Need on hold music for your business phone line?
On hold music is a necessity for any client facing business phone system. Use on hold music as an opportunity not only to help your client pass time while waiting but to affirm your brand identify as well.
Hi, I’m Mik, one of TunePocket music composers. I went though our growing catalog of royalty free music and picked my top 10 favorite tracks that will work great in any modern PBX or IVR system. Watch the video below or jump straight to the playlist.
Here are 3 simple tips to help you pick the best music for on hold use:
1. Choose music that aligns with your industry, business, or brand.
2. Keep it steady. Choose music with steady beat and avoid sudden drops in volume or tempo.
3. Keep it simple. Avoid music with complex arrangements and lots of details and nuances, it will just sound messy due to the lower bandwidth of the phone line.
Related: How to choose, license, and format on hold music for your business phone system.
Frequently Asked Questions about hold music
Can I let callers choose their on-hold music?
Yes. Some phone systems allow callers to select music genres or themes. This can improve caller satisfaction and reduce perceived wait times. Make sure to have an ample variety of hold music.
Do I need a license to use music on hold?
Yes. You must have the proper rights or licenses to play music on hold. Using properly licensed music tracks ensures you’re legally compliant.
How often should I update my on-hold music?
Updating your on-hold music every 3 to 6 months helps keep it fresh and engaging. Regular updates also show attention to customer experience.
What audio format works best for phone systems?
Most phone systems use mono, low-bitrate formats like WAV or MP3 at 8 kHz. Make sure the audio is optimized for clarity and avoids heavy bass or reverb. Learn how to format regular WAV files for on hold music.
Can on-hold music include messages or announcements?
Yes. Alternating music with short branded messages or service updates is a great way to inform and engage callers while they wait. See some on hold messages examples.
Bonus: AI-powered personalization
Some modern phone systems now use AI to tailor on-hold music based on caller data, like time of day or previous interactions. This small upgrade can make the wait feel shorter and more personal.
Top 10 music for on hold business phone lines
Need good on hold music for your business ? Check out this playlist with our most popular royalty free music tracks that our clients use in their business phone systems.
All our on hold music is available with all-in-one royalty free commercial license and can be used in any modern PBX or IVR phone system. Learn how to make sure the audio is compatible with your phone system.
Related: Download ready to use on hold messages for your business phone
The music in this playlist is not affiliated with any performance rights organization (PRO), so you will not need additional licenses from BMI, ASCAP, PRS, and other PROs.
Need more music? Listen to our growing collection of royalty free music on hold or waiting music.
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Positive royalty free acoustic pop background instrumental music with warm comforting feel for product review video, promotional video, infomercial, corporate or training vlog, presentation, on-hold music, event, real estate video, and commercial business use.
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Royalty free easy listening / light jazz background instrumental "elevator" music with positive laid-back feel for explainer or product review video, infomercial, corporate vlog, presentation, on-hold music, event, training, and commercial business use.
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Positive royalty free easy listening / light jazz background instrumental "elevator" music with relaxed comforting feel for product review video, infomercial, corporate or training vlog, presentation, hold / call waiting music, event, training, and commercial business use.
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Ethereal royalty free ambient electronica music with atmospheric hi-tech feel for futuristic technology video, corporate vlog or science podcast background, calm documentary, chillout film, and commercial business use.
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Elegant easy listening / soft rock royalty free love ballad background music with romantic emotional feel for wedding videos, slideshows, film, elevator or on-hold music, and commercial business use.
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Expertly performed acoustic guitar bossa nova music theme for promotional video with Brazil / Latin influence, film, documentary, commercial business use.
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Positive acoustic pop background music with happy, feel-good Latin feel for promotional video, laid-back documentary, warm vlog, and commercial business use.
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Romantic acoustic guitar and harmonica cue with gentle sensual feel for sentimental video, wedding vlog, love film, soap opera TV show, and commercial business use.
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Calm and positive royalty free background instrumental music with uplifting corporate feel for promotional marketing videos, training videos, promotional YouTube clips, and other media projects.
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Warm soft jazz / easy listening instrumental music with relaxing, comforting evening lounge feel for calm video, romantic film, sensual documentary, and commercial business use.
What is the hold music used by Canada Life
​Robert Michaels says the hold music used by Service Canada without his permission has a “couples dancing and out on a patio by the beach” vibes.
who composed the hold music when phoning the Millwood Surgery in Bradwell, Gt Yarmouth?
Unfortunately, there is no way for us to know 🙂 Hope you can pick something from the hold music we selected for this post.
What’s the most popular music on hold?
Historically, the most popular known on hold music track is “The Entertainer” by Scott Joplin. It gained widespread popularity in the 70s as an on hold music and has since become a recognizable piece of hold music.
If you wish to use this music track for your phone system you can license it here: https://www.tunepocket.com/royalty-free-music/entertainer-scott-joplin/
Another popular track was “Opus 1” composed by Tim Carleton specifically for on hold purposes.
While not as widely popular as some of the more classic on hold music options, “Opus 1” has been a go-to choice for many businesses looking for on hold music track, as it was a default music option with Cisco phone systems. This track has been included as one of the standard hold music options in Cisco’s phone system software for many years.
With Cisco phone systems you can also upload your own custom on hold music, so we always recommend choosing something that goes well with your brand and audience, rather than using the generic default music.
Should businesses use voiceovers or messages with their on hold music?
Yes, in our opinion, businesses can and should use voiceovers or pre-recorded messages to promote their products or services, provide important information, or simply reassure the customer that they will be helped soon.
However, we feel it’s important to keep the messages concise and clear, and to avoid bombarding the customer with too much information or advertising.
We also offer pre-recorded, ready to use messages: https://www.tunepocket.com/on-hold-messages/
We also can generate virtually any message in a variety of voices, languages, and accents.