The Comprehensive Beginners Guide to EDM Genres and Sub-Genres

Trance

Sub-genres: Progressive Trance, Uplifting Trance, Psytrance, Tech Trance,

Notable Artists: Markus Schulz & BT (Progressive Trance); Above & Beyond & Armin van Buuren (Uplifting Trance); Infected Mushroom & Coming Soon (Psytrance); Marlo & Simon Patterson (Tech Trance);

BPM & Style Distinctions: 125 – 150 BPM; happy, yet emotionally intense; longer, uplifting builds in contrast to drops; focuses on musical progression; melodic, with repetitive synths

Trance got its early developments in 1980. The genre initially formed by combining elements of UK house and 1980s Chicago and Detroit based electronic music (17). The 1990s is when trance gained momentum with artists and crowds in the U.S. Trance drew on West Coast psychedelic culture in the 60s, and started expanding further as technology developed. Originally, trance included fewer lyrics to focus on the melodic synths, but as it commercialized in the mainstream lyrics became inclusive to encompass pop trends.

Since the 2000s, trance is mostly divided into two categories: progressive and uplifting trance. These two are highly similar to one another, as uplifting trance later developed from progressive. Progressive trance includes builds and anthems that incorporate futuristic and fast sounds of harder trance, but makes the breakdowns (instrumental solos) less aggressive. Builds are routinely longer, with the track flowing more from start to finish. In contrast to flipping between the chorus and instrumental breaks. Progressive trance usually sits at about 128 -132 BPM.

Uplifting trance emerged from the expansion of progressive trance in the 90s and 2000s. Its aim is to pull at our emotions and focus on giving listeners feelings of happiness and closeness. Chord progressions are longer than progressive trance, as well as the breakdowns. Uplifting trance is also faster, ranging about 136 – 142 BPM. Above & Beyond is one of the best at this. Their element of love surrounding their music brings people closer together (and honestly I’ve never seen an artist make so many people cry and feel that kind of passion in one space).

Psytrance combines elements of weird, psychedelic technical elements with trance to bring a high-energy beat. A spin-off of Goa-trance, which originated in India, psytrance emerged into what we know today in 90s Isreal.  Pummeling, rolling,  quick-changing rhythms and basslines will keep you alert. Psytrance changes every eight counts, and often can have an eerie, dark elements to its sound.

Tech trance developed in the electronic music scene as producers tried to move away from poppy, progressive trance. As the name implicates, this sub-genre combines elements of techno and trance to create a diverse style. Tech trance incorporates electronic rhythms, along with rasping, harder synthesized tones than trance. It contains the 4/4 beat that is present in techno, plus minimal vocals, repetition, and more delay.

Intro, House, Techno, Bass, Dubstep, Hard Dance