Music genre

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A music genre is a conventional category that identifies some pieces of music as belonging to a shared tradition or set of conventions.[1] It is to be distinguished from musical form and musical style, although in practice these terms are sometimes used interchangeably.[2][failed verification] Recently, academics have argued that categorizing music by genre is inaccurate and outdated.[3]



Alternatively, music can be divided on three variables: arousal, valence, and depth.[3] Arousal reflects the energy level of the music; valence reflects the scale from sad to happy emotions, and depth reflects the level of emotional depth in the music.[3] These three variables help explain why many people like similar songs from different traditionally segregated genres.[3]

Musicologists have sometimes classified music according to a trichotomic distinction such as Philip Tagg's "axiomatic triangle consisting of 'folk', 'art' and 'popular' musics".[8] He explains that each of these three is distinguishable from the others according to certain criteria.[8]

Art music[edit]

Art music primarily includes classical traditions, including both contemporary and historical classical music forms. Art music exists in many parts of the world. It emphasizes formal styles that invite technical and detailed deconstruction[9] and criticism, and demand focused attention from the listener. In Western practice, art music is considered primarily a written musical tradition,[10] preserved in some form of music notation rather than being transmitted orally, by rote, or in recordings, as popular and traditional music usually are.[10][11] Historically, most western art music has been written down using the standard forms of music notation that evolved in Europe, beginning well before the Renaissance and reaching its maturity in the Romantic period. The identity of a "work" or "piece" of art music is usually defined by the notated version rather than by a particular performance, and is primarily associated with the composer rather than the performer (though composers may leave performers with some opportunity for interpretation or improvisation). This is so particularly in the case of western classical music. Art music may include certain forms of jazz, though some feel that jazz is primarily a form of popular music. The 1960s saw a wave of avant-garde experimentation in free jazz, represented by artists such as Ornette Coleman, Sun Ra, Albert Ayler, Archie Shepp and Don Cherry.[12] And avant-garde rock artists such as Frank Zappa, Captain Beefheart, and The Residents released art music albums.

Popular music[edit]

Jennifer Lopez performing at a pop music festival




The distinction between classical and popular music has sometimes been blurred in marginal areas[13] such as minimalist music and light classics. Background music for films/movies often draws on both traditions. In this respect, music is like fiction, which likewise draws a distinction between literary fiction and popular fiction that is not always precise.

Rock music[edit]


Soul music/R&B[edit]



In 1964 James Brown created original funk music.

Country music[edit]



Hip hop music[edit]

Two DJs practicing turntablism

Hip Hop music, also referred to as hip hop or rap music, is a genre of music that was started in the United States, specifically the South Bronx in the New York City, New York, by African-American youth from the inner-cities during the 1970s. It can be broadly defined as a stylized rhythmic music that commonly accompanies rapping,[15] a rhythmic and rhyming speech that is chanted.[16] Hip hop music derives from the hip hop culture itself, including four key elements, those being emceeing(MCing)/rapping, Disc jockeying (DJing) with turntablism, break dancing and graffiti art.



Religious music[edit]

Religious music (also sacred music) is music performed or composed for religious use or through religious influence. Gospel, spiritual, Christian music are religious music.

Traditional and folk music[edit]

A picture of a red and black button accordion
Button accordion: German instrument used in several different cultures

Traditional and Folk music are very similar categories. Although the traditional music is a very broad category and can include several different genres, it is widely accepted that traditional music encompasses folk music.[17] According to the ICTM (International Council for Traditional Music), traditional music are songs and tunes which have been performed over a long period of time (usually several generations). [18]

The Folk music genre is classified as the music that is orally passed from one generation to another. Usually the artist is unknown, and there are several different versions of the same song.[19] The genre is transmitted by singing, listening and dancing to popular songs. This type of communication allows culture to transmit the styles (pitches and cadences) as well as the context it was developed.[20]

Some of the main aspects about culturally transmitting folk songs, its about the period of history it was created and the social class in which was developed.[21] Some examples of the Folk Genre can be seen in the Folk music of England and Turkish Folk music. English folk music was developed since the medieval period and it has transmitted from that time until today. Similarly, the Turkish Folk music relates to all the civilizations that once passed thorough Turkey, therefore being a world-reference since the tensions between East-West during the Early Modern Period.

