Electronic music is a genre of music created with electronic instruments and tools. It consists of many distinct subgenres that differ in style and sound.
Electronic music’s roots can be traced back to the early 20th century. It was during this era of rapid technological advances that usherd in a new era in modern musical expression.
Definition
Electronic music is a genre that utilizes electronic instruments to produce sounds and beats. This sets it apart from other genres of music, which typically utilize traditional instruments like guitars or drums.
Over the years, various styles of electronic music have emerged. While these differ in style, sound, and tempo, they all share one thing in common: they were all created using electronic instruments.
Electronic music’s roots can be traced back to the 1960s. This decade saw rock and roll bands begin incorporating synthesizers into their songs.
As technology advanced, other genres of music started to utilize its capabilities too. This gave birth to new genres such as disco – a popular electronic musical style.
Another popular genre is electro. This style utilizes electronic instruments to produce faster-paced beats than house music and often features basslines that are aggressive and loud.
Electro music is a widely beloved genre with various styles ranging from downtempo to techno. It also encompasses several subgenres such as future garage and witch house music.
In the 1990s, electronic music became increasingly dominated by sampler-based synthesizers. These instruments could create any sound imaginable, giving artists and producers creative freedom to experiment with their compositions.
In the early 2000s, this trend slowed down considerably; however, by 2006 it had returned to its peak. A number of dance artists such as Daft Punk and Calvin Harris achieved global success with their electro-themed songs.
At this time, circuit bending culture took off and musicians started creating their own modular synthesizers. Eurorack became one of the most popular systems, allowing musicians to craft unique styles of music using cutting-edge technology.
Electronic music, also referred to as electronica, has become widely adopted across colleges as a genre that utilizes electronic instruments instead of traditional ones. As such, it has become one of the most commonly studied genres within higher education institutions.
Origins
Electronic music encompasses a vast array of musical genres that can be broadly classified as such. This genre continues to be one of the most popular forms of music today and has had an enormous influence on popular culture around the world.
Electronic music’s origins can be traced back to the 19th century, when various instruments and devices were invented that enabled musicians to experiment with sound. Notable examples include the theremin, trautonium, hammond organ and ondes Martenot.
Instruments were then utilized to craft and perform new timbres, giving birth to electronic music. As technology advanced, however, a more classical period in electronic music emerged around the turn of the 20th century.
This period witnessed the invention of circuitry-based synthesizers, ushering in a new era in music creation. This marked an important turning point for this genre and led to many other types of electronic instruments being created.
One major development during this era was the invention of the tape recorder, which provided a new way of recording and editing music. This enabled more complex composition and established electronic music as an accepted art form.
Computer technology also played a significant role in electronic music, providing more creative and flexible production possibilities that were accessible to a wider audience.
Due to this development, an entirely new genre of electronic dance music emerged and quickly gained momentum throughout Europe. Commonly referred to as ‘Electro House’, this genre is distinguished by its heavy bass line and fast tempo of around 130 BPM.
The genre was initially inspired by jazz’s funk and soul, then combined with modern synthesizers to create a powerful yet distinctive style which continues to be played today. This movement gave birth to numerous subgenres such as future house, deep house, garage house, leftfield house, melodic house and afro house.
Another significant development in this genre was the invention of the TR-808, a sampler-based instrument still used today to create distinctive sounds associated with electro and hip hop music. This device brought electro music to an expansive audience and inspired many iconic tracks by artists such as Afrika Bambaataa.
Styles
Electronic music is a genre that encompasses various styles of music. Unlike other genres like rock or jazz, which are usually performed using traditional instruments, electronic music relies solely on electronic devices to create its sound.
Electronic music began in the 1970s, when new technology allowed producers to create synthesized sounds. These sounds would later influence several genres such as trance and hip hop music.
Techno is one of the oldest electronic music genres, having its roots in Detroit’s early 1980s. Influences such as Kraftwerk, Yellow Magic Orchestra and Giorgio Moroder helped shape this style which first developed on clubs and dancefloors around town.
Fast-paced and hard-hitting beats define hardcore music. Additionally, heavy use of drum machines adds to this signature style which has often been referred to as “hardcore”.
Electro is an electronic music genre that’s been around for some time. This blend of funk, early hip-hop and New York boogie is then amplified with heavy beats, bass lines and powerful kick drums – creating what many call “regular’ house music”. Over the years it’s been heavily influenced by various styles around the world and continues to be a huge success among DJs everywhere.
Progressive house is an electronic music genre similar to big room but more melodically driven. It became one of the earliest dance music styles to gain mainstream appeal and has since been championed by DJs like Zedd, Foxes and Afrojack.
Trance is an electronic music genre that emerged in Germany from the techno and hardcore scenes and quickly gained popularity across Europe. Founded by Klaus Schulze, trance has become one of the greatest and most influential electronic music genres ever created.
Synth-pop is an electronic music genre that emerged during the 1980s. This genre utilized synthesizers instead of traditional instruments, creating its own distinctive sound.
Subgenres
Electronic music encompasses many distinct subgenres. House, techno, electro, downtempo music and more can all be classified under this umbrella term. Each genre has its own distinctive style and appeals to a specific target audience.
Electronic dance music (EDM) is a genre that blends various electronic sounds to create an upbeat vibe. It includes styles like house, techno and trance as well as subgenres like trap, breakbeat, dubstep and hardstyle.
Electronic dance music (EDM) began to gain traction in the ’70s as technology and DJs made it possible to synthesize rhythms that could keep crowds on the dance floor all night long. Initially influenced by disco and synthpop, EDM evolved into more of a contemporary genre by the mid-’90s.
Electronic music began with musicians experimenting with new electronic instruments and sound software. They used these sounds to craft unique compositions, often including popular songs into their works.
Techno is an electronic music genre with heavy bass and synth melodies. The sound signature includes effects such as tremolo and modulation, making it easy to listen at high volumes without losing clarity or distortion.
House has its roots in house music, but its style is more complex and involves more electronic instruments. This makes it a popular option for producers looking to add an exciting vibe to their tracks.
One of the key characteristics of this style is its drum pattern. Generally, it features a 4-on-the-flar kick pattern accompanied by various other instruments like pads and basses.
The genre is known for its powerful bass sounds and upbeat melodies that will make you dance your heart out. Not only is it ideal for dance parties, but you can also play it at home.
Another subgenre to consider is Future Bass, which blends trance and trap beats to create an upbeat sound perfect for any party. This genre has become widely associated with Skrillex but has also been credited to Deadmau5 and Calvin Harris.