EDM, short for ‘Electronic Dance Music’, is a Genre that has gained huge worldwide recognition; even from the moment it was born. From underground scenes in Chicago and Detroit to the world’s biggest music festivals, electronic dance music has become a cultural juggernaut.
House and Techno are arguably two of the most important genres and two of the most well-known sub-genres. This article will discuss these genres' origins, features, and personalities and give more context to electronic dance music artists and their culture.
Electronic Dance Music is a genre that relies mostly on sounds of electronic origin. Where traditional music features acoustic guitars, electronic dance music uses synthesizers, drum machines, and other types of digital gear to produce its own aesthetic sound. These sounds are typically layered to build up complex, repetitive beats that get people dancing on the floor.
Electronic dance music (EDM) is different from other genres because it hinges on rhythm and bass. The beats are hypnotic, the soundscapes innovative, and the whole thing ultimately leads to a type of escapism that’s hard to find in other music. EDM will take you somewhere else, whether in a club, a festival, or just sitting at home listening.
Also Read: Unlock Your Muse Beat Writer’s Block and Ignite Lyric Magic
It’s worth mentioning that when discussing instruments in the world of electronic dance music, traditional instruments suited for a rock band scenario, like a guitar or a drum, aren’t exactly required.
Instead, it uses tools like synthesizers, samplers and drum machines to build its beats and melodies. Electronic dance music and the instrument is often a computer; much of the music is made and mixed digitally. A DJ controller, an essential equipment for electronic dance music shows allows performers to live-mix sound and beat.
House music was born in Chicago in the late 1970s and early 1980s when DJs mixed already popular disco records with electronic beats. The genre was named for The Warehouse, a Chicago nightclub where DJ Frankie Knuckles would spin marathon sets of deep, soulful tracks that eventually crystallized into the heart of electronic dance music.
House music has a 4/4 beat pattern, with a 120–130 BPM (beats per minute) tempo. As one of the more accessible forms of dance electronic music, it frequently features funky basslines, soulful vocals, and repetitive melodies. Some of the biggest names in the house genre of electronic dance music include David Guetta, Daft Punk, and Carl Cox.
House music's versatility is one of the main reasons it has gained traction. Since then, it has given birth to a variety of substyles, such as Deep House, Progressive House, Tropical House, etc., each with its own unique twist on the 4-4s beat.
At the same time House music was being born in Chicago, a similar movement was happening in Detroit that gave birth to Techno. Techno, developed by artists including Juan Atkins, Kevin Saunderson, and Derrick May, is darker, more industrial, and more repetitive than House.
Techno tends to be a much more driving and mechanical sound of electronic dance music, often using synthesizers and drum machines such as the Roland TR-909 and TR-808, often at a tempo of 125-140 BPM.
Generally speaking, in electronic dance music, the synthesizer is the preferred instrument used to write Techno tracks. Producers depend on the synthesizer’s talent for generating ominous, futuristic soundscapes that describe the style’s aesthetic. The beats are minimal but filled with intricate textures keeping the listener going.
Techno also places a high value on live performances. In the Techno scene, many electronic dance music artists use modular synths, sequencers, and drum machines to perform their music, creating a unique experience for the audience by manipulating the music live in real time.
With electronic dance music securing widespread attention, it began being acknowledged during major award show seasons like the Grammies. Artists such as Skrillex (TIDAL), Daft Punk, and The Chemical Brothers have even sent Electronic Dance Music Grammies on their shelves, contributing to this genre's late great rise to the world.
Additionally, the recognition helped bridge the gap between the dance genre and other forms of music, officially establishing it as a credible force to reckon with. This new popularity opened the door for electronic dance music artists to team up with big-name pop and rock acts, exposing the genre to an even greater listener base.
Although House and Techno belong to the same family as electronic dance music sub-genres, the two share completely different sounds.
House music is more melodic, with plenty of soulful vocals and warm basslines. At the same time, techno is colder and mechanical and is all about those repetitive driving rhythms. Another major difference is the atmosphere they create. House music has a celebratory, uplifting vibe, while Techno is often darker and more introspective.
But both genres are united by a common purpose: to get people moving. The hypnotic beats and thumping basslines found in House and Techno make these two genres mainstays in clubs all over the world.
House and Techno have both grown far past their underground aesthetics by achieving international prominence. Festivals such as Tomorrowland, Ultra Music Festival, and Movement in Detroit From all over the world, celebrate electronic dance music from all regions. They are cultural hubs, gathering people from all walks of life to bask in the glory of dance music.
This worldwide quality appeal is a huge part of what makes EDM so special. With its universal tongue—rhythm—this genre has bridged borders and brought together folks from disparate cultures. The World EDM Festival Forum (WEFF) is a place to meet, get to know, and share experiences among EDM Festival fans from all over the world.
With the evolution of technology, the styles of House and Techno will evolve too. New tools and new instruments appear constantly in electronic dance music, learning new sounds and breaking new limits. Modular synthesizers, for instance, are gaining in popularity, and more producers are integrating live elements into their sets.
The ascendance of artificial intelligence in music production is another thing to watch. With AI-generated tracks now a common occurrence and its proliferation annoying some dance electronic music purists, it’s safe to say that AI has a part to play in the future of dance electronic music.
That being said, the fundamental aspects that have endeared House and Techno to so many of us — hypnotic rhythms, driving basslines, and groundbreaking sound design — probably won’t change much.
Also Suggested: Different Types of Music Genres: Explore All Styles & Sounds
After thousands of electronic dance music producers have graced both the House and Techno charts over the years, we have handpicked artists who will not only lead the way this year but will forever be on top of the social order of dance music.
In Techno, producers such as Richie Hawtin, Jeff Mills, and Adam Beyer are originators whose sound continues to inspire waves of new producers. These EDM artists have extended the potential of what can be achieved with this genre and implemented experimental sound devices and even classical structures into their work.
From its trailblazing use of instruments to its prevalence in esteemed award shows — like the Electronic Dance Music Grammies — the genre has cemented itself into the global cultural vernacular. Whether you’re a listener of long-standing or new to the sound, House and Techno offer an infinite path of exploration within the constantly-growing realm of electronic dance music.
This content was created by AI