Different Types of Electronic Dance Music

This article is a collaborative effort, crafted and edited by a team of dedicated professionals.

Contributors: Andranick Tanguiane, Fred Lerdahl,

Contents

There are many different types of Electronic Dance Music (EDM) out there. In this blog post, we will discuss the different types of EDM and what makes each one unique.

Introduction

Electronic dance music is a created by using electronic instruments and computer software. This type of music has become very popular in recent years, and there are many different sub-genres within it. Here is a look at some of the most popular types of electronic dance music.

House Music

House music is a style of electronic dance music that originated in the 1980s in the Chicago club scene. It is characterized by a 4/4 time signature, a steady bassline, and often features piano or synth chords. House music is often played in clubs, but can also be found on the radio or in festivals.

Techno Music

Techno is a type of electronic dance music that originated in Detroit in the 1980s. It is characterized by a 4/4 time signature, a minimalistic style, and often features repetitive basslines and drum patterns. Techno is often played in clubs, but can also be found on the radio or in festivals.

Trance Music
Trance is a type of electronic dance music that originated in the early 1990s. It is characterized by a 4/4 time signature, often features synthesizers and percussion, and has a build-up and release structure. Trance is often played in clubs, but can also be found on the radio or in festivals.

House

House music is a genre of electronic dance music that originated in the 1980s. It was created by DJs and producers in Chicago who fused together different styles of music, including disco, electronic, and soul. House music is usually characterized by a thumping, four-on-the-floor beat, syncopated basslines, and often has a lead vocalist.

History

House is a genre of electronic dance music characterized by a repetitive four-on-the-floor beat and a typical tempo of 120 to 130 beats per minute. It was created by DJs and music producers from Chicago in the early 1980s.

The first use of the term “house” to describe this style of music was in a 1983Mix magazine article titled “Body & Soul: The House Sound of Chicago.” The term subsequently became popular with clubbers and music fans worldwide.

House music is generally created with synthesizers, drum machines, and digital audio workstations. It is often played in nightclubs, bars, and festivals. It has also been used in commercials, movies, and video games.

Characteristics

Characteristics of house music include a prominent, often steady four-on-the-floor beat; a common time time signature; repetitive patterns with subtle changes, occasional vocals andutilization of audio technology. House music developed in the 1980s.

In the early to mid 1980s, Chicago was the center of the American house music scene. House music quickly spread to other American cities such as Detroit, New York City, Baltimore, and Philadelphia. The style was further developed in Europe, particularly in Germany and the United Kingdom.

Techno

Techno is a type of electronic dance music that was developed in Detroit in the 1980s. Techno is characterized by a hard, driving beat, often with a 4/4 time signature. The tempo of techno is usually between 120 and 150 beats per minute.

History

The origins of Techno are found in the electronic music of the 1970s and 1980s. The first electronic music genres were born in Detroit and Chicago. These genres were called house and techno respectively. techno is a genre of Electronic Dance Music that emerged in Detroit, Michigan in the mid-to-late 1980s. The first techno tracks were produced by Juan Atkins, Derrick May, and Kevin Saunderson, who are often credited as the “Three Musketeers of Techno.”

Characteristics

The first thing that you need to know about techno music is that it is characterized by a repetitive 4/4 beat. This signature beat lays the foundation for the rest of the music, and it is often accompanied by synth patterns and basslines. The tempo of techno ranges from 120 to 150 beats per minute, making it one of the faster genres of electronic dance music.

In addition to the 4/4 beat, techno is also characterized by a number of other sonic elements. For example, techno tracks often make use of filters, echo, and reverb. In terms of instrumentation, techno tracks may feature drums, percussion, basslines, and synthesizers.

Techno is a diverse genre that has given rise to a number of subgenres and sub-subgenres. Some of the most popular types of techno include Detroit techno, acid techno, minimal techno, and tech house.

Trance

Trance is a genre of electronic music that emerged in the late 1980s. It is characterized by a tempo of between 130 and 150 BPM, repeating melodic phrases, and a musical form that builds up and breaks down throughout the song. Trance music is often used in nightclubs, festivals, and raves.

History

The history of electronic dance music is long and complicated, with dozens of different sub-genres and subcultures emerging since the early days of disco in the 1970s. But at its heart, EDM is about people coming together to dance and have fun.

