Musical styles. Song genres: description and examples What is the most popular kind of musical art?

The song genre is a favorite of almost every person. People began humming long before the appearance of music as such. It is not for nothing that the human voice is the most ancient of musical instruments, which is always stored inside each of us.

First came the song, then everything else.

So what are the genres of songs?

Term and brief history

Song is the simplest form of vocal music, but perhaps the most popular, emerging many years BC. NS. For the first time, its use was required in ancient ceremonies and rituals. Only after a long time did the song sound differently, namely from the artistic side, and the consumer attitude receded into the background.

The original compositions were religious in nature, when there was a belief in the forces of nature and the gods corresponding to it. The compositions were quite simple, they could even be limited to three words.

In the ancient period, music and poetry were considered inseparable partners, therefore they were combined into a single art.

In the Middle Ages, songs were common among musicians such as the troubadours, minnesingers, trouvers and meistersingers. They felt an unbreakable thread between music and text, felt the connection of the poetic form with the musical stanza.

A characteristic feature of the songs is the dominant melody performed by the voice throughout the entire accompanying background. A word floating in a musical river is like a boat in which everything that is most necessary and important is concentrated.

Types of songs

From a single musical trunk, with each century, many branches grew, stretching in completely different directions.

There are 2 types of song:

• folk, or folklore;
• author's.

Their main difference from each other lies in the names themselves. Art presupposes action, and action is performed by the subject or subjects.

First definition

Folk song refers to a variety of folklore (oral folk art). This art does not have a single creator. Folk music is a consequence of the contribution of a large composition of people. The song was passed from mouth to mouth, acquiring new nuances, intonations, words and even a different meaning.

Traditional works were directly related to the people and their everyday life: labor, holidays and ceremonies.

The genre of Russian folk song is notable for its beauty and melody. It is not for nothing that even abroad, foreigners sing their favorite "Kalinka-Malinka".

Folk song genres

There are many genre divisions according to the type of events. For example, ritual (calendar and family).

Calendar meant Slavic holidays:

• winter - carols ("The carol was born on the eve of Christmas"), generosity ("Good evening, generous evening"), oats ("Ovsey, Ovsey walked along the path");
• Christmastide - under the dish;
• Shrovetide ("Oh, pancakes, my pancakes");
• spring - spring, Easter ("From under the forest");
• summer - Kupala.

Families described everyday scenes and holidays:

• birth and nurturing;
• wedding;
• funeral (crying and lamentation);
• cradle.

There are also such genres of folk songs:

• labor - united workers and did hard work with the help of a song, merging into one force, much easier;
• comic - ditties, choruses, satire;
• round and dance;

• epic (narration) - epics, historical, ballads, fairy tales, fables;
• lingering-lyrical (often associated with a description of a difficult female part, which had to be put up with because of the traditions adopted by society);
• otkhodniki (the time when it was necessary to leave the house and go to peasant work outside the village) - burlak, coachman, soldier, workers.

Some of the best songs of the folklore genre:

• "Oh, frost, frost."
• "Ah, it is not yet evening".
• "Soldiers".
• "I will go, I will go out."
• "Felt boots".
• "Thin rowan".
• "Hey, let's hoot."

Composer song genres

An innumerable number of musical compositions have been written in various song genres. We will talk about them below.

Author's

Several features can be distinguished:

• the composer who wrote the song reproduces it himself;
• in addition to music, the author also composes a text;

Hymn

Composition carries with it the task of praising someone or something. In all countries, he is considered the "main song" and occupies one position of the country's three state symbols (along with the coat of arms and flag).

Variety

This type of song belongs to the genre, one of the most popular at the present time. For the first time, the term sounded back at the beginning of the 20th century.

Main features:

• rhythm plays an important role;
• the main emphasis on vocals;
• the composition is built according to a certain scheme - a verse and a chorus repeating after it;

Branches of pop songs:

• europop;
• disco;
• classic;
• electro;
• indie;
• country;
• latina;
• dream;
• baroque;
• soul;
• blues;
• jangle;
• bubblegum and many other subsections that have grown in all directions.

Chanson

In France, the term was coined as a cabaret song (a recreational venue with small concert performances).

As a genre of Russian songs, it includes a collective image from:

• card songs;
• thieves;
• lyric songs, as well as urban romance.

Rock

It is the second type (along with pop) of popular music at the present time. The direction originated at the beginning of the 20th century.

Includes a huge number of subgenres and their varieties. Just a few of them:

• alternative;
• garage;
• glam;
• grunge;
• indie;
• mathematical;
• instrumental;
• punk;
• fast;
• progressive;
• surf;
• software;
• folk;
• hard;
• pop rock;
• rapcore, and it is also worth emphasizing metal as a kind of rock music, with all the subspecies that follow from it.

Jazz

The direction was born thanks to the merits of African rhythms and European harmony. It includes, in addition to vocal compositions, and a purely instrumental form.

An interesting fact: jazz instrumental and song genres are the most difficult types of music for perception, which require an analysis of harmonic construction from the brain. Virtuosos, undoubtedly, have a high intellectual level, since improvisation requires even much deeper work.

