia; memory games, activity games, and dice games. Host guide to introduction to the history and culture of Mexico, Regional Recipes, Invitations, name tags, plus Snip n Play games sheet."
Putumayo World Music presents 13 traditional songs from Mexico from various artists. Listen to sample by clicking the picture.
Transport yourself mentally to a classic cafe in Italy or to your favorite Italian restaurant right from your dining room with this soothing collection of songs. Click on the picture below, then listen to the music with your eyes closed. Can you see amazing scenes from Italy in your mind? Can you smell delicious sauces, pastas, and breads under your nose? Are you feeling more relaxed? See what the power of music can do!!
Listening to these beautiful Italian tunes for mandolin orchestra and guitar will create a wonderful atmosphere for fine dining in your home or anywhere!
Whether you would like a croissant and cafe du lait, a warm, creamy quiche, or crepe du jour, this music from France makes you feel like you are sitting at a beautiful outside cafe with a view of the Eiffel Tower!
Holiday Music
Halloween Music
I'm usually not much into Halloween type things, but as a classical musician, I could not help but get excited about the collection of music on this CD! It features 50 popular classical pieces that demonstrate darker music in minor keys and abstract harmonies such as Carmina Burana, Toccata and Fugue in D Minor for Organ, Main Theme from Halloween, Music for Strings, Percussion and Celesta (as heard in The Shining), The Rite of Spring: The Sacrifice, A Night on the Bare Mountain, Suite Gothique, Requiem Mass, The Ride of the Valkyries, Pictures at an Exhibition: The Gnome, The Goldberg Variations (as heard in The Silence of the Lambs), The Firebird Symphonic Suite, A Casket made of Cypress Wood, Masonic Funeral Music for Orchestra, Requiem Mass in D Minor, Danse Macabre, Pictures At An Exhibition (Catacombs), Don Giovanni (Don Juan), The Sorcerer's Apprentice, Halloween, Symphonie Fantastique, The Planets, Psycho - Suite for Strings: The Murder, and Totentanz (Dance of Death). There are also a few pieces that seemed out of place ... i.e. the Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy ... like what's with that? Anyway, good stuff for background music at your dinner party for a small price.
Pros of this recording: There are 50 great songs that you and your guests will recognize and enjoy for a holiday meal or party. Cons: They are all performed by cover artists instead of the original artists. Well done, but if you have a favorite artist for a song, it can be frustrating. So, why am I still listing this? This was the best recording of so many cool songs in one place that along with the economical price, it is a good deal. Songs include: This Is Halloween, Thriller, Monster Mash, Theme From The Addams Family, Ghostbusters, A Nightmare On My Street, Pet Sematary, I Put A Spell On You, Theme from Psycho - Prelude / The Murder, The Time Warp, Witch Queen Of New Orleans, Little Shop Of Horrors, I'm Your Boogie Man, Theme From The Munsters, There's A Ghost In My House, They're Coming To Take Me Away, Ha-haaa!, Witchy Woman, Devil Went Down To Georgia, Theme From Buffy The Vampire Slayer, Theme From Halloween, Purple People Eater, Love Potion No. 9, Disco Inferno, Devil With The Blue Dress On, Black Magic Woman, Wooly Bully, Splish Splash, Rock Lobster, Somebody's Watching Me, You're A Mean One, Mr. Grinch, Abracadabra, and Ghost Riders In The Sky.
Thanksgiving Dinner Music
It took me a long while to find something I would want to play at my Thanksgiving meal gatherings. Many "Thanksgiving Music" recordings were great songs, but were more of the classical style - which I truly enjoy, but this collection touched me with traditional hymns that remind me of why I am thankful. Music is recorded by bluegrass musician, Craig Duncan, but are done with gentleness and simplicity on quite string instruments. Songs included are: We Gather Together, Count Your Blessings, Simple Gifts, This Is My Father's World, Come Ye Thankful People, Come Thou Fount Of Every Blessing, All Things Bright And Beautiful, Faith Of Our Fathers, Showers Of Blessings, A Mighty Fortress Is Our God, For The Beauty Of The Earth, How Great Thou Art, Now Thank We All Our God, and Doxology. You may listen to samples of each song to hear if it is what you have in mind for your meal.
Christmas Music
It's always fun at holiday dinner parties to have meaningful music playing in the background or to sing along with. This recording by the modern accapella group Pentatonix will be enjoyed by all ages because of their amazing vocal harmonies mixed with fun! Songs included are: Hark! The Herald Angels Sing, White Winter Hymnal, Sleigh Ride, Winter Wonderland / Don't Worry Be Happy, That's Christmas to Me, Mary, Did You Know?, Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy, It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year, Santa Claus is Coming to Town, Silent Night, and Let It Go (Bonus Track).
