Early Electronic Dance Music- What You Need to Know

If you’re a fan of electronic dance music, then you need to know about the history of the genre. Early electronic dance music was created in the 1970s and 1980s, and it was very different from the EDM we know today. In this blog post, we’ll take a look at the origins of electronic dance music and some of the key pioneers of the genre.

Introduction

Electronic dance music, also known as EDM, is a broad range of percussive electronic music genres made largely for nightclubs, raves and festivals. EDM is generally produced for playback by DJs who create seamless selections of tracks, called a mix by segueing from one recording to another.

EDM producers also perform their music live in a concert or festival setting in what is sometimes called a live PA. In Europe, EDM is more commonly called ‘dance music’ or simply ‘dance’.

American fans of early electronic dance music typically referred to it as rave music. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, American users of ecstasy and other club drugs began referring to the type of music they were dancing to as rave music as well. At the same time, the word rave was being used in the UK to describe illegal warehouse parties.

What is Early Electronic Dance Music?

Early electronic dance music was a direct predecessor of the modern genre we know today. This type of music emerged in the late 1970s and early 1980s. It was characterized by the use of synthesizers, drum machines, and vocoders. Early electronic dance music was created with the intention of being played in clubs and dance parties.

The First Wave of Electronic Dance Music

Electronic dance music, also known as EDM, is a genre of music that was created using electronic instruments. Early electronic dance music was first created in the late 1970s and early 1980s. This type of music was created using electronic drums, bass synthesizers, and various other types of electronic equipment. Early electronic dance music was often characterized by its repetitive nature and simple melodies.

The Second Wave of Electronic Dance Music

In the late 1970s and early 1980s, a second wave of electronic dance music emerged. This time, the sounds were more synthesized and experimental, and the emphasis was on nightclubs and dance parties rather than on Hollywood film scores or avant-garde concert music. This new wave of electronic dance music was led by artists like Kraftwerk, Giorgio Moroder, and Afrika Bambaataa. These artists took the basic elements of electronic dance music—synthesizers, drum machines, and sequencers—and used them to create new styles of music that were specifically designed for dancing.

Kraftwerk, a German group, was one of the first bands to make electronic dance music that was specifically designed for nightclubs. Their song “Trans-Europe Express” (1977) was an international hit, and its heavy use of synthesizers and drum machines influenced many subsequent electronic dance music producers. Giorgio Moroder, an Italian producer, also had a huge impact on the development of electronic dance music. His work with Donna Summer resulted in some of the most iconic disco hits of all time, including “I Feel Love” (1977) and “Love to Love You Baby” (1975). Moroder’s incorporation of synthesizers into disco created a new sound that became extremely popular in nightclubs around the world.

Afrika Bambaataa, a hip hop artist from New York City, was another key figure in the development of electronic dance music. His song “Planet Rock” (1982) was one of the first records to combine elements of hip hop with synthesizer-based electronic dance music. “Planet Rock” was an instant hit in clubs and helped to popularize electronic dance music within the hip hop community.

The Different Styles of Early Electronic Dance Music

Electronic Dance Music, or EDM for short, has come a long way since its humble beginnings in the late 1970s. In its earliest years, EDM was mostly limited to experimental and avant-garde music. However, as technology progressed, so did the music. By the early 1990s, EDM had evolved into a more mainstream genre with different subgenres emerging. In this article, we’ll take a look at the different styles of early electronic dance music.

Techno

Techno is a style of electronic dance music that emerged in the mid-to-late 1980s. Techno is generally characterized by a repetitive 4/4 beat, often with driving, syncopated basslines and synthesizer melodies. The genre was developed by DJs and producers in Detroit, Michigan, USA in the 1980s.

House

House is a genre of electronic dance music that was developed in the Chicago area in the early 1980s. House is characterized by a steady 4/4 beat and often features a piano or synthesizer melody. House music is often played in nightclubs, and its popularity has led to the development of subgenres such as techno and trance.

Trance

Trance is a genre of electronic dance music that emerged from the rave scene in the United Kingdom in the late 1980s. The style is typified by a hypnotic, repetitive sound that is often accompanied by synthesizers and drum machines.

The early trance sound was characterized by simple, repetitive beats and often resembled techno or house music. As the genre developed in the early 1990s, it began to incorporate elements of classical music, such as strings and piano melodies. By the mid-1990s, trance had become one of the most popular genres of electronic dance music, with artists such as Paul van Dyk and Sasha & John Digweed achieving international success.

In recent years, trance has continued to evolve, incorporating new sounds and styles from other genres of electronic dance music. Today, trance is one of the most diverse and exciting genres of EDM, with something to offer for everyone.

The Pioneers of Early Electronic Dance Music

Early electronic dance music was created by pioneers who were influenced by a variety of genres. These pioneers used a variety of electronic instruments to create their music. They were also influenced by disco, funk, and rock music. Early electronic dance music was created by artists such as Kraftwerk, Giorgio Moroder, and Afrika Bambaataa.

Juan Atkins

Juan Atkins is an influential American composer, widely credited as the originator of techno music. He is often referred to as the “Godfather of Techno.” Atkins began experimenting with electronic music while in high school in the early 1970s. He was influenced by the Kraftwerk album Autobahn, which he heard while living in West Germany. He began making his own music in Detroit in the late 1970s, using a soldering iron, a home computer, and an analog synthesizer.

Atkins was part of a group of artists who were exploring the use of electronic instruments for making music. These artists, who were based in Detroit, became known as the “Belleville Three,” after the suburb where they lived. Other members of the Belleville Three include Derrick May and Kevin Saunderson.

Atkins’ most well-known alias is Model 500, under which he released some of his most significant work, including the album Deep Space. Atkins has also released music under the names Infiniti and Channel X. His distinctive style has been highly influential in the development of techno and other forms of electronic dance music.

Derrick May

Derrick May, also known as Mayday and Rhythim is Rhythim, is a pioneering figure in the early days of electronic dance music. May is credited with helping to develop the techno sound that would come to dominate the dance music scene in the 1990s and beyond. He was a member of the group Rhythim is Rhythim, which had a major hit with the song “Strings of Life.” May has also released numerous solo tracks and remixes, and he continues to perform and DJ around the world.

Kevin Saunderson

often cited as one of the originators of techno, Kevin Sanderson was a key player in the development of Detroit techno in the late 1980s. A former member of the group Inner City, Saunderson’s tracks as a solo artist and with E-Dancer lend a deep, propulsive feel to the genre. He was inducted into the Detroit Music Awards’ Hall of Fame in 2013.

The Legacy of Early Electronic Dance Music

Early electronic dance music was created with the intention of getting people to dance. It was designed to fill dance floors and make people move their bodies. This type of music has a long history and has been influential in the development of other genres.

The Influence of Early Electronic Dance Music Today

While early electronic dance music may not sound like much to today’s ears, it’s important to remember that this music was groundbreaking at the time. Early electronic dance music paved the way for the genre as we know it today, and its influence can still be heard in today’s music.

Early electronic dance music was created with simple electronic instruments, such as synthesizers and drum machines. This music was often used in clubs and dance parties, as it was designed to make people move. Early electronic dance music often had a repetitive, hypnotic quality that is still present in today’s music.

While early electronic dance music may not be as popular as it once was, its influence can still be heard in today’s music. Today’s electronic dance music producers have built on the foundation laid by early pioneers, creating new sounds and styles that continue to move people.