A Beginner’s Guide to the Subgenres of Electronic Music
There are many subgenres of electronic music, each with their own unique style and sound. In this beginner’s guide, we’ll explore some of the most popular subgenres and what sets them apart.
Electronic Dance Music (EDM)
EDM is a broad term that covers a wide range of subgenres. The term was first coined in the late 1990s to describe the kind of music that was played in clubs. It has since evolved to include a wider range of styles. The subgenres of EDM include trance, techno, house, drum and bass, and others.
What is EDM?
Electronica/Dance music is a broad range of percussive electronic music genres made largely for nightclubs, raves and festivals. It is generally produced for playback by DJs who create seamless selections of tracks, called a mix, by segueing from one recording to another. EDM producers also perform their music live in a concert or festival setting in what is sometimes called a live PA. In Europe, EDM is more commonly called ‘dance music’, or simply ‘dance’.
In North America, EDM refers to Electronic Dance Music, which includes various subgenres such as house, techno, dubstep, hardstyle and more. Europe’s definition of EDM however, is much broader and includes everything from techno and house to trance and hardcore.
History of EDM
The history of electronic dance music (EDM) is long and varied, with the genre’s origins tracing back to the early days of electronic music in the late 1940s. Since then, EDM has evolved and splintered into dozens of subgenres, each with its own distinct sound and style.
Early electronic music was production-focused, with composers creating long pieces that were meant to be played by automated machines. This is where the term “electronic music” comes from – early composers used electronic instruments and devices to create their sounds. One of the earliest and most influential electronic composers was Frenchman Jean Michel Jarre, whose 1974 album “Oxygene” is considered a classic of the genre.
In the late 1970s and early 1980s, the advent of affordable synthesizers and drum machines allowed more people to create electronic music at home. This led to the development of new subgenres like synth-pop, new wave, electro, and hip hop. These genres would go on to have a significant impact on popular culture in the following decades.
The 1990s saw a major resurgence in popularity for EDM, with new subgenres like techno, trance, hard dance, and jungle becoming mainstream favorites. This decade also saw the birth of famous EDM festivals like Tomorrowland and Creamfields, which continue to attract massive crowds from all over the world today.
In the 2000s and 2010s, EDM continued to grow in popularity, with new subgenres like dubstep, electro house, and trap becoming increasingly popular. The 2010s also saw a rise in so-called “EDM culture,” with festivals and clubs becoming major cultural institutions in many parts of the world.
Popular EDM subgenres
There are countless subgenres of electronic dance music, and new ones are being created all the time. Here are some of the most popular EDM subgenres that you may come across:
-Dubstep: Dubstep is a type of electronic dance music that originated in the UK in the early 2000s. It is characterized by its heavy bass and drums, as well as its often dark or eerie atmosphere.
-House: House is a style of electronic dance music that originated in Chicago in the 1980s. It is characterized by its 4/4 beat, as well as its use of synthesizers and drum machines.
-Techno: Techno is a type of electronic dance music that originated in Detroit in the 1980s. It is characterized by its use of synthetic sounds and repetition.
-Trance: Trance is a type of electronic dance music that originated in the 1990s. It is characterized by its ethereal and dreamlike atmosphere, as well as its often- hypnotic melodies.
House Music
House music is a genre of electronic music that originated in the 1980s. It is characterized by a 4/4 time signature, a steady beat, and a deep bassline. House music is often repetitive and has a strong emphasis on the groove.
What is House Music?
House music is a genre of electronic dance music that originated in the 1980s. It is characterized by a 4/4 time signature and a repetitive, synthesized bassline. The genre was named after the Chicago club where it originated, The Warehouse. House music quickly spread to other clubs and countries, and eventually evolved into various subgenres.
History of House Music
The history of house music is complex and spans over three decades. The sound of house music is characterized by a four-on-the-floor drum beat, deep basslines, and syncopated percussion. House music first emerged in the early 1980s in Chicago, Illinois. The genre was developed by DJs who were influenced by disco, soul, and electronic dance music. House music quickly gained popularity in nightclubs and soon spread to other cities in the United States and Europe.
In the 1990s, house music experienced a major resurgence in popularity with the advent of rave culture. Raves were large parties that typically featured DJ-driven electronic dance music. The 1990s also saw the rise of techno, a subgenre of house music that was developed in Detroit, Michigan. Techno is characterized by a more minimalistic sound and often features repetitive beats and synth basslines.
Today, house music is one of the most popular genres of electronic dance music. It continues to evolve and be reinvented by new generations of DJs and producers.
Popular House Music subgenres
Popular House Music subgenres:
-Deep house: A subgenre of house music that originated in the 1980s, characterized by a slower tempo and more soulful sound.
-Future house: A subgenre of house music that emerged in the early 2010s, characterized by a deep bassline, piercing lead synth lines, and occasional vocal samples.
-Tech house: A subgenre of house music that emerged in the early 1990s, characterized by a hard-hitting groove and synthesizer-driven sound.
