Trystan Casey
Trance and electro are both genres of electronic dance music. Trance music emerged from EBM in Frankfurt, Germany, in the late 1980s and early 1990s, and quickly spread throughout Europe. It is characterized by variable tempos, repeating melodic phrases, and a build-up of tension throughout the track, often culminating in drops. Electro, on the other hand, is a genre that has been described as having soaring arpeggios and has been associated with artists such as Afrika Bambaataa. Trance and electro are distinct genres, but they share similarities and often incorporate elements from other styles of electronic music.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Trance music tempo | Variable, ranging from normal to high-fast |
| Trance music structure | Repeating melodic phrases with tension and elements building throughout the track, culminating in "peaks" or "drops" |
| Trance music origins | Emerged from EBM in Frankfurt, Germany, in the late 1980s and early 1990s |
| Trance music subgenres | Acid trance, classic trance, hard trance, progressive trance, uplifting trance |
| Trance music events | Sunburn Festival, Boom Festival, Transmission, Summer Sound, Dreamland, ANKA or Psy-ANKA and AJAX, Ibiza parties, and more |
| Electro music subgenres | Complextro, electro house |
| Electro music artists | Mord Fustang, Afrika Bambaataa |
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What You'll Learn
Trance music's origins and history
Trance music emerged in the late 1980s and early 1990s in Germany and the Netherlands, and quickly spread throughout Europe. It is a genre of electronic dance music that arose from EBM in Frankfurt, Germany. Trance music is characterised by its melodic and uplifting soundscapes, repetitive beats, and distinctive use of synthesizers. It is also known for its variable tempo, with low-tempo sounds usually being loud and compensated by a fast-tempo 'after-effect'. Trance tracks often have lengthy builds and breakdowns, with a common characteristic being a mid-song climax followed by a soft breakdown, disposing of beats and percussion entirely.
The term 'trance' may refer to the emotional feelings the music induces in listeners, such as euphoria, chills, and an uplifting rush. Alternatively, it may refer to the trance-like state that the earliest forms of the genre attempted to emulate. Trance music is mostly instrumental, although vocals are sometimes mixed in, typically performed by female mezzo-soprano to soprano soloists.
Some of the key pioneers of trance music include German producer and DJ Sven Väth, whose track "An Accident in Paradise", released in 1992, is often cited as one of the earliest trance records. In the Netherlands, producers like Ferry Corsten and Tiesto also made significant contributions to the genre, with Corsten's "Don't Be Afraid" and Tiesto's remix of Delerium's "Silence" considered influential trance anthems.
Trance music found a dedicated audience in the club scene and at large-scale events and festivals, where its uplifting and energetic nature resonated with audiences. By the late 1990s and early 2000s, trance had reached its commercial peak, with a string of trance records topping the charts across Europe. The genre has since declined in popularity, but it continues to evolve and remain relevant, with underground DJs incorporating trance elements into their sets and new subgenres emerging, such as "orchestral uplifting trance".
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Electro house as a genre
Trance and electro are not the same things. Trance is a genre of electronic dance music that emerged in Frankfurt, Germany, in the late 1980s and early 1990s. It is characterized by a variable tempo and repeating melodic phrases that build tension throughout a track, often culminating in "peaks" or "drops".
Now, onto electro house as a genre:
Electro house is a genre of electronic dance music and a subgenre of house music. It is characterized by heavy basslines and an upbeat, energetic sound. The main feature that separates it from other genres is its use of distorted basslines and its incorporation of samples from other styles such as hip-hop, funk, and techno. Electro house also tends to have a strong focus on production and the heavy use of synthesizers. It usually has a tempo of 125 to 135 beats per minute and often resembles tech house, but it can contain melodic elements and electro-influenced samples and synths.
Electro house first entered the mainstream in the late 2000s, pioneered by the iconic French duo Daft Punk, with their influential album "Discovery" in 2003. Other artists such as Skrillex have since pushed the boundaries of the genre, leaving an indelible mark on the music industry. By the mid-2000s, electro house began to gain traction in Europe with artists like Wolfgang Gartner, Deadmau5, and Eric Prydz releasing groundbreaking tracks. By 2008, it had exploded in popularity thanks to a series of blockbuster hits from Avicii, Afrojack, and Skrillex.
Electro house has several subgenres, including Dutch house, sometimes referred to as 'Dirty Dutch', which originated in the Netherlands and gained prominence by 2009. Fidget house, or fidget, is another subgenre defined by snatched vocal snippets, pitch-bent dirty basslines, and synth stabs over glitchy 4/4 beats. Melbourne bounce is a subgenre that originated in Melbourne, Australia, and is characterized by its uptempo, horn-infused style, tech trance synths, and scouse house-influenced basslines. Complextro is yet another subgenre, typified by intricate basslines and textures created by quickly cutting between instruments.
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BPM and track length
BPM, or beats per minute, is a measure of the tempo of a song, and is used to determine the speed at which the beats occur. The higher the BPM, the faster the beats, and the more energetic and upbeat the song will be. Trance music typically has a tempo of 125 to 150 BPM, with more recent styles tending to be on par with house music at 120 to 135 BPM. However, the BPM of trance music can be variable, with some songs having both a simple and a high-fast tempo simultaneously. This is achieved by having loud, low-tempo sounds compensated with a fast-tempo "after-" effect. Trance music also often features lengthy "snare rolls", which are a quick succession of snare drum hits that build in velocity, frequency, and volume towards the end of a measure.
The BPM of electro music was unable to be found. However, as a genre of electronic dance music (EDM), it is likely to have a BPM that falls within the range of other EDM genres. EDM genres can have a wide range of BPMs, from the slow, sustained grooves of Dub music in the 1970s to the frenetic pace of Drum and Bass in the 1990s. The BPM of a song can significantly alter its mood, with slower BPMs generally indicating a more mellow vibe.
