Ishkur’s Guide to Electronic Music
Contents
Ishkur’s Guide to Electronic Music is the web’s most comprehensive guide to the genre, providing in-depth information on its many subgenres.
Introduction
Ishkur’s Guide to Electronic Music is a comprehensive guide to the history of electronic music. It covers a wide range of genres, from early pioneers like Kraftwerk and Giorgio Moroder, to contemporary artists like Aphex Twin and Burial.
The guide is divided into two sections: “The Roots” and “The Branches”. The Roots section explores the origins of electronic music, from its earliest beginnings in the late 19th century, to its explosion in popularity in the 1970s and 1980s. The Branches section looks at the many different genres that have developed since then, from techno and house to dubstep and grime.
Ishkur’s Guide to Electronic Music is essential reading for anyone interested in the history of this truly fascinating genre.
A Brief History of Electronic Music
The electronic music we know and love today has its roots in the experimental music of the early 20th century. Composers like Edgar Varèse and Luigi Russolo were some of the first to use technology to create new and innovative sounds. In the 1930s, composers like Karlheinz Stockhausen and Pythagoras began experimenting with electronic music, and by the 1950s, the first electronic music studios were established.
Pre-history: The birth of electronic music
Electronic music is often seen as a late 20th century phenomenon, but its origins date back much further. In fact, the very first electronic musical instruments were invented in the late 19th century.
Early electronic instruments were called “telephonesonic instruments”, and they used electricity to make sounds. The first of these was the theremin, invented in 1920 by Russian scientist Lev Theremin. The theremin was followed by a number of other early electronic instruments, including the ondes Martenot (invented in 1928), the trautonium (invented in 1930), and the Ondes Musicales (invented in 1940).
These early electronic instruments were all very limited in what they could do, and they were mostly used for experimental or avant-garde music. It wasn’t until the 1950s that electronic music began to find a wider audience.
In the 1950s, several important advances were made that would shape the future of electronic music. First, the invention of magnetic tape allowed for recordings of sound to be made and played back. This gave composers a new way to create music, by manipulating recorded sounds. Second, new electronic instruments were developed, including the theremin-like instrument called the electro-theremin (invented in 1953) and the first voltage-controlled synthesizer, called the Voltage Controlled Oscillator (or VCO), which was invented in 1955.
The first electronic instruments
The first electronic instruments were developed in the early 19th century. These instruments, which included the theremin, the telharmonium, and the ondes martenot, were all capable of producing sounds that had never been heard before.
While these instruments were certainly groundbreaking, they were also very limited in what they could do. It wasn’t until the early 20th century that electronic music truly began to take shape.
The 1919 invention of the Audion tube by American engineer Lee De Forest was a pivotal moment in the history of electronic music. The Audion tube made it possible to amplify sound, which paved the way for the development of electronic oscillators and other key components of synthesizers.
In the 1930s, British composer Edward Gurney started experimenting with tone generators and other electronic devices. His work laid the foundation for musique concrete, a type of music that relies on recorded sounds instead of traditional instruments.
The first electronic music studios
One of the earliest electronic music studios was the Groupe de Recherches Musicales (GRM), which was founded in France in 1951. The GRM was originally part of the Radiodiffusion-Télévision Française (RTF), but it became an independent entity in 1955. The GRM is perhaps best known for its development of musique concrète, a form of experimental music that uses taped sounds as raw material.
Other early electronic music studios include the German studio Elektronisches Studio der Technischen Universität Berlin (founded in 1953), and the Italian studio RAIRadiotonica (founded in 1956). These studios were all founded with the goal of creating new sonic possibilities for Composers to explore.
The first electronic music studio in the United States was located at the University of Chicago, and it was founded in 1957 by Harold Edwards and Lejaren Hiller. Edwards and Hiller were both Composers who had become interested in electronic music after attending a lecture by Karlheinz Stockhausen. The Chicago Studio was equipped with a number of innovative new instruments, including one of the first voltage-controlled synthesizers, which Edwards and Hiller used to create their composition Illiac Suite for String Quartet.
In the 1960s, electronic music studios began to proliferate, with notable studios being founded at Stanford University, Mills College, UC Berkeley, and UCLA. These studios were all staffed by Composers who had been trained in traditional acoustic composition techniques, and they helped to further establish electronic music as a legitimate genre within the broader field of contemporary classical music.
The first electronic music composers
The first electronic music composers used electrical circuits and mechanisms to create sounds that had never been heard before. These pioneers included Leon Theremin, who invented the eponymous instrument in 1919, as well as Edgard Varèse, who used. radios and other electronic equipment in his music.
In the 1930s, German engineer Karlheinz Stockhausen developed a compositional technique he called “musique concrète,” which made use of recorded sounds that were edited and combined to create new pieces of music. This technique was later expanded upon by French composer Pierre Schaeffer, who is considered one of the fathers of electronic music.
