Modern musical genres. Music genres (full list)

The purpose of this article is to introduce readers to various modern musical genres and the musical means that composers use when creating works within a certain style. The ability to navigate musical genres and subgenres is one of the first signs of professionalism, so this article will be of interest to all those who have already embarked on the path of improvement in the musical field.

Most critics divide modern musical genres into three main directions: pop, rock and rap, which in turn are rooted in earlier styles and gave rise to a large number of own branches.

Pop is modern popular music. This is a very broad term that covers many genres such as disco, trance, house, techno, funk, new wave and others. Let's stop and look at the features of each of them.

  • Disco. Not long ago it was the most popular genre of dance-pop music. It is characterized by an abundance of effects, the leading role of the rhythm section of drums and bass, as well as the secondary, background sound of strings and wind instruments.
  • Trance. It belongs to one of the genres of electronic music and is notable for its high emotional impact on the listener. This effect is achieved through the use of sad, “cosmic” melodies.
  • House. This is the name of dance, completely electronic music. The main and only instrument is the synthesizer. A distinctive feature of this genre is the presence of looped musical phrases and solo melodies. Effects are widely used.
  • Techno. In one phrase you can say this: futuristic music big city. Techno features include fantastic melodies, dark metallic sound, and “cold” vocals devoid of emotion.
  • Funk. One of the dance genres, which is characterized by clearly defined drummers dominating all other instruments, low melody, and “sloppy” rhythm.
  • New wave . A genre of popular music that evolved from punk rock and uses the same musical means.

Rock as an independent genre, its roots are in the “black” American blues, which appeared in the 20s and 30s. Traditional blues consists of 12 bars, that is, sections of a composition consisting of several notes, the first of which has a stress or accent. To the main toolkit blues includes a counter bass or bass that sets the rhythm, a lead guitar, drums, often keyboards and wind instruments. To be completely precise, rock emerged from a branch of this genre - guitar blues, which already had much less keyboards and brass instruments.

Appearance rock And rock and roll, concepts that are often identified with musicians such as Elvis Presley and the Beatles. The former can be called the popularizer of this genre, while the Beatles were the ones who turned rock into art.

IN musically rock has remained practically the same blues, but their semantic content is different: rock is music of protest against society, government or something else.

Rock has many subgenres, the main ones being soft rock, hard rock, pop rock, folk rock, punk rock, psychedelic rock, heavy metal and thrash.

  • Hard rock. Literally this translates as “heavy, hard.” This style has such a name for a reason, because its sound corresponds to what it is called. Heaviness in hard rock is achieved through the dominant sound of a loud and powerful rhythm section over the rest of the instruments. In most cases, the drums, bass or rhythm guitar are “heavier”. Overdrive and distortion effects are often used in hard rock.
  • Pop rock. Popular rock. This style is well balanced, using all kinds of effects and popular arrangements. Pop rock includes any rock music that is intended for a wide audience of listeners.
  • Folk rock. This is rock music with elements of folk music.
  • Punk rock. This genre includes rough, often unprofessional, but expressive music, which is characterized by simple, unpretentious, but shocking melodies.
  • Psychedelic rock. Complex, unconventional music, full of various effects. This music is different high level emotional impact on the listener.
  • Heavy metal is called harsh metal music, which is often inharmonious. She is far from the usual standards.
  • Thrash. This is a very tough genre, which is characterized by complexity and continuity of melodies, as well as improvisation.

Rap how the genre evolved from dance music. Characteristics: uneven rhythm, complex experiments with drummers, the presence of looped musical fragments. One of the main features of rap is the absence of vocals, which are replaced by recitative. Rap is read like poetry, not sung. The main instruments are drums and a complex bass, which often plays solo. Rap musicians often use the scratch effect - the creaking of vinyl records.

Most likely rap originated from reggae - dance style, which originated in Jamaica. These two styles have a lot in common: the same uneven, ragged rhythm, the presence of looped musical fragments, and a complex drummer.

We immediately warn you that it is very difficult to answer in one article the question of what genres of music there are. Over the entire history of music, so many genres have accumulated that it is impossible to measure them with a yardstick: chorale, romance, cantata, waltz, symphony, ballet, opera, prelude, etc.

For decades, musicologists have been trying to classify musical genres (by the nature of content, by function, for example). But before we dwell on the typology, let’s clarify the very concept of genre.

