Trance music is electronic dance music (EDM) that developed in the 1990s.Trance could be described as a melodic, more-or-less freeform style of music characterized by steady beat between 130 and 158 bpm and repeating melodic patterns. The genre is arguably derived from a combination of largely techno and house. Trance got its name from repeating and morphing beats and melodies which would presumably put the listener into a trance.

History

Pre-trance music

The disco composer, producer, and performer Giorgio Moroder is widely credited as being a seminal influence on modern trance music, as well as techno and house. In 1977 he recorded the classic single "I Feel Love" (performed by Donna Summer) and album From Here to Eternity, both of which heavily feature his signature sequenced basslines and drumbeats (see: 1977 in music).

The German synthesist Klaus Schulze has also proven to be a significant influence on trance music. Throughout the 70s he recorded numerous albums of atmospheric, sequencer-driven electronic music. Several of his albums from the 1980s include the word "trance" in their titles, such as 1981's Trancefer and 1987's En=Trance.

Elements of what became modern trance music were also explored by industrial artists in the late 1980s. Most notably, Psychic TV's 1989 album Towards Thee Infinite Beat, featuring drawn out and monotonous patterns with short but repeating voice samples, is considered by some to be the first trance album. The intent was to make sound that was hypnotic to its listeners.

These industrial artists were largely dissociated from rave culture, and their trance albums were generally experiments, not an attempt to start a new genre with an associated culture -- they remained firmly rooted culturally in industrial and avant-garde music. As trance began to take off in the rave culture, most of these artists abandoned the genre.

In these years first complete references to trance as a genre appeared. In 1988 The KLF produced a version of their later popular song - "What Time is Love" titles "The Original Pure Trance" . While this version cannot be considered as Trance by current standards, it is presumably one of the first references to trance in dance music.

Trance begins as a genre

Trance is said to have begun as an off-shoot of techno in German clubs during the very early 1990s. Frankfurt is often cited as a birthplace of Trance. Some of the earliest pioneers of the genre included Dj Dag (Dag Lerner), Oliver Lieb, and Sven Vath, who all produced numerous tracks under multiple aliases. Trance labels like Eye Q, Harthouse, Superstition, Rising High, FAX +49-69/450464 and MFS Records were Frankfurt based. Arguably a fusion of techno and house, early Trance shared much with techno in terms of the tempo and rhythmic structures but also added more melodic overtones which were appropriated from the style of house popular in Europe's club scene at that time.

This early Trance tended to be characterized by hypnotic and melodic qualities described above, and typically involved repeating rhythmic patterns added over an appropriate length of time as a track progressed, thus creating an effect of hypnotic trance.

At about the same period of time in the early 1990s, a musical revolution was happening in Goa, India. Electronic body music (EBM) bands like Cabaret Voltaire and Front 242 came to Goa and began influencing artists like Goa Gil, Eat Static, Doof, and Man With No Name who heard the psychedelic elements of EBM, expanded on them minus the vocals and guitars to create goa trance. Goa music is heavily influenced by Indian culture and psychedelic drugs, as seen in numerous references to both in track and album titles.

The sound of modern (progressive) trance

By the mid-1990s, trance, specifically progressive trance, had emerged commercially as one of the dominant genres of EDM. Progressive trance set in stone the basic formula of modern trance by becoming even more focused on the anthemic basslines and lead melodies, moving away from hypnotic, repetitive, arpeggiated analog synth patterns and spacey pads. Popular elements and anthemic pads became more widespread. Compositions leaned towards incremental changes (aka progressive structures), sometimes composed in thirds (as BT frequently does). Buildups and breakdowns became longer and more exaggerated. The sound became more and more excessive and overblown. This sound came to be known as anthem trance.

Immensely popular, trance found itself filling a niche as edgier than house, more soothing than drum and bass, and more melodic than techno. It became more accessible to more

At present, trance is as much about who plays the music as it is about what it sounds like. Trance has transcended the underground scene to become the most popular form of electronic dance music, and a figure in the realm of popular music.

However, the fact that trance has entered the mainstream has alienated many of trances original fans. As the Industry became bigger, companies and Dj's began to alter their sound to that of a more pop based one, so as to make the sound more accessible to an even wider, and younger, audience. Vocals in particular are now extremely common in mainstream trance, adding to their poppy sound.

