Elevator Etiquette: Playing the Right Elevator Music
As an elevator transports riders’ up and down to their daily destinations, the passengers are often unaware the reason for their calm and contented demeanor has as much to do with the soothing sounds of the elevator etiquette-approved piped-in music, commonly referred to as elevator ‘muzak.’
Elevator ‘muzak’ was the brainchild of a World War I U.S. Army Chief Signal Officer, Major General George O. Squier. Since radio was still only a promising innovation in the 1920s, Squier would transmit radio signals across electrical wires. After the war, in 1934, Squier became the founder of Wired Radio Inc., and with the inspiration of the successful sounding name Kodak, he eventually modified the firm’s name to Muzak. His business niche was piping in music to hotel lobbies, restaurants, social clubs, and ELEVATORS! MUZAK was everywhere, reaching its height in the 60s and 70s and credited with calming the Apollo 11 astronauts before their launch!
Playing the Right Elevator Music
With the broad and diverse cross-section of America stepping into vertical transportation devices daily — there came the necessity for elevator ‘muzak’ etiquette.
Instrumental Music Only
With today’s modern elevators, which include destination dispatch technology eliminating unnecessary floor stops, an elevator ride to the desired level is but a few minutes. Elevator etiquette aims for short selections with an endless repetition of the same musical bars continually looping back to the beginning in a non-obtrusive manner to the riders.
Match Music To The Clientele
As the elevator mechanics at Champion Elevator will attest, the elevator ride should not be a ‘rock and roll’ experience. Keep the music generically appealing to the building it is operating within. In a shopping mall, select an upbeat instrumental. When selection is for a medical office or hospital, consider music that is light and relaxing. For an office building, soft and smooth classical music, but NOT the William Tell Overture, with the suggestion of an oncoming storm with brass and woodwinds, and the expanse of thunderous percussion!
Keep Volume Low
Whether selecting classical, upbeat jazz, or contemporary easy listening — keep the volume low! Elevator riders span a diverse cross-section of personalities leading busy lives — soft and subtle background music can bring a few seconds of oasis-like calm.
While the ride may only last a few short minutes, Champion Elevator is behind the scenes, ensuring the ride is not only enjoyable but safe. If you have any questions about elevator violations, testing, modernization, or repair – we have you covered. Contact us today!