A Beginner’s Guide to Electronic Dance Music Theories

A comprehensive guide to getting started with music theory, geared towards electronic dance music producers.

Introduction to Electronic Dance Music

Electronic Dance Music, or EDM for short, has taken the world by storm in recent years. It’s a genre of music that is characterized by its heavy use of electronic instruments and synthesizers. If you’re new to EDM, then this guide is for you. In this guide, we’ll introduce you to the basics of EDM theory.

What is Electronic Dance Music?

Electronic dance music is a category of music that encompasses a wide range of genres and styles, all of which are united by their use of electronic production. While the term can technically be used to describe any type of music that incorporates electronic elements, it is most commonly used in reference to dance-oriented styles such as techno, house, and trance.

Despite its relatively recent origins, electronic dance music has already exerted a significant influence on the wider world of pop music. Many major chart hits now incorporate elements of EDM, and the genre has also spawned a thriving subculture of its own, complete with its own fashion, language, and lifestyle.

If you’re new to electronic dance music, the sheer variety of styles can be daunting. In this beginner’s guide, we’ll introduce you to some of the most popular genres and explain what makes them unique.

History of Electronic Dance Music

The history of electronic dance music is a long and complicated one, stretching back to the early days of the genre in the 1970s. While electronic dance music has its roots in a wide variety of genres, including disco, techno, house, and trance, it was not until the 1990s that the term “EDM” was coined.

The 1990s saw a huge boom in electronic dance music, with a new wave of DJs and producers taking the genre in new and innovative directions. This decade also saw the rise of some of EDM’s most iconic sub-genres, including drum and bass, hard trance, and hardcore.

The new millennium has seen electronic dance music continue to evolve and grow in popularity, with new sub-genres emerging all the time. Today, EDM is one of the most popular genres of music in the world, with festivals and clubs dedicated to the genre springing up all over the globe.

The Different Types of Electronic Dance Music

There are four different types of electronic dance music: House, Techno, Drum & Bass, and Trance. Each type of EDM has its own sub-genres, which can make it difficult to choose the right type of EDM for your party or event. In this article, we will give you a brief overview of each type of EDM so that you can make an informed decision.

Techno

Techno is a form of electronic dance music that emerged in the 1980s. It is characterized by a repetitive 4/4 beat and often has a slower tempo than other EDM genres. The main goal of techno is to create a feeling of rhythm and dynamics.

Trance

Trance is a genre of electronic dance music that emerged in the early 1990s. Its origins can be traced back to the rave and club culture of the 1980s and 1990s. Trance music is characterized by a tempo between 125 and 150 BPM, repeating melodic phrases, and a distinctive “trancy” sound.

House

House is a style of electronic dance music that originated in the 1980s in Chicago. The name is derived from the city’s club culture at the time, which was known for its often-druggy reputation ( House music is sometimes also referred to as “acid house”). The style is characterized by a thumping 4/4 beat, simple drum patterns, and recurring piano or synth melodies. House music quickly spread to other American cities like Detroit and New York, and then to the rest of the world. House remains one of the most popular genres of electronic dance music today.

Drum and Bass

Drum and bass (also written as “drum ‘n’ bass” or “d’n’b”) is a type of electronic dance music that originated in the UK in the late 1980s. It is characterized by fast breakbeats (typically between 150 and 180 beats per minute) with heavy bass and sub-bass lines. Drum and bass began as a fusion of jungle and techno.

Jungle arose out of the UK rave scene of the late 1980s and early 1990s, and was initially influenced by reggae sound system culture, dancehall, and dub. Early jungle productions were often featured on pirate radio stations such as Kiss FM, which played an important role in promoting the style. By the mid-1990s, jungle had begun to gain mainstream popularity in the UK, with artists such as Goldie and Roni Size receiving widespread acclaim.

Drum and bass typically features a number of different elements:

– Breakbeats: These are typically fast, rhythms that are made up of a sample from a drum or percussion track. The most popular breakbeat used in drum and bass is the Amen break, which is a sample from the 1966 track “Amen, Brother” by The Winstons.
– Bass: This can take a number of different forms, but is generally quite heavy and pronounced. Sub-bass lines are also common, which use low-frequency sounds to create a sense of depth.
– Synthesizers: A wide range of synthesizers are used in drum and bass, often playing lead or melody parts.
– Samples: A variety of different samples can be used in drum and bass tracks, ranging from movie dialogue to snippets of songs.

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 drum and percussion patterns with bass lines that contain prominent sub-bass frequencies. Dubstep rhythms are often syncopated, and often include half-time beats. Basslines frequently contain highly distinctive conventional dubstep bass drops. Melodies are often recognizablemxed with strange or unpredictable sound effects.

