Since its beginnings in the late 1970s and early 1980s, electronic dance music, or EDM, has evolved significantly. With millions of followers and devoted subcultures worldwide, what was once an underground movement has now grown into a global phenomenon. House music, which started in Chicago in the 1980s and swiftly extended to Europe, is one of the most significant and enduring EDM subgenres. Progressive music, a subgenre with British origins, has also had a big influence on the EDM scene.
Key Takeaways
- House and Progressive music originated in the 1980s in Chicago and the UK, respectively.
- Key characteristics of House music include a 4/4 beat, repetitive rhythms, and soulful vocals, while Progressive music features longer tracks with evolving melodies and complex rhythms.
- Techno music played a significant role in the development of House and Progressive genres, influencing their sound and production techniques.
- House music typically has a faster tempo and more straightforward beat, while Progressive music has a slower tempo and more intricate rhythms.
- Melody and harmony are essential elements in both House and Progressive music, with House music often featuring catchy hooks and Progressive music emphasizing evolving melodies.
We will discuss the history, salient features, and development of house & progressive music in this blog post, along with how they have impacted one another & the larger EDM scene. Chicago saw the rise of house music in the early 1980s, mostly in the underground clubs and parties of the city. House music’s culture and sound were greatly influenced by producers and DJs like Marshall Jefferson, Larry Heard, & Frankie Knuckles. The genre was distinguished by its recurring 4/4 beat, which was frequently produced with drum machines such as the Roland TR-808 and TR-909.
Chicago saw a rapid rise in the popularity of house music, which eventually extended to other American cities. House music arrived in Europe in the late 1980s & was welcomed by the continent’s listeners. The genre gained popularity and was given a distinctive spin, especially in the UK. This gave rise to the house music subgenre known as “acid house,” which is distinguished by a squelchy, hypnotic sound. Thousands of people gathered in warehouses and open fields to dance to the music during acid house parties, also known as raves, which became a cultural phenomenon in the UK.
Something new was emerging in the UK while house music was becoming popular in Chicago and throughout Europe. Early in the 1990s, a combination of house, techno, and trance elements gave rise to progressive music, commonly referred to as progressive house. Producers and DJs like Paul Oakenfold, John Digweed, and Sasha were instrumental in making the genre popular. Long track lengths, intricate melodies, & layered sounds were the hallmarks of progressive music.
| Genre | Tempo (BPM) | Popular Artists | Main Characteristics |
|---|---|---|---|
| Progressive | 126-130 | Deadmau5, Eric Prydz, Above & Beyond | Builds up gradually, often with melodic elements, and features long breakdowns and drops. |
| House | 120-130 | David Guetta, Calvin Harris, Tiesto | Characterized by a repetitive 4/4 beat, often with a vocal sample or hook, and a focus on dancing. |
In contrast to the exuberant sound of classic house music, it provided a more ethereal and reflective option. House music’s 4/4 beat, which offers a consistent and contagious rhythm for dancing, is one of its defining features. Drum machines are frequently used to create this beat because they give producers the ability to precisely program and manipulate drum patterns. For the purpose of producing catchy melodies and hooks, house music also uses samples and synths.
Repetitive elements are common in this genre; loops and recurring motifs can be heard frequently in tracks. Conversely, progressive music approaches sound design with more layers and complexity. Harmonious hooks, evocative textures, & intricate chord progressions are frequently included. Progressive music producers are able to create complex & dynamic soundscapes by utilizing synthesizers and digital effects. Progressive music usually has a tempo between 120 & 130 beats per minute (BPM), which is slower than house music.
Progressive music has a more laid-back, reflective vibe than house music because of its slower tempo. The evolution of house & progressive music was greatly influenced by techno music. Techno, which first appeared in Detroit in the 1980s, was distinguished by its use of electronic instruments & futuristic sound. Techno was a major influence on the Chicago house scene, as many house producers used it as inspiration for their tracks. The combination of house & techno gave rise to a new subgenre called tech house, which fused the soulful and melodic aspects of house music with the hard hitting beats of techno.
Techno also had a big impact on the growth of progressive music in the UK. Techno and progressive music were expertly mixed by DJs like Sasha and John Digweed, producing a distinctive and alluring sound. Progressive music gained a darker, more intense edge from the incorporation of techno elements, such as pulsating basslines & hypnotic synth patterns. The 4/4 beat is a common element in both house & progressive music, although they employ rhythm and structure quite differently.
House music frequently uses repetition and variation, with tracks having a straightforward, catchy hook that is played repeatedly. This song’s catchy & hypnotic groove is ideal for dancing to thanks to its repetitive structure. House music frequently features breakdowns, in which the beat briefly stops before returning to the main groove. Progressive music, on the other hand, approaches rhythm in a way that is more dynamic & always changing. With numerous layers of percussion and melodic elements, tracks are frequently lengthier and more intricate. Though they are usually longer and more dramatic than those found in house music, breakdowns and build-ups are also used in progressive music.
