The scent of shave cream, the zip of clippers, the hum of conversation—and in the background, the perfect soundtrack. Music is as much a part of the barbershop experience as the cut itself. Whether you are the proprietor setting the tone, the client settling into the chair, or the music enthusiast soaking up the sounds, the right music can be the difference between an average experience and one that keeps people coming back. But what makes up the ultimate barbershop playlist?
Getting to Know Your Audience
You have to know who you are playing for before you can devise the ultimate playlist for a barbershop. Barbershop owners tend to want their clients to feel at home and comfortable. Music enthusiasts might wish for a place where the soundtrack is precisely calibrated between trendiness and nostalgia. Meanwhile, clients run the gamut from professionals who stop in during lunch hours to families who stop in for a weekend trim. The challenge is to find music that speaks to and unites this diverse group of clients and sets the right tone for your brand.
The Required Ingredients of Music in a Barbershop
Genre Matters
Selecting the “appropriate” genre is determined by the mood of a barber in Denver or elsewhere. A retro, old-fashioned barbershop might lean in the direction of jazz, blues, or even Motown oldies. Shops that get plenty of younger clients might go the route of hip-hop, pop, or indie acoustic tracks. The key is thinking about what story you’d like your shop to tell and choosing a genre that fits with it.
Tempo Sets the Mood
The tempo of your music affects customers subconsciously. Upbeat songs can increase the tempo of the room, perfect for busy shops or lunch rushes. Slower, more relaxed rhythms might suit a boutique barbershop or one with older or more laid-back clientele. Having a mismatch between the tempo of the music and the shop’s environment is jarring, so choose wisely.
Volume is Everything
Volume is probably the most overlooked yet significant detail in the creation of the perfect environment. Barbershop music needs to be complementary to the experience and not the main attraction. When too loud, it is obtrusive to clients trying to chat or relax. When too soft, the music cannot have any effect on the atmosphere. Hitting the right volume enables the music to complement the other sensory components of the barbershop.
Lyrics Impact Perception
Lyrics are important too. There are some songs with a strong emotional or memory appeal, yet lyrics that are too graphic or controversial will alienate customers. Opt for clean, inclusive music that resonates but does not offend. If in doubt, instrumental music is a great all-round safe choice.
Practical Pointers to Getting the Music Right
Getting the music just right requires thought. Start by defining your brand identity and the ambiance your store wishes to present. Use streaming services to create playlists for various times of day or clientele types. For instance, you might play upbeat ’70s funk in the mornings with more subdued R&B in the evenings. Also crucial is managing the volume throughout the day; quieter times can be enhanced with more low-key music, and busier times can be more energetic.
Invest in good speakers that produce balanced and crisp sound. A bad sound system has a way of reducing even the best playlist to background noise. And, please, update your playlists. Rotating tracks regularly promises repeat customers a continuously interesting experience.
Ambiance That Sets You Apart
Music is so much more than background barbershop chatter; it’s one of the key elements in making your customers feel welcome, at ease, and eager to return. By understanding your customers, blending the right components of music, and thoughtfully creating playlists, your shop will be buzzing in no time. A good haircut is only half the equation, after all—the right music completes it.
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