Posted on Jul 27, 2020 in Senior Activities
One of the effects of the global pandemic is an increase in demand for music services.
With everyone spending much more time at home, this is hardly surprising. What can you do if you have no idea where to start looking for music online?
Look no further!
We’ll get right down to business today. Here’s a snapshot of the 5 leading music services for seniors seeking fresh entertainment during lockdown…
With Amazon Music Unlimited, the mighty Amazon goes head-on with Apple to give you a remarkable 50 millions songs at your fingertips.
If you have an Echo smart speaker, this music service works wonderfully alongside Alexa. Use voice commands to search for music hands-free, ideal if you’re suffering from arthritis.
Amazon offers Prime Music with 2 million songs, but the comprehensive Music Unlimited gives you unbeatable access to more music than you could imagine.
Keep your eyes out for special offers, Amazon’s forte. Watch out for deals bundling this music service with an Echo smart speaker. You can then use the integrated digital assistant to search your music library with voice commands. The added advantage of listening to music on a smart speaker like Echo is that you get an ad-free service at no extra charge.
As with most services Amazon provide, you can benefit from a free 30-day trial to see if this service makes a good fit.
Apple Music was not initially met with enormous acclaim, but the service has matured and you can get started with a 3-month trial.
For Apple Music, you’ll need an iPhone, iPad, or Mac. Get started with a lengthy 3-month free trial, one of the strongest offers across all music services.
Apple Music now has 50 million users, so it’s second only to Spotify in terms of popularity.
Many music services allow you to continue with a free account. Unfortunately, you need an Apple Music subscription once this trial expires. If you pay for a year in advance, you’ll qualify for a discount. The 90-day trial should give you ample opportunity to decide whether Apple Music is worth the modest investment.
The Music Genome Project powers Pandora. This was the most comprehensive analysis of music performed and this underpins the streaming service. What does that mean for you, though?
Put simply, you get a personalized listening experience. Pandora draws upon data from the Music Genome Project to deliver customized playlists to keep you entertained year-round. The music catalog is impressive and keeps growing.
One of the key draws for Pandora for seniors is the low level of user input required. Pandora makes music streaming a passive experience allowing you to kick back in your chair and listen to the soundtrack of your youth. Building playlists is remarkably simply on this platform.
A free option is available, but this comes with a high volume of ads. Monthly subscriptions eliminate this advertising. Pandora also offers on-demand streaming at a premium. Get started with a 60-day trial.
Use Pandora in a web browser, on a dedicated desktop application, or on a mobile app.
Spotify has one of the most diverse music selections of any streaming service. Whether you prefer experimental jazz or mainstream pop music, you won’t be disappointed searching on Spotify.
With almost 100 million subscribers, Spotify has more paying subscribers than any competing music service. Despite this, you can open a free account and continue using Spotify free of charge for as long as you can tolerate the endless ads.
The other benefit of a paid subscription is the ability do download songs and to skip songs without subscriptions.
While the free service is certainly usable, we’d advise considering a subscription if you’re happy with the music library and interface of Spotify. You can also link 5 accounts using the Family package.
Boasting 35 million sings, a senior-friendly interface, and robust search, the Swedish streaming service remains one of our favorites in 2020.
YouTube Premium is a rebranded version of Google Play Music. You’ll get the flexibility of using a platform like YouTube with the inbuilt benefit of creating playlists with ease.
You’ll find playlists are suggested based on music genre and mood. You should always have something fresh to listen to even if you’re tired of the old classics.
As with most streaming services, choose the free Basic plan and you’ll be blighted by ads. Go Premium and you can kiss goodbye to an endless circus of advertisements and focus on your music instead.
If you’re a music purist, you might find the sound quality lacking on YouTube Premium. That aside, this platform makes a superb choice for seniors looking to bring their music collections crashing into the twenty-first century.
If you’re getting frustrated staying at home while coronavirus contains to make life difficult, we hope today’s suggestions will liven up your day.
Studies show that music can improve your mood and reduce anxiety, both valuable commodities with a global pandemic still unresolved. Try these music streaming services and let us know how you get on!
For anyone struggling to live alone, get in touch with our friendly team today. We’ll be delighted to arrange a virtual tour of an assisted living community near you.
