Hard dance
Encyclopedia
Hard Dance is an umbrella term that refers to a group of Hard electronic dance
genres which aren't hard enough to be classified as hardcore
. The term usually includes genres such as Hard House, Hard NRG
, Hard Trance
, and Hardstyle
. The BPM
for these genres is typically 140-180BPM, with a 4/4 rhythm (specifically four-on-the-floor).
It is not uncommon for the term "hard dance" to be associated with other electronic dance
genres such as hardcore
and Psytrance. This however is a matter of opinion. Hard dance is typically an underground
musical movement, one which breaks away from the British cheeseboard of Popular Dance
music.
Concerning origin, the Hard House scene started in Britain in the 1990s, with artists such as Tony De Vit
. The Hard NRG
scene is also a British movement, and is a direct offshoot of Hard House. Hard NRG
is typically harder and darker than Hard House, but has the same style and feel to it. BK is the artist that bought the genre to the international stage and is still the largest selling Hard dance artist of all time with top 40 hits such as "Revolution". His hardbeat series on Nukleuz records defined the genre and started a massive club culture for the sound.
Hard Trance
and Hardstyle
however, originate from the European underground, with artists such as Kamui and DJ Isaac. In some cases the defining lines between these genres is very blurred, however there are some simple differences. Hard Trance
has more repetitive basslines, and is more melodically orientated than Hardstyle
, but is far more driving than regular trance.
From early 2008, hard dance has seen a surge in popularity after a number of years where it had largely fallen out of favor with the mainstream electronic dance community. This was especially true in the UK where it has gained widespread support with BBC Radio 1
reflecting this in its schedule with the addition of Kutski
to its dance music line-up.
Electronic dance music
Electronic dance music is electronic music produced primarily for the purposes of use within a nightclub setting, or in an environment that is centered upon dance-based entertainment...
genres which aren't hard enough to be classified as hardcore
Hardcore techno
Hardcore techno is a type of electronic music typified by the rhythmic use of distorted and atonal industrial-like beats and samples...
. The term usually includes genres such as Hard House, Hard NRG
Hard NRG
Hard NRG is an electronic music genre similar in structure to UK hard house. The main difference is in the musical/thematic content of each style....
, Hard Trance
Hard trance
Hard trance is a subgenre of trance music that originated in Western Europe in the mid-1990s as the breakbeat hardcore production community began to diversify into new and different styles of electronic music, all influenced by UK hard house, happy hardcore and jungle/drum & bass...
, and Hardstyle
Hardstyle
Hardstyle is an electronic dance genre mixing influences from hardtechno, hard house, hard trance, hardcore and rave music. It is between 148 and 157 bpm in speed and is written in 4/4 time....
. The BPM
Tempo
In musical terminology, tempo is the speed or pace of a given piece. Tempo is a crucial element of any musical composition, as it can affect the mood and difficulty of a piece.-Measuring tempo:...
for these genres is typically 140-180BPM, with a 4/4 rhythm (specifically four-on-the-floor).
It is not uncommon for the term "hard dance" to be associated with other electronic dance
Electronic dance music
Electronic dance music is electronic music produced primarily for the purposes of use within a nightclub setting, or in an environment that is centered upon dance-based entertainment...
genres such as hardcore
Hardcore techno
Hardcore techno is a type of electronic music typified by the rhythmic use of distorted and atonal industrial-like beats and samples...
and Psytrance. This however is a matter of opinion. Hard dance is typically an underground
Underground music
Underground music comprises a range of different musical genres that operate outside of mainstream culture. Such music can typically share common values, such as the valuing of sincerity and intimacy; an emphasis on freedom of creative expression; an appreciation of artistic creativity...
musical movement, one which breaks away from the British cheeseboard of Popular Dance
Dance-pop
Dance-pop is dance-oriented pop music that originated in the early 1980s. Developing from post-disco, it is generally up-tempo music intended for clubs with the intention of being danceable or merely dancey...
music.
Concerning origin, the Hard House scene started in Britain in the 1990s, with artists such as Tony De Vit
Tony De Vit
Tony De Vit was a British club DJ, Producer and Remixer and one of the most influential of his generation. He was credited with helping to take the "Hard house" and fast "Hard NRG" sounds out of the London gay scene and into mainstream clubs...
. The Hard NRG
Hard NRG
Hard NRG is an electronic music genre similar in structure to UK hard house. The main difference is in the musical/thematic content of each style....
scene is also a British movement, and is a direct offshoot of Hard House. Hard NRG
Hard NRG
Hard NRG is an electronic music genre similar in structure to UK hard house. The main difference is in the musical/thematic content of each style....
is typically harder and darker than Hard House, but has the same style and feel to it. BK is the artist that bought the genre to the international stage and is still the largest selling Hard dance artist of all time with top 40 hits such as "Revolution". His hardbeat series on Nukleuz records defined the genre and started a massive club culture for the sound.
Hard Trance
Hard trance
Hard trance is a subgenre of trance music that originated in Western Europe in the mid-1990s as the breakbeat hardcore production community began to diversify into new and different styles of electronic music, all influenced by UK hard house, happy hardcore and jungle/drum & bass...
and Hardstyle
Hardstyle
Hardstyle is an electronic dance genre mixing influences from hardtechno, hard house, hard trance, hardcore and rave music. It is between 148 and 157 bpm in speed and is written in 4/4 time....
however, originate from the European underground, with artists such as Kamui and DJ Isaac. In some cases the defining lines between these genres is very blurred, however there are some simple differences. Hard Trance
Hard trance
Hard trance is a subgenre of trance music that originated in Western Europe in the mid-1990s as the breakbeat hardcore production community began to diversify into new and different styles of electronic music, all influenced by UK hard house, happy hardcore and jungle/drum & bass...
has more repetitive basslines, and is more melodically orientated than Hardstyle
Hardstyle
Hardstyle is an electronic dance genre mixing influences from hardtechno, hard house, hard trance, hardcore and rave music. It is between 148 and 157 bpm in speed and is written in 4/4 time....
, but is far more driving than regular trance.
From early 2008, hard dance has seen a surge in popularity after a number of years where it had largely fallen out of favor with the mainstream electronic dance community. This was especially true in the UK where it has gained widespread support with BBC Radio 1
BBC Radio 1
BBC Radio 1 is a British national radio station operated by the British Broadcasting Corporation which also broadcasts internationally, specialising in current popular music and chart hits throughout the day. Radio 1 provides alternative genres after 7:00pm including electronic dance, hip hop, rock...
reflecting this in its schedule with the addition of Kutski
Kutski
Kutski , is a radio DJ. He was born in Chester, England. He currently presents BBC Radio 1's early Saturday morning show, where he plays a variety of hard dance music, including Breakbeat, Electro, Hard Trance, Hardcore and Hardstyle.-Profile:Kutski started DJing aged 15...
to its dance music line-up.