The Different Elements of Electronic Dance Music

Electronic dance music is made up of different elements, each with their own purpose. The four main elements are the drums, bass, chords, and lead. In this guide, we’ll go over each element and what it contributes to the music.

The Kick

In electronic dance music, the kick is the most important element. It’s the foundation of the beat, and it drives the whole song. Kicks can be simple or complex, but they all have one purpose: to give the listener a solid foundation to dance to.

There are many different ways to make a kick, but all of them start with a basic sound: a thumping, 808-style bass drum. From there, producers can add dozens of different layers and textures to create a unique sound. Common elements include sharp hi-hats, sizzling cymbals, and atmospheric synths.

The best way to learn about kicks is to listen to as much electronic dance music as you can. Pay attention to how the kick changes from song to song, and see if you can identify any common patterns. With enough practice, you’ll be able to start making your own kicks in no time!

The Snare

The snare is one of the most important elements in electronic dance music. It’s a percussive sound that usually consists of a sharp, high-pitched “crack” followed by a lower-pitched “thump.” The snare helps to create a sense of rhythm and momentum in a track, and is often used to accentuate the downbeat (the first beat of each measure).

The Hi-Hat

The hi-hat, open and closed, is one of the most important elements in EDM. It keeps the beat going and can be used for a number of different purposes, from simple timekeeping to more complex patterns.

The Bassline

The bassline is one of the most important elements in electronic dance music. It is the foundation that everything else is built on and it can make or break a track. A good bassline will make people want to move and a bad one will make them want to leave the dancefloor.

There are a few things to keep in mind when creating a bassline. The first is to make sure that it sits well in the mix. You don’t want it to be too loud or too quiet, and you also don’t want it to sound muddy. A good rule of thumb is to make sure that the bassline is about as loud as the kick drum.

The second thing to keep in mind is that the bassline should complement the melody. It should not compete with it or try to steal the show. The two should work together to create a cohesive whole.

Finally, you need to make sure that the bassline has a good groove. It should be catchy and easy to dance to. If people can’t dance to it, then it’s not doing its job.

Keep these things in mind when creating your next bassline and you’ll be sure to create something that will get people moving!

How to Produce Electronic Dance Music

Electronic dance music 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. producers also perform their music live in a concert or festival setting in what is sometimes called a live PA.

Choose Your DAW

Now that you understand the basics of rhythm, melody, and sound design, it’s time to choose a digital audio workstation (DAW) to start producing your own music. A DAW is a software used for recording, editing, and producing music. It’s essentially your home studio. When choosing a DAW, it’s important to consider what genres of music you want to produce, as well as your budget. If you’re just starting out, we recommend Logic Pro X or Ableton Live 10 Lite. Both are compatible with Mac and PC and allow you to create professional-sounding tracks without breaking the bank.

Once you’ve chosen your DAW, it’s time to get started! In the next section, we’ll show you how to set up your home studio and start creating music.

Find Your Samples

To get started making EDM, you’ll need to find some samples to work with. A good way to do this is to start with a song that you really like and break it down into smaller pieces, or “samples.” You can do this by using a music editing program like Logic, Pro Tools, Ableton, or FL Studio.

Once you have your samples, you’ll need to figure out how to arrange them. This is where music theory comes in. You’ll need to understand things like melody, harmony, and rhythm in order to create a cohesive track. If you’re not sure where to start, there are plenty of resources online that can help you learn the basics of music theory.

Once you have your samples arranged the way you want them, it’s time to start adding some electronic elements. This is where things like synthesis and sound design come in. You’ll need to experiment with different sounds and effects until you find something that works with your track.

Finally, once you have all of your elements in place, it’s time to mix and master your track. This is where you’ll make sure all of the different parts of your track sound good together and adjusting the levels accordingly. Once you’re happy with the way your track sounds, it’s time to save it and share it with the world!

Create Your Drum Pattern

Now that you have your basic drum sounds, it’s time to start creating your drum pattern. The first thing you’ll need to do is decide on the tempo of your track. Most dance music is between 120-140 BPM (beats per minute), so try to stay within that range.

Once you’ve decided on the tempo, you’ll need to choose a time signature. This will determine how many beats are in each measure and how those beats are divided up. For dance music, 4/4 is the most commonly used time signature. This means that there are 4 beats in each measure and each beat is equal to a quarter note.

Now it’s time to start programming your drum pattern. If you’re not sure how to get started, try using a pre-made drum loop as a guide. You can find plenty of free drum loops online or in your DAW’s built-in loop library. Simply drag a loop into your project and use it as a reference for programming your own drums.

Start by creating a kick drum pattern. A typical dance music kick pattern will use 8th notes, so each kick will fall on the 2nd and 4th beat of each measure. Once you have your kick pattern down, you can move on to the snare drums. Again, 8th notes are typically used for the snare, but this time they should fall on the 1st and 3rd beat of each measure.

