The Hype Around Electronic Music

It’s safe to say that electronic music has taken over the world. But what is it about this genre that has everyone so hooked?

Electronic Music’s History

Electronic music has been around for nearly a century, beginning with the invention of the theremin in the 1920s. This early electronic instrument was used in classical music and was the foundation for future electronic music genres. In the 1970s, electronic music began to take on a new form with the advent of synthesizers.

Where it all started

Electronic music is music that employs electronic musical instruments, digital instruments and circuitry-based music technology. In general, a distinction can be made between sound produced using electromechanical means (electroacoustic music), and that produced using electronics only. Electromechanical instruments include mechanical elements, such as strings, hammers, and so on, in addition to electrical elements, such as magnetic pickups, power amplifiers and loudspeakers. Examples of electromechanical sound producing devices include the telharmonium, Hammond organ, and the electric guitar, which are typically made loud enough for performers and audiences to hear with an instrument amplifier and speaker cabinet. Pure electronic instruments do not have vibrating strings, hammers or other sound-producing mechanisms. Devices such as theremin, synthesizer and computer can produce electronic sounds.

The first electronic instruments

One of the earliest electronic musical instruments was the theremin, invented in 1920 by a Russian man named Lev Termen (known in the West as Léon Theremin). The theremin was originally intended as a way to control volume without having to physically touch an instrument, and it’s played by moving your hands near two metal antennas. The farther away your hand is from an antenna, the higher the pitch will be; moving your hand closer to an antenna will lower the pitch.

The most famous theremin player was Clara Rockmore, who performed with the instrument in the 1930s and 1940s. She helped give the theremin a good reputation by performing classical pieces that showed off its range and sensitivity. In recent years, rock bands like They Might Be Giants and The Flaming Lips have popularized the theremin by using it on some of their songs.

The Different Types of Electronic Music

Electronic music has been around for decades, but has only recently blown up in popularity. There are many different types of electronic music, each with their own unique sound. In this article, we’ll explore the different types of electronic music and what sets them apart.

House

House is a genre of electronic dance music characterized by a repetitive four-on-the-floor beat and a tempo of 120 to 130 beats per minute. It was created by DJ Pierre in 1985. House music is often described as feeling “housey” or like being in a “house.” It is typified by a deep bassline and frequently uses Offbeat or syncopated rhythms.

Techno

Techno is a form of electronic dance music that emerged in the 1980s. It is characterized by a repetitive four on the floor beat and often has a hypnotic feel. Techno is often used as a term to describe any type of electronic music, but it is actually a specific genre with its own subgenres and subcultures.

Drum and Bass

Drum and bass (commonly abbreviated to D&B, DnB or D’n’B) is a genre of electronic music characterised by fast breakbeats (typically between 160–180 beats per minute) with heavy bass and sub-bass lines, synthesizers, and samples. The genre grew out of the UK’s jungle scene in the early 1990s and developed further into a more experimental direction in subsequent decades by fusing elements from other music styles such as house, techno, hip hop and dub.

The popularity of drum and bass at its commercial peak ran parallel to several other homegrown dance styles in the UK including big beat and hard house. But towards the turn of the millennium its popularity was deemed to have waned as the breakbeat hardcore continuum that it had largely been part of had dissolved.

Critics have accused artists like Pendulum, Chase & Status and Nero of producing “mainstream” drum and bass because their work combines traditional drum and bass sounds with those from other electronic dance genres such as house music, dubstep or techno. It has also been suggested that these artists are no longer fully associated with drum and bass as their musical style has changed significantly since they first emerged on the scene.

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 rhythmic patterns with prominent sub-bass frequencies. The style emerged as an offshoot of UK garage, drawing on a lineage of related styles such as 2-step and dub.

The earliest dubstep releases date back to 1998, and the genre gained mainstream popularity in the UK in the early 2000s. In the 2010s, dubstep entered the US mainstream with artists such as Skrillex and Zeds Dead.

Dubstep is typically produced at around 140 beats per minute (bpm), with a typical half-time beat pattern. Music in the dubstep genre often features sampled or manipulated vocals, synthetic drum kits, and heavy basslines.

The Future of Electronic Music

Electronic music has been around for decades, but it has only recently started to gain mainstream attention. Artists like Skrillex, Deadmau5, and Tiesto have helped to bring electronic music to the masses. But what does the future hold for electronic music? Let’s take a look.

Where is it headed?

The electronic music industry is in a state of flux. Technology has made it possible for anyone with a laptop to produce professional-sounding tracks, and the internet has created a vast global market for music consumption. This has led to an increase in the number of independent artists and labels, and a decrease in the power of the major record labels.

In the past, electronic music was seen as niche market, but it has now entered the mainstream. The most popular genres are now EDM (electronic dance music) and dubstep, and these genres are increasingly being played on commercial radio stations. Electronic music festivals are also becoming more popular, with major events such as Ultra Music Festival in Miami attracting hundreds of thousands of people each year.

The future of electronic music looks very exciting. With more people than ever before making and consuming music, it is an increasingly vibrant and creative industry.

Will it last?

There’s no doubt that electronic music has taken the world by storm. In the past few years, we’ve seen a surge in popularity of artists like Calvin Harris, Avicii, and Deadmau5, and festivals like Tomorrowland and Electric Daisy Carnival have become some of the most sought-after events to attend. But with such a sudden increase in popularity, one has to wonder – is this just a fad that will eventually die out?

Some experts believe that electronic music is here to stay. They point to the fact that we are now seeing a new generation of producers who are taking influence from the pioneers of the genre and putting their own twists on it. This, they say, is evidence that the genre is continuing to evolve and will remain popular for years to come.

Others are not so sure. They argue that the popularity of electronic music is largely due to its association with hedonistic activities like partying and drug use. As society becomes more health-conscious, they believe, electronic music will fall out of favor.

Only time will tell whether or not electronic music has what it takes to stand the test of time. For now, we can only enjoy the ride and see where it takes us.