In the 1950s, American composer John Cage created a sensation with his composition “4’33”,” which consisted of four minutes and 33 seconds of silence. Cage believed that any sound could be considered music, and his work paved the way for the use of found sounds and everyday objects in electronic music composition.
By the 1960s, electronic music had come into its own as a distinct genre, with composers such as Terry Riley, Steve Reich, and la Monte Young exploring its possibilities. In the 1970s and 1980s, synthesizers became increasingly commonplace in pop and rock music, leading to the development of new genres such as synth-pop and techno. Today, electronic music is more popular than ever, with artists such as Aphex Twin, Björk, and Nine Inch Nails pushing the boundaries of what can be achieved with technology.
The Different Genres of Electronic Music
There are many different genres of electronic music, and it can be hard to keep them all straight. This guide will help you understand the different types of electronic music and where they came from.
Ambient
The word “ambient” was first coined in the 1970s by Brian Eno to describe his electronic music which creates an atmosphere or environment. The idea is that the music should be able to be present in the background without being too obtrusive or distracting. This genre is often avant-garde, experimental, and minimalistic. It can range from Icebreaker’s beautiful melodies to Aphex Twin’s eerie soundscapes. Notable artists include:
-Brian Eno
-Aphex Twin
-Autechre
-Boards of Canada
-The Orb
-Pete Namlook
Drum and Bass
Drum and Bass (a.k.a. DnB, D&B, Drum n Bass) is a type of electronic dance music that emerged in the early 1990s from the UK rave and jungle scenes. It is characterized by fast breakbeats (typically between 150-180 bpm, although it can be anywhere from 120-200 bpm), with heavy bass and sub-bass lines. Drum and Bass often features samples from other genres, particularlyOld school hip hop, funk, and reggae.
Dubstep
Originating in London in the early 2000s, dubstep emerged as a dark and brooding offshoot of 2-step garage. Often characterized by cavernous basslines, stuttering half-time rhythms, and abrupt changes in tempo and energy level, dubstep came to be defined by its ominous, cinematic soundscape. This genre is often used in horror movies and video games as it is perfect for building suspense.
House
House is a genre of electronic music that originated in the 1980s in the United States. It is characterized by a 4/4 time signature, repetitive beats, and often features synthesizers and drum machines. House is usually played in clubs and dance music venues.
Techno
Techno is a form of electronic dance music that emerged in the late 1980s. It is characterized by a repetitive 4/4 beat and often incorporates elements of electro, hip hop, and industrial music. Techno is typically produced for use in a nightclub or rave setting, and it often features sparse, minimalistic arrangements.
The Future of Electronic Music
The electronic music scene is constantly evolving, with new genres and sub-genres popping up all the time. It can be hard to keep up with the latest trends, but it’s worth it if you’re a fan of the genre. In this guide, we’ll take a look at the future of electronic music and what to expect in the coming years.
The rise of EDM
The genre of electronic dance music (EDM) has seen a meteoric rise in popularity over the past decade. What was once a niche form of music enjoyed by a small group of enthusiasts has now exploded into the mainstream, with EDM festivals and concerts selling out stadiums and arenas around the world.
What has driven this rapid growth? One factor is certainly the advancement of technology, which has made it easier than ever for producers to create complex and catchy EDM tracks. But another key factor is the rise of social media, which has given EDM artists a powerful platform to reach new fans and build a global following.
As EDM continues to grow in popularity, we can expect to see even more innovation in both the music itself and the ways in which it is shared and enjoyed. So strap on your dancing shoes and get ready for a wild ride!
The popularity of streaming services
The advent of streaming services has been a game changer for the music industry. It has given rise to a new generation of music lovers who are willing to pay for a monthly subscription in order to have access to a vast array of music. This has had a profound effect on the way that electronic music is consumed, and it is safe to say that it is here to stay.
The popularity of streaming services has also had a positive impact on the electronic music scene. With more people than ever before being exposed to the genre, it has opened up new opportunities for artists and labels. It is now easier than ever before to reach a global audience, and this is something that is only going to increase in the future.
There are some concerns about the impact of streaming services on the quality of music, but it is generally accepted that they have been positive overall. It remains to be seen how the industry will adapt in the future, but there is no doubt that streaming services are here to stay.
The decline of the CD
The beginning of the 21st century has seen a dramatic shift in the way that people consume music. The once-ubiquitous Compact Disc (CD) is now rapidly losing ground to newer formats such as MP3s and streaming services. This decline has been hastened by the rise of digital piracy, as well as by the increased appeal of these newer formats.
The effect of this shift has been felt throughout the music industry. Record labels have seen a decline in sales, and less money is being invested in producing CDs. Artists are also feeling the pinch, as CDs have traditionally been an important source of revenue for them. This decline is likely to continue in the coming years, as more and more people embrace digital music.