Hi-hats are usually played on the off-beats, so they should fall between the kick and snare drums. For a standard 4/4 time signature, this would be on the “& of 1”, “e of 2”, “& of 3”, and “e of 4”. To add some variation to your hi-hat patterns, try using different note values such as 16th notes or 32nd notes.

The final piece of your drum puzzle is the cymbal crash. These are typically played on strong downbeats such as 1 and 3 in 4/4 time. However, they can also be played on weak upbeats such as 2 and 4 or even on off-beats like “e” and “a”. Experiment with different rhythms and see what sounds best for your track.

Create Your Bassline

The first step in creating your bassline is to come up with a chord progression. You can do this by picking out a few notes that you want to use and playing them in order, or by using a pre-existing chord progression. Once you have your chord progression, you can start adding in the bass notes.

Most electronic dance music uses a 4/4 time signature, which means that there are four beats in a measure and each quarter note equals one beat. When creating your bassline, you will want to keep this time signature in mind. You can start by playing the root note of each chord on the first and third beats of each measure. For example, if your chord progression is C-F-G, you would play the following bassline:

C (1st beat) – – F (3rd beat) – – G (1st beat) – –

Once you have the root notes down, you can start adding in some other notes to create more interest. If you’re using a four-note chord progression, you can play the root note on the first and third beats, and then play the third and fifth of the chords on the second and fourth beats. This will give your bassline a more syncopated feel.

If you’re using a three-note chord progression, you can play the root note on the first beat, and then alternate between playing the second and third of the chords on the second and fourth beats. This will also create a more syncopated feel.

Once you have your basicbassline down, you can start adding in embellishments such as slides, trills, and other ornamentation. These embellishments will help to create interest and add to the overall energy of your track.

Create Your Lead

Now that you’ve chosen your sounds, it’s time to create your lead. This will be the main melody of your track, and everything else will be built around it.

There are a few ways to go about creating a lead. The first is to hum or sing a melody into a microphone, then use software to transcribe it into MIDI notes. If you’re not a musician or don’t have any experience with music theory, this can be a bit of a challenge.

Another option is to use a MIDI controller to play in your melody. This is the more traditional way of writing music, and it can be much easier if you’re familiar with piano or another instrument.

Once you have your melody, it’s time to add some chords. Chords are simply two or more notes played together, and they usually form the foundation of most pop and rock songs. If you’re not sure how to create chords, there are plenty of resources online that can help you out.

Once you have your lead and some chords, it’s time to start thinking about the other elements of your track. These could include percussion, basslines, and other synth parts. Again, there are plenty of resources online if you need help creating these parts.

Add Effects and Processing

Now that you’ve added your basic instruments and programmed some drum patterns, it’s time to add effects and processing to give your track more interest and energy. In this section, we’ll explore some of the most common effects used in electronic dance music production, including reverb, delay, filtering, and sidechain compression.

Reverb is one of the most important effects in electronic dance music production. It creates a sense of space and depth in your mix, making it sound more polished and professional. There are a few different types of reverb that you can use, but the most common is probably room reverb. To add room reverb to your track, simply send your instruments to an unused audio track with a room reverb plugin inserted. This will give your instruments a sense of space and make them sound more natural.

Delay is another essential effect for electronic dance music production. It can be used to create a sense of movement and rhythm in your track, or to add interest and texture to your sound. There are many different types of delay, but the most common is probably tape delay. To add delay to your track, simply send your instruments to an unused audio track with a delay plugin inserted. This will give your instruments a sense of movement and make them sound more interesting.

Filtering is another important effect in electronic dance music production. It can be used to shape the sound of your instruments and make them sound more aggressive or laid back. There are many different types of filters, but the most common is probably low-pass filtering. To add filtering to your track, simply send your instruments to an unused audio track with a filter plugin inserted. This will allow you to shape the sound of your instruments and make them sound more unique.

Sidechain compression is an advanced technique that can be used to create interest and energy in your tracks. It involves using a compressor to sidechain an instrument to the kick drum, so that every time the kick drum hits, the instrument gets compressed for a short period of time. This creates a pumping effect that can really bring life to a track. To sidechain compress an instrument, simply insert a compressor on the instrument’s audio track and set it up according to this tutorial: https://www .youtube .com /watch?v=RY3AvEGKfZ0

Conclusion

The ability to produce one’s own music has never been easier, and electronic dance music has become one of the most popular genres in the world. Despite its reputation as being “easy to produce”, there is a lot of music theory that goes into making a good track. In this article, we will cover some of the basic electronic dance music theories that every producer should know.

The Future of Electronic Dance Music

The future of electronic dance music is shrouded in mystery. Will it continue to evolve and grow in popularity? Or will it slowly fade away? Only time will tell. However, one thing is certain: electronic dance music has made a lasting impact on the music industry, and it is here to stay.