Companies such as Ministry of Sound, once one of the most respected authorities on dance, have also seen a big loss in their cult following as they have repositioned themselves into a younger mainstay market.

For more concrete examples, check out any number of purported trance compilations; perhaps the most highly recommendable source would be the Global Underground series, including its "Nubreed" sub-series, because it captures the diversity of the genre as expressed through many of its brightest DJ talents. Also recommended as source material would be the Tranceport/Perfecto Presents.. series, any of Sasha and Digweed's Northern Exposure mixes, and any of the mixes in the Renaissance series. The Labels to reference would include 3Beat, Bedrock, Devolution, Fluid, Fragrant, Hooj Choons, Hook, Perfecto records, Vandit, Armada, Black Hole, Intuition, Positiva, Harthouse, Eye Q, MFS, Platipus, NOOM, R&S, , Anjunadeep, Yoshitoshi rec, and ATCR Trance Music.

Musicology and styles

Trance is a form of music best characterized by quarter note drum patterns, and 16th/32nd note rhythm synthesizer patterns. It has a meter of 4/4, with a quarter note bassdrum acting as metronome, and quarter note high-hat hits on upbeats. This unwavering drum mechanism may be constantly tweaked with for effect, with the Attack, Decay, Sustain, Release (ADSR) all given liberal treatment. The tempo is generally around 130-158 beats per minute (bpm).

The arrangement consists mostly of a repeating 32nd note sequencing arpeggio, and a bass section of whole notes usually drifting through the aeolian or natural minor scale. Harmonic structure is typically minimalist, with often no more than 2-4 chords. Iterations of the i-iv-v progression (A minor, D minor, and E minor, for example) lend a dark feel by eschewing major chords entirely. Additional rhythm sections are added and subtracted every 16 measures (sometimes 8, and sometimes 32) to add weight and anticipation to the composition. The bass chord will usually change every 4 measures.

There is a lead synth, and it will be a simple minor scale melody of 8th notes, looping every 4 measures (some have 2, some have 8. Some even have 16).Trance is produced with keyboards, computerized synthesizers, drum machines, and music sequencer software connected via MIDI. The average trance song has a polyphony of 8. The most busy will have 16.

Some sub-genre classifications of trance include:

• Acid trance: An early '90's style. Characterized by the use of a Roland TB-303 bass machine as the lead synth.
  • Artists: Hardfloor, Art of Trance, Eternal Basement
• Anthem trance: Style of trance that emerged in the wake of progressive trance in the late 90's. Characterized by extended chord progression in all elements (lead synth, bass chords, treble chords), extended breakdowns, and relegation of arpeggiation to the background while bringing wash effects to the fore.
  • Artists: Vincent De Moor, Ronski Speed, Tiësto, System F, Super8, Ayla, Paul Van Dyk, Armin Van Buuren
• Classic trance: Original form of trance music, said to have originated in the very early 90's. Characterized by less percussion than techno, more melody, arpeggiated melody, and repetitive melodic chords/arpeggios.
  • Artists: Resistance D, Progressive Attack, Arpeggiators, Union Jack, Dance 2 Trance, Jam and Spoon
• Euro-Trance: Euro-Trance is a hybrid of Techno and Eurodance music incorporating Hardstyle bass drums and trance elements. The trance synths at times sound like techno hoovers with trancey effects and strings backing it up. The vocals are often pitched up for the most part, but sometimes they can be heard as in normal pitch range. This is
  
  
  
