The Different Electronic Dance Music Genres
Contents
If you’re new to the world of electronic dance music, you might be wondering what all the different genres are. Here’s a quick guide to the different styles of EDM.
Introduction
Dance music is open to interpretation, but in general, it is music composed specifically to make people move their bodies. It has been a staple of club culture since the birth of disco in the 1970s, and it has continued to evolve and grow in popularity ever since.
There are many different genres of dance music, each with its own unique sound and history. In this article, we will take a look at some of the most popular genres and explore their origins.
Techno
Techno is a genre of electronic dance music that originated in Detroit, Michigan in the United States during the 1980s. The first techno tracks were produced by DJs and producers who were influenced by the electronic music of Kraftwerk, Giorgio Moroder, and Yellow Magic Orchestra.
Techno is characterized by a repetitive 4/4 beat, often accompanied by synthesizers and other electronic instruments. The originators of techno wanted to create a new kind of music that was purely functional and designed to make people dance.
House
House is a genre of electronic dance music that emerged out of the disco scene in Chicago, Illinois in the early 1980s. House music is characterized by a four-on-the-floor drumbeat, synthesizer melodies, and soulful vocals. house tracks often sample disco and funk records from the 1970s.
The name “house” comes from the Warehouse Club in Chicago where house music was first played publicly by DJ Frankie Knuckles. House music quickly became popular in gay clubs around the world, before becoming a mainstream phenomenon in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
Trance
Trance is a genre of electronic dance music that emerged out of the rave scene in Britain during the early 1990s. Trance music is characterized by hypnotic rhythms and melodies, often with repeating vocal phrases. The name “trance” refers to the feeling of euphoria or ecstasy that listeners often experience when they hear this type of music.
What is Electronic Dance Music?
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.
Defining the Term
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 disc jockeys (DJs) who create seamless selections of tracks, called a mix by segueing from one recording to another.
The term “electronic dance music” and the initials “EDM” were popularized by the American media and music industry in the early 2010s. The rise of EDM coincided with the popularity of festivals such as Tomorrowland, Ultra Music Festival and Electric Daisy Carnival. In 2013, Billboard magazine published an article titled “EDM – The Year in Review”, which declared that “EDM” had become mainstream and that its sound had expanded significantly beyond its original four-on-the-floor style. In 2014, Forbes reported that “porter robinson says Electronic Dance Music has finally ‘arrived’ in America”.
The Different Types of Electronic Dance Music
Just as there are many different types of music, there are many different types of electronic dance music (EDM). The term “EDM” encompasses a wide range of genres, including but not limited to:
-House: House music is a subgenre of EDM that originated in Chicago in the early 1980s. House music is characterized by a 4/4 time signature, off-beat hi-hat rhythms, and repeating bass lines.
-Dubstep: Dubstep is a subgenre of EDM that originated in London in the late 1990s. Dubstep is characterized by wobbly basslines, syncopated drum patterns, and extensive use of sound effects and sampling.
-Trance: Trance is a subgenre of EDM that originated in Germany in the early 1990s. Trance is characterized by dreamlike melodies, hypnotic rhythms, and extended breakdowns.
-Techno: Techno is a subgenre of EDM that originated in Detroit in the mid-1980s. Techno is characterized by use of synthesizers and sequencers, machine-like beats, and futuristic soundscapes.
Techno
Techno is a form of electronic dance music that emerged in the Detroit area during the mid-to-late 1980s. The first techno productions were characterized by a sparse, looped electro sound that relied on synthetic sounds produced by drum machines and sequencers. Techno remains one of the most popular genres of electronic dance music today, with a loyal following around the world.
House
House is a genre of electronic dance music characterized by a repetitive Four on the floor bass drum beat and a basic chord progression. House was initially created by DJs and music producers from Chicago in the early 1980s. House is one of the most popular genres of EDM and has Spawned numerous subgenres including Chicago house, deep house, future house, garage house, tech house, and trance.
Drum and Bass
Drum and Bass, also known as D&B, DnB or simply Drum Bass, is a type of electronic dance music that originated in the late 1980s. The genre is characterized by fast breakbeats (typically between 150–180 beats per minute), with heavy bass and sub-bass lines. Drum and bass began as an offshoot of the UK rave and jungle scenes of the early 1990s.
The genre’s popularity was initially confined to the United Kingdom, but it subsequently developed a global following. By 1994, drum and bass had become the most popular form of underground dance music in the UK. In the mid- to late 1990s, it started spreading to other countries around the world, particularly Canada, Australia, New Zealand, The Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Japan, South Africa and the United States.
Dubstep
Dubstep is a genre of electronic dance music that emerged in the late 1990s. It is characterized by a heavy bass sound with syncopated drum patterns and sparse melodies. The style originated in London clubs and has since spread to other parts of the world.
Trance
Trance is one of the more popular genres in the EDM world and was actually inspired by techno music. The biggest difference between trance and techno is that trance uses a lot of melodies and has a very hypnotic feels to it. The tempo for most trance songs is between 130 – 160 BPM and the genre first gained popularity in Germany during the early 1990s.
Hardstyle
Hardstyle is a subgenre of electronic dance music that began to emerge in the late 1990s, and characterized by a heavy bass kick drum on the downbeat of every beat. This genre is often associated with the harder styles of techno and hardcore.
Where Did Electronic Dance Music Come From?
Electronic dance music (EDM) is a umbrella term for a variety of genres that originated in the late 1980s and early 1990s. These genres include house, techno, trance, hardcore and drum & bass. EDM is often synonymous with club music or rave music, and is often played at nightclubs, festivals and parties.
The origins of EDM can be traced back to the early days of the disco era, when DJs began experimenting with using electronic instruments to create new sounds. This experimentation led to the development of new genres like house and techno. In the 1990s, rave culture emerged in Europe, which helped to popularize EDM on a global scale. In recent years, EDM has experienced something of a resurgence in popularity, thanks in part to the rise of social media and streaming platforms like Spotify.
The Different Electronic Dance Music Festivals
Electronic dance music, also known as EDM, is a genre of music that is typically produced with the use of electronic equipment, such as drum machines, synthesizers, and digital audio workstations. It is generally characterized by a fast tempo, strong beat, and easy-to-understand melodies.
EDM festivals are music festivals that focus on the presentation of electronic dance music. They are typically held in open-air venues, such as parks or stadiums, and feature multiple stages with different DJs playing a variety of EDM genres. Some of the most popular EDM festivals include Tomorrowland in Belgium, Ultra Music Festival in Miami, and Electric Daisy Carnival in Las Vegas.
Conclusion
Now that you know the different types of electronic dance music, you can find the genre that suits your taste. Whether you’re looking for something intense and fast-paced or something more laid-back and mellow, there’s an EDM genre for you. So get out there and start listening!