What is a musical genre?

Genre is a kind of model with which specific music is correlated. It has certain conditions of execution, purpose, form and nature of content. So, the purpose of a lullaby is to calm the baby, so “swaying” intonations and a characteristic rhythm are typical for it; c – all expressive means of music are adapted to a clear step.

What are the genres of music: classification

The simplest classification of genres is based on the method of execution. These are two large groups:

  • instrumental (march, waltz, etude, sonata, fugue, symphony)
  • vocal genres (aria, song, romance, cantata, opera, musical).

Another typology of genres is related to the performance environment. It belongs to A. Sokhor, a scientist who claims that there are genres of music:

  • ritual and cult (psalms, mass, requiem) - they are characterized by generalized images, the dominance of the choral principle and the same mood among the majority of listeners;
  • mass household (varieties of song, march and dance: polka, waltz, ragtime, ballad, anthem) - characterized by a simple form and familiar intonations;
  • concert genres (oratorio, sonata, quartet, symphony) – typically performed in a concert hall, lyrical tone as the author’s self-expression;
  • theatrical genres (musical, opera, ballet) - require action, plot and scenery.

In addition, the genre itself can be divided into other genres. Thus, opera seria (“serious” opera) and opera buffa (comic) are also genres. At the same time, there are several more varieties that also form new genres (lyric opera, epic opera, operetta, etc.)

Genre names

You could write a whole book about what names music genres have and how they come about. Names can tell about the history of the genre: for example, the dance’s name “kryzhachok” is due to the fact that the dancers were positioned in a cross (from the Belarusian “kryzh” - cross). Nocturne (“night” - translated from French) was performed at night in the open air. Some names originate from the names of instruments (fanfare, musette), others from songs (Marseillaise, Camarina).

Often music receives the name of a genre when it is transferred to another environment: for example, folk dance to ballet. But it also happens the other way around: the composer takes the theme “Seasons” and writes a work, and then this theme becomes a genre with a certain form (4 seasons as 4 parts) and the nature of the content.

Instead of a conclusion

When talking about what genres of music there are, one cannot fail to mention a common mistake. There is confusion in concepts when classical, rock, jazz, hip-hop are called genres. It is important to remember here that genre is a scheme on the basis of which works are created, and style rather indicates features musical language creations.

Continuing the series of articles on music theory, we would like to tell you about how genres in music were formed and developed. After this article, you will never confuse a musical genre with a musical style again.

So, first, let's look at how the concepts of “genre” and “style” differ. Genre- This is a type of work that has developed historically. It implies the form, content and purpose of music. Music genres began their formation at an early stage of the development of music, in the structure of primitive communities. Then music accompanied every step of human activity: everyday life, work, speech, and so on. Thus, the main genre principles were formed, which we will examine further.

Style also implies the sum of materials (harmony, melody, rhythm, polyphony), the way they were used in a musical work. Typically, a style is based on a particular era or is classified by composer. In other words, style is a set of means of musical expression that determines the image and idea of ​​music. It may depend on the individuality of the composer, his worldview and tastes, and approach to music. Style also determines trends in music, such as jazz, pop, rock, folk styles, and so on.

Now let's get back to music genres. There are five main genre beginnings, which, as we said, originated in primitive communities:

  • Motor skills
  • Declamation
  • Chanting
  • Signaling
  • Sound-imagery

They became the basis of all subsequent genres that appeared with the development of music.

Quite soon after the formation of the basic genre principles, genre and style began to be intertwined into a single system. Such genre-style systems were formed depending on the occasion for which the music was created. This is how genre-style systems appeared, which were used in certain ancient cults, for ancient rituals and in everyday life. The genre had a more applied nature, which shaped a certain image, style and compositional features of ancient music.

On the walls of Egyptian pyramids and in surviving ancient papyri, lines of ritual and religious hymns were found, which most often told about the ancient Egyptian gods.

It is believed that ancient music reached its highest point of development precisely in Ancient Greece. It was in ancient Greek music that certain patterns were discovered on which its structure was based.

