In the Air: Genres of Electronic Dance Music

If you’re a fan of electronic dance music, then you know that there are many different genres within the EDM umbrella. In this blog post, we’ll take a look at some of the most popular genres of EDM and explore what makes each one unique.

Introduction

Electronic Dance Music, or EDM for short, is a genre of music that encompasses a wide range of sub-genres. The common thread that ties all of these sub-genres together is the use of electronic instruments and digital production techniques in their creation.

EDM has its origins in the club scene of the 1980s and 1990s, when DJs began to experiment with using electronic instruments to create new sounds. From these early experiments, a number of different genres emerged, each with its own distinctive style and sound.

In the past few years, EDM has exploded in popularity, thanks in part to the rise of social media and streaming services like Spotify and Soundcloud. This has given new exposure to a wide range of artists and styles, and helped to bring EDM to a whole new audience.

If you’re new to EDM, or just looking to explore some different sounds, this guide will give you an overview of some of the most popular genres in the genre today.

What is Electronic Dance Music?

Electronic dance music, also known as EDM, is a broad range of percussive electronic music genres made largely for nightclubs, raves and festivals. EDM is generally produced for playback by disc jockeys who create seamless selections of tracks, called a mix, by segueing from one recording to another.

The Different Genres of Electronic Dance Music

With the recent popularity of electronic dance music, or EDM, it’s important to know the different types that exist within the genre. Although there is some debate over what actually constitutes EDM, for the purposes of this article we will define it as any music that is primarily produced using electronic equipment and is intended to be danced to. With that in mind, here are some of the most popular genres of EDM.

Bass Music – A catch-all term for any type of electronic music that features heavy basslines. This includes sub-genres like dubstep, drum and bass, and trap.

House Music – One of the earliest and most popular genres of EDM, house music is defined by a 4/4 time signature and a tempo of around 120 beats per minute. Common characteristics include a repeating bassline and various synth sounds.

Techno – A more experimental genre of EDM that is often characterized by minimalistic arrangements and long, repetitive tracks.

Trance – A genre characterized by hypnotic melodies and a build-up/drop structure that is designed to induce an altered state of consciousness in listeners.

These are just a few of the most popular genres of electronic dance music – there are many others out there as well! So get out there and start exploring to find the sound that’s right for you.

House

House is a genre of electronic dance music characterized by a repeating four-on-the-floor beat and a typical tempo of 120 to 130 beats per minute. It was created by DJs and music producers from Chicago in the early 1980s. House music popularity grew quickly in the 1980s and 1990s in nightclubs, especially those located in Ibiza, Spain, as well as warehouse parties and raves in major cities around the world.

Techno

Techno is a form of electronic dance music that emerged in Detroit, Michigan in the United States during the mid-to-late 1980s. The first recorded use of the word techno in reference to a specific genre of music was in 1988. Many styles of techno now exist, but Detroit techno is seen as the foundation upon which all other styles have been built.

Techno is generally composed of repetitive 4/4 beats that are often produced by drum machines, and can be accompanied by Basslines, Melodic lines, and/or vocal samples. The tempo of techno ranges from 120 to 150 BPM, making it one of the slower genres of EDM.

Drum and Bass

The breakbeat hardcore sound began to evolve into Drum and Bass around 1993. Incorporating elements of jungle, techno and hip-hop, the new genre featured faster tempos, more intricate patterns and often dark or futuristic themes. The Roland TR-909 drum machine was particularly influential in the development of the genre. Prominent artists included Alex Reece, Goldie,LTJ Bukem and Paradox.

Dubstep

Dubstep is a genre of electronic dance music that originated in South London in the late 1990s. It is generally characterised by sparse, syncopated rhythmic patterns with drum and percussion loops that contain minimal drum fills.

The style emerged as a development of UK garage, dub and 2-step, drawing on a wider range of influences including techno, house, dub reggae and drum and bass. In the UK, the origins of the genre can be traced back to the formation of Croydon-based record label Big Apple Records in 1999, which released local productions by artists including Oris Jay and El-B.

The label’s first release was El-B’s “Buck u Up”, which became a hit on London pirate radio stations. The track “Midnight Request Line” by Skream, released on Big Apple in 2003, is regarded as one of the first dubstep tracks. Dubstep began to be recognised as a distinct genre in 2002 when local record shop Black Market opened up a dedicated dubstep section called “Forward Strategy Group”, becoming one of the first such retailers to do so.

Trance

Trance is a genre of electronic dance music that developed in the 1990s. It is generally characterized by a tempo of between 130 and 155 BPM, repeating melodic phrases, and a musical form that build-up and break-down throughout the song.

Trap

Trap is a subgenre of hip hop that originated in the early 2000s in the Southern United States. It is typified by its aggressive lyrical content and sound, which features heavy sub-bass frequencies, drum breaks, and often sampling from trap artists such as Shawty Lo, Waka Flocka Flame, Chief Keef and Young Jeezy.