-Tropical house: A subgenre of house music that originated in the 2010s, characterized by a laid-back, sun-soaked sound.
Techno Music
Techno is a subgenre of electronic 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 a very broad genre and can be divided into many subgenres.
What is Techno Music?
Techno is a subgenre of electronic music that emerged in the late 1980s. The term is derived from the technoparade, an annual event in Frankfurt, Germany. Techno music is characterized by four-on-the-floor beats, synthesizers, and electronic effects.
The first techno tracks were produced by Juan Atkins, Derrick May, and Kevin Saunderson—known as the Belleville Three—in Detroit, Michigan. They were influenced by the Chicago house scene as well as European disco and German krautrock. By the early 1990s, techno had spread to other European countries and was being played in nightclubs around the world.
Today, techno is one of the most popular genres of electronic music. It has spawned numerous subgenres, including acid techno, Detroit techno, hard techno, and minimal techno.
History of Techno Music
Techno is a type of electronic dance music that originated in Detroit, Michigan, in the 1980s. The first techno tracks were created by putting together various electronic instruments, such as drum machines, synthesizers, and sequencers. over time, techno music has evolved and incorporates different subgenres, such as acid house, trance, and hardstyle.
Popular Techno Music subgenres
Techno is a type of electronic dance music that emerged in the 1980s. It is characterized by a repetitive 4/4 beat and often has elements of house or disco music. Techno is usually produced using computers and synthesizers.
There are many subgenres of techno, each with its own distinct sound. Some of the most popular subgenres include:
Industrial Techno: This subgenre is characterized by its dark, electrical sound. It often includes elements of metal or industrial music.
EBM (Electronic Body Music): This subgenre is a type of industrial techno that emerged in the 1980s. It is characterized by its high-energy, repetitive beats.
Hard Techno: This subgenre is characterized by its hard-hitting, fast-paced beats. It often includes elements of hardcore punk or metal music.
Trance: This subgenre is characterized by its hypnotic, repeating beats. It often includes elements of house or disco music.
House: This subgenre is characterized by its 4/4 beat and often has elements of techno or disco music.
Trance Music
Trance is a genre of electronic music that emerged from the underground rave scene in the 1990s. Trance music is characterized by a tempo of between 130 and 160 BPM, repeated melodic phrases, and a musical form that is often designed to induce a state of euphoria.
What is Trance Music?
Trance is a genre of electronic music that emerged from the British rave scene in the late 1980s. A defining characteristic of trance music is a throbbing, euphoric central melody, often accompanied by staccato chords and soaring synthesizer riffs. Listeners are often drawn into a “trance”, a chills-inducing state of heightened consciousness.
The genre developed during the early 1990s in Germany and the Netherlands before spreading to the rest of Europe and beyond. While trance music was initially inspired by techno, it has since grown to encompass a wide range of styles, from house and pop to metal and hardcore.
While there is no one single definition of trance music, there are a few common elements that are often found in the genre. These include:
-Throbbing, melodic basslines
-Euphoric central melodies
-Staccato chords
-Soaring synthesizer riffs
-Long, extended buildups followed by an explosive drop
History of Trance Music
Trance is a genre of electronic music that emerged in the 1990s. It is characterized by a tempo lying between 110-150 beats per minute (BPM), repeating melodic phrases, and a musical form that builds up and down throughout a track. Although trance is a diverse genre, it is united by a powerful, often emotional, vocal melody that draws listeners into the4 hypnotic atmosphere created by the producer.
The early history of trance music is closely linked to the development of techno and house music in Europe during the 1980s and early 1990s. Trance music often incorporates elements of these genres, as well as other styles like classical music and film scores. The earliest trance tracks were produced in Germany by pioneers such as Klangwelt and Oliver Lieb. These producers helped to shape the sound of trance with their atmospheric, melodic style of production.
As trance developed in the 1990s, it began to gain popularity outside of Europe, particularly in Asia and Australia. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, trance underwent a commercialization process that saw it become one of the most popular genres in electronic dance music (EDM). This was due in part to the success of German DJ Paul van Dyk, who helped to bring trance to a wider audience with his uplifting, anthemic style.
Today, trance is one of the most popular genres in EDM, with a global following and many subgenres within its umbrella. The sound of trance has evolved over time, but its emotional intensity and epic melodies continue to be its defining characteristics.
Popular Trance Music subgenres
There are many different subgenres of trance music, each with its own unique characteristics. The following are some of the most popular subgenres:
Hard trance: A harder, more aggressive style of trance music that often features distorted basslines and big, powerful chords.
Progressive trance: A more mellow and atmospheric style of trance that is perfect for long journeys and late-night listening.
Psychedelic trance: A style of trance that is influenced by psychedelic culture and often features mind-bending soundscapes and trippy effects.
Uplifting trance: A feel-good style of trance that is designed to make listeners feel positive emotions like happiness and euphoria.
Vocal trance: A style of trance that prominently features vocals, often in the form of beautiful melodies.
