Electronic dance music

Definition

Electronic dance music (EDM) is a genre that encompasses a wide range of percussive electronic music genres created primarily for nightclubs, raves, and festivals. It's characterized by its use of synthesizers, drum machines, and samples, aiming to create an upbeat atmosphere that encourages dancing. This genre integrates elements from various musical styles and has evolved significantly since the late 20th century, connecting closely with techniques like musique concrète and the practices of sampling and remixing.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. EDM emerged in the 1980s, influenced by genres like disco, house, techno, and trance, leading to its diverse subgenres.
2. The genre is known for its high-energy beats and often features repetitive melodic phrases and builds that create climactic drops.
3. Festivals such as Tomorrowland and Ultra Music Festival have played a significant role in popularizing EDM, drawing large crowds and showcasing top artists.
4. The use of technology in EDM production includes software like Ableton Live and hardware like MIDI controllers, allowing for innovative sound manipulation.
5. EDM has been embraced globally, with artists from various countries contributing unique cultural influences to the genre.

Review Questions

• How does electronic dance music incorporate elements from earlier forms of music like musique concrète?
  • Electronic dance music takes inspiration from musique concrète by utilizing recorded sounds and manipulating them to create new compositions. Just as musique concrète focuses on the creative use of sound as a primary medium, EDM producers often sample various audio clips, including environmental sounds or musical phrases, to construct their tracks. This connection showcases how EDM not only relies on electronic instruments but also integrates the experimental approaches of earlier music forms.
• Discuss the impact of sampling and remixing on the evolution of electronic dance music as a genre.
  • Sampling and remixing have been pivotal in shaping electronic dance music, allowing artists to draw from an extensive pool of existing sounds and styles. Sampling provides producers with the ability to incorporate notable hooks or beats from past songs into new tracks, creating familiar yet fresh experiences for listeners. Meanwhile, remixing allows for reinterpretation of popular tracks, making them fit within the EDM context while also promoting creativity among artists to explore different sonic landscapes.
• Evaluate the role of technology in transforming electronic dance music production and its accessibility to aspiring musicians.
  • Technology has radically transformed the production landscape of electronic dance music, democratizing access for aspiring musicians. With advancements in software like digital audio workstations (DAWs), individuals can produce high-quality tracks from their own homes without needing expensive studio time. This accessibility has led to a surge in creativity within the genre as emerging artists can experiment with sounds and styles, contributing to the rapid evolution of EDM. The availability of online tutorials and platforms also fosters collaboration and sharing within the global EDM community.

Related terms

Musique Concrète: A form of music composition that uses recorded sounds as raw material, blending them into a new piece through editing techniques.

Sampling: The technique of taking a portion of a sound recording and reusing it in a different song or piece of music, often to create loops or new compositions.

Remix: A reworking of a song or track, which often alters its structure, tempo, or instrumentation to create a fresh version.