Evolution of Electronic Music since 1929

Feb 252 min read

Updated: Mar 1

Electronic music is one of the most diverse and popular musical styles today, but its roots go back almost a century. From the first experiments in the 1920s and 1930s to today's dance music and experimental soundscapes, the development of electronic music has been full of innovation and technological breakthroughs.

1929–1950: First steps and experiments.

In 1929, composer Joseph Schillinger introduced his concept of electronic music, which was based on sounds created from mathematical formulas. At the same time, many scientists and musicians, such as Léon Theremin, were already experimenting with electronic instruments. Theremin invented his famous Theremin, whose mystical and ghostly sounds remain iconic in the history of electronic music to this day.

In the 1930s, scientists and composers, such as Pierre Schaeffer, began to experiment with forms of concrete music (musique concrète), in which sounds were manipulated from recorded material. This opened the door to new ways of composing and laid the foundation for the future development of electronic music.

1950–1970: Synthesis and the Experimental Era.

In the 1950s and 60s, electronic instruments and synthesizers began to become increasingly popular. Robert Moog introduced the first modern Moog synthesizer in 1964, which brought electronic music to a wider audience. At the same time, composers such as Karlheinz Stockhausen and Wendy Carlos used synthesizers in experimental compositions that strongly influenced future musical styles.

In the 1970s, electronic sounds also began to appear in pop music and rock. Kraftwerk, German pioneers of electronic music, created their legendary minimalist and robotic sounds during this period, which laid the foundation for the development of techno and EDM.

1980–1990: The birth of electronic dance music.

The 1980s were a real breakthrough for electronic music. The Roland TR-808 and TR-909 drum machines completely changed the way music was created, giving birth to house, techno and hip-hop music. Born in Chicago and Detroit, house and techno quickly became a global phenomenon, played in clubs and on the radio.

The 1990s also saw the rise of rave culture, where DJs used vinyl records and synthesizers to create energetic and rhythmically hypnotic tracks. At the same time, new styles such as trance, drum and bass and jungle emerged, which were played in clubs and raves in Europe and the US.

2000–Present: The Digital Revolution and the Popularity of EDM.

In the 2000s, digital technology ushered in a new era in electronic music. Software-based synthesizers and digital editing programs like Ableton Live, FL Studio, and Logic Pro have made music creation easier and more accessible than ever before.

EDM (Electronic Dance Music) rose to prominence in the 2010s, bringing together world-famous artists like Avicii, Martin Garrix, Skrillex, and Deadmau5. Festivals like Tomorrowland and Ultra Music Festival brought millions of people together to celebrate electronic music.

The Future: Will Artificial Intelligence and Virtual Reality Change the Game?

Today, the future of electronic music is tied to artificial intelligence and new technologies. AI-based music generators and virtual reality concerts could change the way we listen to and create music.

One thing is for sure – since 1929, electronic music has been constantly evolving and surprising us with new possibilities. What’s next? We’ll be listening with interest! 🎧🔊