Pentatonix
What do you think?
Does dinner music make a difference in your mood and dining pleasure?
~ Flautist ~ Pamela ~
If you live a few hours within the vacinity of Philadelphia and would like live classical and Christian music for your special event,
please leave me a message by clicking on my avatar picture, then clicking on "Contact Me"
in the upper right-hand corner.
I would love to provide music for you.
Do you have a favorite piece of music to listen to while you are dining? - Enjoy your meals!
It's not often we think of enjoying music with our meals anymore. What a great reminder! No more TV news during dinner for me! Time for my favorite classical music.
- AUTHOR
@Srena44: Thank you!
great lens
great lens
nice job!
great lens
Great lens! Good job!
any Mozart - any time any place - but I love the cello for dinning
Great lens!
Hi. Thanks for creating this interesting, informative lens. I like to have soft, relaxing music playing during dinner, most of the time. Peace.
I like soft Jazz or soft Rock - I just listen to those types of radio stations (since I also want to hear the traffic / weather reports). Great lens - many folks forget how enjoyable music is while they eat.
A fun lens with some great suggestions for dinner music - I must broaden my dining tastes past the "easy listening" genre I tend to play currently!
Not a favorite - just something relaxing.
Not necessarily, but I like the idea of it. Romantical. :P
I like to listen to relaxing music, but I don't have a favorite piece of music.
I like listening to music, and listening during meals, is fun too! Nice lens!
Yeah, I generally prefer Beethoven with my dinner.
Hi,
Very nice lens!
God Bless you & Merry Christmas
'D'
Great lens, I really enjoyed it. I don't really have a favorite piece of music to listen to while dining but rather more of a style. I prefer orchestrated romantic or classical music.
Great suggestions - thank you.
Wonderful new ideas and reminders of music genres that enhance a meal. Music that enhances the culture that a recipe comes from I think often completes setting and mood. Love songs also very personal. Know your guest or guests well in advance if you can :-) ... to help you select the most comforting mood.
No favorite. It all depends on the meal, where I'm at and whom I'm with.
I like listening to classical music while dining.
I love some soft music that will help me ease out of the stressful day.
I like something quiet and relaxing...nothing in particular. This is a well written lens!
Awesome Lens. Great topic and structure. You should check out these websites, as i found them helpful and infomative.
Very well written lens. I love this one.
Thanks for Sharing informative lens !!
I love relaxing music especially instrumental! Nice theme and good lens!
my choice is 'something quiet and relaxing'. thanks for sharing this beautifully constructed lens. nice presentation. ~blessed~
Ya. I agree with you a soft romantic music with dinner can wipe your every pain of life.
I like to listen quiet and relaxing music. Blessed.
I like to listen to country music You can find slow, fast, and acoustic
I like listening to gospel music over dinner; makes me grateful for whatever is on the table and helps me remember and pray for those who lack. Thanks for sharing this.
I listen to whatever's on the radio, country, pop, rock, anything. All that music is relaxing to me.
Can't really go wrong with Bach or Mozart.
I like to listen to Mozart while I eat dinner.
Great lens, music and food always go together and I think it depends on two things; your guests and your mood.
No, it varies.
I like to listen to Mozart when I eat.
Loves it! :-)
I tend to like classical music when I am eating but it also depends upon my mood.
Never tried playing music during dinner~I'll go and try it out:)
I like all sorts of music, if it sounds good I like it.
You've inspired me. I pledge to play relaxing music at supper all week. Cool lens.
That's a good lense! Great job. Humans need music as much as food :-)
Ooh like this lens ! And the food pictures accompaniment serves to entice you even more to want to try out those music suggestions WHILE eating. I love all kinds of music, well .. except most rap, but I did a lens on blues music and musicians - if you are interested.
I like light chamber music, not one particular piece. Watching my daughter wolf down Mexican food sometimes makes me think that she's got the Anvil Chorus playing in her head. The food goes in at about the same rhythm and tempo! Nice job as usual! Thanks
I seem to remember reading a study on how soft classical music makes people eat slower and helps digestion whilst pop/rock etc. makes you eat faster and digest poorly. Probably explains why our local all-you-can-eat sushi restaurant started playing techo over lunch...eat fast, get out!
Very nice lens. Romantic idea and some yummy photos. My preference is for classical music, but the kids prefer to leave the tv on :-(
Soft easy music
Not anything particular but I like soft music while enjoying a meal.
Lots of good selection of music.
What a wonderful lens Pamela, thank you. I really do think that nice soft music would definitely make dinner much more relaxing!
