Lesson Outcomes
What is a genre?
This is simply a Style of Music.
Why study Genres
- To impart a deep understanding of music in multiple forms
- To inspire students to appreciate all kinds of music
- To increase musical creativity and innovation
- To aid in creative songwriting
Music Style is different from Music Form
| Music Style | Song Form |
|---|---|
| Combination of the different elements of music to form a unique style of music. | Musical Composition or Arrangement of the different parts of a song. |
Categories of Genres
- Art Music
- Popular Music
- Religious Music
- Secular Music
Art Music
- Mostly Classical Pieces (be it contemporary or traditional)
- Mostly written (as opposed to oral transmission or recording)
- Often associated with the composer rather than the performer
- Defined by the notated version rather than a particular performance
- Mostly classified as for the elite or learned
Art Music examples
- Classical Music
- Orchestra
- Opera
- Musical Theatre
- Jazz (selected pieces)
Popular Music
- Any music style accessible to the general public and disseminated by mass media (radio, tv)
- Often cuts across social cultural borders
- Store and distributed in non-written form
- It is more of a commodity and must sell as much as possible.
- Involves performers, composers and producers
Popular Music examples
- Rock Music
- R&B / Soul
- Electronic
- Funk
- Country Music
- Latin Music
- Reggae
- Hip hop
Religious Music
- Also known as Sacred or Spiritual Music
- Used for religious worship
- E.g. Arabian & Classical Islamic Music, Judaism Music, Christian / Gospel Music, Hymns (by Christians), Reggae (by Rastafarians), Liturgical Music
Secular Music
- Non-religious music
- Love songs, political songs, literature or stories
Different Kinds of Genres
- Electronic Dance Music
- Electronic Music
- Dance Music
- Punk Rock
- Soul Music
- Reggae
- House Music
- Funk
- Singin
- Disco
- Alternative Rock
- Techno
- Music of Latin America
- Instrumental
- Gospel Music
- Orchestra
- Music of Africa
- Pop Rock
- Swing Music
- Ambient Music
- World
- Grunge
- Trance Music
- Indie Rock
- Dubstep
- Easy Listening
- Blue Grass
- New Wave
- Jazz Fusion
- Vocal Music
- Death Metal
- Industrial Music
- Opera
- Hardcore
- Progressive Rock
- Ska
- Bepop
- Chant
- Drum and Bass
- Rock
- Pop Music
- Hip Pop Music
- Blues
- Musical Theatre
- Jazz
- Classical Music
- Rhythm and Blues
- Folk and Music
- Heavy Metal
- High-life
- Hip-life