It's NOT Techno! Learn The Difference...

As a self professed LOVER of actual "techno", it gets me IRKED that people still refer to general electronic dance music [EDM] as techno, when in actuality there are MAJOR differences between the sub-genres. So here I am, to enlighten you....

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First, a history lesson: electronica made its beginnings in DISCO!

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As House music slowly spread through the urban cities of the US, Detroit made its own sound... TECHNO! That's right, EDM was not European born, it was made in the USA! And it was primarily a BLACK genre. Yes, EDM was started by African Americans!

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Then, in Chicago during the 80's, HOUSE music was born, as an off shoot from the decline of disco. This documentary gives an in depth look at it's conception, development and the Legendary players behind it.

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And as House and Techno spread to Europe, the Europeans, specifically the Dutch, created "TRANCE" - a highly MELODIC offshoot from House. The melody in Trance music is what sets this genre apart from House and Techno.

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Now for the differences. HOUSE music has an emphasis on a repetition of a harmony. Throughout the 80's, 90's and even today, it's been largely popular in the Gay scene, also highly popular among African and Hispanic Americans. The popular dance form known as "Vogue" was and still is popular in this genre.

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Yes, Madonna was ahead of the current EDM trend WAY BACK in 1990!

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TECHNO, is a repetition of the bassline, with a high emphasis on percussion and rhythms. The trick with techno music is: YOU CAN'T REALLY HUM IT, OR SING IT. It's particularly void of any melody and typically MINIMAL. Although, "Minimal" is a separate sub-genre within Techno.

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Later on in the 90's Euro-pop was made.

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You can also call it Synth-pop, Electro-pop, etc.

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Then there's HARDSTYLE!

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Any more gaps I need to fill you in on.... there's this video.

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So basically, STOP CALLING IT "TECHNO" - k, thanks, bye!