The Difference Between Trance & Progressive Music

Trance music has been embraced by the masses and has emulated structures found in mainstream pop.

Trance is a type of electronic dance music that originated in Europe in the early 1990s. It gets its name for its hypnotic quality. Trance music has had many offshoots over the years, one notable being progressive trance music.

What is Trance Music?

Trace music is synthesizer-based and focused on short, catchy melodies, making it accessible. It usually has a tempo between 130 and 155 BPM (beats per minute). The energy in trance music builds up, climaxes, and breaks down throughout a song, giving it an anthemic and epic feel.

What is Progressive Music?

Progressive, short for progressive trance, is a subgenre of trance music. It is more mellow and focused on atmosphere. Tracks are usually 125 to 135 BPM and can be as long as 12 to 13 minutes.

Trance Goes Pop

By the mid-1990s, trance had become one of the most popular forms of dance music. It has been embraced by the masses and has emulated structures found in mainstream pop.

A Reaction

Progressive trance is a reaction to the anthemic nature of trance music. It is more abstract and there is less focus on pop-like melodies.

Reaction to a Reaction

Like trance before it, progressive trance grew popular worldwide. As a result, many progressive trance artists have broken away or sought a more underground sound.

References

• Progressive Trance
• Trance
• Trance Music: A Definition of Genre

Resources

• Trance Addict.com