As society developed, so did music. IN medieval culture new vocal and vocal skills have already formed instrumental genres. During this era, genres such as:

  • Organum is the earliest form of polyphonic music in Europe. This genre was used in churches, and flourished at the Notre Dame school in Paris.
  • Opera - musical dramatic work.
  • Chorale is liturgical Catholic or Protestant singing.
  • The motet is a vocal genre that was used both in church and at secular events. His style depended on the text.
  • Conduct is a medieval song, the text of which was most often spiritual and moralizing. They still cannot accurately decipher the medieval notes of the conductors, since they did not have a specific rhythm.
  • Mass is a liturgical service in Catholic churches. Requiem also belongs to this genre.
  • Madrigal is a short work on lyrical and love themes. This genre originated in Italy
  • Chanson - this genre appeared in France, and initially choral peasant songs belonged to it.
  • Pavana - a smooth dance that opened holidays in Italy
  • Galliarda is a cheerful and rhythmic dance also originating from Italy.
  • Allemande is a procession dance that originated in Germany.

IN XVII-XVIII centuries in North America Rural music – country – developed quite actively. This genre is heavily influenced by Irish and Scottish folk music. The lyrics of such songs often talked about love, rural life and cowboy life.

IN late XIX century and at the beginning of the twentieth century in Latin America and Africa, folklore developed quite actively. In the African American community, the blues originated, which was originally a “work song” that accompanied work in the fields. The blues is also based on ballads and religious chants. Blues formed the basis of a new genre - jazz, which is the result of a mixture of African and European cultures. Jazz has become quite widespread and universally recognized.

Based on jazz and blues, rhythm and blues (R'n'B), a song and dance genre, appeared in the late 40s. He was quite popular in youth environment. Subsequently, funk and soul appeared within this genre.

It is curious that along with these African-American genres, the genre of pop music appeared in the 20s of the twentieth century. The roots of this genre are in folk music, street romances and ballads. Pop music has always mixed with other genres to form quite interesting musical styles. In the 70s, within the framework of pop music, the “disco” style appeared, which became the most popular dance music at that time, pushing rock and roll into the background.

In the 50s, rock burst into the ranks of already existing genres, the origins of which were in blues, folk and country. It quickly gained wild popularity and grew into many different styles, mixing with other genres.

Ten years later, the reggae genre was formed in Jamaica, which became widespread in the 70s. Reggae is based on mento, a genre of Jamaican folk music.

In the 1970s, rap appeared, which was “exported” by Jamaican DJs to the Bronx. DJ Kool Herc is considered the founder of rap. Initially, rap was read for fun, to throw out one’s emotions. The basis of this genre is the beat, which sets the rhythm of the recitative.

In the second half of the 20th century, electronic music established itself as a genre. It is strange that it did not gain recognition at the beginning of the twentieth century, when the first electronic instruments appeared. This genre involves creating music using electronic musical instruments, technology and computer programs.

Genres that emerged in the 20th century have many styles. For example:

Jazz:

  • New Orleans jazz
  • Dixieland
  • Swing
  • Western swing
  • Bop
  • Hard bop
  • Boogie Woogie
  • Cool or cool jazz
  • Modal or modal jazz
  • Avant-garde jazz
  • Soul jazz
  • Free jazz
  • Bossa Nova or Latin American Jazz
  • Symphonic jazz
  • Progressive
  • Fusion or jazz rock
  • Electric Jazz
  • Acid jazz
  • Crossover
  • Smooth jazz
  • Cabaret
  • Minstrel show
  • Music hall
  • Musical
  • Ragtime
  • Lounge
  • Classic crossover
  • Psychedelic pop
  • Italo disco
  • Eurodisco
  • High energy
  • Nu-disco
  • Space disco
  • Ye-ye
  • K-pop
  • Europop
  • Arabic pop music
  • Russian pop music
  • Rigsar
  • Laika
  • Latin pop music
  • J-pop
  • Rock'n'roll
  • Big Bit
  • Rockabilly
  • psychobilly
  • Neorocabilly
  • Skiffle
  • Doo-wop
  • Twist
  • Alternative rock (Indie rock/College rock)
  • Math rock
  • Madchester
  • Grunge
  • Shoegazing
  • Britpop
  • Noise rock
  • Noise pop
  • Post-grunge
  • lo-fi
  • Indie pop
  • Twi-pop
  • Art rock (Progressive rock)
  • Jazz rock
  • Krautrock
  • Garage rock
  • Freakbeat
  • Glam rock
  • Country rock
  • Merseybeat
  • Metal (Hard Rock)
  • Avant-garde metal
  • Alternative metal
  • Black metal
  • Melodic black metal
  • Symphonic black metal
  • True black metal
  • Viking metal
  • Gothic metal
  • Doom metal
  • Death metal
  • Melodic death metal
  • Metalcore
  • New metal
  • Power metal
  • Progressive metal
  • Speed ​​metal
  • Stoner rock
  • Thrash metal
  • Folk metal
  • Heavy metal
  • New wave
  • Russian rock
  • Pub rock
  • Punk rock
  • Ska-punk
  • Pop punk
  • Crust punk
  • Hardcore
  • Crossover
  • Riot folk
  • Pop rock
  • Postpunk
  • Gothic rock
  • No Wave
  • Post-line
  • Psychedelic rock
  • Soft rock
  • Folk rock
  • Techno rock

