Deconstructing the Electronic Music Genre Tree
Contents
A look at how the electronic music genre tree has evolved and deconstructed over the years.
Introduction
Welcome to our exploration of the electronic music genre tree. In this series of articles, we’ll be deconstructing the various genres that fall under the umbrella of electronic music. We’ll explore the history and origins of each genre, and trace its evolution over time.
We’ll start with a brief overview of the electronic music scene, before diving into each genre in turn. So whether you’re a diehard fan of techno or trance, or just curious about this ever-evolving corner of the musical universe, join us as we deconstruct the electronic music genre tree.
The Birth of Electronic Music
Electronic music is a genre of music that is created with the use of electronic musical instruments and digital audio workstations. It emerged in the early 20th century and has since grown into a worldwide Phenomenon. The first electronic music was created in the year 1876 by Elisha Gray.
Pre-electronic music
Pre-electronic music refers to music that was created using acoustic instruments and traditional recording techniques. This includes all music up until the late 1940s when electronic instruments and recording techniques began to be used.
The first electronic instrument, the Theremin, was invented in 1920 and was used sparingly in classical music compositions throughout the 1930s. It wasn’t until after World War II that electronic music began to be taken seriously as a legitimate genre with composers such as Pierre Schaeffer and John Cage using restrictive approaches to create new sonic landscapes.
The first electronic instruments
The first electronic instruments were invented in the early 20th century. The Theremin was one of the earliest, invented in 1919 by Russian scientist Leon Theremin. It is played without physical contact by moving your hands in the air near two metal rods that control pitch and volume. The Theremin was used in movies such as The Day the Earth Stood Still and Spellbound, and has been used by many popular musicians including Led Zeppelin, Depeche Mode, Radiohead, and Tool.
The first commercial synthesizer was invented in 1955 by Moog Music, and has since been used by a wide range of artists from classical composers to modern pop stars. Early synthesizers were large and expensive, but advances in technology have made them smaller and more affordable. Today, there are many different types of electronic instruments available, from simple keyboards to complex modular systems.
The first electronic music
The first electronic music was created in the late 19th century. Thomas Edison’s phonograph was the first music machine that could be used to record and play back sound. In 1877, Eadweard Muybridge used synchronized cameras to capture the motion of a horse in motion, which he then played back as an early form of video. These two inventors laid the groundwork for the creation of electronic music.
In the early 20th century, composers began experimenting with new ways to create sound by manipulating electricity. These early electronic composers were working with very primitive technology, but they were able to create a new type of music that was unlike anything that had been heard before. One of the most important early electronic composers was French composer Pierre Schaeffer. In 1948, Schaeffer created “Musique Concrète,” which was one of the first examples of electronic music. This new type of music was made by recording and manipulating sounds from the natural world, such as bird calls and train whistles.
Schaeffer’s work paved the way for other important composers, such as Karlheinz Stockhausen and Steve Reich. These composers continued to push the boundaries of what was possible with electronic music, and they helped to establish it as a legitimate genre of music.
The Development of Electronic Music
Many people would be surprised to know that the electronic music genre is not a recent development. In fact, the first electronic musical instrument was invented in the late 19th century. It wasn’t until the mid 20th century that electronic music began to be used in popular music. The electronic music genre has come a long way since then and has branch into many different subgenres.
The influence of technology
The influence of technology in music is evident in almost every genre today, but it is particularly significant in electronic music. The history of electronic music is often told as a story of technology, with each new development leading to a new style or sound.
The earliest electronic instruments were developed in the early 20th century, and were used mostly for novelty purposes or to imitate other instruments. There was little innovation in the genre until the 1950s, when advances in audio-processing technology led to the development of synthesizers and other electronic devices that could generate sounds that had never been heard before. This opened up a whole new world of sonic possibilities for composers and performers, and resulted in a rapid expansion of the genre.
Today, electronic music encompasses a wide range of styles, from dance music and hip-hop to experimental and avant-garde. The genre is constantly evolving as new technologies are developed, and it shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon.
The influence of popular culture
While most of the focus on the history of electronic music has been on the music itself, it’s important to remember that the genre is also deeply intertwined with popular culture. In fact, electronic music would not exist without the invention of sound recording and playback technologies.
Some of the earliest examples of electronic music were created using consumer-grade turntables and tape recorders. These simple devices allowed artists to experiment with sounds that were otherwise impossible to create using traditional instruments. As technology progressed, so too did the sound of electronic music.