Other species

In addition to the above, there are also a huge number of song genres:

• blues - African American secular music;
• folk - it combines folklore with modern trends;
• rap - recitative to a rhythmic beat.

The world is full of vocal creativity, and everyone can find their favorite genre.

Music is constantly present in human life. Not a single solemn event is complete without it, with its help people relax after a hard day. However, not everyone knows what music is - we just like it.

Not everyone knows what directions in music are. Musical motives are varied - from melodic sound to harsh, with a high tonality. The music we have chosen brings peace and lightens the mood. Listening to melodies is like an art. It unites and connects together.

When it comes to what types of music there are, it is even difficult to imagine in what variety it is presented. Therefore, every person on Earth can choose the melody that most characterizes his human soul and character. So, today we will consider in as much detail as possible what musical directions are.

Classification of styles

There are many areas that allow you to individually select the repertoire of listening and performance. The styles of music are as follows.

Classic

Motives from the last century, originated from talented composers: Bach, Schubert, Tchaikovsky, Schmidt. Compositions based on deep meaning and content with perfection of form are called classical compositions. Classics in the present period may refer to a work created in the distant past, but it may be present in modern compositions.

Pop style

Music is popular among young people, as it has a funny motive, an uncomplicated plot. Designed for a special occasion where dancing is required.

Pop music is characterized by a moving rhythm, in the overall composition, the voice and text are accentuated. Often pop music is created on experiences of a love nature. Pop singers have many fans, thanks to whom they remain in demand on the stage for a long time.

Hip-hop

The style consists of different musical directions, it is based on rap and R'n'B. Best suited for dance routines such as break dance and graffiti. This kind of music is popular among teenagers who want to stand out from the crowd of their peers.

Rap was created by dark-skinned guys who prefer wide jeans with a low dropped waist and chunky sneakers. Such clothing allows you to move freely and create new dance improvisations. Rap is characterized by lyrics that reflect the life situation in the fight against injustice.

Rock music

This style is characterized by high notes with complex lyrics. The main difference from other directions of music is the clothes of the performers: sneakers, jeans, a T-shirt, a baseball cap (often black) with massive decorations in the form of a skull and crosses.

Rock musicians almost always have tattoos or piercings. To perform rock, it is necessary that the group includes a vociferous vocalist and people who know how to use electronic instruments. The emphasis of the rock direction is made on sound reproduction and the voice of the performer. The meaning of the songs can be the most primitive or philosophically deep.

Electronic

The compositions are played on a special amplifying instrument - a synthesizer. Electronic guitars are used as an add-on. Music of this direction conveys a synthesis of sounds with different tonality.

The style is intended for use at discos, parties. Electronic music is reproduced with the help of equipment, there is no live performance in it. Today, this direction is used to create remixes from famous compositions of past years.

Jazz

Performed on saxophone, trumpet and rarely on piano, drums, guitar. Jazz is designed for a narrow audience of fans.

Blues

The reproduction is based on one instrument, to which others are adjusted in order to give out a single sound of an improvisational character as a whole.

Country

A musical direction that was taken from the North American people. This direction includes the folklore plot of the Americans and the cowboy epics of the Wild West. Reproduction of country music is possible on a guitar, banjo, violin.

Alternative

This musical type of performance is based on subcultures of different countries. The style includes hip hop, hardcore.

Vocals

Performance of one soloist or a whole choir without musical accompaniment. It is also possible to sing to different types of instruments, from violin to guitar. Vocal means chamber performance, operatic performance, in a choir.

Metal

Music played on percussion instruments that produce high pitched sounds. It is often hard to listen to.

Performers of this style wear characteristic clothing and have a special appearance that emphasizes the individuality of the chosen genre. Designed for a specific audience.

New age

The style combines electronic and ethnic music. Such melodies have a relaxing effect, they lift the mood, charge with positive. In New Age, performers turn to the theme of wildlife, national culture, and self-knowledge. However, this music cannot be called religious - it has nothing to do with religion.

Punk

The musical direction was founded in the early 70s, and had a name - social and musical protest. The punk direction is the basis for the formation of styles such as hardcore, thrash and grunge.

Romance

Melodic sound of compositions with an intricate plot. Performed with piano accompaniment or violin. The romance is classified by such directions as ballads, elegies, barcarole.

Russian bard song

The style consists of a combination of chamber pieces, including romance and chanson. The bard direction often has a single theme of criminal meaning.

Reggae

Afro-Caribbean style with a low baritone tone. The compositions are based on religious and philosophical doctrine.

Folk

Combines folk poetic folklore with dance rhythms. Performed in a choir circle. The meaning of this direction lies in the transfer of the traditions of ancestors to the modern people.

Chanson

In the modern world, it combines bardic and thieves' song.

Vanguard

The style of individual meaning, which often consists of experiments with musical directions.

Author's song

A musical style in which the performer plays along with the guitar. Compositions are also performed by author's and amateur's. Such a song does not require prior vocal training.

