Techno vs Trance
While many consider techno to encompass all forms of dance music, there is a significant and ultimate difference between techno and trance, which makes the initial assumption off the mark. Some of the differences are subtle, while others are quite definitive.
Techno music is highly concentrated on perfecting various rhythms and beats, and it can have no melody whatsoever. Trance will have a definite distinguishable melody.
Techno music can have a very repetitive sound, which enables it to be nicely layered with other techno tracks. Those who take techno seriously, will often try to find beats that can lay over another track in order to create more enhanced techno rhythms.
Trance is highly layered, and doesn’t tend to sound as hypnotic with repetitive sounds, because there is such an emphasis on melody and creating a full sound to carry through the entire track.
Techno is high energy from start to finish. Trance will often have a heightening of the crescendo, and build up anticipation very much like a musical story with a distinctive climax and coda.
The origins of each type of music are very different. The 1980’s brought techno to the forefront. African American musicians from Detroit are credited with bringing techno onto the scene. Trance came about during the 1990’s, and is considered the Caucasian born European blend of dance music.
Techno music is developed purely for the dance scene. It is written with the intention of motivating the body into action from start to finish, even with the hopes of people dancing until exhaustion causes them to collapse in a heap! The intention of trance is really about the impact it has on the mind. It is designed to be inspiring, to be listened to with or without the benefit of dancing, and writers are hopeful that listeners will feel inspired to tackle problems, perform well, and feel good just from listening to it.
Summary:
1. Techno focuses on rhythm and beat.
2. Trance focuses on melody.
3. Techno is more repetitive, and can be blended with other tracks.
4. Trance is less repetitive, and is a stand-alone piece.
5. Techno is pure energy.
6. Trance has a building up of energy, much like a story with a climax.
7. Techno was developed in Detroit in the 1980’s.
8. Trance was developed in Europe in the 1990’s.
9. Techno is inspired dance music.
10. Trance is inspired music dedicated to the listening mind.