Basic Nightclub Music Styles - Electronic Dance

If you have no knowledge about the different music styles/genres played in a nightclub, then this series of articles will help you sort out the confusion. By recognizing different styles of music, you can match your dance style to the music, have a lot more fun in the club, and show a bit of musicality to impress the ladies.

I generally prefer clubs that cater to a general club crowd (Top 40) and play a bit of each genre, so that I can switch up my dancing. though I go salsa dancing at least once a week to keep myself sharp as well as go out to a music-specific nightclub once a month. I've included samples from imeem.com (allow some time for the players to load).  If for any reason any of the links are down, contact me and I'll put up new playlists.

Introduction 

In this article of a series of three, I'll introduce some different categories of electronic dance music - specifically Club/Top 40 Dance, House, and Rave.  Rave is actually not a style, but it refers to music associated with a rave.  I've put the sub-styles together since this article is only an introduction and rave music isn't as pronounced in most nightclubs.

Electronic dance music is usually the easiest to dance to because of a consistent beat.  Regular nightclubs that play all kinds of music will often play a lot of Club Dance, some Classic House, and almost no Rave music.   However, if you find yourself on a dark nightclub with lots of lasers and lighting, and where only electronic dance music is played (no Hip Hop/R&B), then you'll hear a little Club Dance, some Hard House, and lots of Rave styles.

Club/Top 40 Dance

This style of electronic music is heavily associated with pop and is characterized by catchy vocals.  If you listen to a Top 40 radio station, it's the "danceable" songs you'll hear.   Madonna's current hits are great examples of Top 40 Dance as are songs by Kylie Minogue.  Visit Billboard.com's dance chart "Hot Club Dance Play" for more examples.  Often, pop songs are remixed to be danceable club songs and fall into this category.

House

This music style is difficult to identify for newcomers to the club scene.  It is a form of electronic dance music, and can range from a hard dance style to chilled-out background music in a lounge.  However, the percussion pattern is similar across all house songs.  Just listen to the example above, or if you want  to get technical, it's characterized by a kickdrum bass on every beat, with a hi-hat , snare, or clapping sound on every other beat (beats 2 and 4). 

There's also a distinct style of dancing for house music, though I teach a subdued nightclub version that's less bouncy and energetic in nature.  Venues that usually play only house music, especially lounges, are generally smaller with a niche crowd.  Top 40 clubs will often play a set of classic house music (not so hard hitting)  that averages 15 minutes in length.

Junior Jack's "My Feeling"  is a classic house song that's often played in a regular nightclub.

Rave

As mentioned in the introduction, Rave is actually not a style of music, but a term referring to music associated with a rave.  Rave music can be more high-energy in nature, either with a higher beat rate or a harder bass line, as shown in the hard techno or hardcore styles.  Some songs may be pure electronic and have few vocals.  Trance, one of the more popular types of rave music, has more soulful and haunting vocals.  Trance songs can best be described as more hypnotic in nature  ("trippy") with plenty of echo effects, and sometimes in large clubs, may be played in a separate room. 

If you go to a rave or a club that plays rave music, then dancing well may not be that important since the room is darker, everyone's facing the DJ on the platform at the front, or looking at the laser effects.  Of course, to get into the mood (without taking the often associated drugs), dancing with rhythm is key.  Large clubs that play rave music often have a smaller room that plays house music or the DJ may play a set of hard house.  Rave, and specifically trance, are popular choices for large outdoor parties.

Most importantly, drink lots of water if you're at a rave.  Dehydration is a serious problem at these events.

Here is a techno playlist, for your reference.  Pure techno is less popular in regular nightclubs, though you'll defiinitely hear techno influences in Club/Top 40 Dance songs.