What is Electronic Dance Music?

Electronic Dance Music, or EDM for short, has been around for decades and is continuing to grow in popularity. But what is it, exactly? In this article, we’ll explore the history and definition of EDM, as well as its sub-genres and sub-culture.

Origins of EDM

Electronic dance music is a genre of music that is created for dance clubs and raves. The genre is characterized by a strong 4/4 beat, synthesized melodies, and repetitive basslines. EDM is often produced with the use of electronic instruments, such as drum machines, synthesizers, and digital audio workstations.

Early electronic music

The first electronic music was made in the early 20th century. composers such as Olivier Messiaen and Edgar Varèse used electric instruments and devices in their music. In the 1930s and 1940s, composers such as John Cage, Lou Harrison, and Harry Partch began experimenting with electronic instruments. In the 1950s, composers such as Karlheinz Stockhausen and Pierre Boulez made electronic music for conventional orchestras. In the 1960s, rock bands such as The Beach Boys and The Beatles began using electronic instruments. In the 1970s, synthesizers became more affordable and were used in more popular music genres such as disco, funk, and pop. In the 1980s, electronic dance music (EDM) emerged as a new genre of popular music.

Chicago house

In the mid 1980s, the first wave of Chicago house music was created. producers such as Marshall Jefferson, Larry Heard, Chip E., and Mr. Fingers were creating tracks that combined elements of disco, soul, and pop with African-American-inspired rhythms. These tracks were often played at warehouse parties and nightclubs by DJs such as Frankie Knuckles and DJ Pierre.

Detroit techno

Detroit techno is a type of electronic dance music that emerged in the early 1980s. The genre was developed by a group of African-American producers and DJs in Detroit, Michigan, United States. Detroit techno is characterized by a heavy use of synthesizers and drum machines, with a focus on repetitive beats and melodic hooks.

The genre first gained popularity in the underground rave and club scene in Detroit, before spreading to other parts of the United States and Europe in the late 1980s and early 1990s. By the mid-1990s, Detroit techno had become one of the most popular genres of electronic dance music, with artists such as Derrick May, Juan Atkins, and Jeff Mills gaining international acclaim.

Characteristics of EDM

Electronic Dance Music, also known as EDM, has become a popular genre of music in recent years. It is characterized by its use of electronic instruments and computer-generated sounds. EDM is often associated with club culture and is often played at nightclubs, festivals, and raves.

Electronic instruments

In the traditional sense, EDM is made using electronic instruments and equipment, rather than acoustic instruments. This can include everything from synthesizers and drum machines to sequencers and samplers. computers are also often used to create, edit and store musical files.

In recent years, however, the lines between traditional EDM and other genres have become blurred. Many artists now use a combination of electronic and acoustic instrumentation, and some use only acoustic instruments that have been highly processed with effects pedals or other electronic equipment.

Sampling

In EDM, sampling is the process of taking a small section or “sample” of a song and using it as part of a new song. This can be done with vocal samples, drum samples, or any other type of sound. Sampling is a key part of EDM production, and it’s one of the things that makes the genre so unique.

EDM producers will often use samples from other songs to create their own tracks. This can be done with permission from the original artist, or without permission (in which case it’s called “unauthorized sampling”). unauthorized sampling is more common in EDM than in other genres, and it’s one of the things that makes the genre so unique.

When a producer samples another track without permission, they are usually required to pay a fee to the copyright holder (this is called “mechanical licensing”). If they don’t pay the fee, they can be sued for copyright infringement. This has happened to several well-known EDM artists, including Skrillex and Deadmau5.

Synthesis

One of the most distinguishing characteristics of EDM is its use of synthesizers. Synthesis is the process of creating new sounds from scratch, using oscillators and other sound-generating devices. In the early days of electronic music, synthesis was done using vacuum tube-based equipment, which was expensive and hard to come by. However, with the advent of digital technology, synthesis has become much more accessible, making it possible for even amateur producers to create complex and unique sounds.

Sequencing

In electronic dance music, sequencing is the process of organizing and playing musical notes, sounds, or events in time. This can be done with hardware sequencers, software sequencers, or a combination of both. Sequencing can be used to create anything from simple melodies to complex chord progressions and arpeggios.

Software sequencers are often used to create more complex arrangements than hardware sequencers, as they offer more features and flexibility. However, hardware sequencers can be faster and easier to use for live performance. Many electronic dance music producers use a combination of both hardware and software sequencers to get the best of both worlds.

Sequencing is an important part of electronic dance music production, as it allows producers to create complex arrangements and build tracks from the ground up. If you’re interested in making your own EDM, learning how to sequence is a good place to start.

Popularity of EDM

In recent years, electronic dance music has become one of the most popular genres of music. DJs such as Tiesto, Hardwell, and Avicii have helped to bring EDM to the mainstream. EDM is characterized by its heavy use of synthesizers, drum machines, and samplers.

