Definition of a Progressive Trance

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By Paul Favors
eHow Contributing Writer

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Progressive trance first burst onto the music scene in the 1990s and is characterized by repetitive beats. It began as a noncommercial sound and was usually played in underground clubs throughout Europe. In recent years, its popularity has risen in mainstream media. In fact, trance has been incorporated into other commercial sounds such as pop and rock.

History

In the early 1980s, a German composer named Klaus Schulze first coined the term "trance" when he made two albums called "Trancefer" and "En=Trance." Eventually, the genre caught on and developed various styles. As such, Germany is credited for being the birthplace of trance music. By the 1990s, progressive trance, with its catchy bass lines and melodies, became one of the most popular forms of dance music.

Characteristics

As one of the branches of trance music, progressive trance is characterized as being mellower than other varieties. It also has a slower beat that usually consists of 130 to 140 beats per minute. Progressive trance in itself branches into different styles that range from tribal to pop. Despite the differences, the styles have certain shared traits. Progressive trance usually has a less significant melody and relies mostly on the atmospheric or background sound. It is also quite adventurous when it comes to the use of various elements such as guitars, synthesizers and other computerized sounds.

Components

Music considered progressive trance usually comprises three different stages: the build-up, climax and breakdown. The first part can be quite long and last up to 4 minutes. Subtle variations, such as the addition or subtraction of instruments, are introduced to keep the sound from being monotonous. Typically, the build-up and the breakdown of the track are the same to make it seem more cohesive. Individual songs in the progressive trance genre are generally longer than other pop-music songs. Progressive trance songs can last up to 12 minutes, compared to the 3- or 4-minute tracks of other genres.

Uniqueness

Progressive trance is often associated with other kinds of music that make use of computer-generated sounds. Although the music can be quite similar, certain characteristics distinguish progressive trance from other subgenres of music. The most glaring difference is that progressive trance can be quite flexible when it comes to its melodies, and it encourages experimentation. For example, most tracks in the progressive trance genre make use of ethnic instruments, giving the music a tribal feel.

Artists

Many artists record progressive trance tracks. One is Paul Van Dyk, a German who is thought of as one of the most influential figures in the genre (see Resources). His work as both a producer and DJ is a critical success, and his fourth album, "Reflections," was nominated for a Grammy under the category of Best Electronic Album. Other memorable names in the genre of progressive trance include Armin Van Buuren, Paul Oakenfold and Tiesto.