drone music
A genre and technique built on sustained tones that persist throughout a piece, creating a meditative, hypnotic, or overwhelming sonic experience.
In Depth
La Monte Young's Dream House in New York has been producing continuous sine-wave drones since 1993 — visitors can walk through the space and hear the overtones shift as they move their heads, experiencing sound as a physical, spatial phenomenon.
Related Terms
More in Genres
Browse allA genre blending jazz, funk, soul, and electronic dance music that emerged in London in the late 1980s.
A jazz subgenre integrating Afro-Cuban rhythmic structures with jazz harmony and improvisation.
A genre blending West African musical traditions with American jazz and funk, pioneered by Nigerian musician Fela Kuti in the late 1960s.
A genre created by Nigerian musician Fela Kuti in the late 1960s, fusing Yoruba music, highlife, jazz, and funk into extended, politically charged compositions.
A genre of electronic music emphasizing tone, atmosphere, and texture over traditional rhythm or melody.
Music that emphasises atmosphere, texture, and tone over traditional melody and rhythm.
A song of devotion or patriotism, or a ceremonial choral composition.
A loosely defined genre that applies avant-garde or experimental concepts to pop music, prioritizing artistic ambition and conceptual depth alongside accessibility.