Electronic dance music is characterized by its drum patterns, which are often repetitive with few to many beats per minute. The drum beat is generally what distinguishes electronic dance music from other forms of club or party music. Although the drum beat is considered by many to be the main defining feature, there are several other instruments and sounds that can contribute to the overall composition of electronic dance music. Some of the most popular electronic dance music beats include:
Bass. This particular beat is considered one of the most “in” things now for club or bedroom parties. Drummers, along with producers, use this beat to keep the rhythm of the track going, adding to the energy level of the music.
Glitch. Often found in videos of people at clubs or other live shows, glitches are inserted into electronic dance music. This technique, performed by experienced studio owners, adds interest, humor, and sometimes complexity, to the track.
Ambient sound. Sometimes referred to as “space music,” this is electronic dance music that doesn’t necessarily focus on a single beat or rhythm. Rather, the composer may use samples of recorded music and re-record it into a repetitive loop or texture. Popular examples include French horn, drone, and string quartet. These sounds are then processed through hardware and software in order to generate unique sounds. This form of electronic dance music is frequently used on many different types of dance floors, although it has become increasingly popular in house and club culture over the last several years.
Natural looping. In electronic dance music, a series of sounds are played back in time, often blended and played in sequence. This type of looping is commonly found in downtempo and chill out tracks, although it is also used in more energetic electronic dance music.
Unusual sound. Unusual samples and sounds are common in electronic dance music. Examples include noises from nature, birds, human voices, and machine guns. These sounds are created by a computer or a microphone. They can be played once or repeated indefinitely.
Play list. An electronic dance music song CD usually contains a play list that changes periodically. The play list varies by artist and often contains backward/ Forward songs, time signatures, or a combination of these.
This brief description is only a few of the characteristics of electronic dance music. In addition to the brief description above, electronic dance music includes a wide variety of genres and subgenres. As new electronic dance music styles emerge, artists will continue to innovate and challenge the listening public. With the ever-increasing popularity of electronic dance music worldwide, artists and fans alike will continue to seek new and exciting ways to enjoy this unique form of music.
Popular electronic dance music categories include hip hop, house, trance, breakcore, techno, and many more. Electronic dance artists have created their own styles and sound of electronic dance music. Artists in these categories often cross over into other music genres as well, for example, breakcore and house musicians have released dance music that has a heavy trance influenced sound.
Electronic dance music continues to grow in popularity. Internet download sites are offering hundreds of new and classic electronic dance albums daily. This continues to stimulate the market for electronic dance music. Most people who purchase electronic dance music online never even see the album cover. Downloading electronic dance music has become an integral part of mainstream society.
Unfortunately, some people still consider purchasing dance music online to be risky. This is because many “dance” sites have been known to upload illegal files and music that could put users at risk. Quality sites take precautions to ensure that their downloads are legal. Many sites also offer refunds if the user finds the music to be illegal.
People who download electronic dance software and illegally distribute or sell it may face serious legal consequences. It is important to purchase legitimate downloads to avoid trouble. Most major label and unsigned albums are available for purchase through legitimate distributors. Purchasing electronic dance music online can be very rewarding if you do your homework. The right sources and reliable downloads will bring enjoyment to your electronic dance music collection.
