The Best Electronic Music Genres
Contents
From trance to techno, these are the best electronic music genres that have stood the test of time.
Electronic Music Basics
Today, electronic music has come to dominate the airwaves and the clubs. You can hear it everywhere you go, from the radio to TV commercials to film scores. Even if you’re not a fan of the genre, there’s no denying its impact. But what exactly is electronic music?
Defining Electronic Music
Electronic music is music that is made using electronic equipment, and is often associated with pop, rock, and dance genres. However, there are many different subgenres of electronic music, each with its own distinct style and sound.
Some common subgenres of electronic music include:
-House: A style of dance music that originated in the Chicago club scene in the 1980s. House music is characterized by a 4/4 time signature and a thumping bassline.
-Techno: A style of dance music that originated in Detroit in the early 1990s. Techno is characterized by a 4/4 time signature, repetitive rhythms, and synthesized melodies.
-Trance: A style of electronic dance music that originated in the 1990s. Trance is characterized by a 4/4 time signature, soaring melodies, and breakdowns.
-Dubstep: A style of electronic dance music that originated in the early 2000s. Dubstep is characterized by a heavy bassline and halftime rhythms.
The Different Types of Electronic Music
There are many different types of electronic music, and it can be difficult to keep track of all of them. Here is a quick guide to some of the most popular genres:
1. Trance: A style of electronic music that is characterized by high-tempo rhythms and light melodies.
2. Drum and Bass: A genre of electronic music that is characterized by fast-paced beats and heavy basslines.
3. Dubstep: A genre of electronic music that is characterized by wobbling basslines and quick, sharp drum beats.
4. House: A style of electronic music that is characterized by its use of repetitive 4/4 beats.
5. Techno: A style of electronic music that is characterized by its use of synthesizers and drum machines.
The Best Electronic Music Genres
Electronic music has come to be defined by its wide variety of different sub-genres. This can be both a good and bad thing, as it can make it hard to define what electronic music is, but it also gives the genre a lot of versatility. In this article, we’ll run through some of the best electronic music genres, so you can get an idea of what the genre has to offer.
Techno
Techno is a form of electronic dance music that emerged in Detroit, Michigan in the United States during the mid-to-late 1980s. The first recorded use of the word techno in reference to a specific genre of music was in 1988. Many styles of techno now exist, but Detroit techno is seen as the foundation upon which other subgenres have been built.
Techno is generally produced for use in a continuous DJ set, where the DJ creates a seamless flow of tracks by segueing from one recording to the next. This approach to mixing was popularized by Frankie Knuckles, who is often credited as the “Godfather of House”.
House
House music is a genre of electronic dance music that originated in Chicago in the early 1980s. It was created by DJs and producers from the city’s underground club culture. The style is characterized by a distinctive 4/4 beat, often shuffle-feel percussion, piano or other keyboard-based melodies, and Enough Said vocals.
In the late 1980s and early 1990s, House music became increasingly popular on Commercial radio stations in Europe and North America. By the mid-1990s, it had become one of the most popular genres of dance music.
Today, House music is still popular among clubgoers and dancers alike. It has also been influential on other genres of electronic dance music, such as techno, trance, and Drum & Bass.
Drum and Bass
Drum and bass (also written as “drum ‘n’ bass” or “d&b”) is a genre of electronic music characterised by fast breakbeats (typically between 150–180 beats per minute) with heavy bass and sub-bass lines, sampled sources, and synthesizers. The music grew out of the UK’s jungle and rave scenes in the early 1990s and developed further into a more commercial form during the mid-1990s. Drum and bass often features a complex structure of interlocking beats, syncopated percussive rhythms, and sampled sources.
The tempo of most drum and bass songs is between 140 and 180 beats per minute (bpm), making it one of the fastest genres of electronic dance music. It developed from earlier genres such as breakbeat hardcore, jungle, techno, and house. Drum and bass makes extensive use of low-frequency sounds.
Dubstep
Dubstep is a genre of electronic dance music that originated in South London in the late 1990s. It is generally characterized by sparse, syncopated drum and percussion patterns with minimal sub-bass frequencies. Dubstep tempo is usually around 140 beats per minute, with half-time sub-bass drops.
Conclusion
We hope you enjoyed our guide to the best electronic music genres. While there are many different genres of electronic music, these are some of the most popular and well-known. Whether you’re a fan of EDM, dubstep, or techno, there’s sure to be a genre that you enjoy. So get out there and start listening!
