Category: Deep House

Deep House Music

Deep house music has its roots in the 1980s where it first incorporated various elements of Chicago House, soul music and jazz funk. It is a subgenre of house music and it typically uses keyboards, synthesizers, turntables, samplers and drum machines. It is mostly popular in Japan, Europe and North America. It has dissonant melodies, deep, dark emotions, and slower beats per minute. Before the early 90s, deep house music was mostly common in New York and Chicago. It however, became more popular in the United Kingdom and the rest of Europe. Deep house music has a jazzy and acoustic sound that was widely preferred especially in Detroit and Philadelphia. Even though it still used synthesizers, it sounded more organic, lush and gentle. Some popular deep house musicians are; Deepend, Fish Go Deep, Prince Fox, Ben Watt and Andrelli.

House music started to really become popular in the eighties. At that time, the sound of house music was very distinct and definitive. As it continued to grow, new styles and variations emerged and house music started to mean so many different things. The sub-genre deep house music was formed. Other sub genres such as tech house, progressive house, tropical house and electro house emerged later on. It is slower and more soulful than typical house music. It relies a lot on darker tones and deep bass sounds. Deep house music is largely influenced by African beats, jazz and soul. Popular deep house artists that contributed to its growth include; Kerri Chandler and Ron Trent. However, Beatport, an online music store, is said to have been the major driving force behind deep house music.

The Effects of Deep House Music

Deep house music has gained international recognition. It has contributed to the adoption of technology in music. The emergence of deep house music as a sub-genre of house music has contributed to the growth and popularization of house music across the world especially to people who prefer more meaningful and soulful music. It has also paved way for newer deep house genres. The emergence of deep house music helped shape popular culture. House music has become a mainstream phenomenon that has produced a lot of worldwide hits.

Characteristics of Deep House Music

Deep house music is generally warm and comfortable. Most times, it does not reach a climax. The sound typically stays relaxing and comfortable all through the song. Most deep house songs use feminine voices instead of masculine ones. Just like with other house music sub-genres, vocals are sometimes not included but when they are, they are slow, soulful and pleasant. They have concentrated melodies and a smooth demeanor. The tempo is slow usually between 100 -130 beats per minute. The keyboard sound is soft and the baselines are typically muted. The sound and effects are subtle and soft. The lyrics are usually meaningful and they are centered on common themes. They are usually uplifting and optimistic or sad and pitiful modern blues.

Deep house music is more focused on provoking thoughts and emotions than on dance. It can be said to be the version of house music that is emotional. Since the eighties, it has grown into a bit of a fad and many deep house songs have been released all over the world.