The use of drones in music can be traced back to traditional musical practices in many cultures, where the sustained notes of an instrument were used to create a background soundscape. In Western classical music, the use of drones can be seen in works by composers such as Henry Purcell and J.S. Bach.
The modern use of drones in music can be traced back to the experimental music of the 20th century, where composers such as La Monte Young, Terry Riley, and Steve Reich used repetitive structures and sustained tones to create meditative and trance-inducing music. In the 1960s and 1970s, the development of electronic music and synthesizers allowed for the creation of new drone-based music styles, such as ambient and industrial music.
In the 1990s and 2000s, drone music experienced a resurgence, with the advent of new technology and the growth of the underground music scene. Artists such as Tim Hecker, William Basinski, and Grouper began incorporating elements of drone music into their work, leading to a new wave of popularity for the genre. Today, drone music continues to evolve and grow, with new artists and styles emerging all the time.
