A Comprehensive List of Techno Music Genres

A comprehensive list of techno music genres with explanations of the main styles and sub-genres.

Introduction

Techno is a form of electronic dance music that emerged in the late 1980s. It is characterized by a repetitive four-on-the-floor beat and often has a hypnotic feel. Techno is generally produced for use in a nightclub or rave setting, as opposed to home listening.

The first techno tracks were produced in Detroit, Michigan, by artists such as Juan Atkins, Derrick May, and Kevin Saunderson, who were influenced by Kraftwerk and German disco music. Detroit techno developed a distinctive sound that differed from the European strains of techno that would develop later.

Early techno was often inspired by science fiction and futurism, and it sometimes had an experimental or avant-garde edge. As the genre developed, it began to split into subgenres, such as acid techno, trance, minimal techno, and hard techno. Today, there are many different types of techno music, each with its own unique style and sound.

This comprehensive list of techno music genres includes all the major subgenres of techno, as well as some more niche styles. If you’re new to the genre or just want to explore its many different forms, this list is a great place to start.

Techno subgenres:

Acid Techno: A style of techno that emerged in the early 1990s and is characterized by the use of the Roland TB-303 bassline synthesizer. Acid techno often has a psychedelic feel and is often associated with the rave culture of the time.

Ambient Techno: A style of electronica that combines elements of ambient music and techno. Ambient techno is generally slower and more atmospheric than other forms of techno; it often has a dreamlike quality.

Hard Techno: A form of hardcore dance music that emerged in Germany in the early 1990s; hard techno is characterized by hard-hitting beats and menacing synthesizer sounds.

Minimal Techno: A style of electronic dance music that emerged in Germany in the early 2000s; minimal techno is characterized by simple beats and minimal production values.

Progressive Techno: A style of progressive house music that incorporates elements of hardcore techno; progressive trance often has a more driving, energetic sound than other forms of progressive house.

Tech House: A style of house music that fuses elements of tech trance and deep house; tech house often has a dark, hypnotic feel with industrial-sounding percussion rhythms

Origins of Techno

Techno is a genre of electronic music that was first developed in the Detroit area in the 1980s. The first use of the word techno in reference to electronic music was in 1988. DJs and producers such as Juan Atkins, Derrick May, and Kevin Saunderson were among the first to experiment with electronic music.

Detroit Techno

The first use of the word techno in reference to a specific genre of music was in 1988. With the help of DJ Derrick May, Juan Atkins released Cybotron’s “Techno City”, an ode to Detroit which became one of the origins anthems of the techno movement. In Atkins’ own words, “techno is the fusion of technology and Funktion.”

By the early 1990s, Detroit techno had evolved into a more mature subgenre with a focus on atmosphere and melody, as opposed to the aggressive style that characterized early techno. Artists like Jeff Mills and Carl Craig began to experiment with longer, more psychedelic tracks while still retaining the essence of what made techno so unique. The results were nothing short of groundbreaking, and Detroit techno quickly became known as one of the most innovative genres in electronic music.

Chicago House

Chicago House is a sub-genre of House music originating from the city of Chicago in the 1980s. The first real Chicago House track is generally agreed to be Farley “Jackmaster” Funk’s 1985 track “Love Can’t Turn Around”, which was produced in Chicago and featured on import only release by London based label Power Plant. The sound of Chicago House is often characterized by a deep bass, repetitive 4/4 beat, minimalism, and the occasional use of vocals.

Acid House

Acid house is a subgenre of house music developed around the mid-1980s by DJs from Chicago. The style was defined primarily by the deep basslines and squelching sounds of the Roland TR-808 drum machine, and acid house spread internationally to London, England and Frankfurt, West Germany before developing in the United Kingdom and having a more commercial breakthrough in 1988.

Acid house’s philosophy is purely hedonistic; it’s all about feeling good now, regardless of any future consequences that may result. The Trance party activities centered around use of Ecstasy also helped contribute to its popularity; indeed, several major producers of early trance music were also prominent in the acid house scene.

Popular Techno Genres

Techno is a form of electronic dance music that emerged in the 1980s. It is characterized by a repetitive 4/4 beat and often has a fast tempo. Techno is a broad genre of electronic music that includes many subgenres.

Minimal Techno

Minimal techno is a minimal style of techno music that was developed in the early 1990s by Detroit-based producers Robert Hood and Richie Hawtin. The style is characterized by stripped-down, repetitive beats and melodies, often with a thumping, syncopated bassline. Minimal techno is typically faster than other forms of techno music and is often played at clubs and warehouse parties.

Hard Techno

Hard techno is a subgenre of techno that developed in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Often characterized by its heavy use of bass and drum machines, hard techno is a more aggressive form of techno that is sometimes associated with the rave scene. While hard techno is not as popular as other genres of techno, it has produced some iconic tracks and has inspired a number of subsequent subgenres.

Progressive Techno

Progressive techno is a subgenre of techno music that combines elements of progressive house with techno. This type of techno is designed to create a more hypnotic and trance-like state, often with long, minimalistic tracks that have a gradually evolving sound. Progressive techno is sometimes also referred to as tech-trance or trance-tech.

Tech House

Tech house is a genre of electronic music that combines elements of techno and house. It typically has a 4/4 time signature, a pumping bassline, and synthesizer-generated melodies and sound effects. Tech house tracks are often characterized by their use of minimalism, atmosphere, and subtlety.

Trance

Trance is a genre of electronic music that emerged in the early 1990s. It is characterized by a tempo lying between 110-150 beats per minute (BPM), repetitive melodic phrases, and a musical form that builds up and down throughout a track. A trance track is often structured with a intro, a main beat, and one or more breakdowns. The key to producing trance lies in the buildups and breakdowns; these are usually layered with multiple tracks of synthesizers, pads, and lead melodies to create anthemic hooks that are memorable and cause listeners to feel uplifted.

Conclusion

There are a variety of techno music genres, each with its own distinct sound and style. Techno is a broad umbrella term that can encompass many different sub-genres, so it’s important to do your research before diving in. With that said, there’s something for everyone within the world of techno, so don’t be afraid to explore and find what works for you.