House Music Wiki: The Definitive Guide
House music is a style of electronic dance music that originated in Chicago in the 1980s. It is characterized by a strong 4/4 rhythm and often features a bassline.
What is House Music?
House music is a genre of electronic dance music that originated in Chicago in the 1980s. It is characterized by a repetitive four-on-the-floor beat and often features syncopated basslines. The genre was originally popularized by DJs who would play long sets at nightclubs.
The History of House Music
The history of house music can be traced back to the early 1980s, when a blend of disco, soul and electronic music began to be played in nightclubs in Chicago. This new style of music quickly became popular, and by the mid-1980s, house music was being played in nightclubs all over the world.
The word “house” is often used to describe this style of music because it was originally created and played in nightclubs (or “houses”) in Chicago. House music is also sometimes referred to as “dance music” because it is often played at dance clubs and parties.
The early history of house music is closely linked to the development of the electronic musical instruments that were used to create it. In particular, the Roland TR-808 drum machine and the TB-303 bass synthesizer were key elements in the creation of early house tracks.
The first house tracks were created by DJs who combined these electronic instruments with disco records that they were playing in their clubs. These early tracks typically had a very simple structure, with a repetitive four-on-the-floor beat and basic drum patterns. Over time, house music producers began to experiment with different sounds and beats, and the genre developed rapidly.
By the late 1980s, house music had become one of the most popular genres in the world, with hit songs like “Pump Up the Volume” by M/A/R/R/S and “House Nation” by The Beach Boys. In the 1990s, house music continued to evolve, with producers adding elements from other genres such as hip hop and techno. Today, house music is still hugely popular and continues to evolve, with new subgenres constantly emerging.
The Origins of House Music
House music is a genre of electronic dance music that originated in Chicago in the 1980s. It was initially popularized by DJs who played in clubs and at parties. The style is characterized by a 4/4 time signature, strong basslines, and often features samples of 1970s disco or funk tracks. House music quickly spread to other parts of the United States and then to Europe, reaching its peak popularity in the early 1990s.
The Sound of House Music
The sound of House music is often described as a “four on the floor” thumping bass drum, because of the rhythmicstabbing feel it gives to a track. There are also hi-hat cymbals that ride along with the beat to give it more texture. The other important instrument in House music is the piano or keyboard, which plays chord progressions that give the music its distinctive sound.
In the early days of House music, producers would use simple drum machines to create their tracks. But as technology progressed, they began to use different sounds and samples to create more unique tracks. This gave birth to sub-genres like Acid House, which is characterized by its signature squelching synth line.
House Music Artists
The Pioneers of House Music
The term “house music” is said to have originated from the Chicago club Warehouse, which became popular in the early 1980s. The music produced at this club was a blend of disco, soul, and electronic dance music, and was DJed by Frankie Knuckles, who is often credited as the “Godfather of House Music.” House music quickly spread to other clubs in Chicago, and then to other major cities in the United States, Europe, and Africa.
The Godfathers of House Music
There are many artists who have been influential in the development of house music, but there are a few who are considered the godfathers of the genre. These artists have been instrumental in shaping the sound and style of house music and their contributions have had a lasting impact on the genre.
Frankie Knuckles is often credited as the inventor of house music. His work as a DJ at the Warehouse club in Chicago in the early 1980s was instrumental in developing the sound of house music. His use of extended mixes and edits of disco tracks helped to create a new style of dance music that was different from anything that had come before.
Another important figure in the development of house music is Larry Levan. Levan was a DJ at the legendary Paradise Garage club in New York City. He was known for his long, uninterrupted sets which often lasted for hours. His eclectic taste in music and his ability to create a seamless flow between different tracks helped to create a unique sound that was different from anything that had been heard before.
These two DJs were responsible for helping to develop the sound of house music. Their influence can still be heard in modern house music productions.
The Legends of House Music
When it comes to house music, there are a few artists that stand out as true legends in the genre. These are the artists that have helped shaped house music into the sound that it is today, and their influence can still be heard in modern tracks. If you’re a true fan of house music, then you need to check out these legends.
Frankie Knuckles: Often referred to as the “godfather” of house music, Frankie Knuckles was one of the first DJs to start playing house music in clubs. He was also responsible for creating some of the earliest house tracks, including his classic 1987 track “Your Love.”
Marshall Jefferson: Marshall Jefferson is another one of the first DJs to play house music in clubs. He’s best known for his 1986 track “Move Your Body,” which is often credited as being one of the first ever house tracks.