The 1960s saw the development of affordable synthesizers and drum machines, which quickly became standard doodads in any self-respecting producer’s toolbox. With these new toys came a new wave of artists who began pushing the boundaries of what was possible with electronic sounds.
One early example is Walter/Wendy Carlos’s 1968 album Switched-On Bach, which featured classical pieces played entirely on a Moog synthesizer. The album was a massive hit with both critics and consumers, and it helped pave the way for other artists to experiment with synthesized sounds.
In the 1970s, electronic music began to find its way into popular culture via film soundtracks. The groundbreaking score for Stanley Kubrick’s A Clockwork Orange (1971) featured heavily processed vocals and machine-like rhythms that mimicked the film’s futuristic setting. This trend continued throughout the decade with films like Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977), Midnight Express (1978), and Blade Runner (1982).
Nowadays, it’s hard to imagine a world without electronic music. It’s everywhere we look, from our favorite TV shows and movies to commercials and video games. Even traditional instruments are often enhanced with electronics these days. It’s safe to say that electronic music has well and truly taken over the world!
The influence of art
While the influence of art music on popular music has been widely documented, the influence of art on electronic music is often overlooked. This is likely due to the fact that electronic music was born out of a desire to create something new and revolutionary, something that couldn’t be easily classified or pigeon-holed into existing genres. However, it’s important to note that electronic music would not exist as we know it today without the groundbreaking work of early 20th century composers such as Igor Stravinsky, Edgar Varèse, and Karlheinz Stockhausen. These composers were experimenting with new ways of composing music, often using new technologies or working with found objects to create sounds that had never been heard before. They were also unafraid to push the boundaries of what was considered “acceptable” art, which paved the way for future generations of composers to continue pushing those boundaries.
While it’s impossible to say exactly how these early composers influenced the development of electronic music, it’s safe to say that their bold experimentation laid the foundation for a genre that would go on to change the face of popular music.
The Future of Electronic Music
In order to understand the future of electronic music, one must first deconstruct the genre tree. The electronic music genre tree is a relatively new concept that was created in order to help music lovers better understand the vast and ever-changing world of electronic music.
The influence of digital technology
Digital technology has had a profound influence on the music industry, and electronic music is no exception. In the past, electronic music was made using analog equipment such as synthesizers, sequencers, and drum machines. These days, most electronic music is made using Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs), which are essentially digital versions of analog equipment.
The use of digital technology has led to the development of new genres of electronic music, such as EDM (Electronic Dance Music) and dubstep. It has also resulted in the decline of traditional genres such as techno and house.
However, it is important to note that the use of digital technology is not the only factor that has influenced the evolution of electronic music. Other factors include the rise of new subcultures (such as ravers and clubbers) and the popularity of new drugs (such as MDMA).
The rise of social media has been one of the most influential factors in the growth of electronic music. Platforms like SoundCloud and YouTube have given artists a way to reach a global audience with their music. These platforms have also allowed for the discovery of new talent and the growth of existing artists.
The influence of social media has been felt throughout the electronic music genre tree. In genres like dubstep and trap, SoundCloud has been essential in the growth and development of the sound. In other genres like house and techno, YouTube has been key in exposing new audiences to the music.
The future of electronic music will continue to be shaped by social media. As platforms evolve and new ones emerge, they will continue to provide opportunities for artists to reach new audiences and expand their careers.
The influence of global culture
In the Western world, electronic music has been an essential part of the music scenes of various subcultures for several decades. In more recent years, it has infiltrated the mainstream and become one of the most popular genres in the world. The genre is constantly evolving, as new technologies and cultural influences shape its sound.
One of the key factors that has influenced the sound of electronic music is the globalization of culture. With the rise of the internet and social media, people from all over the world can now connect with each other and share their music with ease. This has led to a more diverse range of sounds and styles within the genre, as artists from different cultures experiment with traditional electronic music production techniques and infuse them with their own unique flavor.
The result is a genre that is constantly evolving and becoming more diverse, as new artists bring their own individual perspectives to the table. Globalization has also had an impact on the way that electronic music is consumed, as people from all over the world can now access it via streaming services such as Spotify or Apple Music.
It is safe to say that electronic music will continue to evolve in the years to come, as new technologies and cultural influences shape its sound.