As you can see, there are many styles. It would take a lot of time to list the full list, so we won’t do that. The main thing is that you now know how modern popular genres appeared and you will definitely no longer confuse genre and style.

You have found yourself in the music genres section, where we will get acquainted with each musical direction in more detail. We will describe what it is, why it is needed and what features it has. Also at the very end there will be articles in this section that will describe each direction in more detail.

What are music genres

Before discussing what genres of music are, the following should be mentioned. We need a certain coordinate system so that we can put all phenomena into it. The most serious and global level in this coordinate system is the concept of style or art-historical system.

There is a style from the Middle Ages, Renaissance, Baroque or Romanticism. Moreover, in each specific era, this concept covers all arts (literature, music, painting, and so on).

However, music has its own categories within each style. There is a system of genres, musical forms and means of expression.

What is a genre?

Each era gives musicians and listeners a certain set of stage venues. Moreover, each site has its own rules of the game. These sites may disappear over time or remain for some time.

New groups of listeners with new interests are emerging - new stages are emerging, new genres are emerging.

Let's say, in the era of the European Middle Ages, approximately until the end of the 11th century, the only such stage for professional musicians was the church. Time and place of worship.

This is where the genres of church music take shape. And the most important of them (mass and mathet) will go far into the future.

If we take the late Middle Ages, the era of the Crusades, then a new stage appears - a feudal castle, a feudal courtyard of an aristocrat, a court holiday or simply a place of leisure.

And here the genre of secular song arises.

For example, the 17th century literally explodes with fireworks of new musical genres. Here things arise that go far ahead of our time and will still remain after us.

For example, opera, oratorio or cantata. IN instrumental music is an instrumental concert. Even such a term as symphony appears. Although maybe it was built a little differently than it is now.

Genres of chamber music emerge. And underneath it all lies the emergence of new stage venues. For example, Opera theatre, concert hall or the richly decorated salon of an urban aristocratic home.

Before you do, be sure to start studying various directions. This then translates very well in practice. It will be especially useful when creating something new!

Musical form

The next level is musical form. How many parts are there in the product? How is each part organized, how many sections are there and how are they connected to each other? This is what we mean by the concept of musical form.

Let's say opera is a genre. But one opera can be in two acts, another in three, and there are operas in five acts.

Or a symphony.

Most familiar European symphonies are constructed in four movements. But let’s say that Berlioz’s symphony Fantastique has 5 movements.

Expressive means

The next level is a system of musical expressive means. Melody in its unity with rhythm.

Rhythm is the deep organizing force of everything musical sound. It underlies the existence of music. Because through rhythm, human life is connected with reality, with the cosmos.

Many labor movements are rhythmic. Especially in agriculture. Much is rhythmic in the processing of stone and metals.

The rhythm itself appears, perhaps, before the melody. We can say that rhythm generalizes, and melody individualizes.

The feeling of rhythm, like some kind of magic, arises in the very early stages of civilization. And later, in the era of antiquity, such a feeling is recognized as an idea of ​​​​the universal connection of phenomena, which is rhythmic.

Rhythm is associated with number. And for the Greeks, number was an extremely important idea of ​​the world order. And this whole idea of ​​rhythm stuck for a very long time.

Early 17th century German composer Michael Pritorius spoke about the early experiences of the Italians in opera (there was no ordered rhythm): “This music is without connections and measure. She is an affront to God’s established order!”

