What Trance is
There is no easy way to categorize trance. The genre of music we call
“trance” has very few rules or patterns that must to be followed in
order for it to be considered trance. This being said, trance is
arguably the area of electronic dance music that has more branches and
sub-genres than any other. However, in the eyes of a producer, this is a
great thing. Instead of being limited by a strict pattern of conduct,
the possibilities in this type of music are almost endless. This article
will give the producer a greater understanding of what trance is.
Setting trance apart from other forms of EDM (Electronic Dance Music)
As we will see in most of this article, the boundaries of trance vary
from person to person. So, what makes trance different from house music
or techno will also vary. However, we can establish some simple
guidelines to help us distinguish trance from other types of EDM. I find
that three areas separate trance: the atmosphere, its use of
repetition, the particular use of synthesizers, and the associated
“scene” surrounding trance.
First, and probably the most nebulous way of describing trance is by
the overall atmosphere established by the music. Trance is supposed to
be hypnotic at times, with the repetition and atmosphere putting the
listener into a meditative-like state. Unlike other music styles, it is
many times the subtle changes to repeated elements along with a “windy”
distant atmosphere that make trance both unique and give it this “deep”
sound filled with feeling and even “simple complexity.”
Next would be the use of synthesizers in trance. It has several
synthesizer sounds that are almost completely unique to its genre. One
of these sounds is the supersaw. This waveform was made famous by such
classic trance synthesizers as the Roland JP-8000/8080, the Novation
Supernova, and the Korg MS2000. The electronic aspect of trance tends to
make it more synthesizer-heavy than the (sample-heavy) comparable house
genre while not sounding as dry or strictly computerized as techno.
The last area of trance that sets it apart from other forms of
electronic dance music would be its associated, although somewhat
stereotypical, “scene.” No other area of EDM finds itself so tied to a
party movement as trance is to a rave. The history and evolution of both
are intertwined, and without the rave scene, we would most likely not
have trance in the form that it is today. Many artists have tried to
distance themselves from the negative connotations. Many generations of
trance artists and listeners alike have those negative relations with
the rave scene, but a debt of gratitude must be paid to the early ravers
and club kids that brought early trance to the level of popularity it
has today.
The History of Trance
Trance has its initial roots in the late seventies from the onset of
the first synthesizers and the disco to house movement. It did not
really exist in a form we would begin to recognize as trance until the
end of the 1980’s. As techno and then industrial music reigned supreme,
the end of the decade saw the rise of trance as artists first began to
experiment with layering and repeating elements. Much like industrial
music at this time, early trance music was taken more as a form of
post-modern art than as music to dance to. It was not until trance moved
to Europe where the trance scene began to explode and later fully
developed into the music we know today.
As Trance crossed the Atlantic, it fused its techno/industrial roots
with elements of chicago house and first began to sound like the
somewhat anthem-driven dance music. Two German DJs, Dag Lerner and Rolf
Ellmer are said to have coined the term “Trance” as well as to establish
the ground rules for the genre in their 1991 combined project
“Dance2Trance.” (There is debate, however, that the term “Trance”
actually arose from “Tantra” music of the mid-80’s [an offshoot of
hip-hop at the time in LA]).
It wasn’t until the mid 1990’s that
trance really began to gain popularity as the rave movement reached its
“time of becoming.” Not to skirt around the issue, we must mention that
trance found a perfect fit in the drug-fueled electronic music fests. As
its popularity rose, so did the amount of Trance sub-genres. Deep
trance, dark trance, psy-trance, and the progressive trance we know
today are among the few that have their roots during this time period.
It is also important to briefly look at another path in the
development of trance found in the depths of India: goa. This subset of
trance, still found in numerous nightclubs today, has its roots in the
late 1970’s during the waning moments of the hippie movement. As techno
filtered into the goa region of India and fused with the existing music,
“dance trance” music evolved. Used in yoga meditations, the New Age
movement of the area and parties of the time, goa flourished. It
contains many of the same elements as the trance scene found in a
continental away. Today, goa is synonymous with the trance that
developed in South Central Asia, and is still popular in many areas of
the world
.
The current major styles of Trance
Although there are many, let’s outline some basic definitions of the popular sub-genres of trance.
Progressive
In this form of trance, many anthem qualities of earlier trance have
been stripped away, but to say that progressive trance totally removes
the notion of a melody goes a bit far. Many times there will be no
memorable melodic line. Instead the emphasis is put on gently evolving
sounds and layered parts leading to a very strong and musical sense of
atmosphere.
Modern Goa or Psy (Psychedelic) Trance
Psy or goa is probably the area of trance most closely associated with
the drug culture. Although hard to define, it is filled with rich analog
sounds and psychedelic-patterned tone colors. If hippies listened to
trance, this would be what they listened to. Many argue that this is the
oldest original form of trance. If any differences are most noticeable,
they would be that goa seems to have a more cultural and middle-eastern
feel to it, while Psy holds a stronger fusion of nostalgic and
energetic sound sets.
Dark or Deep Trance
Dark trance has a sadder, more melancholy feel to it. It tends to borrow
from earlier techno elements and contains heavier, darker pads and
strings. It’s often themed as “evil-Trance” but does not always have to
sound that way. Some will argue that it should seem a bit scary to be
classified as Dark trance.
Breaks
Breaks is simply a form of Trance that gets away from the standard “four
on the floor” drum pattern. Instead of having a kick drum sound on
every quarter note of a bar, it is often broken up into a funkier or
even Pop/Hip-Hop style percussion patterns and styles. Other elements of
the percussion are often mixed differently from standard Trance. Many
standard Trance pieces are mixed into Breaks form and vice-versa by
adding new percussion only.
Melodic/Uplifting Trance
Probably the most common form of trance and most often the route taken
by a budding producer. This is what your Alphazone’s and Airbase’s just
love to output. It will consist of a thick atmosphere, bass (commercial
trance will almost always have an off-beat bass), and a phat lead
playing a great melody (this is where that new $2,000 piece of hardware
will REALLY come in handy). Generally it will have a percussion and bass
combo in the intro and will slowly bring in a sub melody that will lead
into the primary melody. The primary melody is generally brought in
during a breakdown where the percussion and bass are turned off and some
melodic pads are playing.
Of course, as stated earlier, trance really has no rules or set
patterns so feel free to experiment to your hearts desire. Combining
genres is very often the best way to get “your sound.” So now that you
know all the glorious sub-genres that make up trance, and where Trance
came from, go out there and produce!
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