Music Genres

With so many different music genres today, it can be very confusing to learn or understand which is which. To help you learn them, we've compiled a list to familiarize you with all the different types or genres of music that are most popular in today's world. Bear in mind that these are not the only genres of music available, but they are the most frequently discussed and the most popular of today's society.

*Alternative - A generally slower paced style of music, mainly found on college radio stations. Similar to punk, rock, or new age music.
*Blues - This style is like jazz, but is usually majorly improvised with slow, melancholy lyrics.
*Classical - The epitome of musical literacy. Classical music was derived in the 1700-1900's and is very formal and sophisticated.
*Country - The sweet sounds of country music give you a warm southern feel. Lyrics are usually about one's feelings, and include western-style music. Sub-genres are popular and include; country-rock, rockabilly, blue grass, and honky-tonk.
*Dance - This genre of music is anything that makes you want to dance. Hip-hop dance is the most popular in most nightclubs, although sub-genres such as techno, house, disco, and club are quite popular too.
*Folk - Usually in the form of acoustic, folk music typically involves telling a story that has been passed down from generations.
*Gospel - A religious genre of music that has been created from hymns or from other religious implications.
*Hip-hop - A milder form of rap that can usually be danced to.
*Heavy Metal / Hard Rock - A faster speed of rock, usually with a deep, dark, and aggressive tone.
*Jazz - This is typically a smoother genre of music with a faster speed than the blues, that appeals for dancing. Piano, saxophone, and horns are frequently used. Jazz is also typically improvised.
*New Age - In spite of the name, this genre is not music for the new ages. The style of music is relaxing and somewhat meditative. Similar to jazz, however mainly acoustic.
*Pop - this genre stands for popular music, and it's just that. Pop is music that appeals to people because of the ability to dance to it or sing along. Boy and girl bands are quite popular in this genre.
*Rap - Usually with loud base and a steady rhythm, rap is an urban-style genre that speaks its' lyrics rather than singing them. The lyrics rhyme and flow together in such a way that a song is formed.
*Reggae - This Jamaican-style music genre includes a slower pace, usually incorporated with steady Caribbean beats.
*R&B - Similar to jazz, R&B is often slower paced, hence the meaning of the name; rhythm and blues. This genre is most often heard amongst hip-hop or pop songs.
*Rock - With so many sub-genres and styles of rock, it is hard to describe it in only one fashion. Classic rock was the first type of rock and can also be called rock n' roll. Nowadays, we sometimes refer to this sub-genre as "the oldies." Punk, metal, hard-rock, and alternative are also forms of this genre that are all unique, but have the same underlying idea.