Ambient as a matter came literally out of nowhere. It has no specific date of emergence, as well as there is no exact definition of Ambient music. However, many musicologists agree on the opinion that an invaluable role in the formation of Ambient music as a style, played in the early 70’s, all known Tangerine Dream and Brian Eno (he, in principle, many believe the “father” Ambient after a famous hospital stay, when he realized that the sounds of nature can be used in music). Also Ambient’s popularity was greatly influenced by so-called environmental recordings (today’s “nature sounds” for meditation and relaxation) and movie soundtracks. All we have now for the concept of Ambient is formless music, formless definition of it, formless history, past and formless future.

This matter is present in almost every modern electronic record and is strongly rooted in almost all modern styles. Everything that we call atmospheric, psychedelic music is all strongly tied to Ambient in one way or another. Elements of this culture are present even in such harsh styles as Industrial or, let’s say, Hard Trance.

However, pure Ambient is present in music very rarely, and the musicians are not well known – hardly anyone knows the likes of Lull, Panasonic, early Delerium, Steve Roach, Robert Rich, Pete Namlook, Vond and the like. The biggest misconception in this case is to take the music of such projects as Enigma, Pink Floyd, that is music based on another musical culture.

With full confidence we can say, classic, pure Ambient is inherent:

1. The presence of a very slow, implicit rhythm, or the complete absence of the latter.
2. the use of the sounds of nature, or “pseudo-nature”, that is the model of the environment of the listener, which in one way or another reminds of nature.
3. the absence of melody as such, or its inconstancy and constant “fluidity”.
4. The emphasis on bass sounds and the complete absence of sharp “movements” and sounds.
5. The long duration of the composition, from 10 minutes and more. There are pearls for 45, and 90 minutes.
6. The absence of vocals, although often used speech samples and all sorts of “narration”.

It should be noted that electronic Ambient in general is alien to anything earthly – the music is 100% synthesized, and without the purpose of synthesizing the live sound. This music is the hardest to perceive and the most “dead” of all Ambient. In general, the “deader, more synthetic and lifeless” music is, the more it is associated with Ambient. There are such notions as “suicidal Ambient” (the Vond project, for example), which puts experiments on the human psyche and imposes its idea. In general, such music is often unobtrusive – like a usual contemplation of a calm nature. The main thing is that it always draws some kind of picture, even if it is abstract or dim – whether it is a picture of space, earth, another planet, another time. Very important is the fact that listening to Ambient – it is a purely personal thing. One has to listen and be aware of the music alone with its source of sound. And the main thing – to create and perceive the atmosphere of the music, you need to be 100% ready for it, otherwise nothing but irritation, this music can not cause. Although it depends on the listener’s psyche and his imagination, because Ambient is essentially designed to cause the listener almost visual associations.

And finally, it should be said that “formless music” – a well-known technique in addition to something visual – whether it be an exhibition, installation, performance, performance, film. And the ideological carrier in different cases is both music and visual matter, and it is better when they act on an equal footing.