There’s no one way that genre choices matter for musicians, but the genre you choose can certainly influence how employers view you. An eclectic music background can make you a more marketable candidate than an equally talented musician who has chosen a narrow musical genre. Different people have different tastes, and as long as a musician’s music is good, employers will appreciate the variety of the musician’s background.
Some artists would say it’s up to the listener to decide what kind of music they like, and that’s fine. But some artists base their entire career on a genre. Jonas Brothers is a pop group, and Selena Gomez is a pop artist. However, not every music genre is created equally. Some genres, like hip hop or rap, are better suited to lyrics that rhyme and to music that flows repetitively, while others are more the lyrics that are important than the music itself.
What is Music Genre
Music genres are the way that music is categorized. The word genre means a defining characteristic. They are differentiated by sound and by style. Some musical genres have unique characteristics, such as blues or jazz, while others define dance or rock. Different genres have different ways of being put together.
How To Choose The Right Music Genre
Know yourself
When it comes to music, everyone has a different preference. While some prefer rock, others may gravitate towards pop or country. However, picking the right genre for you is much harder than most make it. If you’re having trouble picking the right genre, take a few moments to think about your favorite music. What type of music do you listen to when you’re at home? Are you more into upbeat, easy listening, or prefer something with higher tempos? Figuring out what genre fits you the best is the first step to finding the music you love.
Understand the Difference
You love music and, without a doubt, love genres. You’re familiar with jazz, reggaeton, R&B, pop, rock, hip hop, heavy metal, and more. But did you know that there are several genres of music, and each one has its cultural significance, which affects your listening preferences?
Understand your Audience
Choosing the right genre for your music can be challenging. You want your fans to enjoy your music, but you also want your music to sound unique. There are dozens of genres, but knowing your audience is key to choosing the right one.
Music is universal. Anyone from any background enjoys music. Music is enjoyed while working out, studying, cooking, or even working. Music is enjoyed at home, in cars, at gyms, and even at parties. Almost everyone loves music and does not mind listening to it. However, some people have a preference when it comes to listening to music. These preferences are based on their life experiences and on what they like.
Popular Music Genres
Pop Music
Pop music is one of the most popular genres of music in the world. Its popularity stretches across all generations and cultures, covering everything from rhythm n’ blues to ballads and rap. Although pop takes many forms, at its core is a set of common elements, including instrumentation, melody, and harmony.
Rock
Rock music has been around for decades, and like all music genres, it has undergone many changes. Rock music has evolved over the years and now includes many different subgenres. The origins of rock music can be traced back to blues, folk, and country music. Rock music is often considered an evolution of blues music, which developed shortly after enslaved Africans were brought to the United States. Once the blues evolved into rock and roll, it introduced music with heavier guitar riffs and solos.
Hip hop and Rap
Hip hop is a music genre that developed in the United States during the late 1970s. A rhythmic, four-on-the-floor backbeat characterized early hip-hop music, often with a four-bar sampling of an instrumental break, followed by MCs (rappers) reciting lyrics or DJs adding additional music.
So, how should people pick their genre when choosing a career in the music industry? There are two conclusions to this, the first of which is that they are all equally valid since there is no definitive answer. The second is that, as with anything, you need to be persistent. As the saying goes, “No pain, no gain.”
