Beats Per Minute (BPM) is key to shaping the feel and energy of music. Different genres have their own typical BPM ranges that match their style, mood, and purpose. Let’s look at how BPM varies across EDM, hip-hop, jazz, and classical music.
EDM (Electronic Dance Music)
BPM Range: 120–150 BPM
EDM is all about energy and movement, making it perfect for dance floors and high-energy environments. Most mainstream EDM tracks sit between 120 and 150 BPM. Here’s how some subgenres break it down:
- House: 120–130 BPM
- Techno: 125–135 BPM
- Trance: 130–150 BPM
- Dubstep: Around 140 BPM
- Drum & Bass: 160–180 BPM
EDM’s higher BPMs create intensity and drive, especially in faster subgenres like drum & bass or dubstep. These tempos keep people moving and dancing.
Hip-Hop
BPM Range: 80–110 BPM
Hip-hop typically runs slower than EDM. It focuses more on rhythm, groove, and lyrics. Most hip-hop songs range from 80 to 110 BPM. But different subgenres can vary:
- Old School Hip-Hop: 85–100 BPM
- Trap: 70–80 BPM (often with fast hi-hats that make it feel quicker)
- Boom Bap: 85–95 BPM
- Modern Hip-Hop: 90–110 BPM
Hip-hop’s slower tempos give room for lyrical flow and intricate rhythm. Trap, for example, often feels faster because of its fast-paced hi-hat patterns, even though the overall BPM is slower.
Jazz
BPM Range: 60–200 BPM
Jazz is diverse, with tempos that range from slow and reflective to fast and intense. Here’s how it breaks down:
- Bebop: 160–200 BPM
- Swing: 100–160 BPM
- Cool Jazz: 70–110 BPM
- Smooth Jazz: 70–100 BPM
- Modal Jazz: 60–120 BPM
Jazz is flexible. It often features improvisation, so the tempo can shift mid-song or even within sections of a piece. The range from slow ballads to fast bebop shows how wide the tempo can vary.
Classical
BPM Range: 60–180 BPM
Classical music has a broad range of tempos depending on the piece. Here’s a quick breakdown of common tempo markings:
- Adagio (Slow): 60–80 BPM
- Andante (Moderate): 80–100 BPM
- Allegro (Fast): 100–140 BPM
- Presto (Very Fast): 140–180 BPM
Classical music changes pace dramatically depending on the mood or movement. A symphony might have sections that vary from slow, reflective tempos to fast, energetic passages.
Quick Comparison of BPM Across Genres
Genre | Typical BPM Range | Feel & Purpose |
---|---|---|
EDM | 120–150 BPM | Fast, energetic, great for dancing and clubbing |
Hip-Hop | 80–110 BPM | Slower, rhythmic, emphasizes groove and lyrical flow |
Jazz | 60–200 BPM | Highly variable, from slow ballads to fast bebop |
Classical | 60–180 BPM | Highly varied, from slow, emotional to fast, virtuosic |
BPM defines the energy and rhythm of music. EDM’s fast tempos get people moving. Hip-hop’s slower beats focus on groove and lyrics. Jazz can move between slow and fast, often with plenty of improvisation. Classical music has a wide range of tempos, depending on the piece’s mood and style.
Understanding these BPM ranges helps you get a better sense of how each genre shapes the way we listen, feel, and move to music.