Dance music is almost always accompanied by musical instruments, helping dancers stay in rhythm while amplifying the power and intensity of their movements.
Science has demonstrated that dancing to rhythmic beats and major chords releases dopamine, oxytocin, serotonin and endorphins – our brain’s “happy chemicals”.
Origin
Dance music has been part of our culture for decades – from classic 1970s disco hits to chart-topping EDM tracks today – shaping fashion, art and social movements alike. But where exactly did dance music originate? Unfortunately there’s no single answer as its history spans across numerous time periods and cultures.
Dance music’s roots can often be traced to the birth of new forms of social dancing. Although individual dance styles may take different shapes, accompanying music provides rhythm and excitement that encourage participants to let loose their body to movement. Dance music’s rhythmic energy also serves to reinforce and accentuate certain types of body language used by artists to convey messages or experiences to listeners – helping listeners feel connected with what the artist is communicating through movement and sound.
Funk is one of the most influential forms of dance music, first created by Black artists in Ohio in the ’70s. Refining elements from R&B and soul music into an uptempo style with powerful basslines, these musicians helped define what we now refer to as “funk music”.
Drum and bass (DnB), is one of the earliest and most influential genres of dance music. Composed of fast-paced breakbeats in non-standard rhythms with an emphasis on sub sound design using distorted and modulated synths for its signature aggressive yet danceable sound, DnB is widely considered an early and most influential subgenre of electronic dance music. Other less intense varieties like dubstep maintain its signature tempo but remain melodic while maintaining aggression.
Trance music was among the early forms of electronic dance music. Inspired by classical, psychedelic soul, funk, and jazz genres – particularly German classics – trance features repetitive melodic phrases which build tension before gradually releasing it, usually culminating in one or two peaks or drops within each song.
Genres
Dance music encompasses an enormous array of genres and sub-genres. From beatless ambient to 200 BPM hardcore hardcore, house, techno, drum n bass and dubstep are just a few examples that fall under this broad category. Many artists also experiment with various genres and BPM levels making assigning labels difficult.
Dance music has been around for centuries, beginning with tangos and can-cans in the late 19th century and evolving through swing jazz, disco and rock’n’roll genres. Dance music has always been intrinsically tied to social dancing – such as in waltzes or ballads.
Contemporary dance music has long been influenced by disco and synthpop. Although vocalists may appear, more emphasis is put on instrumental performances that often incorporate orchestrations or soundscapes over conventional song structures. Funk and soul were popular during the 80s before Chubby Checker introduced “The Twist”, leading to its rise of disco music.
At present, EDM (Electronic Dance Music) is one of the largest dance music categories, comprising numerous subgenres like progressive house, electrohouse, electroclash and trance music genres. EDM genres often take inspiration from other popular forms such as pop, rock and classical music genres.
Drum and Bass (DnB), commonly shortened to DnB, is a fast-paced electronic style characterized by unconventional rhythms and heavy bass rips. Subgenres like Liquid Drum & Bass and Trip Hop use additional instruments – both synthesized and natural) along with more harmonies and melodies, creating transcendental music with an average BPM ranging between 118-14OBPM. Dubstep is another subgenre within Drum & Bass which also has similar tempos but is less fast-paced than its peers in terms of BPM speed.
Styles
Dance music encompasses various subgenres with their own production techniques and cultural influences. Although its scope is wide, dance music can easily be identified by its fast tempo and rhythmic feel that gets people moving – which may include repetitive beats, sampled drum sounds or electronic instruments to generate rhythmic pulses. Other elements that define dance music include catchy melodies/hooks as well as structured arrangements designed to build and sustain energy levels.
Zouk draws its unique sound from the diverse musical traditions of French Antilleans and Caribbean islanders, mixing traditional drumming such as the gwo ka, Tibwa, Shak-Shak and acoustic guitar with modern technology such as electronic drum machines and synthesizers to form its distinct signature sound, earning a place among international dance music scene.
Dub music, another Jamaican dance music style, combines elements of reggae, ska and rocksteady music, along with echo and reverb effects applied during recording sessions to produce an “echo riddim” that may feature vocals or monologues from an MC monologue; its tempo can range between 90 BPM to 108 BPM.
However, some choreographers such as Merce Cunningham worked without music at all and ensured that music and dance remained unrelated, believing too close an association between them would negate each one’s distinctive qualities.
Artists
Music is an incredible form of expression and dance music artists create beats that inspire dance moves to set the mood in clubs, festivals or at home – be it through dropping beats that get people up-and-dancing! Dance music artists usually specialize in upbeat genres like house, techno, gqom drum & bass psychedelic trance or UK garage.
Dance music has long been at the heart of culture. From social movements and its role in fashion, art, and interactions to disco to EDM – dance music has long been part of our lives.
Artists who play dance music are widely revered for their cutting-edge sounds and flawless production. Over the years they have built up a loyal fan base as they continue to push boundaries with their sound – true trailblazers in a field that constantly evolves!
Some of the greatest dance music artists include New Order, Robyn and Madonna – these pioneers laid down the foundations for dance music with their distinct mix of post-punk and synth-pop music.
Other noteworthy dance music artists include Donna Summer, Kool & the Gang, Chic and the Bee Gees; these iconic acts dominated disco charts with catchy beats and glittery style during its disco era. Nowadays dance music tends to be more electronic and features subgenres such as techno, trance and drum & bass; it plays an essential role in rhythmic contemporary radio formats as well as mixshow airplay.
Listening
Over time, music and dance have always been used to convey emotion and promote happiness. Dance music in particular is immensely popular because its beats induce physical movement that may even induce trance-like states in listeners. Furthermore, religions use music as part of their faith service to help strengthen belief; therefore music has been an integral part of human cultures everywhere for eons; everyone loves it!
Dance music has quickly become one of the world’s most beloved forms of entertainment in recent years, popular among people of all ages and easily available through iTunes or streaming services like Spotify or Tidal. Some of the top DJs have built massive fan bases through their amazing skills as musicians and DJs.
As dance music is created by humans using complex machinery like computers or synthesizers, its creation requires many hours and skillsets from skilled artisans – it is therefore imperative that audiences listen without prejudging any specific song before giving a verdict on them.
Studies have also demonstrated the benefits of listening to certain forms of music on productivity. If you need a boost to focus and get work done quickly, classical or ambient soundtracks could help stimulate dopamine production – helping boost memory and concentration as a result. For a relaxing yet soothing sound option try listening to acoustic guitar or piano music instead.