The nature of the movement is fast, brisk, moderate and calm. They also set the tone for any superstructure that is made on them. There is also a sense of universal connection here. 4 sides of movement character, 4 cardinal directions, 4 temperaments.

If we go into even more detail, then this is timbre or sound coloring. Or let's say how the melody is pronounced. Distinctly dissected or coherent.

Melody, rhythm and everything else appears as a direct emotional response to reality. And they take shape in those infinitely distant times in the primitive communal system, when a person has not yet realized his own self in comparison with other selves or with nature.

But as soon as class society appears, a distance arises between one’s self and other selves, between self and nature. And then music genres, musical forms, and styles begin to take shape.

Genres of chamber music

Before talking about the genres of chamber music, let's understand the direction. Chamber music is music performed by a small number of performers for a small number of listeners.

Previously, such music was very often performed at home. For example, with your family. This is where they came up with the name chamber. From Latin camera means room. That is, small, home or room music.

There is also such a thing as a chamber orchestra. This is a smaller version (usually no more than 10 people) of a regular orchestra. Well, there aren’t many listeners either. Usually these are relatives, acquaintances and friends.

folk song- the simplest and most widespread genre of chamber music. Previously, very often many grandparents sang various songs to their children and grandchildren. folk songs. They could sing the same song in different words. As if adding something of your own.

However, the melody itself generally remained unchanged. Only the text of the folk song changed and improved.

Many people's favorite romances- This is also a genre of chamber music. Usually they performed a small vocal piece. It was usually accompanied by a guitar. That’s why we really love such lyrical songs with a guitar. Many people probably know about them and have already heard them more than once.

Ballad- this is a kind of narrative about various exploits or dramas. Ballads were often performed in taverns. As a rule, they praised the exploits various heroes. Sometimes ballads were used before an upcoming battle to raise the morale of people.

Of course, in such songs certain moments were often embellished. But in essence, without additional imagination, the very significance of the ballad would decrease.

Requiem- This is a funeral mass. So mournful choral singing performed in Catholic churches. In our country, the requiem was usually used as a tribute to the memory of folk heroes.

- song without Words. Usually intended for one singer as a training exercise. For example, to develop a vocalist's voice.

Serenade- a genre of chamber music that was performed for a beloved. Usually men performed them under the windows of their beloved women and girls. As a rule, such songs praised the beauty of the fair sex.

Genres of instrumental and vocal music

Below you will find the main genres of instrumental and vocal music. For each direction I will give you short descriptions. Let's touch on the basic definition of each type of music a little more.

Genres of vocal music

There are several genres of vocal music. It is worth saying that the direction itself is the oldest in the history of the development of music. After all, it is the main key for the transition of literature into music. That is, literary words began to be used in musical form.

Of course, these words were given the main role. Due to this, such music began to be called vocal. A little later, instrumental music appeared.

In vocal music, in addition to vocals, various instruments can also be used. However, in this direction their role is relegated to the background.

Here is a list of the main genres of vocal music:

  • Oratorio- a very large work for soloists, orchestra or choir. Typically, such works dealt with problems of a religious nature. A little later, secular oratorios appeared.
  • Opera- a huge dramatic work that combines the genres of instrumental and vocal music, choreography and painting. A special role here is given to various solo numbers (aria, monologue, and so on).
  • Chamber music- it was mentioned above.

Genres of instrumental music

Instrumental music- these are compositions that are performed without the participation of a vocalist. Hence the name instrumental. That is, it is performed only with the help of instruments.

Very often, many artists in their albums use instrumentals as bonus tracks in the album. That is, several of the most popular compositions can be selected and then their versions without vocals can be recorded.

Or they can select all the songs on the album. In this case, the album is released in two versions. This is usually done to increase the value of the product and raise its price.

There is a list for certain genres of instrumental music:

  • Dance music- usually simple music for dancing
  • Sonata– used as a solo or duet for chamber music
  • Symphony- harmonious sound for symphony orchestra

Genres of Russian folk songs

Let's talk about Russian genres folk songs. They reflect all the charm of the soul of the Russian people. Usually nature is praised in such musical works native land, heroes and ordinary workers. The joys and troubles of the Russian people are also mentioned.

