Music Genres

It developed in the 19th century and was originally played by a single performer singing with a guitar or banjo. By the 1960s, it had evolved significantly along with the instruments used (now electric guitars, bass and drums) and made its way across the Atlantic to the UK and beyond.

• rock

• blues

• pop

• jazz

Encompassing a huge range of sub-genres, this genre of music refers broadly to most orchestral styles between 1750 and 1820. To many people, anything pre-jazz sounds classical and may be referred to as such. Once you get inside this genre, however, you will find whole world music and a stunning range of styles and categories.

• country

• jazz

• classical

• blues

Also known as western, this genre of music has its roots in the south of the USA. Having evolved from a combination of different fold styles. Combining the influence of working-class immigrants it takes its cues from Irish and Celtic folk, traditional English ballads and cowboy songs.

• pop

• country

• folk

• blues

With roots in rock, pop, heavy metal and punk, this genre of music has a specific goal in that it is designed to have a particularly emotive or emotional resonance. Characterized by expressive melodic musicianship and often confessional lyrics. It is often associated with a particular fashion style that is also influenced by metal and punk.

• rap

• emo

• jazz

• blues

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It is a very traditional genre. It is orally passed down over time and often has no author. However, modern artists can still be labelled as artists with their original songs.

Storytelling is a key aspect of this music and whilst musical styles vary across the world, this is a consistent element.

• country

• folk

• hip hop

• classical

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Now an extremely broad musical category, this genre evolved out of a cultural explosion in the United States. Featuring vinyl records mixed on turntables and incorporating the rap genre along with heavy bass-lines and samples, it has now become extremely significant in terms of music’s cultural influence in modern times.

• country

• metal

• hip hop

• jazz

Historically started in New Orleans in the early 1900s, this genre of music typifies musical flexibility not seen by many other genres. Featuring a mix of rhythms and tempos as well as a focus on soloing, it also has a huge range of potential instrumental structures and setups.

It’s very common for there to be a drummer and a bass instrument as well as any number of lead instruments ranging from woodwind to stringed instruments.

• house

• jazz

• rap

• blues

This genre of music is an ever-evolving genre that encompasses any music that is designed for the masses. Anything played on mainstream radio can be categorized as .... Over the years, it has enveloped almost every genre from Motown to metal, hip-hop to drum and bass.

• rock

• pop

• jazz

• hip hop

Originating in Jamaica in the 1960s and taking the world by storm through the work of Bob Marley, this genre is a fusion of traditional Jamaican folk music with jazz and R&B.

Offbeat rhythms and staccato chords are common musical themes, and it is closely linked to Rastafarianism and Afrocentric religion.

• pop

• reggae

• folk

• rock

Arising from the evolution of the electric guitar and distorted amplification, this music genre is now home to hundreds of sub-genres. Popularized in both the UK and the United States by bands playing a 4/4 rhythm and singing verse-chorus songs, it has become part of music history. It is characterized by guitars and a heavy snare and kick drum rhythm.

• pop

• rock

• reggae

• jazz