Traditional Folk music usually refers to songs composed in the 20th century, which tends to be written as universal truths and big issues of the time it was composed.[22] Great names such as Bob Dylan, Peter Paul and Mary, James Taylor, and Leonard Cohen transformed the Folk music on what it is known today. Some newer composers, such as Ed Sheeran (Pop Folk), and The Lumineers (American Folk) are both newer examples of Contemporary Folk music, which has been recorded and adapted to the new way of listening to music (online) on the contrary of the traditional way of orally transmitting music.[23]

Each country in the world, in some cases each region, district and community has its own Folk Music style. The different sub-divisions of Folk genre is developed by each place cultural identity and history.[24] Because the music is developed in different places, a lot of the instruments are characteristic to its location and population, but some of them are similar everywhere, some examples are: Button or Piano Accordion, different types of flutes or trumpets, Banjo, and Ukulele. Both French and Scottish folk music uses related instruments such as the Fiddle, the harp and variations of bagpipes.[25][26]

Automatic categorization[edit]


Emergence of new genres and sub-genres[edit]


Psychology of music preference[edit]

Metallica performing at the O2 Arena, March 28th 2009
Metallica performing at the O2 Arena, March 28th 2009
John Scofield at the stage of Energimølla. The concert was part of Kongsberg Jazzfestival and took place on 06 July 2017

Social influences on music selection[edit]

Since music has become more easily accessible (Spotify, iTunes, YouTube, etc.), more people have begun listening to a broader and wider range of music styles.[29] In addition, social identity also plays a large role in music preference. Personality is a key contributor for music selection. Someone who considers themselves to be a "rebel" will tend to choose heavier music styles like Heavy Metal or Hard Rock, while someone who considers themselves to be more "relaxed" or "laid back" will tend to choose lighter music styles like Jazz or Classical music.[29] There are five main factors that exist that underlie music preferences that are genre-free, and reflect emotional/affective responses.[30] These five factors are:

  1. A Mellow factor consisting of smooth and relaxing styles (Jazz, Classical, etc.).
  2. An Urban factor defined largely by rhythmic and percussive music (Rap, Hip-Hop, Funk, etc.).
  3. A Sophisticated factor (Operatic, World, etc.)
  4. An Intensity factor that is defined by forceful, loud, and energetic music (Rock, Metal, etc.).
  5. A campestral factor which refers to singer-songwriter genres and country.[30]

Individual and situational influences[edit]


Studies have shown that while women prefer more treble oriented music, men prefer to listen to bass heavy music. This is sometimes paired with borderline and antisocial personalities.[31]


Age is another strong factor that contributes to musical preference. Evidence is available that shows that music preference can change as one gets older.[32] A Canadian study showed that adolescents show greater interest in pop music artists while adults and the elderly population prefer classic genres such as Rock, Opera, and Jazz.[33]

See also[edit]


  3. ^ a b c d "Musical genres are out of date – but this new system explains why you might like both jazz and hip hop". Econotimes. August 3, 2016. Retrieved August 8, 2016.
  11. ^ Anon. Avant-Garde Jazz., n.d.
  14. ^ "Definition of HIP HOP". Retrieved March 13, 2019.
  16. ^ "What is Traditional Music? - a broad definition". Retrieved March 29, 2019.
  18. ^ "EarMaster - Music Theory & Ear Training on PC, Mac and iPad". Retrieved March 29, 2019.
  19. ^ Albrecht, Joshua; Shanahan, Daniel (February 1, 2019). "Examining the Effect of Oral Transmission on Folksongs". Music Perception: An Interdisciplinary Journal. 36 (3): 273–288. doi:10.1525/mp.2019.36.3.273. ISSN 0730-7829.
  20. ^ "Folk music". Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved March 29, 2019.
  24. ^ "what instruments are used in typical french folk music | Folk Music | Performing Arts". Scribd. Retrieved April 4, 2019.

Further reading[edit]
