Electronic dance music (EDM), commonly referred to as EDM, is a genre of dance music that utilizes electronic instruments. Within this genre there are various subgenres such as hardcore techno, trap and future bass.
Electronic dance music (EDM) has its roots in disco, a popular club music genre that utilized drum machines and other electronic instruments. It was also heavily influenced by synthesized pop, hip hop, and dub music genres.
Definition
Electronic music is a genre of music composed using electronic and electromechanical instruments, digital equipment based on electronics or circuitry-based circuits and computer softwares. It encompasses various styles and subgenres as well.
In the 1940s and early 1950s, composers began experimenting with electronic and electromechanical instruments for music composition. They created new sounds and timbres through percussion instruments, mini pops (early drum machines), electric organs or synthesizers. At this time, several manufacturers developed their own electronic musical instruments.
In the United States, however, electronic music production was more sparse until 1958 when two composers, Otto Luening and Vladimir Ussachevsky, opened a tape studio at Columbia University and launched an innovative professional composition program using this medium. They produced numerous concerto-like works on tape that quickly gained notoriety.
The growth of this genre spawned circuit bending, a technique where musicians alter the sound output of electronic instruments by switching, adjusting, and mixing their signals. The final products often featured various sounds such as ring modulators, distortion, and vibrato.
In the late 1980s, Europe saw the introduction of computer-based music synthesis systems. Legendary composers such as Tangerine Dream, Klaus Schulze and Brian Eno were major influences on electronic music during this era.
These innovations revolutionized music as we know it today. They created the framework for electronic instrumentation, leading to an explosion of creativity within the industry.
One of the biggest breakthroughs in electronic music production was MIDI, which allows audio engineers to play and record with computer-based instruments. This has made electronic music production much simpler than before.
By the 1990s, many European artists began incorporating electronic music into their performances. This development led to the emergence of various genres and styles such as Italian disco, techno, house, trance and dub.
One major influence in the growth of EDM was the rise of DJs. This helped promote a more danceable style of music and created an inclusive community for people from all ages, backgrounds and ethnicities to come together and celebrate life through dance.
Origins
Electronic music is a modern musical composition created through the use of computers, computer software, electronic or electromechanical instruments and other circuitry-based technology. It can be created by many composers and performed both at home or on stage.
Early developments in electronic music were driven by experimentation. Instruments such as Thaddeus Cahill’s Teleharmonium (1897) and Leon Theremin’s Theremin (1919-1920) both explored new methods to produce sound. Unfortunately, both instruments proved difficult to use and weren’t widely adopted for musical applications.
Some years later, electronic instruments were further propelled by the advent of computers – electromechanical devices capable of playing musical instruments in real time but difficult to program and require a high level of technical proficiency.
In 1957, Max Mathews and his colleagues at Bell Laboratories created Music 1, allowing them to compose original compositions with computers. This marked the first time a digital machine had been used for musical creation – setting in motion a wave of developments which would eventually result in Electronic Dance Music (EDM).
These innovations paved the way for circuit bending, which in turn encouraged musicians to construct their own modular synthesizers. This movement gave rise to several influential subgenres within electronic music.
Dub techno and breakbeat have become popular forms of club music, often referred to as ‘techno’ or ‘EDM’. These subgenres were initially associated with the United States in the 1980s.
Techno’s repetitive, dream-like beats and hypnotic rhythms were heavily influenced by the experimental electronic music of Kraftwerk and Giorgio Moroder – pioneers of this emerging genre.
Another significant early influence of electronic music was house, which emerged from New York City’s club scene in the 1960s and featured synthesizers and other electronic equipment. This style would later develop into microgenres such as Detroit house and trance; additionally, it served to create the foundations for bass-heavy EDM genres like electro house and trap today.
Subgenres
Electronic music encompasses many subgenres. House, techno, trance, drum and bass, dubstep, trap and more are some of the popular choices. Each genre has a distinct audience as well as its own distinctive style that sets it apart.
Some of these styles are immensely popular around the globe and boast a dedicated fan base. For instance, trance has become one of the most sought-after EDM genres in Europe, often played at dance clubs.
Breakbeat has been a longstanding genre in electronic music. This electronic style draws on sampled drum breaks from funk and soul records, pitched up to an uptempo BPM (Beats Per Minute).
An intense sound can be achieved by adding distorted vocals. This is an effective way to give your tracks extra edge and make them stand out from the rest.
Many DJs have begun incorporating this style of electronic music into their sets, creating new genres of electronic music by using samples of voice memos and social media clips. London’s Fred Gibson, for instance, uses Techno mixed with samples from voice memos and social media clips for a very different vibe than typical commercial EDM moods.
Electronic music has had a profound effect on pop and R&B music worldwide, becoming one of the most beloved genres.
Some of the biggest names in this genre include David Guetta, John Summit and Major Lazer. Each artist has amassed millions of global listeners quickly.
These artists have found a home within the EDM scene and have achieved global success. Their tracks are huge hits in clubs around the world, appearing on radio stations worldwide.
Breakbeat stands apart from other EDM subgenres in that it appeals to a specific demographic. To experience this type of music firsthand, find a local DJ who plays breakbeat music so that you can witness it live.
Audience
Electronic dance music (EDM) is one of the world’s most beloved genres. It has made its way onto pop music charts and continues to gain traction at major electronic music festivals like Tomorrowland. Furthermore, EDM has become an attractive option for events and brands looking to promote and invest in.
It is essential to comprehend the audience for electronic music in order to tailor your marketing and promotions accordingly. Doing this can enable you to reach a wide range of people and boost your chances of success.
Electronic music appeals to a broad range of listeners, regardless of age. While some commercial dance music may appeal to younger listeners, deep house and techno tend to appeal more to older listeners.
One can observe the rise of various subgenres. Some will begin as commercial music and then transition into harder, darker sounds.
Others will seek a more mature selection of music and venture into the underground scene. These audiences tend to be more “selective”, experimental and unique in nature.
They may prefer not to follow the crowd, as they possess a more refined taste in music. These individuals tend to be male.
With certain genres, this audience may be difficult to define and often a mystery for DJs and other professionals in the electronic music industry. However, it’s essential to note that most are college educated with an average age between 18 and 35 years.
Unfortunately, a significant portion of this audience consists of family and friends who may not be interested in or attentive to the persona being presented. This is typically because they lack an understanding of the art form itself or lack comprehension of its complexities.
Conversely, some artists with an intense emotional makeup may choose to stay in the inhabiting moment despite inattentive audiences or lack of recognition. They may even return to this incipient stage in order to experiment with new styles, venues, or audiences.