* The most common type of music player in the 1960s was the record player. Record players play vinyl records, which are flat, round discs made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Records have a spiral groove that runs from the edge of the disc to the center. A stylus, or needle, rides in the groove and vibrates as it follows the spiral. These vibrations are amplified and played through speakers.
* Record players come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Some are portable, while others are designed to be used at home. Some record players have built-in speakers, while others require external speakers.
Tape players
* Tape players were also popular in the 1960s. Tape players play audiocassettes, which are small, plastic cartridges that contain two reels of magnetic tape. As the tape moves past a playback head, the magnetic fields on the tape induce a current in the head. This current is amplified and played through speakers.
* Tape players come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Some are portable, while others are designed to be used at home. Some tape players have built-in speakers, while others require external speakers.
Radios
* Radios were another popular form of music listening in the 1960s. Radios receive radio waves, which are electromagnetic waves that carry sound. Radio waves are broadcast by radio stations, which are located all over the world. Radios have a tuner that allows them to select a specific radio station. The radio waves are then amplified and played through speakers.
* Radios come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Some are portable, while others are designed to be used at home. Some radios have built-in speakers, while others require external speakers.
8-track players
* 8-track players were a type of music player that was popular in the late 1960s and early 1970s. 8-track players play 8-track cartridges, which are plastic cartridges that contain eight tracks of audio. Each track is a continuous loop of tape. The 8-track player moves the tape from one track to the next automatically.
* 8-track players come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Some are portable, while others are designed to be used at home. Some 8-track players have built-in speakers, while others require external speakers.