I love the idea of having music playing softly in the background! Of course, it seems like I always have music playing, even when I write lenses. Now, when everyone else is home, it is a bit more of a challenge to choose the style of music. We each have our own preferences. About the only thing we agree on, is soft piano music or violins. That works for all of us :)
I prefer something soft and relaxing for dinner music. I love rock--even metal--just not while I'm having dinner! This is a great lens. Lots of inspired recommendations and ideas!
I like listening to soft noises like the ocean, more than actual music,
Thank you for the tips. What a great idea to choose music that matches the dinner theme.
I prefer soft jazz.
Smoother the better!
I just like music in general!! Hehe.
music that is great to eat to.
Nice job with this lens -- Lots of good fun
I love country music, such as Marty Falle - "Ohio"
Strange as it may seem i do enjoy pavarotti in the background.very good lens, thanks for the read.
i love Bach at dinner
I love mozart, but I prefer Vivaldi during my meal
classical music always betters my digestion :)
Beethoven or Vivaldi work best for me.
I prefer piano cover from L'arc en ciel songs.
I prefer to listen to something soft and slow like soft jazz but I really can listen to any music playing in the background as long as it isn't too loud.
Music makes a difference in everything. I think soft, relaxing music is better while eating. I would think upbeat, exciting music would make me eat too much.
I love soft contemporary jazz! I couldn't really find a lens on it, so maybe I will write one!
I enjoy many kinds, as long as they are relaxing and not too loud.
cool lens! Thanks
The CD, "Dining with Jazz" which I found on Amazon.
I loooooove A WALK IN THE BLACK FOREST! <3
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fT_wQJcKp-w
Sunshine & Blessings,
Giovani
not really.. as long as its upbeat but relaxing at the same time :) great lens!
I love strings or piano for dinner music. I smiled to see that you're a flautist. I played the flute for several years when I was young and have been thinking about taking it up again.
I'm a lover of ALL music - any time of the day!! This is a great post! Thanks for sharing!
Beautifully done lens and excellent tips and suggestions for relaxing dining music! I like listening to soft, soothing melodies when having dinner too - none of the heavy, blasting kind, please. (:
Bossa nova makes great dinner music. Oddly, pretty much the only time I listen to it is dinner time.
It depends on the day: sometimes I love listening to waltz music, and other times I love Vivaldi.
- AUTHOR
@squid-janices7: I never thought of that before, but you have a fantastic idea! Thanks! :)
Fabulous list of songs here. They would be great for a relaxing evening bath as well.
- AUTHOR
@anonymous: Oh! I love how you worded that ... "tantalizing to the taste buds and divine to the ears". Very beautifully expressed! : D
Great way of relaxing with a delicious meal that is tantalizing to the taste buds and divine to the ears. Favorited and lensrolled.
No, I don't have a favorite piece of music to listen to while I'm dining. I like anything that's quiet and relaxing - - instrumental, classical.
- AUTHOR
@Joan4: I love all kinds of music, too! : )
Any kind of "easy listening" music suits me. I love it all!
- AUTHOR
@brittanyshaf: Some kinds of music I think would be distracting to a conversation. It would probably depend on the people's personality, musical style, and volume. Sounds like an interesting experiment to me! : )
We don't usually listen to music while we eat in my family.... we all have a conversation and I feel like music would kind of be distracting. But I've never tried it, so I can't say! Sounds like a relaxing idea! Great lens!
- AUTHOR
@orebro: Great choice for mood setting! I was just listening to some of his recordings. Cool stuff!
George Winston for sure. For me there's nothing like solo piano to set the mood. Great lens!
Found this one to be incredible for relaxed dinner. Mediterranean Islands, Andreas. Hope this one finds you at dinner! Enjoy...
Pamela, thanks for this lens highlighting the relaxing nature of music. You have certainly brought a multicultural flavor to your presentation. I love listening to Mozart, when eating or thinking.
I love to listen to a bit of Victor Wooten in the evening I just like the way itâs so laid back. However I do like a bit of classical too. I think that this is an Awesome lens I can see that you have put a lot of hard work into it so, well done. I would appreciate your comments on my little Victor Wooten article here on Squidoo since I still have a lot to learn about building great lens like yours! Claire
Such a lovely lens on a great subject. *-*Blessed*-* and featured on Sprinkled with Stardust and also on How to Make Good Music
Jazz and classical sound good for dinner time. I've also enjoyed some old 30's and 40's music too.
Lovely Lens! I love to listen to soft easy music. It makes me more relaxed.
Almost anything Enya... :D Fabulous lens and lensrolling to Fantasy Dinner Party
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