How Electronic Music Transformed the 70s
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How Electronic Music Transformed the 70s
The 1970s were a time of great change and transformation, both in the world at large and in the world of music. One of the most significant changes was the advent of electronic music, which had a profound impact on the sound and style of popular music. In this blog post, we’ll take a look at how electronic music transformed the sound of the 1970s and how it continues to influence music today.
Introduction
The late 1970s was a transitional period for music. Disco was still popular, but a new genre was beginning to emerge: electronic music. This new type of music was characterized by its use of synthesizers, drum machines, and other electronic instruments. It was also often slower and more mellow than disco.
Electronic music quickly gained popularity, particularly among young people. It was seen as fresh and exciting, and it appealed to those who were looking for something different from the mainstream. The genre soon began to influence other genres of music, such as pop and rock. By the end of the 1970s, electronic music had made a significant impact on the music industry and would go on to shape the sound of popular music for years to come.
The Birth of Electronic Music
In the early 1970s, electronic music was created using analog synthesisers and tape machines. This new type of music was used in avant-garde and experimental music. It was also used in popular music, such as disco. In the late 1970s, digital synthesisers were invented, which made electronic music even more popular.
The first electronic music instruments
The first electronic music instruments were invented in the early 20th century, and they were used mostly in experimental music. The Theremin, for example, was invented in 1920 and was used by composers like Leonard Bernstein and Igor Stravinsky. In the 1950s, some composers started using electronic instruments to create what is known as musique concrete. This type of music was made by manipulating recorded sounds, such as footsteps or heartbeats, on a tape recorder.
In the 1960s, a German composer named Karlheinz Stockhausen began using electronic instruments to create what he called “live electronics.” He would process the sound of his instruments with devices like filters and delay units, and then mix those sounds live onstage. This approach to electronic music was very influential, and it inspired other composers to start using similar techniques.
The 1970s was a golden age for electronic music. Composers like Brian Eno and Kraftwerk were making groundbreaking music with synthesizers, drum machines, and other new electronic devices. This era also saw the birth of disco music, which used electronic instruments to create its signature sound. By the end of the decade, electronic music had transformed popular culture forever.
The first electronic music composers
The first electronic music composers were working in the early 1900s. They used a variety of instruments, including the theremin, one of the first electronic instruments. The theremin was invented in 1920 by Leon Theremin, a Russian engineer. It uses two metal rods that control the pitch and volume of a sound. The player waves their hands between the rods to create different sounds.
Some of the first electronic music was created for movies. In the 1930s and 1940s, composers like Erich Wolfgang Korngold and Bernard Herrmann wrote futuristic sounding music for science fiction movies like “Flash Gordon” and “The Day the Earth Stood Still.” This music was created using a technique called musique concrete, which involves manipulating recorded sounds on tape.
In the 1950s, composers like Karlheinz Stockhausen and Pierre Schaeffer began creating purely electronic music using tape machines and other electronics. This type of music is known as electroacoustic music or musique concrete. In the 1960s, composers like Gyorgy Ligeti and Luciano Berio explored avant-garde techniques in their electronic compositions. One of the most influential electronic musicians of this period was composer Steve Reich, whose early works like “It’s Gonna Rain” (1965) used tape loops to create phasing effects.
The Rise of Electronic Music
The 1970s was a decade of transformation. One of the most significant changes was the rise of electronic music. This new type of music was created using electronic instruments and technology. It quickly became popular among young people. Electronic music transformed the way people listen to music and created a new genre of music.
The popularity of electronic music
The popularity of electronic music exploded in the 1970s and it shows no signs of slowing down. Today, electronic music is one of the most popular genres in the world and its influence can be heard in everything from pop to hip hop.
So how did this transformation happen? In the early 1970s, new technologies such as synthesizers and drum machines made it possible for musicians to create entire songs without using any traditional instruments. This new type of music was unlike anything that had been heard before and it quickly caught on with listeners all over the world.
As electronic music became more popular, more and more artists began experimenting with it. Soon, different subgenres began to emerge, each with its own distinct sound. Today, there are hundreds of different electronic music genres, ranging from ambient to hardstyle.
While electronic music has come a long way since its humble beginnings in the 1970s, it continues to evolve every day. Thanks to the ever-changing landscape of technology, the possibilities for new sounds and styles are endless. Electronic music is here to stay and we can’t wait to see what tomorrow brings.
The influence of electronic music
The rise of electronic music in the 1970s was a turning point for the music industry. This new genre of music transformed the way we create and consume music, and it continues to have a lasting impact on the industry today.
Electronic music emerged from the experimental margins of pop culture and quickly became a mainstream sensation. The widespread adoption of electronic instruments and technology in popular music marked a major shift in the sound of popular music. Synthesizers, drum machines, and other electronic devices allowed musicians to create new sounds that were not possible with traditional instruments.
This new sound caught on with audiences around the world, and electronic music soon became one of the most popular genres of music. The popularity of electronic music spurred innovation in the industry, and new technologies emerged that further transformed the sound of popular music. Today, electronic music is more popular than ever, and it shows no signs of slowing down.
The Legacy of Electronic Music
Electronic music has had a long and storied history, with its roots dating back to the early 1900s. The genre has been through a lot of changes in the past century, with each new decade bringing new innovations and sounds. The 70s was a particularly transformative decade for electronic music, with a number of new subgenres and styles emerging. Let’s take a look at how electronic music transformed the 70s.
The influence of electronic music today
It would be impossible to overstate the influence of electronic music on today’s musical landscape. Nearly all popular music genres have been impacted by electronic music in some way, and the genre itself has undergone a musical transformation in the last half-century.
Electronic music first gained mainstream popularity in the 1970s with the advent of disco. The genre was initially met with resistance from many traditionalists, but its popularity quickly spread across the globe. Disco’s catchy melodies and infectious beats proved irresistible to listeners, and the genre soon became one of the most popular forms of music in the world.
The 1980s saw the rise of electronic dance music (EDM). This new genre combined elements of disco, pop, and rock to create a sound that was both exhilarating and accessible to a wide audience. EDM quickly gained traction with clubgoers and soon became a staple at dance clubs and festivals around the world.
Today, electronic music is more popular than ever before. Thanks to its ever-evolving soundscape and its ability to cross genres seamlessly, electronic music continues to be one of the most innovative and exciting genres in the world.
The future of electronic music
The future of electronic music is shrouded in uncertainty. Will it continue to evolve and remain popular, or will it eventually be replaced by other genres? Only time will tell.
In the meantime, electronic music continues to evolve and experiment. Artists are constantly pushing the boundaries and finding new ways to create innovative and exciting sounds. The possibilities are endless, and the future of electronic music is sure to be an exciting one.