The History of Electronic Dance Music

Electronic Dance Music, also known as EDM, has been around for decades and has evolved into a wide variety of genres. The first electronic dance music was created in the 1970s by DJs who used electronic instruments to create new sounds. In the 1980s, the genre began to take off in Europe with the help of new technologies like synthesisers and drum machines. Today, EDM is enjoyed by millions of people around the world and has become one of the most popular genres of music.

Early Influences

The first electronic dance music was made in the late 1920s and early 1930s, using electronic devices such as theremins, vocoders, and rhythm machines. These early songs were played on phonographs and radios, and were often used as background music for parties or other social events. Some of the earliest examples of electronic dance music include:

“Le Chant du Cygne” by Pierre Schaeffer (1939)
“La Mer” by Hugo Gernsback (1932)
“Ginza no Oniisan” by Fumio Hayasaka (1932)
“Bei Mir Bist Du Schön” by The Andrews Sisters (1937)

The first electronic dance music festivals began in the 1970s, with events like New York’s “Electric Circus” and London’s “The Secret Policeman’s Ball.” These festivals featured a mix of live music and DJ sets, and helped to popularize electronic dance music among a wider audience. In the 1980s, the advent of cassette tapes and synthesizers led to a boom in home-produced electronic music, with genres like techno and house becoming increasingly popular. By the 1990s, electronic dance music had become a global phenomenon, with DJs like Paul Oakenfold and Carl Cox playing to massive crowds at clubs and festivals around the world.

The First Wave of Electronic Dance Music

By the early 1980s, the first wave of electronic dance music was starting to take shape. Early pioneers like Kraftwerk and Giorgio Moroder laid the foundations for what would become EDM, with Moroder’s “I Feel Love” becoming one of the genre’s most iconic tracks. As disco began to decline in popularity, EDM began to take its place as the dominant force in club culture.

The first wave of EDM saw artists like Afrika Bambaataa and Planet Rock taking the genre in new directions, while Chicago house and Detroit techno were beginning to make their mark. This was also the era of early rave culture, with seminal parties like Spectrum and Shoom helping to popularize the sound of EDM around the world.

The Second Wave of Electronic Dance Music

The Second Wave of Electronic Dance Music, also known as EDM, began in the early 1990s. This new wave of music was influenced by a variety of factors, including the popularity of club culture, the rise of rave culture, and the advent of new technology.

EDM is characterized by its use of electronic instruments and digital audio workstations (DAWs). Synthesizers, drum machines, and sequencers are often used to create EDM tracks. The genre is also known for its use of repetition andround-the-clock dancing.

second wave of EDM was led by a number of influential artists, including The Prodigy, Aphex Twin, and Leftfield. These artists helped to popularize the genre and bring it to a wider audience. By the mid-1990s, EDM had become one of the most popular genres of music in the world.

The Future of Electronic Dance Music

Electronic dance music has rapidly evolved over the past few years. New genres are constantly being created and old ones are being redefined. This article will explore the different genres of electronic dance music and predict where they may be heading in the future.

The Rise of EDM Festivals

The past few years have seen a huge surge in popularity for Electronic Dance Music, or EDM. This genre of music, which includes sub-genres like dubstep, house, and techno, is characterized by its heavy reliance on electronic instrumentation and synthesizers. Unlike other genres of music, EDM is often designed to be played in nightclubs and dance clubs, where people can let loose and enjoy the bracing, thumping beats.

One of the biggest trends in EDM lately has been the rise of huge EDM festivals. These events, which often take place over a weekend and feature multiple stages with different DJs playing non-stop music, have become increasingly popular among young adults. In the United States, some of the most popular EDM festivals include Electric Daisy Carnival and Ultra Music Festival.

These festivals provide a great opportunity for people to experience EDM in all its forms and to see some of the world’s most popular DJs perform live. If you’re interested in giving EDM a try, attending one of these festivals is a great way to do it!

The Growth of the Electronic Dance Music Industry

In the past decade, electronic dance music (EDM) has taken the world by storm. Hailing from various corners of the globe, EDM is a genre that is truly multi-faceted and ever-evolving. What started out as a niche subculture has now morphed into a full-fledged industry, with festivals and nightclubs dedicated to this type of music popping up all over the world.

The growth of the EDM industry can be attributed to a number of factors. Firstly, there has been a rise in the number of people attending EDM events. This is likely due to the increasing popularity of social media and the internet, which have made it easier for people to connect with each other and share their love for this genre of music. Secondly, the production values of EDM festivals have increased dramatically in recent years, with big-name sponsors and top-notch production companies getting involved in order to ensure that these events are truly memorable experiences.

As the EDM industry continues to grow, it is important to ask what the future holds for this genre of music. One possibility is that EDM will become even more commercialized, with festivals becoming increasingly corporate affairs. Another possibility is that EDM will continue to evolve and change, incorporating elements from other genres of music in order to create something truly unique. Whatever the future may hold, one thing is for sure: electronic dance music is here to stay.

Conclusion

In conclusion, there are many different genres of electronic dance music, each with their own unique sound and history. Whether you prefer the upbeat sound of trance or the darker sound of techno, there’s an EDM genre for everyone to enjoy.