Musicians who create works meant for playback by DJs call them tracks; when released as CD or vinyl releases, these tracks may also be known by the public as songs.
Most songs feature lyrics; however, certain genres such as trance and house don’t use any lyrics at all.
Song Structure
As part of creating a song, it’s crucial to consider its overall structure and how each element will come together to tell a compelling narrative. While there are proven formulas, experimenting with different arrangements might yield better results for your track.
EDM music‘s song structures are created to keep energy moving at an engaging, dynamic pace with high peaks and deep valleys – this helps keep listeners engrossed while making your track more memorable for its listeners.
Song structures typically consist of an intro, breakdown, chorus and drop. Each of these sections should possess their own style while remaining cohesive with the overall soundscape of the track.
An intro sets the mood and pace for an entire track, from simple loops to catchy melodies introducing its main theme. Achieve success when crafting an introduction is vital if you want your song to succeed!
After an intro, the track moves into what is known as a breakdown – a short musical break where its tempo, style and instrumentation is fully established.
Breakdowns typically lead to an upbeat and melodic section known as the chorus – the highlight of any track which should feature an unforgettable melodic hook to draw in listeners and hold their attention.
After the chorus comes a bridge or solo section that adds variety and tension to the track. These sections should serve to build anticipation for a big drop – this should come as an unexpected shock that should include various sounds like drums, synths and claps!
Art Music
Art music can be an ideal starting point for anyone wanting to compose non-lyrical dance tracks. Art music often employs more complex composition techniques than mainstream pop or dance tunes; art composers create emotional, textural, and tonal swings which help develop its story arc. Some notable art artists in this style, like BBC Radiophonic Workshop staffers Delia Derbyshire and Ron Grainer have become widely respected due to their contributions in sound design for popular films and television series such as Doctor Who series or Sherlock Holmes movies and series.
Producing dance tracks without lyrics typically begins with a simple drum beat to provide the necessary energy and drive for their song. This basic rhythm may feature kick drum, snare or clap, hi-hats and cymbals, toms or other pitched drums as well as bass lines or other musical elements to give the track its overall structure and give melodic elements their place within its musical framework. Once this foundation has been set, producers can start adding melodic elements that will form its vocal lines.
No matter how a dance track is written, its success ultimately hinges on whether it features an instantly memorable vocal line. From an instantly recognisable melody that recalls particular artists to catchy hooks that keep people listening in, vocals can make or break a track’s popularity and determine its lasting memory.
Commercial Music
Music without lyrics is frequently utilized in commercial and promotional videos to draw in viewers, keep them engaged, and increase video shares. However, it is essential that any chosen piece be licensed for your specific project as otherwise you could face fines and legal issues related to unlicensed use of such works.
Modern electronic music is typically composed by writing short snippets of four or eight bars that are then looped to produce songs lasting the length of a commercial video or beyond. This approach to song writing differs from traditional methods but is often more efficient and makes use of the built-in looping functions in digital audio workstations. A chord generator may also be used to generate chord progressions for an original tune before adding melodic elements that complement them.
Some artists produce artistic commercial music that combines elements of both styles; an example is REM’s song, “Losing My Religion,” with its repeating melody but no discernible chorus. More recently, Blood Orange created “Bury A Friend,” an addictive shuffled and syncopated track incorporating sounds samples of dental drill, Easy Bake oven, and staple gun into its lyrics.
Other types of commercial electronic music are tailored for DJ use in club environments or mixing records; this genre of electronic music, commonly referred to as dance music (EDM), often utilizes vocals and melodic lines that tell a narrative while frequently featuring drum beats which makes mixing it into DJ sets easier.
Lo-Fi
Lo-Fi music has grown increasingly popular as music production shifts toward high-tech equipment. This genre emphasizes nostalgia and rusticism over quality; vintage keyboards, warm analog synths and organic drumming with soft organic feel drum kits often form the backbone of this style of music production. Additional elements can also add nostalgic charm such as vinyl crackle or natural environmental sounds such as wind rustling through trees or water drops hitting window panes – although it should be remembered that lo-Fi does not need to sound rough or distorted in order for this genre to exist.
Lo-Fi has seen unprecedented popularity thanks to YouTube. Many channels on this platform stream their beats live and provide an online community for Lo-Fi fans to engage with one another; particularly active is their comment section where people discuss both music and their own personal experiences. Furthermore, some channels also feature instrumental “Lo-Fi Study Music”, designed specifically to help individuals focus and concentrate.
Lo-Fi Study Music playlists often consist of simple chord progressions and drum loops, making it the perfect accompaniment for studying. This style can drown out distracting background noise and help create a relaxing, focused atmosphere – something traditional study music cannot achieve. If you want to make your own Lo-Fi Study Music, begin with a basic drum loop then add simple chord progressions before including some familiar sounds such as door slamming or pots and pans clacking to give the beat more authenticity and make your beat more authentic – use recordings such as door slamming or pots and pans clanks so your beat has recognizable sounds for added recognizable atmosphere!
Instrumental Music
People often prefer songs without lyrics, which explains why there are many radio stations and music websites dedicated to instrumental versions of popular songs. Some even refer to this genre of music as “elevator music”, given its common use in elevators or other settings where peaceful listening experiences are preferred.
However, as an instrumental musician it’s essential to ensure the spotlight doesn’t always rest on one instrument. While this approach might work when creating songs with vocals it can quickly become monotonous when creating instrumental tracks.
Therefore, it is advisable to incorporate multiple instruments into an instrumental song, as this will allow each instrument to have their own moment in the spotlight and keep listeners engaged with what’s happening onstage.
Some musicians believe an instrumental can qualify as a song if it contains inarticulate vocals or brief verbal interjections; such lyrics may become part of its melody and add depth.
There are also genres of electronic music such as trance and house that don’t rely on vocals at all, since these genres tend to focus more on rhythm and melody rather than lyrics.
If you are looking for music to use in your business, instrumental music could help create an inviting and relaxed atmosphere for your audience. Furthermore, instrumental music provides an imaginative way of telling stories by inviting viewers to give the tale their own interpretation and meaning.