Here is a list of the main genres of Russian folk songs:

  • Labor songs- chanted while working to facilitate a person’s work activity. That is, with such songs it was much easier for the workers to work. They set the rhythm of the work. Such musical works reflected the basic life of the working class people. Labor shouts were often used for work.
  • Ditties- a very common genre of folk music. As a rule, this is a short quatrain with a repeating melody. The ditties carried within them makes a lot of sense Russian word. They expressed the basic mood of the people.
  • Calendar songs- used on various calendar holidays. For example, on Christmas Day or under New Year. This musical genre was also well used for fortune telling or during the changing seasons.
  • Lullaby- gentle, simple and affectionate songs that mothers sang to their children. As a rule, in such songs mothers introduced their children to the world around them.
  • Family songs- used at various family holidays. This genre reflected very well at weddings. It was also used at the birth of a child, when a son was sent to the army, and so on. It is worth saying that such songs were accompanied by a certain ritual. All this together helped protect against dark forces and various troubles.
  • Lyrical compositions- mentioned in such works not an easy lot Russian people. For example, the difficult life of women and the difficult life of ordinary peasants is very often mentioned.

Genres of modern music

Now let's talk about the genres of modern music. There are quite a lot of them. However, they all deviate from the three main directions in modern music. So we'll talk a little about them.

Rock

Rock is popular today. It may not be the same as before, but in our time it has become firmly entrenched. Therefore, it is impossible not to mention it. And the direction itself gave impetus to the birth of many genres. Here are some of them:

  • Folk rock- elements of folk songs are well used
  • Pop rock- music for a very wide audience
  • Hard rock- heavier music with a harsh sound

Pop

Popular music also covers many genres that are often used in modern music:

  • House- electronic music performed on a synthesizer
  • Trance- electronic music with a predominance of sad and cosmic melodies
  • Disco– dance music with abundant rhythmic drum and bass sections

Rap

IN last years rap is gaining momentum well. In fact, this direction has practically no vocals. Basically they don’t sing here, but rather read. This is where the phrase rap came from. Here is a list of some genres:

  • Rapcore- a mixture of rap and heavy music
  • Alternative rap- a mixture of traditional rap with other genres
  • Jazz rap- a mixture of rap and jazz

Electronic music genres

Let's look a little at the main genres of electronic music. Of course, we won’t touch on everything here. However, we will analyze some of them. Here is the list:

  • House(house) - appeared in the 80s of the last century. It originates from the disco of the 70s. Appeared thanks to the experiments of DJs. Main features: repeating beat rhythm, 4x4 time signature and sampling.
  • Deep house(deep house) - lighter, atmospheric music with a deep, dense sound. Includes elements of jazz and ambient. The production uses solo keyboards, electric organ, piano and female vocals (mostly). It has been developing since the late 80s. Vocals in this genre always take a secondary place. The first one contains melodies and sounds to depict the mood.
  • Garage house(garage house) - the same as deep house, only on main role The vocals are already coming out.
  • New disco(nu disco) is a more modern musical genre based on the renewed interest in disco music. It's very popular now to go back to your roots. Therefore, this genre is based on the music of the 70s and 80s. The genre itself appeared in the early 2000s. Synthesized sounds similar to the sounds of real instruments are used to create disco of the 70s and 80s.
  • Soul full house(soulful house) - the basis is taken from house with a 4x4 rhythmic pattern, as well as vocals (full or in the form of samples). The vocals here are mostly soulful and very beautiful. Plus the use of a variety of musical instruments. Such a rich presence of instruments brings the music of this genre to life very well.

Rap genres

Let's move on to consider the main genres of rap. This direction is also actively developing. Therefore, it would be nice to touch on that too. Here is a small list of genres:

  • Comedy Rap- intelligent and funny music for entertainment. Has a combination of real hip-hop and regular humor. Comedy rap emerged in the 80s.
  • Dirty rap- dirty rap, characterized by a pronounced heavy bass. Basically this music is intended to excite the audience at various parties.
  • gangsta rap- music with a very hard sound. The genre of music appeared in the late 80s. Elements from hardcore rap were taken as the parent basis of this trend.
  • Hardcore rap— aggressive music with noisy samples and heavy beats. Appeared in the late 80s.

