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Music genre

Drone music

Drone music is a music genre that emerged in United States and United Kingdom in the 1950s. It is usually classed as a form of experimental music and minimal music. Its influences include minimalist music and pedal. Explore key artists and related styles.

Listen: Drone music examples

Amœba - someday i will be like noraus.
7:18

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About Drone music

Drone music is a music genre that emerged in United States and United Kingdom in the 1950s. It is usually classed as a form of experimental music and minimal music. Its influences include minimalist music and pedal.

Well-known performers associated with it include John Cale, Lou Reed, The Velvet Underground and Brian Eno.

From Wikipedia

Drone music (also known as drone-based music, or simply drone) is a minimalist genre of music that emphasizes the use of sustained sounds, notes, or tone clusters called drones. It is typically characterized by lengthy compositions featuring relatively slight harmonic variations. La Monte Young, one of its 1960s originators, defined it in 2000 as "the sustained tone branch of minimalism." Music containing drones can be found in many regional traditions across Asia, Australia, and Europe, but the genre label is generally reserved for music originating with the Western classical tradition. Elements of drone music have been incorporated in diverse genres such as rock, ambient, and electronic music.

Genre family tree

Parent genres (↑) and subgenres (↓) of Drone music.

Key artists

  • John Cale
  • Lou Reed
  • The Velvet Underground
  • Brian Eno

Related genres

Questions people ask

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Frequently asked questions

What is Drone music?

Drone music is a music genre that emerged in United States and United Kingdom in the 1950s. It is usually classed as a form of experimental music and minimal music. Its influences include minimalist music and pedal.

Where and when did Drone music originate?

Drone music originated in United States and United Kingdom in the 1950s.

Who are famous Drone music artists?

John Cale, Lou Reed, The Velvet Underground and Brian Eno.

Sources & credits