Sasha: Sasha is a Welsh DJ who was one of the first to bring house music to a mainstream audience. He’s best known for his work in the late ’80s and early ’90s, when he released a series of mix albums that helped popularize house music.
Pete Tong: Pete Tong is a British DJ who has been hugely influential in the world of house music. He’s best known for his work on BBC Radio 1, where he has been championing dance music for over two decades.
House Music Festivals
There are plenty of different festivals all over the world that cater to house music lovers. From huge festivals like Tomorrowland to smaller, more intimate gatherings, there’s sure to be a house music festival that’s perfect for you. In this guide, we’ll give you all the information you need to know about house music festivals so that you can make the best decision on which ones to attend.
The World’s Biggest House Music Festivals
House music is one of the most popular genres of dance music, and there are hundreds of house music festivals held around the world every year. Here are some of the biggest and best house music festivals from around the globe:
Ultra Music Festival (Miami, USA): This festival is one of the biggest and most well-known EDM festivals in the world, attracting huge crowds from all over to see some of the biggest names in house and dance music.
Tomorrowland (Belgium): This massive festival takes place over two weekends in July, and always features an incredible line-up of house and techno DJs, as well as amazing production values.
Electric Daisy Carnival (Las Vegas, USA): This festival takes place over three days in May/June, and features multiple stages with different genres of electronic music, including house.
ADE (Amsterdam, Netherlands): The Amsterdam Dance Event is one of the largest electronic music conferences in the world, and features several days of talks, panels, and parties with house DJs playing throughout.
Ibiza Closing Parties (Ibiza, Spain): Every year, Ibiza’s clubs close their doors for the winter season with a series of massive parties featuring some of the biggest names in house music.
The Best House Music Festivals in the World
### 1. Berlin Love Parade
The Berlin Love Parade was an annual free techno and house music festival held in Berlin, Germany. It was founded in 1989 by DJ Matthias Roeingh and music producer Dimitri Hegemann. The event takes place every year in July, and usually attract over a million people from all over the world.
### 2. Tomorrowland
Tomorrowland is an electronic dance music festival held in Boom, Belgium. It was first held in 2005, and has since become one of the biggest and most popular EDM festivals in the world. Over 400,000 people attend the festival every year.
### 3. Ultra Music Festival
Ultra Music Festival is an electronic dance music festival that takes place every year in March in Miami, Florida, United States. The festival was founded in 1999 by Russell Faibisch and Alex Omes, and features performances by some of the biggest names in EDM. Over 165,000 people attend Ultra Music Festival every year.
### 4. Mysteryland
Mysteryland is a dance music festival that takes place in Haarlemmermeer, Netherlands. It is one of the oldest electronic music festivals in the world, first being held in 1993. Mysteryland attracts over 35,000 people from all over the world every year.
House Music Clubs
House music is a genre of electronic dance music that originated in Chicago in the early 1980s. It is characterized by a repetitive four-on-the-floor beat and a synthesizer-heavy sound. House music quickly became popular in clubs and underground venues throughout the world.
The World’s Most Famous House Music Clubs
From the big room sound of Berlin to the underground party scene of Detroit, house music has found a home all over the globe. Here are some of the most famous clubs that have helped shape this musical movement.
Berghain (Berlin, Germany)
If you’re looking for a big room sound, then Berghain is the place for you. This notorious club is known for its massive sound system and its wide range of genres, from techno to house.
The Warehouse (Chicago, USA)
The Warehouse is one of the most iconic clubs in house music history. This was the first club to really push the boundaries of what house music could be, and it’s where many of the genre’s biggest names got their start.
Output (New York City, USA)
Output is one of New York City’s premiere house music venues. This club is known for its incredible sound system and its intimate setting, which creates a perfect dancefloor experience.
Fabric (London, England)
Fabric is one of London’s most renowned clubs, and it’s also one of the biggest supporters of house music in the city. This club features three different rooms with different sounds, so there’s something for everyone.
The Best House Music Clubs in the World
There are house music clubs all over the world, but some are definitely better than others. If you’re looking for the best of the best, check out our list of the top 10 house music clubs in the world.
1. Berghain (Berlin, Germany)
2. Fabric (London, England)
3. Output (Brooklyn, New York)
4. Smart Bar (Chicago, Illinois)
5. The Warehouse Project (Manchester, England)
6. Trouw (Amsterdam, Netherlands)
7. Concrete (Paris, France) 8. Watergate (Berlin, Germany) 9. Warung Beach Club (Itajai, Brazil) 10. Cocoon Club (Frankfurt, Germany)