Genres of classical music

There are works divided into many genres classical music. They became especially widespread in the 18th century. Here is a partial list of destinations:

  • Overture- a short instrumental introduction to a performance, plays or works.
  • Sonata- a work for chamber performers, which is used as a solo or duet. Consists of three parts connected to each other.
  • Etude- a small instrumental piece designed to hone the technique of performing music.
  • Scherzo- the beginning of music with a lively and rapid tempo. Mainly conveys to the listener humorous and unexpected moments in the work.
  • Opera, symphony, oratorio- they were mentioned above.

Rock music genres

Now let's look at some genres of rock music other than those already mentioned above. Here is a short list with a description:

  • Gothic rock- rock music with a gothic and gloomy direction. Appeared in the early 1980s.
  • Grunge- music with a solid guitar sound and dark depressive lyrics. Appeared somewhere in the mid-1980s.
  • Folk rock— was formed as a result of mixing rock with folk music. Appeared in the mid-1960s.
  • Viking rock- punk rock with elements of folk music. Such works reveal the history of Scandinavia and the Vikings themselves.
  • Trashcore- faster hardcore. The works are usually small.

Genres of sacred and secular music

Let's look at some genres of sacred and secular music. To begin with, let's define these two directions. You will find out what it is and what is the difference. After that, we'll go through several genres.

Spiritual music

Spiritual music is intended to heal the soul. Such works are used mainly for services in churches. That's why some people also call it church music. Here is a short list of its genres:

  • Liturgy- Easter or Christmas service. Performed by a choir, and can also include additional soloists. As a rule, various scenes of events from the Holy Scriptures were inserted into the liturgical drama. Elements of theatricality were often used.
  • Antiphon- repetitive music performed by alternating several choral groups. For example, the same verses can be performed alternately by two faces. There are several types of antiphons. For example, holidays (on holidays), sedate (Sundays), everyday, and so on.
  • Rondel- was created to an original melody in the form of a special form with the next introduction of vocals to the same motive.
  • Proprium- part of the Mass that varies depending on the church calendar.
  • Ordinarium- an unaltered part of the mass.

Secular music

Secular music is recognized show national character different cultures. Described mainly main image and life common man. This type of music was very common among traveling musicians in the Middle Ages.

Music is an integral part of most people's lives. Musical works listened to in all corners of our planet, even in the most remote ones. Despite the enormous popularity and importance of this art direction, many people do not think about what types of art exist. styles and genres of music. This article examines the TOP 10 musical trends that have not lost their popularity to this day.

Due to the variety of different genres, many of you are wondering: What types of music are there? We tried to answer your question and organize the main styles of music into a separate list, which, according to experts, will always be popular despite many years.

1 Pop music


This style is modern direction of music. This genre is characterized by simplicity, interesting instrumental parts and a sense of rhythm, while the vocals are not given the most attention. The main and almost the only form of musical composition is the song. "Pop" includes character traits Europop, Latin, synthpop, dance music, etc.

Music experts highlight the following features of pop music:

  • conservative song construction scheme “verses + choruses”;
  • simplicity and ease of perception of melodies;
  • the main instrument is the human voice, accompaniment plays a secondary role;
  • The rhythmic structure plays an important role: most of the compositions are written for dancing, so they are distinguished by a clear, unchanging beat;
  • on average, the length of songs is from 3 to 5 minutes, which fully corresponds to the format of modern radio stations;
  • lyrics are usually dedicated to personal emotions and experiences (love, sadness, joy, etc.);
  • The visual presentation of works is of great importance.

2 Rock


As the name suggests (rock – “to pump”), this genre of music characterized by rhythmic sensations that are associated with a certain movement. Some features of rock compositions (electric musical instruments, creative self-sufficiency, etc.) are secondary, which is why many music styles mistakenly attributed to rock. Various subcultures are associated with this musical direction: punks, hippies, metalheads, emo, goths, etc.

Rock is divided into several directions or styles, ranging from “light” works of dance rock and roll, pop rock and Britpop, to brutal and aggressive death metal and grindcore. This genre is characterized by “musical expression,” in particular, increased dynamics (loudness) of performance (some compositions are performed at 120-155 dB).

Rock bands typically consist of a vocalist, a guitarist (who plays the electric guitar), a bass player, and a drummer (sometimes a keyboard player). The rhythm section consists of bass guitar, drums and rhythm guitar (not always).

