Uplifting trance

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

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 progressions usually rest on a major chord, 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.

UP on Music Theory Print

Uplifting trance

Characteristics#