How electronic music was born
Electronic music is a broad term that encompasses a wide range of subgenres. The first use of the term electronic music was in the early twentieth century, when it referred to experimental performances involving sound produced using electrical devices like the theremin or audion cell. But it wasn’t until the second half of the twentieth century that electronic music began developing as its own genre. With influences from jazz, rock and pop music, many subgenres of electronic music have emerged and thrived over time.
Today, almost every popular EDM artist cites some kind of electro influence in their discography. Thanks to digital technology and software programs such as Garageband and Logic, making your own electronic music can be as easy as pie.
What is Electronic Music?
Electronic music is any music that uses electronic instruments, computers, or synthesizers to create sound. When we talk about electronic music, we’re talking about a wide spectrum of genres and subgenres, including trance, techno, house, electro, minimalist music, ambient, drum and bass, and many more. It can also incorporate elements of classical music, jazz, reggae, and world music.
Electronic music is typically created with computers, synthesizers, drum machines, and digital audio workstations (DAWs), which have revolutionized the modern music industry. DAWs allow musicians to create and mix music on their computers and then export it to other devices for playback.
Electronic Music Subgenres
- Electronica: Electronica is a music genre that is a blend of electronic music and dance music. It developed in the 1990s and is typically characterized by synthesizers, drum machines and other electronic musical instruments. Electronica is often used as an umbrella term to describe EDM as well.
- Progressive Electronic: Progressive Electronic music is a subgenre of electronica that is experimental, complex and often features an unconventional mix of musical elements. The genre emerged in the late 1960s and is influenced by jazz, classical and ambient music. Progressive Electronic artists include Brian Eno, Kraftwerk, Aphex Twin and Tangerine Dream.
- Breakbeat: Breakbeat is a subgenre of electronica that emerged in the late 1980s and is characterized by a drum break in a kick or snare pattern in an otherwise minimalistic track. Breakbeat producers include The Prodigy, The Chemical Brothers and Fatboy Slim.
- Synthpop and Electropop: Synthpop and electropop are subgenres of electronica and pop music that emerged in the late 1970s and 1980s and are characterized by synthesizer-driven music with a strong focus on catchy melodies. Synthpop and electropop artists include Human League, Gary Numan, Depeche Mode and Kraftwerk.
- Electronic Rock (E-Rock) - Electronic rock is a subgenre of electronica and rock music that emerged in the 1990s and is characterized by a mixture of guitar-driven rock music with synthesizer-based music. Electronic rock artists include The Prodigy, Chemical Brothers and The Crystal Method.
- Computer Music and Digital Art Forms - Computer music and digital art forms are genres of music and art that are created using computers and electronic music technology. This includes electroacoustic music, algorithmic music, computer art, computer-generated art, computer music and computer-generated music.
Conclusion
With so many different subgenres of electronic music, it’s easy to see why this genre is so popular. No matter what kind of music you like, there’s a good chance that there’s an electronic version of it! Electronic music is not just a great way to listen to music; it’s also a great way to make music. With the right equipment, you can make any kind of music you want, whether it’s EDM, hip hop, folk, rock or any other genre.