  often confused as Vocal Trance because of its use of vocals. The lyrical content is usually pretty simple, containing an introduction to the song with usually no or little drums, and often includes renderings of classic Happy Hardcore anthems or melodies.
  • Artists: DJ Trancemaster,Groove Coverage, Jan Wayne, Starsplash, Rob Mayth, Special D and DJ Volume.
• Goa trance: A complexly melodic form of trance named for Goa, India, and originating in the early 90's. Often uses the Raga.
  • Artists: Psygone, mfg, S.U.N. Project, Man With No Name, Astral Projection, Juno Reactor
• Hard Trance: Aggressive sounding, Originating in Frankfurt, includes influences from hardcore and hard house.
  • Artists: DJ Scot Project, Darude, JS16, Bomfunk MC's, Dallas Superstars, Bostik, Mighty 44, DJ Wag, Yoji Biomehanika, Cosmic Gate, Hennes & Cold, DuMonde
• Hardstyle: Closely related to Nu Style Gabber and hard trance. Its sound is usually characterized by a mix of gabber and hardcore like kick/bass sounds, trance like synth stabs and sweeps and miscellaneous samples. However, Hardstyle usually has a lot slower BPM (between 140 and 150).
  • Artists: Blutonium Boy, Lady Dana, DJ Pavo.
• Progressive trance: Style of trance that originated in the early-mid 90's. Differentiated from the then "regular" Trance by bass chord changes that gave the repeating lead synth a feeling of "progression"
  • Artists: BT, Cosmic Baby, Art of Trance, Sasha, John Digweed
• Psychedelic trance: (better known as Psytrance, ambiguously synonymous with Goa trance, less melodic more abstract and futuristic)
  • Artists: Shiva Chandra, Etnica, Infected Mushroom, Astrix, Phacelift, Total Eclipse
• Vocal trance: Broad term referring to trance with a full set of lyrics, which may or may not be any of the above genres. Oftentimes an artist will borrow a singer's talents as opposed to the singer herself (vocalists are typically female), or sample from/remix more traditional pop music. Note that there is some debate as to where the divide lies between Vocal Trance and Pop or Eurodance.
  • Artists: 4 Strings, Lange, Ian van Dahl, Above & Beyond, Fragma, Paradise, Lost Witness, Armin Van Buuren, Chicane

Classic (genre-defining/-representing) trance records

1989

• System by Force Legato

An early production of Oliver Lieb and arguably one of the very first trance tracks

1990

• Pacific by 808 State

A classic anthem from the Madchester scene.

• Age Of Love by Age Of Love

Many DJs and fans of the time as well as trance historians consider this record a trance classic, even before trance became a genre of its own. The ethereal sound of this record is the foundation of the trance sound.

1991

• Go by Moby

Moby's most famous track before he found fame from his album Play.

• No Fate by Zyon

The first successful trance release on Eye Q. One of the most renowned tracks of the label.

• We Came In Peace by Dance 2 Trance

The classic trance record which very probably officially gave a name to the genre in Germany, where the sound was first emulated and produced by subsequent German artists, and played in underground clubs and raves; never alone, but always with another genre of electronic music, as the DJ's back then never played only one style of music.

1992

• Stella by Jam and Spoon

A classic Balearic trance track.

1993

• Love Stimulation by Humate

The Paul van Dyk Lovemix is easily considered a defining moment in art of remixing, giving an otherwise plain tune "classic" status.

• Outface by Komakino

Outface is in the middle of the road between techno and trance and serves as a perfect guide in order to understand the evolution from one genre to the other.

• Abduction by Eat Static

One of the very first Goa trance artist albums. This album set a standard for future releases in this genre.

• Café Del Mar by Energy 52

Has become one of the most well known trance tunes of all time. Remains one of the most popular and energetic trance records to this day sprouting off numerous remixes.

• The First Rebirth by Jones & Stephenson

Perhaps the first hard trance track, at least the first well known one, with a very deep bassdrum and possibly one of the most recognisable melody lines in trance music.

• Vernon's Wonderland by Vernon

A huge hit back in the day, this track has become a cornerstone of trance music.

1994

• For an Angel by Paul van Dyk

An early trance classic it defined a style and a sound that continued for a decade. Paul van Dyk continues to play it.

• The Orange Theme by Cygnus X

This Cygnus X (aka A.C.Boutsen) classic continues to be played even today and has been remixed countless times. It is notable for the number of scales the main theme is played.

1995

• Oasis by Paragliders

One of the last major classic-style trance tracks before the progressive sound emerged.

• Twisted by Hallucinogen

Considered to be one of the most original and innovative psychedelic goa trance albums. Completely representative of psychedelic goa trance at that time (Astral Projection and X-Dream are typical of a slightly later sound(1996 onwards)), and some claim that it defines the sound of psychedelic trance music, it has been highly influential. This was one of the first Goa Trance albums to sell over 50,000 copies.

• Mahadeva by Astral Projection

This is considered by many the greatest ever goa trance track. Mahadeva catapulted Astral Projection to the top of the genre and brought to prominence the Israeli psy-trance scene.