The roots of electronic dance music can be traced back to the disco era, when DJs began experimenting with new ways to mix and edit existing tracks. This led to the development of new genres like house and techno, which became popular in clubs and underground parties around the world.

As technology progressed, so did the sound of EDM. In the 1990s, jungle and drum & bass emerged from the UK, while trance and hardstyle took off in Europe. The 2000s saw the rise of dubstep and electro house, while more recently, trap and future bass have taken over the airwaves.

With so many different sub-genres, it can be hard to keep track of them all. But at its core, EDM is still about people coming together to dance and have a good time.

Characteristics

The characteristics of trance music are often described as atmospheric, epic, emotive and spiritual.

Drum and Bass

Drum and bass (also written as “drum ‘n’ bass” or “drum & bass”; sometimes abbreviated to “D&B”, “DnB” or “D’n’B”) is a genre of electronic music characterised by fast breakbeats (typically between 160–180 beats per minute) with heavy bass and sub-bass lines, sampled sources, and synthesizers.

History

The history of drum and bass can be traced back to the early 1990s, when the breakbeat hardcore and rave scenes in the United Kingdom began to splinter off into subgenres. One of the earliest offshoots was Jungle, which incorporated elements of hip hop, reggae and techno. jungle ultimately gave birth to drum and bass around 1993/1994, with artists like Goldie and LTJ Bukem helping to pioneer the sound.

Drum and bass first truly broke into the mainstream in 1996, with Goldie’s groundbreaking LP Timeless. The album featured a number of massive hits, including “Inner City Life” (featuring vocals from MC Dee), “Angel”, “Dragonfly” and “Digital”. Timeless is widely considered to be one of the most important releases in drum and bass history, and it helped establish the genre as a serious musical force.

Since then, drum and bass has continued to evolve and mutate, incorporating elements from styles like dubstep, grime and house. While it’s no longer as ubiquitous as it once was, drum and bass remains an incredibly popular genre all over the world, with respected labels like Metalheadz, Hospital Records and Ram Records continuing to release vital new music.

Characteristics

There are many different types of electronic dance music, but one of the most popular genres is Drum and Bass. This type of music is characterized by its fast tempo and often complex rhythms. Drum and Bass often has a ” Amen break” in the middle of the track, which is a short section of drums that has been sampled from an old funk or soul record. This type of music is very popular in clubs and festivals, and is often played by DJs who specialize in this genre.

Dubstep

Dubstep is a type of electronic dance music that originated in the late 1990s. It is characterized by its heavy bass and drumbeat. Dubstep is often used in clubs and parties.

History

Dubstep is a genre of electronic dance music that originated in the late 1990s in the United Kingdom. It is characterized by a distinctive bass sound that often includes dub-style samples and heavily distorted synth riffs. The genre developed out of the UK garage and jungle scenes and was initially influenced by two-step, house, techno, and drum and bass. Dubstep typically features a slow tempo (around 140 beats per minute) and a half-time feel (i.e., it is often played at 70 beats per minute).

The earliest dubstep tracks were characterized by sparse, minimalist arrangements of drums, bass, and occasional guitars or other percussion instruments. These tracks were often mixed with 2-step or grime rhythms to create a more syncopated, hybrid sound. As the genre developed in the early 2000s, additional elements were added to the mix, including samples from other genres (e.g., hip-hop, reggae) and multiple layers of synths and effects. By the mid-2000s, dubstep had become one of the most popular genres of electronic dance music in the UK, with artists like Skepta, Burial, and Kode9 becoming household names.

In recent years, dubstep has been influenced by trap music and has begun to incorporate elements of hip-hop and R&B. This new hybrid style of dubstep is often referred to as “trapstep” or ” wonky.” Some notable trapstep artists include Flosstradamus, Baauer, RL Grime, and What So Not.

Characteristics

In general, dubstep is characterized by a signature half-time drum rhythm, heavy basslines, and dark, often menacing atmospheres. Additional elements may include synthetic melodies or stabs, sparse percussion, and occasional vocals. These elements are often layered over one another to produce complex arrangements.

Conclusion

After reading this article, you should now have a better understanding of the different types of electronic dance music. Knowing the different sub-genres can help you find the type of music that best suits your taste. Whether you’re looking for something fast-paced and high energy, or something a little more laid back, there’s definitely an EDM sub-genre that’s perfect for you. So get out there and start exploring!

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