Elevator music, also called piped-in music and Muzak, is a general term for prerecorded, bland, instrumental music that is often played in elevators, stores, offices and other confined spaces where people go with no intention of listening to music as well as during telephone calls when placed on hold. It typically consists of themes from soft popular music and light classical music that have been arranged for orchestras consisting mainly of strings.
Such music is designed to be soothing and relaxing, and, in fact, it probably is so for many or most people. Some studies have suggested that it can boost retail sales and increase worker productivity. However, other people find it irritating and it can cause them to spend less time in stores where it is played and to reduce their productivity when played at work.