Classifying Trance

These next 2 posts are going to be centered around stuff in my facebook posts.  Just putting them up here, partially to have something up and partially before they get buried in older posts any further.

Genre talk with Ethan.

Subject: Trance

From what I can tell, there's one type of trance that stands out from the rest to me. Disclaimer that I definitively could be wrong but I'm backing this with a little research and experience. 

Being a Drummer, I've always liked to classify by using drum patterns. it worked for most of the songs, until the trance complex came along... it confused me.

Here's the Guidelines I have So far

You have to look at the bpm. normally faster than house- around 140s even.

you can also tell by the common snare drum rolls/build ups.

Most of the Drum patterns start and another drum instrument will double time it. (in music speak)- 1,2,3,4 then 1,&,2,&,3,&,4,&. the &'s might be a hi hat for example.

Defining instruments are a "dreamy" type of synth. I can't explain it, you just have to listen to it. And also a very stagnant and repetitive bassline (sometimes it just alternates in octaves.)

lets listen to an example. hmmm... pick something from the library...

here! I didn't realize this was trance for awhile, in fact.

bpm is 133

At 0:24, we see the beat being split by hi hats.

at 1:10-1:18 we see a bass drum roll build up.

at 1:32, the beat is split by a snare drum.

and the steady bassline is heard at the beginning.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Lo5QK9NGO4&ob=av3n

Basshunter - Russia Privjet (HQ)

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‎"Russia Privjet" is track #12 from the Basshunter album "Now You're Gone" - out now on Ultra Records - ultrarecords.com

Archie - The Pinkie Pie Style- Hands up/Eurodance (but I call it Euro-Trance)

Now, a subgenre of trance that jumps out at me is "Hands up" or Euro (style) trance.

I'm not going to say euro-trance because technically that refers to any trance song that's from europe. it has nothing to do with genre. However, I use the label "Euro-trance" for this genre anyway because it sounds cooler than the other names...

Here, listen to this (attached free as well)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yknn_XROxQ0

So, lets get to business. the difference this has in regular trance...

Normally it has that oscillating bassline more often (oscillate is tim's favorite word by the way)

Check out 1:21- The synth noise transforms, and it turns into that distinctive dream synth that we all love.

Vocals. normally they are here in euro trance. Bass in Your Face!!! and they are normally very positive, upbeat and about partying.

Archie - The Pinkie Pie Style (Club Mix).mp3

Archie - The Pinkie Pie Style (Club Mix)

www.youtube.com

Im back!YAY! Download Links: --------------------------------------- MP3 HQ (Club Mix only) (14.87MB)