Ever wondered what the term “Progressive House” means? And what sets it apart from other genres such as Tech House or Deep House? Then you’ve come to the right place!
Progressive House is known for its slow melodic build-ups, atmospheric sounds, and intricate sound design.
In this guide, we will cover everything you need to know about this sub-genre of House music, where it came from, and some artists for you to check out. Let’s go!
So… What is Progressive House?
There are so many types of House out there, it can get confusing. So what sets Progressive House apart from other House genres?
In a word, it’s the melodies.
Out of all the sub-genres of House, Progressive House is the one with the biggest emphasis on melodies. As counter-examples, Tech House is more focused on snappy drums and big drops. Deep House on the other hand emphasizes complex, jazzy chord progressions.
Here’s a star example of Progressive House:
Notice how neither the drums nor the bass are doing anything flashy. Instead, the whole focus is on the lead melody. Of course, there is much more than this to Progressive House (which we’ll explore in this article). But if you had to remember just one thing, it would be the emphasis on building memorable melodies.
The history of Progressive House
Progressive House emerged in the UK during the early 1990s.
Pioneers like Paul Oakenfold blended the dance-floor rhythms of House with the more complex and atmospheric sounds of trance and techno.
As the genre grew in popularity, it quickly spread beyond the UK. European countries, especially Germany and the Netherlands, became hot spots for Progressive House. Festivals like Amsterdam Dance Event (ADE) and clubs in Berlin and Ibiza started featuring Progressive House prominently.
Artists such as deadmau5 and labels such as Anjunabeats were instrumental in pushing the genre into the mainstream, giving it a more polished and professional touch.
Want to learn how to make Progressive House? Check out our FREE 4-Hour Masterclass:
Progressive House: Key Characteristics
Now that we’ve covered in broad strokes what Progressive House is, let’s go into more detail. By studying each of these elements, you’ll be able to recognize a Progressive House track in no time!
Emphasis on Melodies
As mentioned previously, one hallmark of Progressive House is the focus on melody.
Tracks feature lush, harmonic progressions that slowly build and evolve. This creates an emotional journey for listeners, with an intense release when the drop finally hits.
Synths and sound design are central to the sound of Progressive House.
Synths like Serum are used to create powerful leads. Layering is also used to add more depth and weight to the melodies. Finally, modulation and filtering are constantly used to make the melody lines evolve over time. Parameters like filter cutoff, reverb, and delay are modulated over time, adding movement to the track.
Check out this classic track by NTO, released on Hungry Music:
Notice how the melody keeps modulating during the build and breakdown? That’s a trademark of Progressive House.
Drums
The rhythmic foundation is rooted in the classic four-on-the-floor house beat. You’ve got your kick drum hitting on every beat, and your clap or snare on the 2s and 4s. The tempo can range anywhere from 122 to 128. The closed hi-hat on the offbeat complements this basic beat.
In Progressive House, producers will often add different clap layers throughout the arrangement.
For example, every 4th clap might feature an additional clap layer with added reverb. Because arrangements in Progressive House are often elongated, this helps keep the track varied and interesting.
Producers will also add multiple layers of shakers and tambourines to fill out the frequency spectrum. Toms and other percussive one-shots are then added sparingly to add syncopation to the track.
Another feature of Progressive House is the use of 6/8 instead of 4/4:
Notice the hi-hats that come in at 0:47. They play a 6/8 pattern over the classic 4/4 beat of the kick and clap. This is a signature move of Progressive House that you don’t find in many other House sub-genres.
Bass
Basslines in Progressive House are typically deep and driving. They don’t stand out like in a Deep House track, but support the track.
The sub-bass frequencies in particular provide a solid foundation, while the mid-range adds rhythm and groove. In more modern Progressive House tracks, the mid-bass will often play syncopated patterns that can catch the listener off-guard. This helps maintain interest in the track.
Here’s an example where you can clearly hear the use of syncopation (from 0:22 onward):
This whole style of “stuttering” has even given birth to a genre of House called “Stutter House”… but that’s an article for another day 😅
Here again, heavy use of filtering and modulation on the mid-bass helps keep the track moving forward.
Influential Artists and Tracks
Now that you know exactly what Progressive House sounds like, you might want to check out some notable artists. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered 👇
Sasha and John Digweed
Sasha and John Digweed are often credited with defining the sound of Progressive House. Their DJ sets and productions have left a lasting legacy. Their compilations, such as the “Northern Exposure” series, are classics of the genre.
My personal favorite is Heaven Scent, a sprawling 9min track that showcases the very best of what the genre has to offer:
Deadmau5
One of the absolute GOATs of the genre, deadmau5 is responsible in big part for bringing a more melodic side of House music to the masses. In the 2000s, tracks like “Strobe” and “Ghosts ‘n’ Stuff” showcase his signature blend of melodic elements with a pop aesthetic.
Eric Prydz
Eric Prydz is another key figure, known for his meticulous production and anthemic tracks. Although his some of his most well-known tracks are closer to Pop music than House, his influence on the genre is undeniable.
With a career spanning more than 20 years, Eric Prydz has dabbled in many genres of electronic music. For a good sense of his Progressive House tracks, check out the legendary track “Opus” with its epic 3min+ buildup:
That’s It for This Guide on Progressive House!
Progressive House is a genre witnessing a huge boom in recent years, with artists like Ben Böhmer and Lane 8 racking in tens of millions of streams.
We hope you found this guide useful. Make sure to drop us a line if you want us to cover another genre in the future at [email protected]. And if you’re curious about making this kind of electronic music yourself, check out our full range of courses for beginners to get started making your own tracks (it’s a lot easier than you think!).
