Music made with electronic sounds or instruments is a broad genre that encompasses numerous subgenres such as house, trance, techno, breakbeat and others.
Magnetic tape was once the go-to format for musicians to record and edit together acoustic sounds into musique concrete pieces.
In the 1970s, synthesizers began to emerge alongside bands like Kraftwerk. Furthermore, this period saw the creation of genres featuring heavy electronic content like ambient and space music.
What is it?
Electronic music refers to any genre that utilizes only electronic instruments or equipment for composition and production, including dance music as well as some rock and alternative genres such as electronica. More specifically, this term may refer to genres like trance, techno, synthpop or industrial.
Electronic music’s history can be traced back to the 1920s and 30s when experiments using electrical recordings on gramophone records led to new ways of using sound, including altering speed settings and collaging them together. Pierre Schaeffer began exploring musique concrete techniques such as reverberation, echo chambers, and filters in order to experiment with various sounds and noises in his studio, including experimenting with them using various sounds such as reverberation, echo chambers, filters etc.
After World War II, electronic music gained more widespread recognition when musicians like Ron Grainer and Delia Derbyshire began creating TV and radio compositions featuring electronic instruments – this marked the earliest wave of commercial electronic music composition, inspiring other genres to include more electronics into their works – this also included bands such as Silver Apples and White Noise as well as Beach Boys and Beatles who used electronic instruments in their songs.
Synthesizers became more widely available following the invention of MIDI, and musicians quickly experimented with them in various ways. Some made their own instruments (such as the iconic Moog modular synthesizer first produced in 1964) while others experimented with circuit bending or circuit bending: this led to renewed interest in early 60s designs resulting in Eurorack systems being produced.
DJs and other electronic music producers in the 21st century have developed distinct styles. House music emerged from disco in the 80s, becoming an immensely popular form of dance music today. Other forms include breaks, techno and acid house. All can include vocals or other instruments for variety but they primarily rely on drum machines and synthesizers.
Studies conducted by scientists have shown that people who listen to electronic dance music tend to find greater satisfaction from dancing when physically expressing themselves through movement. Therefore, music lovers should discover the type of dance music that best resonates with them and regularly tune in.
How do I know if it’s electronic?
Electronic music differs from traditional musical genres in that it’s produced digitally rather than via instruments, often by using software that emulates analog synthesis synthesis. Layering sounds and samples together through these pieces of software results in unique compositions with distinct beat patterns and an elevated energy level than its traditional counterparts.
There are various indicators of electronic music, but three key features can help pinpoint an electronic song: beat pattern, tempo and compositional structure. EDM tracks typically feature pulsing beat patterns with consistent BPM levels – these serve as the backbone for dance tracks as they provide vital rhythmic support to them and contribute significantly to overall sound and feel of an electronic song.
Electronic songs frequently feature a build-up section that increases energy and intensity before transitioning into the chorus or drop. This trend is particularly prevalent in house and techno tracks.
Electronic music’s history can be traced back to technological innovations and invention of new devices capable of producing sound and music effects. Variable-speed turntables, electrical recordings and sound-on-film technologies all helped shape early genres of electronic music during the 1920s.
By the 1960s, more sophisticated electronic instruments such as the Moog synthesizer had made possible the incorporation of electronic elements into music, leading to new genres of electronic music such as techno. Popular rock bands like The Beatles began using electronic instruments in their compositions.
Electronic music of today draws influence from a diverse array of styles and subgenres, constantly evolving as new technologies and production methods become available. Thanks to digital audio workstations like Ableton Live and studio emulation software like Reason, anyone with access to a laptop computer is capable of producing high-quality electronic music productions.
As our world becomes ever more digitalized, electronic music continues to gain in popularity and its various subgenres will likely continue to flourish. From dancing at club nights to creating your own masterpiece at home – there is sure to be an electronic style out there to satisfy any taste!
What are the differences?
Music Electronica music relies heavily on synthesizers, drum machines and computer software to produce sounds and effects not possible with acoustic instruments alone. Producers utilize this technology to craft futuristic soundscapes that captivate listeners of all kinds – no wonder why electronica has found such popularity at dance clubs and festivals worldwide! Not only can electronica music get people moving, it also represents our continuous quest for innovation and exploration!
Acoustic music offers an intimate connection between musician and listener that cannot be replicated with electronic music. Acoustic musicians can perform live concerts of their music as opposed to being limited by its availability on an audio streaming service like iTunes.
Acoustic music offers another distinct advantage in that it is easy to write using traditional song structures and instrumentation, making production simpler. Furthermore, unlike electronic music which often relies on short looped pieces written without boundaries or musical climaxes acoustic songs tend to have well-defined borders with musical climaxes at defined points within their lengths.
However, electronic music encompasses numerous subgenres that can be easily distinguished. Techno is one such sub-genre, often defined by heavy beats and repetitive patterns; additionally it often uses dark themes and samples from dystopian universes to evoke tension or unease; its hypnotic rhythms make it ideal for dancing which makes it popular at clubs and dance music festivals.
There is also minimal techno, an atmospheric and minimalist variation of techno that features euphoric melodies with droning basslines to create an overall dreamlike ambience. Some notable players of minimal techno include Skrillex, Zomboy and Datsik. Another sub-genre called trance features long build ups and upbeat melodies; its roots stem back to both British hardcore and German techno scenes and notable artists include Jamie Jones, Aril Brikha, Joris Voorn and Solomun among many others.
How do I know if I like it?
Finding music that speaks to you is the ultimate goal; that is why so many musicians and listeners appreciate both acoustic and electronic genres. While the journey may take some time, once you discover music that speaks to you it can be both rewarding and fun – perhaps one day even becoming part of its creation!
Electronic music can be seen as an artform that explores unusual sounds and their musical qualities, while creating completely novel concepts and structures. This contrasts with acoustic music where composers are limited by what sounds their instrument produces.
As this music genre allows for greater experimentation and creativity, it makes for a thrilling listening experience. There is a diverse range of genres within this type of music from Skrillex’s energetic beats to ambient and meditative melodies by Yaeji and Flowdan artists – it truly is something worth discovering!
Electronic music stands out as being uniquely democratic in that anyone with access to software can produce it, while traditional acoustic instruments require years of practice before you can produce your own original tracks.
Unfortunately, accessibility means that there are also plenty of subpar tracks out there which may be frustrating to new listeners trying to break into the genre. Luckily, there are numerous resources online which provide useful techniques and tips for producing great music; YouTube offers numerous tutorials from experienced producers on the best ways to begin producing great tunes.
Simply put, nothing beats dance music for speeding up your heart rate and relaxing you down! So give it a go and see how you like it!