The lengthier build-ups and breakdowns add to the genre’s emotional and atmospheric quality by generating a sense of release and suspense. Although they are approached differently, melody and harmony are essential components of both house and progressive music. Vocal samples & hooks are a common feature of house music, giving the songs a memorable finish.
These voice samples are frequently altered & chopped up to produce a melodic and rhythmic texture. In order to add a sense of depth and movement, house tracks also employ straightforward chord progressions and melodies that are layered and repeated. Progressive music, in contrast, approaches its melodies in a way that is more harmonically rich & complex. Song structures are frequently complex, layering, and developing melodic motifs and chord progressions that run the length of the song. The emotional & atmospheric quality of the genre is further enhanced by producers’ ability to create rich, dynamic soundscapes through the use of synthesizers & digital effects. House & progressive music’s success and popularity have been greatly influenced by their promotion and dissemination.
Clubs and DJs were essential in the early stages of house music’s promotion. The sound of house music was popularized by DJs like Frankie Knuckles and Larry Heard, who played sets & held residencies at Chicago clubs like The Warehouse. Likewise, DJs such as Sasha and John Digweed played a significant role in bringing progressive music to a wider audience in the UK through their mix compilations and performances at venues like Renaissance. Promotion & distribution of house & progressive music have been greatly impacted in recent years by the growth of social media & internet streaming services. Artists & labels can now reach a global audience with their music, and fans can discover new tracks and artists with just a few clicks.
Social media sites like Facebook and Instagram are now crucial resources for musicians looking to interact with fans & spread the word about their music. The creation of house and progressive music has been greatly influenced by technology. Samplers, drum machines, and hardware synthesizers were the main tools used by producers to create tracks in the early days of house music. The production process has been completely transformed by the introduction of software synthesizers and digital audio workstations (DAWs), which enable producers to produce high-caliber music from the comfort of their own homes. Sound shaping and manipulation are made possible by the multitude of tools and effects available in DAWs such as Logic Pro and Ableton Live.
Producers can add depth and richness to their tracks by creating intricate and dynamic textures using software synthesizers such as Massive and Serum. The use of technology has also sparked the creation of fresh production methods that have come to define the sound of progressive and house music, like time-stretching & sidechain compression. Some of the most recognizable and significant tracks in EDM history have come from the house and progressive music genres. House music pioneers like Disclosure, Daft Punk, and MK have achieved mainstream success while adhering to the genre’s original principles.
Songs such as “One More Time” by Daft Punk, “Latch” by Disclosure, and “17” by MK have become global hits in the genre. Artists such as Above and Beyond, Eric Prydz, & Deadmau5 have gained a devoted fan base and pushed the boundaries of progressive music. Songs with emotional and atmospheric sounds, such as “Opus” by Eric Prydz, “Strobe” by Deadmau5, and “Sun & Moon” by Above & Beyond, have endured over time. It seems obvious that house and progressive music will remain important components of the EDM scene as we look to the future. These timeless genres are still developing and innovating today, drawing new listeners & pushing the envelope in electronic music.
Thanks to technological developments and the growth of streaming services, musicians now have more options than ever to make music and release it worldwide. House & progressive music have developed into cultural movements that have influenced how we perceive and appreciate electronic music, transcending their status as music genres. These genres have had a lasting impact on the EDM scene, from the underground clubs of Chicago to the enormous festivals of Europe.
It’s exciting to imagine the new sounds and experiences that progressive and house music will offer us as we go forward.
If you’re interested in exploring the differences between progressive house and house music, you might find this article from Elegant Press intriguing. Titled “Progressive House vs House: Unraveling the Subtle Contrasts,” it delves into the distinct characteristics of these two popular electronic music genres. From the evolution of progressive house to the rhythmic patterns and melodic elements that set it apart from traditional house, this article provides a comprehensive analysis. To read more, click here.
FAQs
What is progressive house?
Progressive house is a subgenre of house music that emerged in the early 1990s. It is characterized by a focus on melody and atmosphere, with longer and more complex song structures than traditional house music.
What is house music?
House music is a genre of electronic dance music that originated in Chicago in the early 1980s. It is characterized by a repetitive 4/4 beat, synthesized melodies, and the use of samples and drum machines.
What are the differences between progressive house and house?
Progressive house typically has longer and more complex song structures than traditional house music. It also tends to focus more on melody and atmosphere, while traditional house music is more focused on the beat and rhythm.
Can you give an example of progressive house vs house?
An example of progressive house would be “Strobe” by Deadmau5, which features a long, evolving melody and a complex song structure. An example of traditional house music would be “Jack Your Body” by Steve “Silk” Hurley, which features a simple, repetitive beat and a focus on the rhythm.
Which is more popular, progressive house or house?
It is difficult to say which genre is more popular, as both have a dedicated fan base. However, progressive house has gained more mainstream popularity in recent years, with artists like Deadmau5 and Swedish House Mafia achieving commercial success.
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