3 Hip-hop


This music direction consists of several genres: from “light” styles (pop-rap) to aggressive ones (hardcore, horrorcore). The lyrics of the songs can also have different content - from light and casual (memories of childhood, youth, etc.) to complex social problems.

Hip-hop is based on styles such as funk, jazz, reggae, soul and rhythm and blues. Quite often, hip-hop is confused with rap, which is fundamentally wrong. RAP is a recitative performance of musical compositions, while hip-hop may have no recitative at all. In the USSR this music style appeared in the 1980s.

The following subgenres of hip-hop exist:

  • old school: relatively simplified recitative, lines of equal duration, constant direction of rhythm and beats;
  • new school: relatively short tracks, more soulful motives (in the direction of pop music);
  • gangsta rap: songs about hard life, hooliganism, crime, etc.;
  • political hip-hop: the lyrics call for anti-social activities, uniting society to resolve various internal and external threats;
  • alternative hip-hop: this direction based on the styles of funk, jazz, pop rock, soul, and the compositions are a combination of music with recitative;
  • g-funk: this style combines g-funk melodies and deep funk basses (synthesizer filling, subtle flute sound and recitative), diluted with male or female backing vocals;
  • horrorcore: this direction is distinguished by the greatest “rigidity” and brutality of tracks;
  • southern hip hop: this style has southern African and Latin American influences;
  • Grime: characterized by the dark atmosphere of the track, booming bass and fast aggressive rapping.

4 RAP


RAP is a rhythmic recitative, which is usually read to the beat. The performers of such compositions are rappers or MCs. RAP is one of the main components of hip-hop. But this style is also used in other genres (drum and bass, pop music, rock, rapcore, nu metal, etc.).

The origin of the word “REP” is based on the English “rap” (beats, knocks) and “to rap” (speak).

RAP music is quite diverse. The compositions can be simple, but at the same time interesting and melodic. They are based on the beat - the rhythm of the songs. Often every beat there is a certain emphasis of clap (clap), snare (clear and short drum beat), percussion (whistles, chains, etc.) or bass drum.

Keyboards, wind instruments and computer sounds are usually used as musical instruments.

5 R&B


R&B (rhythm and blues) refers to song and dance genre of music. This style is based on blues and jazz trends of the first half of the twentieth century. Distinctive feature genre are dance motifs that encourage listeners to dance uncontrollably.

The R&B style is dominated by cheerful melodies that do not carry any special philosophical or thought themes.

Many music experts associate rhythm and blues with black people, since it is based on all “black” genres, with the exception of classical and religious motifs.

6


This musical direction arose at the end XIX century in USA. This style of music combines African and European cultures.

The distinctive features of this direction are improvisation, sophisticated rhythm (syncopated figures) and unique techniques of rhythmic textures.

Jazz also refers to dance music. The compositions are cheerful, giving vivacity and a good mood. But unlike R&B, jazz melodies are calmer.

7 Instrumental music


Compositions of this music styles performed with the help of musical instruments, and the human voice does not take any part in this. IM can be solo, ensemble and orchestral.

Instrumental music is one of the best background styles. Melodies based on live instruments and modern hits are ideal for quiet radio stations, and listening to them brings harmony while working and relaxing.

8 folk music

A fairly popular style is folk music related to musical folklore. The compositions represent the musical and poetic creative ideas of the people, which are passed on from generation to generation. Traditional melodies are usually created by the rural population. This music direction a significant contrast to popular and academic singing.

The texts are based on various motives, ranging from warm love relationship, ending with terrible and terrible military events.

9 Electro


Electronic music is a fairly broad genre, the melodies of which are created using electronic musical instruments and computer technology. This style has various directions, ranging from experimental academic songs to popular electronic dance tracks.

Electronic music combines sounds generated by electronic technologies and electromechanical musical instruments (telharmonium, Hammond organ, electric guitar, theremin and synthesizer).

10 Trance music


Trance is a type of electronic music, the characteristic features of which are artificial sound, emphasis on special attention harmonic parts and timbres, as well as a relatively fast tempo (from 120 to 150 beats per minute). Trance is usually used for various dance events.

If we start to continue this list, it will be endless since hundreds appear from year to year various styles and substyles. We also wanted to note that our list did not include such styles of music as:

  • disco
  • techno
  • country
  • lounge
  • trance

We will be glad if you leave your comments and add to the presented list!