Festivals

An important factor in the popularity of EDM is the number of festivals dedicated to the genre. Some of the most popular festivals in the world are Ultra Music Festival, Tomorrowland, and Electric Daisy Carnival. These festivals attract hundreds of thousands of people every year, many of whom are young adults.

Mainstream success

In the 2010s, EDM achieved widespread mainstream success. This was partially due to the commercial success of a number of EDM tracks as well as the rise of social media platforms such as SoundCloud and YouTube, which helped expose a wider audience to the genre.

One of the earliest commercially successful EDM tracks was “Sandstorm” by Darude, which was released in 1999 and peaked at number three on the Finnish singles chart. In 2001, Swedish DJ Eric Prydz released “Call on Me”, which topped the UK singles chart for five weeks and became one of the most downloaded songs of all time. In 2005, French electronic duo Daft Punk scored their first UK number-one single with “Technologic”.

In 2010, British singer-songwriter Ellie Goulding achieved mainstream success with her single “Lights”, which peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the United States. In 2012, electronic music producer Avicii scored his first UK number-one single with “Levels”. In 2013, American DJ and producer Baauer achieved mainstream success with his single “Harlem Shake”, which reached number one in more than 20 countries.

Subgenres of EDM

Electronic Dance Music, or EDM for short, is a broad range of percussive electronic music genres made largely for nightclubs, raves and festivals. It is generally produced for playback by disc jockeys who create seamless selections of tracks, called a mix, by segueing from one recording to another.

Trance

Trance is a genre of electronic dance music that emerged from the rave and club culture of the 1980s and early 1990s. The style is characterized by a tempo of between 110 and 150 beats per minute, repeating melodic phrases, and a musical form that layers seamlessly.

Trance music was originally created by DJs and producers as a way to extend the experience of clubbing and dancing. The objective was to create tracks that would keep people dancing for extended periods of time, and the result was a sound that was both hypnotic and euphoric.

Over time, trance evolved into a more mainstream style of electronic dance music, with artists like Tiësto, Armin van Buuren, Paul van Dyk, Ferry Corsten, and ATB becoming some of the most popular DJs in the world. In recent years, trance has experienced something of a renaissance, with new subgenres like psytrance, vocal trance, and uplifting trance becoming increasingly popular.

Drum and bass

Drum and bass (commonly abbreviated to D&B, DnB or D’n’B) is a genre of electronic music characterised by fast breakbeats (typically 160–190 beats per minute) with heavy bass and sub-bass lines, synthesizers, and samples. The genre grew out of the UK’s jungle scene in the early 1990s.

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 rhythmic patterns with prominent sub-bass frequencies. The style emerged as an offshoot of UK garage, drawing on a lineage of related styles such as 2-step and dub reggae. In the 2010s, the genre became increasingly popular in North America and Europe.

The earliest dubstep releases date back to 1998, and were mostly compilation albums featuring existing tracks remixes with added basslines and drum patterns. These tracks were mostly released on vinyl and were not widely accessible outside of the underground club scene. In 2003, a track called “Up All Night” by producer Benga was released on 12″ vinyl, marking the first commercially available dubstep track. This track, along with others by producers such as Skream and Digital Mystikz, helped to establish dubstep’s distinctive sound.

In the mid-2000s, dubstep began to gain mainstream attention, with producers such as Rusko and Caspa releasing tracks on major labels such as essential mix 2007 instructions Ministry of Sound. In 2007, BBC Radio 1 DJ John Peel passed away; his radio show had been a major platform for dubstep music. That same year, dubstep producer Skream released his album Skream!, which was heavily influenced by 2-step garage and grime music. This album helped to bring dubstep to a wider audience.

In 2010, dubstep producer Rusko released his debut album O.M.G., which was highly influential in pushing the genre into the mainstream consciousness. The album featured guest appearances from well-known rappers such as Snoop Dogg and Busta Rhymes, helping to introduce dubstep to a new audience.

In the 2010s, dubstep has continued to grow in popularity, with artists such as Flux Pavilion, Porter Robinson, and Zeds Dead achieving mainstream success. The subgenre has also expanded beyond its roots in South London; artists such as Excision from Canada and Datsik from America have become popular exponents of the style.

Criticism of EDM

Since the 2010s, EDM has been criticized by some members of the music industry and music press. The most common criticisms are that it is “boring”, “repetitive”, “lacks soul”, and “is not real music”.

Lack of creativity

Critics of EDM point to the lack of creativity in the music as one of its main failings. They argue that the majority of EDM tracks are made using the same formulas and sound very similar to each other. This lack of variety can make the music feel repetitive and boring.

Repetitive nature

Critics of EDM have accused the genre of being musically repetitive. In an article for The Hollywood Reporter, Steve Knopper wrote that songs “often rely on four identical hooks repeated ad infitum for six to eight minutes.” In a 2013 interview, Calvin Harris said that “a lot of dance music is repetitive as fuck … and it’s not good for you.”