House music Facts for Kids

Kym Mazelle (born 1960) has been called the "The First Lady of House Music."

House music is a fun type of electronic dance music. It started in the early 1980s. It grew out of disco and black American soul music. The name "House" comes from a club in Chicago called the Warehouse. This is where DJs first played these new sounds.

The original House sound has a special beat. It uses a "four on the floor" beat. This means the bass drum hits on every beat. The speed is usually 120-130 BPM (beats per minute). House music also has strong bass lines. It puts extra focus on the second and fourth beats. You often hear handclaps and cymbals too. Over time, many different kinds of house music have been created.

Different Styles of House Music
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Different Styles of House Music

House music has grown into many exciting styles. Each one has its own unique feel. Here are some of the most well-known types:

Acid House

Acid house has "trippy" sounds. These sounds were often made using a special synthesizer called a Roland 303. It creates a very unique and swirling melodic line.

Deep House

Deep house focuses more on "soulful" sounds. It often has calm, atmospheric background sounds. This style feels very smooth and relaxing.

Electro House

Electro house has a fuzzy, electronic sound. It uses a "dirty" bassline. This style relies heavily on synthesizers. It can sound a bit like electropop.

Euro House

Euro house sounds similar to Eurodance. It became popular in Europe. Some types of Euro house include:

Balearic house: This style started in the Balearic islands of Spain.
French house: This type of house music came from France.
Italo house: This style originated in Italy.

Progressive House

Progressive house is usually faster than older house music. It often changes volume and sound effects. This style builds up different background sounds as the song plays.

Disco House

Disco house puts even more focus on the bassline. It brings back many sounds from disco music. You might hear violin sections in these songs.

Hip House

Hip house mixes house music with rapped lyrics. It combines the dance beats of house with the vocal style of hip hop.

Tech House

Tech house blends sounds from techno music with house beats. The melodies in tech house are often less important. The focus is more on the rhythm and electronic sounds.

Latin House

Latin house adds parts of traditional Latin American music. It mixes lively Latin rhythms with house beats.

Tribal House

Tribal house focuses a lot on drumlines. It uses many different drum sounds. Melodies might be in the songs, but they don't always follow a traditional pattern.

Witch House

Witch house has a dark and mysterious sound. It often has themes about paranormal things or witchcraft.

Images for kids

House music pioneers Alan King, Robert Williams and Derrick Carter.
Frankie Knuckles (pictured in 2012) played an important role in developing house music in Chicago during the 1980s.
An honorary street name sign in Chicago for house music and the seminal DJ Frankie Knuckles.
A badge bearing a smiley, a symbol of the 1980s acid house scene in the UK
Building in New York City where the Paradise Garage nightclub was located
Swedish House Mafia and Italian DJ Benny Benassi performing in 2011.
Drake, who dropped house album Honestly Nevermind in 2022