What is an EP in music?
This is a question that a lot of people have been asking lately. EP stands for music is “extended play,” and it is a type of release that is between an album and a single.
An EP usually contains 3-5 songs, and it is often released digitally. EPs are popular among independent artists because they allow them to share new music with their fans without releasing a full album.
If you’re curious about what an EP is, or you’re thinking about releasing one, this blog post will tell you everything you need to know.
Table of Content (What is an EP in Music)
→ How Many Songs Do EPs Have?
→ What Is The Difference Between An EP And A Single?
→ How Long Is An EP?
→ Why Do Artists Release EP’s?
→ How Can I Listen To An EP?
→ Are There Any Good EP’s Out There?
→ Conclusion: What Is An EP in Music
How Many Songs Do EPs Have?
The average EP contains three or four songs, but there is no set number. Some EPs have as few as two songs, while others have up to six.
What Is The Difference Between An EP And A Single?
An EP is longer than a single, but shorter than an album. It’s also less expensive to produce than an album, which is another reason why it’s popular among independent artists.
How Long Is An EP?
EPs tend to be about 20 minutes long on average, according to MusicBrainz.org’s archived data, implying that current songs are around 4 minutes long.
However, the runtime of a genre can vary significantly. Prog rock EPs tend to have a run duration of around 60 minutes because to the genre’s liking for long songs. In contrast, it’s not unusual for a punk EP to contain little more than 10 minutes in length.
Why Do Artists Release EP’s?
You must be wondering why an artist would want to release one now that you know what an EP is.
Here are a few of the most common ones:
- An EP is a way for an artist to share new music with their fans without releasing a full album.
- An EP can be used to build anticipation for an upcoming album.
- An EP can be released as a “teaser” for the full album.
- An EP is less expensive and time-consuming to produce than an album.
- An EP can be used to test the waters before releasing a full album.
How Can I Listen To An EP?
If you’re interested in listening to an EP, the easiest way is to go to the artist’s website or Bandcamp page. You can also find them on streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music.
Are There Any Good EP’s Out There?
Yes, there are! In fact, some of our favorite albums started out as EPs. Here are a few examples:
- Radiohead – “I Might Be Wrong” (EP)
- The Beatles – “Love Me Do” (EP)
- Taylor Swift – “Fearless” (EP)
- The Weeknd – “House of Balloons / Thursday” (mixtape)
- Childish Gambino – “STN MTN / Kauai” (mixtape)
Conclusion: What is an EP in Music
We hope you now understand what is an EP in music. Do you have any thoughts about EP’s? Leave a comment below and let us know. We’d love to hear from you!
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