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To answer What is House Music Influenced By?, we must look at a unique blend of Black American spiritual and rhythmic music and cold European technology. House music did not appear out of nowhere. It is a powerful hybrid that inherited its soul from the past and its technology from the future. This fusion made it an entirely new form of dance music.
The Soulful American Foundation
Firstly, the most direct influence on House music comes from Black American musical traditions. This heritage provided the essential groove and emotional depth.
- Disco and Funk: House music is the direct descendant of disco. Disco provided the foundational four-on-the-floor beat and the tradition of continuous dance music. Funk added the syncopated basslines and guitar riffs.
- Soul and Gospel: The vocal style of House music comes from Soul and Gospel. This is why many tracks feature powerful, soaring female vocals. The music was a spiritual experience, much like a Sunday church service.
- Rhythm and Blues (R&B): In addition, R&B provided the melodic structure and lyrical themes of love and heartbreak. These elements allowed the beat to feel warm and human.
The Rhythmic Shift from Disco
The core difference between Disco and House is technological. House kept the disco energy but replaced the traditional live band with machines. This new technology allowed the rhythmic loop to be perfect and endless.
The Electronic European Spark
While the music’s soul is American, its mechanical heart is largely European.
- German Synthesizers: Specifically, German electronic bands like Kraftwerk pioneered the use of repetitive, synthesized rhythms. These cold, futuristic sounds inspired the Chicago pioneers.
- The Drum Machine: The invention of affordable drum machines like the Roland TR-808 and TR-909 was critical. Therefore, the fusion of American soul records with the mechanical perfection of these Japanese-made, European-inspired machines created the House sound.
The Art of Playing House Music
The final answer to What is House Music Influenced By? is the DJ. The creative act of playing house music requires blending these diverse influences. The DJ must mix the warmth of a classic soul record with the precision of a synthesized beat.
This blend is what makes the genre so rich and enduring. An artist like DJ Play House masters this fusion. They continue to carry the tradition of blending soulful history with modern electronic sound.