In terms of track length, trance songs tend to be longer, typically ranging from 7 to 10 minutes. This length allows for the progression of the song, which often includes a mid-song climax followed by a soft breakdown that disposes of beats and percussion entirely, leaving the melody or atmospherics to stand alone for an extended period before gradually building up again. The longer length of trance songs also allows for longer transitions and melodic breakdowns, which are common in recent styles of trance.
The track length of electro music was unable to be found. However, as a genre of EDM, it likely has track lengths that are similar to other EDM genres. EDM songs can vary in length, but typically range from 3 to 7 minutes.
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Trance subgenres
Trance and electro are not the same things. Trance is a genre of electronic dance music that emerged in the late 1980s and early 1990s. It is characterized by varying tempos, repeating melodic phrases, and a musical form that builds tension throughout a track, often culminating in "peaks" or "drops". Electro, on the other hand, is a type of electronic music characterized by the use of drum machines and synthesizers, with a focus on sound experimentation. Electro is often seen as a subgenre of techno or synth-pop.
Now, let's delve into the various trance subgenres:
Classic Trance/Acid Trance
Classic trance, also known as acid trance, emerged in the late 1980s and early 1990s. It is characterized by trippy and hypnotic oscillating melodies, often created using the Roland TB-303 synthesizer. Acid trance is considered a descendant of acid house, with a signature sound that differentiates it from the softer synth lines and atmospheric vibes of classic trance.
Goa Trance
Goa trance, also known as "hippie trance," originated in Goa, India, in the 1960s and 1970s. It gained global popularity thanks to Paul Oakenfold's Perfecto label. Goa trance aims to create a hypnotic sense of transcendence with a 4/4 rhythm and a wide range of BPMs, from 100 to 160. It has spawned numerous subgenres, including hard Goa, progressive Goa, and ambient Goa.
Progressive Trance
Progressive trance emerged in the 1990s and evolved into uplifting trance, which may be the most popular trance subgenre. It is characterized by progressive beats that build into the melodic portion, with variations of rhythms throughout the track.
Vocal Trance
Vocal trance, as the name suggests, emphasizes vocals as a key component. It originated in the early 1990s and often overlaps with other trance subgenres. The tracks typically start with progressive beats before moving into the melodic portion, showcasing the strong melodic nature of the subgenre.
Psytrance
Psytrance, or psychedelic trance, is a subgenre that has gained popularity at outdoor festivals such as Boom Festival in Portugal and Street Parade in Zurich, Switzerland. It often contains elements of house music, with a focus on basslines and drums that create a "trancey" vibe.
Hard Trance
Hard trance is another notable subgenre that has influenced the evolution of other styles, such as hands-up and jumpstyle. It is known for its harsher basslines and drum beats, often with a focus on a four-on-the-floor stylistic house drum pattern.
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Differences in beats and sounds
Trance and electro are not the same things. Trance is a genre of electronic dance music that emerged from EBM in Frankfurt, Germany, in the late 1980s and early 1990s, and quickly spread throughout Europe. Electro, on the other hand, is a genre of electronic music that originated in the early 1980s and is characterized by the use of drum machines and synthesizers to create a sound that is often described as mechanical and futuristic.
Trance music typically has a variable tempo, ranging from normal to high-fast, with a 4/4 time signature and a tempo of 125 to 150 BPM. It often uses a four-on-the-floor beat with a kick drum on every downbeat and an open hi-hat on the upbeat. The kick drum is often de-emphasized to give space to the bassline. Trance tracks usually have a central "hook" or melody that repeats throughout the song, with instruments being added or removed at regular intervals. The structure of a trance track typically includes sparser intros and outros to enable DJs to blend them together seamlessly.
Electro, on the other hand, is known for its use of drum machines and synthesizers to create a variety of sounds, including basslines, beats, and melodies. The beats in electro are often programmed to be more complex and varied than those in trance, with a focus on creating a mechanical and futuristic sound. Electro tracks may also incorporate vocal samples, sound effects, and other electronic elements.
While both trance and electro are forms of electronic dance music, they differ in their specific beats and sounds. Trance is known for its hypnotic and repetitive nature, with a focus on building tension and releasing it through peaks and drops. Electro, on the other hand, is more mechanical and futuristic in its sound, with a greater emphasis on programmed drum beats and synthesized sounds. Additionally, electro may incorporate a wider range of influences and elements, as it has evolved and blended with other genres over time.
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Frequently asked questions
No, trance and electro are not the same things. Trance is a genre of electronic dance music that emerged in the late 1980s and early 1990s and is characterised by variable tempos and repeating melodic phrases. Electro, on the other hand, is often associated with artists like Afrika Bambaataa and is known for its use of soaring arpeggios.
Trance music is known for its variable tempos, often combining normal and fast tempos within the same track. It also features repeating melodic phrases and builds tension throughout the track, often leading to "peaks" or "drops". Trance music has many subgenres, including acid trance, classic trance, hard trance, and progressive trance.
There are many trance music festivals held around the world, including the Sunburn Festival in Goa, India, the Boom Festival in Portugal, and the Street Parade in Zurich, Switzerland. Trance music has a strong following in Europe, with festivals like Transmission in Prague, Czech Republic, and Summer Sound in Helsinki, Finland, showcasing the best of the genre.
Trance music differs from other electronic genres like techno, house, and electro in terms of its tempo, structure, and sound. Trance often features faster tempos, progressive song structures, and longer track lengths. It also emphasizes harsher basslines and drum beats, focusing on a four-on-the-floor stylistic house drum pattern.
