A History of Dance in Electronic Music

A comprehensive look at the history of dance in electronic music, from the earliest days of disco to the present day.

Introduction

Dance music is music composed specifically to facilitate or accompany dancing. It can be either a whole musical piece or part of a larger musical arrangement. In terms of performance, dance music is timing, rhythm and tempo are important elements. Playing dances music requires good timing and rhythmic sense. The tempo of a piece of dance music is measured in beats per minute (bpm).

Electronic dance music (EDM), also known as dance music, club music, or simply dance, is a broad range of percussive electronic genres made largely for nightclubs, raves and festivals. It is generally produced for playback by DJs who create seamless selections of tracks that often include drops, build-ups and break downs.

Early electronic music and dance

Dance and electronic music go hand-in-hand – the fast pace and energetic vibes of both genres make them a perfect match. But how did this relationship come to be? In this article, we’ll explore the history of electronic music and dance, from the early days of the genre to the present day.

The first electronic dance music

The first electronic dance music was made in the 1920s, with the invention of the Theremin. The Theremin was played by moving one’s hands in the air, and it produced a sound that was similar to a human voice. In the 1930s, composers began using it to create music for movies and television. In the 1940s, the Theremin was used in jazz clubs, and in the 1950s it became popular in rock and roll. In the 1960s, electronic dance music was used in experimental theater and avant-garde art. In the 1970s, it became popular in disco clubs. In the 1980s, electronic dance music was used in hip hop and house music. In the 1990s, it became popular in techno and trance music.

The birth of techno

electronic music and dance have been linked since the early days of the genre. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, a style of music emerged that combining elements of disco, funk, and Electric Light Orchestra-influenced synth pop with African-American inspired electronic music. This new style of music, which came to be known as techno, was created by a group of mostly black musicians living in Detroit, Michigan. These artists, including Juan Atkins, Derrick May, and Kevin Saunderson, were influenced by the German krautrock band Kraftwerk as well as the work of Jamaican dub producer King Tubby. Kraftwerk’s use of minimalist composition and sequencing techniques combined with African-American inspired rhythms proved to be a major influence on the development of techno.

The rise of EDM

The history of electronic dance music is long and rich, dating back to the 1970s when disco music first started to take off. Since then, there have been countless genres and sub-genres of EDM, each with its own unique sound and style. In the past few years, EDM has seen a resurgence in popularity, with festivals like Tomorrowland and Ultra becoming increasingly popular.

The rave scene

In the late 1980s and early 1990s, the rave scene was born in the UK. London, Manchester, and Birmingham were hotspots for these illegal warehouse parties, which featured DJs playing a mix of house and techno music. Drugs like MDMA and acid were widely used at these events, which were often shut down by the police.

The rise of house music

In the mid-1980s, a new type of dance music known as house began to emerge in Chicago. House was a direct descendant of disco, but it had a rougher, more organic sound that was better suited for club play. House tracks were often built around a simple four-on-the-floor drum beat, with occasional embellishments like cowbells, hi-hats, and synths. The signature sound of house music was the Roland TB-303 bass synthesizer, which was responsible for the genre’s signature squelchy basslines.

The first house tracks were produced by DJs and producers who were influenced by disco and funk. Frankie Knuckles, who is often referred to as the “Godfather of House,” was one of the most important early house producers. His 1987 track “Your Love” is considered one of the genre’s classic tracks. Another key figure in early house music was Marshall Jefferson, whose 1986 track “Move Your Body” is considered one of the first ever house tracks.

House music became popular in Chicago’s underground club scene in the mid-1980s. The style eventually spread to other parts of the United States, and then to Europe and beyond. In the 1990s, house music experienced a major resurgence in popularity thanks to a new subgenre known as trance. trance music built upon the hypnotic elements of early house music and added soaring melodies and ethereal pads. The French duo Daft Punk helped bring trance into the mainstream with their 1997 album Homework, which featured the massive hit single “Around the World.”

The fall of EDM

Electronic Dance Music, or EDM, has been around for over three decades now. It has its roots in the disco and acid house of the late 1980s. In the 1990s, EDM began to take off in the club scene in the United Kingdom and the United States. However, in recent years, EDM has fallen out of favor with the mainstream music industry.

The commercialization of EDM

The commercialization of EDM has been a controversial topic within the music community. Some believe that it has led to the decline of the genre, while others believe that it has allowed the genre to grow and reach new audiences.

EDM began to enter the mainstream in the early 2010s, thanks in part to the success of electronic music festivals such as Ultra Music Festival and EDC Las Vegas. These festivals helped to introduce the genre to a wider audience, and many people who attended these festivals later became fans of EDM.

However, as EDM became more popular, it also became more commercialized. Record labels began to sign more EDM artists, and radio stations began to play more EDM songs. This led to a decline in the quality of EDM, as record labels and radio stations were more interested in promoting mainstream artists rather than underground artists.

Many long-time fans of EDM were turned off by the commercialization of the genre, and this led to a decline in popularity. In recent years, there have been fewer people attending electronic music festivals, and sales of EDM albums have decreased. It remains to be seen whether or not this decline is permanent or if EDM will make a comeback in the future.

The rise of streaming services

It’s no secret that streaming services have had a major impact on the music industry, and that impact has been felt across all genres. But perhaps nowhere has the impact been more profound than in the world of electronic dance music, or EDM.

In the early days of EDM, the only way to hear your favorite DJ’s latest set was to either be at the club where they were playing or to buy a ticket to one of their live shows. But with the rise of streaming services like Spotify and SoundCloud, suddenly anyone with an internet connection could listen to their favorite DJs anytime, anywhere.

This had a major impact on the way EDM was consumed, and it wasn’t long before DJ sets and live performances began to be eclipsed by studio-produced tracks and albums. This shift was hastened by another major development in the world of EDM: the rise of festivals like Ultra Music Festival and Tomorrowland.

These huge events, which can attract hundreds of thousands of people, are largely centered around the music, with DJs and live performers playing to massive crowds late into the night. In many ways, they are more like parties than traditional music festivals, and they have helped to make EDM one of the most popular genres in the world.

However, there is a downside to this popularity. As EDM has become more mainstream, it has also become more commercialized. Big-name DJs are now commanding massive fees for private parties and corporate events, and sponsorships from major brands are commonplace. This has led some to accuse EDM of losing its underground roots, and many believe that this commercialization is killing the genre.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the history of dance in electronic music is a fascinating one. From its earliest origins in the underground clubs of Chicago and Detroit, to its international explosion in the 1990s and 2000s, dance music has always been at the forefront of innovation and change. As we move into the future, it will be interesting to see how electronic music continues to evolve and what new styles and genres will emerge.