What is a drone in music?
A drone is a long, steady sound or chord in music. It keeps going through a whole song or a big part of it. The drone does not change much. It is like a backdrop of sound that the other parts of the music are built on top of.
How drones are made
You can make a drone in a few ways. One common way is to play it on a stringed instrument like a guitar, sitar, or hurdy-gurdy. On these, you play the same note or chord over and over to get that continuous sound. Another way is to make the drone with electronic keyboards or computer sounds. With these, you can program the drone to last as long as you need.
What drones do in music
The big job of a drone is to be the harmonic base of the music. “Harmonic” means it is about the chords and notes that fit together. The drone locks in the key and feel of the music. It gives the ear something solid to latch onto. Then the melody, rhythm, and chords can dance around on top of this firm grounding.
Types of drones
Instrument drones
On instruments, you make drones by playing long notes or chords that ring out. Stringed instruments are great for this. Their notes can sustain for a good while. Bowed strings like violins and cellos can make drones. Think of the low rumble a string bass can make. Wind instruments can drone too, like a long pipe organ note or a didgeridoo.
Stringed instrument drones
Many stringed instruments have special strings just for drones. These are called “sympathetic strings.” They are not played directly. Instead, they vibrate along with the main strings. This adds to the drone sound. The sitar, used in Indian music, is known for its drone strings.
Bagpipe drones
Bagpipes are famous for their drones too. The bag part holds air. The long pipes with no holes let out a constant hum. The melody pipe, called a chanter, plays the tune on top of this drone. Most bagpipes have two or three drone pipes tuned to the key note or fifth note of the scale.
Electronic and digital drones
These days, a lot of drones are made with synthesizers, keyboards, or computers. You can program them to make any pitch or sound quality you want. They can go on forever without a player getting tired! Electronic drones can imitate acoustic instruments. But they can also make sounds that would be impossible for a real instrument.
The use of drones in different musical genres
Drones in folk and traditional music
Many traditional music styles around the world use drones. It is a key part of the sound. In Europe, think of bagpipes or the hurdy-gurdy. Indian classical music has the tanpura, a long-necked stringed drone instrument. Australian Aboriginal music uses the didgeridoo for drone sounds.
Drones in Indian classical music
In Indian classical music, the drone is central. The main drone instrument is the tanpura. It has four or five strings tuned to the tonic and dominant notes of the raga scale being used. The player strums the strings in a steady pattern. This makes a continuous wash of sound. The sitar player also uses the drone strings on their instrument. All of this forms the harmonic bed for the intense melodic improvisations.
Drones in experimental and avant-garde music
In the 20th century, many experimental composers used drones in new ways. Avant-garde musicians saw drones as a way to explore textures, timbres, and the nature of sound itself. Composers like La Monte Young and Tony Conrad made whole pieces from slowly shifting drone sounds. These long, meditative drones were meant to change how we perceive time and sonic space.
Drones in minimalist music
Minimalist composers like Terry Riley, Philip Glass and Steve Reich used drones a lot. In minimalism, a small amount of musical material is slowly built up and transformed. The drone can be a foundation that holds it all together. In music like this, the listener is invited to zoom in and hear tiny changes in the pattern. The unwavering drone makes those small shifts feel more epic.
Drones in rock, metal and electronic music
In the ’60s and ’70s, some rock bands started to use drones. Think of the long, feedback-drenched hums in some psychedelic rock. Metal, with its heavy sound, also found ways to use drones. Some metal subgenres like doom and sludge metal use super low, rumbling guitar drones. The electronic music boom led to a lot of drone-based styles too. Genres like ambient and trance make big use of drones. The steady throb can create hypnotic, spacey atmospheres.
Drone metal
Drone metal is an extreme form of heavy metal based around drones. The tempo is very slow. The guitars and basses are tuned way down low for maximum heaviness. They grind out massive, sludgy walls of sound. Over this, the vocals might be growled, screamed, or chanted. Drum beats are sparse and pounding to not disturb the drone. The goal is a kind of overwhelming sonic power through deep, layered drones.
Drones in film and television soundtracks
Film and TV composers use drones a lot to set moods. Low, ominous drones can heighten tension and suspense. Higher, airier drones might give a feeling of mystery or wonder. Imagine a scene set in a huge, echoey space like a cathedral or cave. A soundtrack drone can instantly give that sense of being in a vast space. When there’s no melody or rhythm, a drone can create an eerie, timeless feeling. It’s a great tool for scene-setting.
The powerful effects of drones
Drones and altered mind states
Many drone-heavy music styles aim to alter your state of mind. The steady sound can be hypnotic, even trance-inducing. Some say it helps them meditate or reach spiritual states. In some cultures, drones are used in religious rituals for this reason. The constant hum might help people feel they are transcending time or connecting to something greater.
Drones in sound healing
Some healers and therapists use drones for relaxation and stress relief. They believe certain drone frequencies can align your brain waves in a peaceful way. Or that the steady vibrations can physically relax your body and nervous system. While more research is needed, many people find drone sounds to be soothing and grounding.
