OmTones

About Om Tones & Drone Sounds

Om tones and drone music are characterized by sustained, sacred sounds that create a continuous, hypnotic soundscape. The Om sound, considered the primordial vibration in many spiritual traditions, has been used for thousands of years across cultures for meditation, religious ceremonies, and traditional music. These meditative drones help induce relaxation and focused states of consciousness.

History of Drone Music

Ancient and Traditional Roots

The systematic use of drones originated in instrumental music of ancient Southwest Asia and spread throughout the world. The tradition is at least 3,000 years old.

• Indian Classical Music: The tanpura (dating to ~300 BCE) provides a continuous drone underlying raga performances. The instrument's four strings are tuned to the root (Sa) and fifth (Pa), creating a harmonic bed for melodic exploration. The "jivari" technique creates rich, buzzing overtones.
• Tibetan Buddhism: Deep vocal overtone singing and horn drones accompany meditation and ritual practices. Monks create multiple simultaneous pitches through specialized vocal techniques.
• Gregorian Chant: Early polyphonic music featured "organum" where drone voices supported melodic lines, creating some of the earliest Western harmonies.
• Scottish Bagpipes: The drone pipes produce sustained bass notes while the chanter plays melody - a tradition dating back centuries.
• Didgeridoo: Australian Aboriginal instrument producing continuous drone through circular breathing, used for ceremonies and meditation.
• Shruti Box: The harmonium-like Indian instrument creates portable drones for vocal practice and meditation. Electronic versions (invented 1979) made drones accessible worldwide.

Modern Drone and Minimalism

The transition into modern "Drone Music" as a distinct genre happened in the 1960s with the rise of the New York minimalist scene.

• La Monte Young: Often called the "father of drone music" and minimalism. His work with the Theatre of Eternal Music pioneered sustained-tone exploration with "dream chords."
• Pauline Oliveros: Developed "Deep Listening," using natural acoustics of massive underground cisterns to create resonant drones.
• Eliane Radigue: Master of the ARP 2500 synthesizer, creating long, slowly evolving works that seem to stand still.
• Brian Eno: Popularized "ambient music" and "generative music" with works like Ambient 1: Music for Airports (1978).
• William Basinski: The Disintegration Loops explored decay and transformation through degrading analog tape loops.

Understanding Our Drone Types

• Pure (Single): A single sustained note - the simplest form, focusing on one frequency and its natural overtones
• Fifth (Sa-Pa): Root plus perfect fifth (3:2 ratio). The most consonant interval after the octave, used in tanpura tuning and Gregorian chant
• Octave: Root doubled at the octave (2:1 ratio). Fuller, richer sound while maintaining harmonic simplicity
• Major/Minor Chords: Three-note chords providing brighter (major) or more contemplative (minor) character
• Suspended Chords: Replace the third with 2nd or 4th, creating open, ambiguous harmonies popular in ambient music
• Modal Drones: Based on ancient Greek and church modes - Dorian (bittersweet), Phrygian (exotic), Lydian (bright, floating), Mixolydian (bluesy)

Tuning Systems Explained

• A4 = 440 Hz (Standard): The modern international standard established in 1955. Most music today uses this reference.
• A4 = 432 Hz (Verdi): Some musicians and listeners prefer this slightly lower tuning, claiming it sounds "warmer." Giuseppe Verdi advocated for it. While claims of special healing properties lack scientific evidence, many find it subjectively pleasant.
• A4 = 415 Hz (Baroque): Historical pitch used in much Baroque-era music. Significantly lower than modern pitch.
• Just Intonation: Uses pure mathematical ratios (3:2 for fifths, 5:4 for major thirds) rather than the equal temperament used in most Western music. Creates more resonant, "beating-free" harmonies but doesn't work for all keys.

About Solfeggio Frequencies

Solfeggio frequencies are specific tones believed by some to have healing properties. They trace back to medieval Gregorian chants, though modern claims emerged in the 1970s-90s.

Scientific perspective: Research is limited but growing. A 2018 study found 528 Hz reduced stress markers compared to controls. A 2023 zebrafish study showed solfeggio music reversed stress-induced cognitive effects. However, the specific claims (like "DNA repair") lack scientific support. The relaxation benefits may not be unique to these specific frequencies - any calming sound can reduce stress.

We offer Solfeggio frequencies as options for those who find them helpful, while being transparent about the limited scientific evidence. Many users report subjective benefits from these frequencies during meditation and relaxation.

Evolution Mode

Inspired by Brian Eno's generative music principles, Evolution Mode creates subtle, continuous parameter drift so the drone never repeats exactly. Filter cutoff, modulation depth, and detune amounts slowly wander within musical ranges, creating an organic, "alive" quality that keeps the sound interesting over extended listening sessions.

Tips for Using OmTones

• Start Low: Begin with lower root notes (C2, D2) for relaxation and sleep; higher notes (A3, C4) for alert focus
• Enable Evolution: For longer sessions, turn on Evolution Mode to prevent listener fatigue
• Use Headphones: Headphones reveal subtle stereo details and detuning effects that speakers may miss
• Try Just Intonation: For the purest, most resonant harmonies, enable Just Intonation with Fifth or Major drone types
• Combine with Breathing: Sync your breath to the drone's subtle movements for deeper meditation
• Be Patient: Drones often need 10-15 minutes to produce full relaxation effects
• Keep Volume Moderate: Drones should be present but not overwhelming; lower volumes work better for extended listening
• Experiment with Modes: Try Lydian for an uplifting, floating quality or Phrygian for a more exotic, introspective character