• Children by Robert Miles

A powerful dream trance/house hit that has received acclaim from critics both inside and outside trance. This is a song which has introduced many music lovers into the world of dream trance and is widely considered one of the greatest trance songs of all time.

1996

• Flaming June by BT

A widely-accepted classic. Example of progressive trance. Composed in thirds, the structure of this tune represents the evolving, progressive structure of mid-1990s progressive trance.

1997No Access by Hondy

The Salone Margherita mix, at this time played often by Pete Tong on BBC Radio 1 is a key example of trance at its peak demonstrating its amazing symphonic and anthemic qualities.

• All I Wanna Do by Dannii Minogue

One of the most popular dance tunes of all time. Written by Brian Thomas Higgins/Stuart McLennan/Timothy Powell/Matt Gray, it is one of the most defining and commercial trance songs of all time, peaking at #4 in the UK, being Dannii's most successful single there.

1998

• 1998 by Binary Finary

An epic trance monster that took Binary Finary (producers Matt Laws and Stuart Matheson) worldwide within a year and became an all time classic overnight. Famously influenced by goa and psytrance.

• El Niño by Agnelli & Nelson

The famous trance track popularized by Oakenfold's album "Tranceport". A genre-defining tune of epic trance.

• Someone (Slacker's Rolling mix) by Ascension (Slacker's Rolling mix)

Massive epic trance club hit, which heralded in the use of female vocals and vocal trance which would soon come to dominate the mainstream aspect of the genre. Initially popularized on Paul Oakenfold's seminal Tranceport mix CD, which featured the superior "Slacker's Rolling mix" of the track.

• Words by Paul Van Dyk

Another widely accepted classic of Paul Van Dyk's. Considered by many to be a stronger track than even his ultimate classic "For an Angel."

• Madagascar by Art of Trance

This track from the Platipus label was composed by Simon Berry and has been remixed several times since its first release.

• Purple (Sasha vs. The Light mix) by Gus Gus

One of the first breaktrance tracks ever released, and still a highlight of the genre for its distinctive layered melodies. Also famous as the track to popularize "cut-up" vocals in the genre.

• Greece 2000 by Three Drives

Widely considered to be one of the greatest anthems of progressive trance, as well as a perennial favorite in Ibiza. Still played by many DJs to this day.

1999

• Sandstorm/Feel The Beat/Out Of Control by Darude

This track blew up on the Finnish, UK and US club scene and helped bring recognition to Hard Trance. As well, reletively unknown musically, Finland also became prominent on the Dance music scene with JS16 producing this track and the subsequent album in 2000, Before The Storm.

• Another Way by Paul van Dyk

An amazing and awe-inspiring journey through the mind and beats by one of the true pioneers of the genre.

• Universal Nation by Push

Belgian immortal trance and club classic by Push aka M.I.K.E.

• Carte Blanche by Veracocha

This driving epic trance track was produced by Vincent de Moor & Ferry Corsten and is regarded as one of the tracks that defines epic trance.

• Out of the Blue by System F

This track has become a huge success, giving trance a big popularity boost.

• Saltwater by Chicane

This uplifting, epic track was produced by the British DJ Nick Bracegirdle and is widely regarded as one of the greatest trance singles ever.

• Ayla (Veracocha mix) by Ayla

A high energy trance classic remixed by Veracocha.

• Barber's Adagio for Strings (Ferry Corsten Remix) by William Orbit

This Ferry Corsten treatment of William Orbit's rendition of the Adagio For Strings by Samuel Barber, has been one of the most successful marriages to date of classical music and trance.

• Xpander by Sasha

This track is probably the highlight of Global Underground 13: Ibiza, arguably the best GU album that was released at the height of popularity of progressive trance.

2001

• Urban/Suburban by DJ Tiesto

This is a widely regarded classic released by Dutch DJ Tiesto at the height of his career.

2002

• Ligaya by Gouryella

A relatively recent track that has been an important addition with its euphoric and emotional melody to any dj's sonic arsenal.

2003

• Music/Next To You by Darude

Finnish Trance artist Darude does it again with his new album Rush in which his two most popular singles, Music and Next To You brought about the same popularity of his 1999/2000 offerings Sandstorm, Feel The Beat and Out Of Control. It is widely stated that the Bostik Radio Edit version of Music from the Rush album is considered to be the best version, even over the original album version.

Notable Internet Radio Stations

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