Uplifting trance (often synonymous with epic trance, energetic trance, anthem trance, emotional trance, or euphoric trance) is a broad subgenre of
trance music
Trance is a genre of electronic dance music that emerged from Electronic body music, EBM in Frankfurt, Germany, in the late 1980s and early 1990s, and quickly spread throughout Europe.
Trance music is typically characterized by a tempo between ...
. The name, which emerged in the wake of
progressive trance in 1996, is derived from the feeling which listeners claim to get (often described as a "rush"). The genre is popular in the trance scene. Classical music strongly influenced the development of uplifting trance both in the 1990s
[Fassbender, Torsten (2008). ''The Trance Experience''. Knoxville, Tennessee: Sound Org Inc. : p. 15] and in the 2000s, with film music also considered influential.
[Webber, Stephen (2008). ''DJ Skills: The Essential Guide to Mixing and Scratching''. Oxford, UK: Elsevier Press. ]
Characteristics
In general, uplifting trance is a style much happier in tone than other trance genres (such as
Goa). Instead of the darker tone of Goa, uplifting trance uses similar chord progressions as progressive trance, but tracks'
chord progression
In a musical composition, a chord progression or harmonic progression (informally chord changes, used as a plural, or simply changes) is a succession of chords. Chord progressions are the foundation of harmony in Western musical tradition from ...
s usually rest on a
major chord
In music theory, a major chord is a chord (music), chord that has a root (chord), root, a major third, and a perfect fifth. When a chord comprises only these three notes, it is called a major Triad (music), triad. For example, the major triad bui ...
, and the balance between major and minor chords in a progression will determine how "happy" or "sad" the progression sounds.
The genre features longer major chord progressions in all elements (lead synth, bass, and treble). It also contains extended
breakdowns and relegation of
arpeggiation (the melodic part of the song, usually consisting of "Saw Synths/Square Lead" type sounds) to the background while bringing wash effects to the fore (the harmonic element of the music, or "background fill", usually consisting of synth choir/voice/string chord progressions).
As a rule of thumb, trance beats are in the range of 135–140
BPM. Uplifting trance very commonly employs
side-chain compression, a modern production technique. It is commonly referred to as "
ducking the
kick", where the background strings/synths have their volume automated, creating a pulsing effect on the off-beat.
Current status
In the late 1990s, deejays
Paul Oakenfold,
Sasha & Digweed, and
Paul van Dyk became known for their uplifting trance music.
A decade later, uplifting trance re-established itself within the trance scene, played by such artists as
4 Strings,
ATB,
Ferry Corsten
Ferry Corsten OON (; born 4 December 1973) is a Dutch DJ, record producer and remixer. He is well known for producing many pioneering trance tracks during the 1990s–2000s under his numerous aliases, including System F, Moonman, Pulp Victim an ...
,
Armin van Buuren,
Dash Berlin,
RAM,
Tiësto
Tijs Michiel Verwest (; born 17 January 1969), known professionally as Tiësto ( , ), is a Dutch DJ and record producer. He was voted "The Greatest DJ of All Time" by ''Mix (magazine), Mix'' magazine in a 2010/2011 poll amongst fans. In 2013, h ...
and
Above & Beyond.
John O'Callaghan,
Daniel Kandi,
Bryan Kearney,
Andy Blueman,
Aly & Fila,
Sean Tyas and
Super8 & Tab focused particularly on uplifting trance as their overriding genre. In addition, online radio stations such as Paris One and Afterhours.FM devoted airtime to uplifting trance. In September 2009, Afterhours.FM hosted "Uplift Day" that was exclusively dedicated to uplifting trance.
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Uplifting Trance
Trance genres