Electronic music is a genre of music that is created using electronic technology and instruments. It has its roots in the 20th century and has gone through many different phases and styles, from experimental and avant-garde to mainstream pop and dance. In this article, we'll take a look at the history of electronic music and explore its evolution from its early beginnings to its current place in popular culture.
The Early Days of Electronic Music
In the early 20th century, new technological advancements in sound recording and reproduction allowed for the creation of new forms of music that had not been possible before. One of the earliest forms of electronic music was known as "Musique Concrète", which was created by manipulating recorded sounds and arranging them into new compositions. This experimental genre was developed by French composer Pierre Schaeffer in the 1940s and 1950s.
The Rise of Synthesizers
In the 1960s and 1970s, the advent of new electronic instruments such as the synthesizer, sequencer, and drum machine, allowed for the creation of even more new and exciting forms of electronic music. German band Kraftwerk and Japanese composer Isao Tomita were among the pioneers in this new genre, which began to be known as "electronica". They used these new instruments to create a unique sound that blended elements of pop, rock, and experimental music.
Electronica and Dance Music
In the 1980s and 1990s, electronic music began to find its way into mainstream pop culture. Bands like Depeche Mode, New Order, and Pet Shop Boys, used synthesisers and drum machines to create a new sub-genre of electronic music known as Synthpop. Additionally, in this period, the emergence of house and techno music, which originated in the clubs of Chicago and Detroit respectively, began to gain global popularity. These sub-genres of electronic music were characterized by the heavy use of drum machines and synthesizers, and they formed the foundation of modern dance music.
The Digital Age and Modern Electronic Music
In the 21st century, the widespread availability of digital music-making tools and software has led to a proliferation of new forms of electronic music. With the help of new technologies, it is easier than ever for anyone to produce and distribute their own music. Consequently, Electronic Music is everywhere, it can be heard in Pop, Hip-Hop, R&B, and even in some areas of film scores. As a result, electronic music has become an integral part of popular culture and a mainstay in the music industry.
Electronic music has its roots in the 20th century, and it has undergone many different phases and styles, from experimental and avant-garde to mainstream pop and dance. The advent of new electronic instruments such as the synthesizer, sequencer, and drum machine, in the 1960s and 1970s, allowed for the creation of even more new and exciting forms of electronic music. Since then, electronic music has grown and evolved, becoming an integral part of popular culture and a mainstay in the music industry. The digital age has greatly impacted the genre, making it more accessible and prevalent in different areas of music. Electronic music has come a long way since its beginnings and will continue to have a huge impact on the future of music.