Progressive music
Progressive music is a term that is can be used to describe an approach to music that can be applied to several different styles of music. The dictionary meanings of the word "progressive" summarize the approach often taken by musicians working in a "progressive style":- Moving forward; advancing.
- Proceeding in steps; continuing steadily by increments: progressive change.
In electronic dance music, the basic philosophy is to take one particular sound, then, using synthesizers and sequencers, make slight changes to that sound. When applied to a particular style, the finished product is a stylised sound that appears to progress from one state to another.
Progressive dance music is favoured by DJs that like to beatmatch their records, as it allows them to mix two tunes together with an almost seamless sound to it.
As well as this, the changes and progressions in progressive dance music are relatively subtle. Unlike the obviousness of Hard House or NRG, the peaks and troughs in a track tend to be less obvious. Layering different sound on top of each other and slowly bringing them in and out of the mix is a key idea behind the progressive movement.
Progressive electronic styles include:
Progressive electronic styles
- John Digweed
- Sasha
- Jimmy Van M
- Danny Tenaglia
- Deep Dish
- Timo Mass
- Source of Gravity
- POB
- Humate
- Moby
- Jondi & Spesh
- Bedrock Records
- Dorigen
- Fire Recordings
Progressive rock styles
See main entry: Progressive rock
In rock, the word usually descibes music that expands traditional musical structures. Progressive rock artists often string together the songs so that the entire album will become an uninterrupted musical "journey". Each track can be divided into separate movements, all with its own place in the overarching theme of the song. Each movement occasionally has its own name, as in the title track from Pink Floyd's Atom Heart Mother. Progressive rock tends to be very melodic. Progressive rock's popularity peaked in the mid 1970s with bands such as Yes, Genesis and Emerson, Lake & Palmer.
Progressive metal emerged in the 1980s with Metallica, who combined the styles of heavy metal music and progressive rock.
Pioneering artists in the field of progressive rock include:
