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Year 8 - Music

Creating an EDM drum beat

EDM remixing

Unit Summary

In this unit, pupils learn about EDM (electronic dance music), the main features of the style and the impact these features have on creating excitement in the music and a danceable groove. They learn about arranging through creating a remix of a famous melody.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to create an EDM drum beat and understand what its component parts are.

Key Notes

  • EDM (electronic dance music) is a term used to describe a broad range of genres which all have similar musical features.
  • EDM uses electronic instruments, has a strong beat, a fast tempo, 4 beats in a bar and uses repetitive musical ideas.
  • Remixes, where a new version of a piece of music is created using music technology, are common in EDM.
  • An EDM drum beat typically includes four-on-the-floor kick drum, off-beat hi-hats and snare/clap on the backbeat.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • EDM (electronic dance music): EDM (electronic dance music) is a music genre with a strong danceable beat made using synthesisers and drum machines.
  • remix: A remix is a new version of a piece of music, usually created using music technology.
  • quaver rest: A quaver rest is half a beat of silence.
  • off-beat quavers: Off-beat quavers are quavers that plays on the second quaver of each beat.
  • four-on-the-floor: A four-on-the-floor drum beat plays the kick drum on each of the four crotchet beats.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • The backbeat and off-beat are the same.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

1. Explain the lesson in two key points.

EDM (electronic dance music) is a term used to describe a broad range of genres which all have similar musical features. EDM uses electronic instruments, has a strong beat, a fast tempo, 4 beats in a bar and uses repetitive musical ideas.

2. What does this key word mean in this lesson? 'EDM (electronic dance music)'

EDM (electronic dance music) is a music genre with a strong danceable beat made using synthesisers and drum machines.

3. Correct this common mistake.

Mistake: The backbeat and off-beat are the same. Correction: The backbeat is on beat 2 and 4 while the off-beat is on the second half of a beat (in between the beats).

More Lessons In This Unit

Browse all guides in the Year 8 Music guide library.