Psychedelic music facts for kids

Psychedelic music is a type of music that tries to create sounds and feelings similar to those experienced during altered states of mind. It often sounds dreamy, trippy, or very experimental. This style includes many different kinds of music, like psychedelic rock, psychedelic folk, psychedelic pop, and psychedelic soul.

Sometimes, people use the name acid rock to describe a louder and more intense kind of psychedelic rock. This was especially true for many bands in the late 1960s. Psychedelic music can be found in almost any music style, even classical.

What is Psychedelic Music?

Psychedelic music is all about exploring new sounds and ideas. It often uses special effects and unusual instruments to create a unique listening experience. The goal is to make music that feels like a journey for your ears.

How it Started

This music style first became popular in the mid-1960s. It grew out of other popular music types like rock and roll, jazz, and folk music. Musicians wanted to push the boundaries of what music could be.

Special Sounds and Instruments

To create its unique sound, psychedelic music often uses interesting instruments and techniques. You might hear common instruments like drums, guitars, and bass guitars. But musicians also added keyboards, tape loops, and even everyday found objects to make new sounds.

Some bands also used instruments from other cultures, like those from India. These different sounds helped make the music feel more dream-like and out of this world.

Different Kinds of Psychedelic Music

Psychedelic music isn't just one type; it has many different styles, called subgenres. Each one has its own special feel.

• Psychedelic rock is often loud and energetic, with long guitar solos and experimental sounds.
• Psychedelic folk is usually softer, using acoustic instruments and often telling stories.
• Psychedelic pop combines catchy melodies with trippy sounds, making it more radio-friendly.
• Psychedelic soul mixes the soulful sounds of R&B with psychedelic effects.
• Later, electronic music also got psychedelic styles, like psychedelic ambient, psychedelic trance, and psychedelic techno. These styles use electronic sounds to create hypnotic and energetic music.

When it Was Popular

Psychedelic music was most popular between 1965 and 1967. It was a big part of the counterculture movement of the 1960s, which was a time when many young people were exploring new ideas and ways of living.

After its peak, psychedelic music continued to influence other styles. It helped lead to the development of progressive rock, which is known for its long, complex songs and experimental nature.

Images for kids

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  The Stone Roses in concert in Milan in 2012

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  A Roland TB-303 Bassline sequencer, used in electronic psychedelic music

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  New rave band the Klaxons in concert in 2007, showing modern psychedelic influence

See also

In Spanish: Música psicodélica para niños