Trance

Definition

Trance is a genre of electronic dance music characterized by its repetitive melodic phrases and a musical form that builds up and down throughout a track. This style aims to create a euphoric state for listeners, often leading to an emotional release or a heightened sense of consciousness. It typically features synthesized sounds, steady beats, and a tempo ranging from 125 to 150 beats per minute, contributing to its immersive experience on the dance floor.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Trance music often incorporates long, sweeping builds and breakdowns, creating tension and release that engages the listener's emotions.
2. The genre emerged in the late 1980s and early 1990s, gaining popularity in Europe and North America during the rise of rave culture.
3. Key artists in trance include Paul van Dyk, Armin van Buuren, and Tiësto, who have helped define and popularize the sound.
4. Trance is known for its subgenres, including uplifting trance, progressive trance, and vocal trance, each with distinct characteristics.
5. Trance festivals and events are popular worldwide, often drawing large crowds who come to experience the euphoric atmosphere created by both the music and the community.

Review Questions

• How does trance music create an emotional response in listeners compared to other electronic genres?
  • Trance music creates an emotional response by using long melodic phrases, gradual build-ups, and breakdowns that heighten anticipation. This structure allows listeners to experience a journey through tension and release, which can lead to feelings of euphoria. Unlike genres like techno or house that may focus more on rhythm, trance often emphasizes melody and harmony to connect on a deeper emotional level with the audience.
• What are the primary characteristics that distinguish trance from other forms of electronic dance music?
  • Trance is distinguished by its melodic content, repetitive structures, and uplifting or euphoric qualities. While other electronic genres like techno might emphasize beats and rhythm over melody, trance relies heavily on harmonic progressions that evoke emotions. The typical tempo range of 125-150 BPM also sets it apart as it allows for an energetic yet immersive experience on the dance floor.
• Evaluate the impact of trance music on the evolution of electronic dance music culture since its inception.
  • Trance music has significantly impacted the evolution of electronic dance music culture by popularizing large-scale events and festivals dedicated to this genre. Since its inception in the late 1980s, trance has contributed to shaping the modern club scene by fostering a sense of community among fans who seek transcendent experiences through music. Its emotional depth and engaging compositions have influenced various subgenres within electronic music, leading to diverse expressions of sound that continue to evolve today.

Related terms

Techno: A genre of electronic music that emphasizes rhythm and uses repetitive instrumental music, often featuring synthetic sounds.

House Music: A genre of electronic dance music that originated in Chicago in the 1980s, known for its use of four-on-the-floor beats and soulful vocal samples.

Progressive House: A subgenre of house music characterized by its more complex structures and longer build-ups, often overlapping with trance in style and atmosphere.