Instrumental

Compositions are created using muses instruments without solo performance.

Trance

Music that emits a range of sound vibrations, ranging from softer tones to more heightened tones. The purpose of the trance music direction is to transmit the sound in the "150 bpm" mark.

Having considered what formats of music are, it can be noted that they are all somewhat similar, but in their distinctive features they have a different definition.

In the beginning there was a beat ... Before any music there was a rhythm. Our distant ancestor, millions of years ago, pounded on the stump with a stick - and enjoyed it. Quite aesthetic, no less sophisticated than that experienced by our contemporary, sitting in an easy chair at the conservatory. About any music, and even more so about styles of music, we could not talk about that time. They say that our predecessors did not even have abstract thinking that would help them call sounds and vibrations music, and even divide it into styles ... Time has passed. Much time has passed ... And now, from the impulsive and unstructured knocking on the stump, music was born. Who among the readers of "Subculture Portal" has heard about such a wonderful style of music as Azerbaijani jazz? Surprised ?? And he is!

Well, let's get to the exotic. In the meantime, our connoisseurs are ready to tell you about such performers of styles of music as punk rock, metal in all its multifaceted nature, rap and trap (whatever that means) and djent (the product of intercourse between man and machine). If yesterday you heard the term "cyber-core" from someone - know that you were deceived. There is no such style! But it is very possible that on the pages of the "Subculture Portal" you will find a story about him. And right this very second, the experts of the "Subculture Portal" are digging up information about such outlandish performers of the genres of music as witchhouse and electroclash especially for you ...
Take a look at our heading "Music styles list" and find out what your friends do not know! Shine your scales!

Truly talented and ingenious musicians never stick to a particular frame or style. Moreover, thanks to the rapid development of the styles of modern mass music, these frameworks have no pronounced boundaries.

But still, people who are engaged in music professionally, and just music lovers need to understand the variety of musical styles, especially if they are dealing with the modern music industry.

So, before answering the question of what styles are in modern music, it is necessary to decide what a musical style is. Just want to warn against the confusion of the concepts of style and genre. Genre (from the French word genre - gender) in music has a broad concept that defines any kind of work. Style is connected with the language itself, with the way the musician expresses himself. The most basic and widely used styles of modern music are discussed below.

folk music

The term for this type of music (folk music in English) became widely known at the end of the last century, to define folk music in various cultures of the world. Naturally, the species itself originated much earlier and is one of the first in music. In turn, three main genres can be traced in it: instrumental, song and dance.

Blues

As a musical style, it originated in the 19th century, and acquired a wider one at the beginning of the next. It is a mixture of several styles of African American music such as "work song", "spirituals" and "cholera". The blues had a great influence on the emergence of other musical styles, in particular pop music, jazz, rock 'n' roll, rhythm 'n' blues and a number of others.

Jazz

Blues-based jazz is characterized by tremendous incendiary and improvisation. The main feature of this style is polyrhythm based on syncopated rhythm. Jazz is an elite music that has developed thanks to the development of new models of rhythm and harmony by musicians. Some genres of jazz can be attributed to the professional and academic direction. For example, cool jazz, bebop.

Rock'n'roll

In the middle of the 20th century, rock'n'roll appeared in the USA. This style combines an incredible mixture of a huge, and as it seems at first glance, incompatible number of genres. A distinctive feature of rock'n'roll is a clear rhythm and frankly relaxed performance. The boundaries of rock'n'roll expanded significantly, due to which rock music appeared - an absolutely independent, new style.

Rock music

Rock in English means to rock, which can be attributed to the characteristic of this style. There are a huge number of directions in rock music, ranging from pop-rock, Brit-rock, which can be attributed to lighter options. And ending with heavy and aggressive: death metal, thrash metal, hardcore and many others. Also, certain genres of rock music are inherently associated with subcultural phenomena: hippies, punks, goths, metalheads and others.

Electonic music

This type of music unites works created with the help of electronic technologies and instruments, mainly specialized computer programs and synthesizers. It established itself in the second half of the 20th century and combines a wide range of different genres, subgenres and styles. The music of composers using modern computer technology belongs to academic electronics.

Hip-hop

In 1979, in the United States in the African American environment, a new style of music was born - hip-hop. Two elements: rap (clearly rhymed rhythmic recitative) and the rhythm set by the DJ (mainly bass and parts) - are the basis of the genre. Hip Hop, like many of the styles listed above, also has a huge number of genres and subgenres.

All of these styles of modern mass music are very popular. We may not have named any separate subspecies, but basically we have covered the question of what styles are in modern music. All of the above is the basis, the core and exactly what modern composers and musicians start from when creating their works. Thanks to this basis and the mixing of existing musical styles, completely new directions appear, but nevertheless, it is quite possible to trace the origins in them.

Last but not least, watch the great video in which B.B. King, the king of the blues, plays Blues Boys Tune on guitar:

Culturologists and journalists have tears in their eyes from the number of modern genres of music, but when asked "what kind of music do you listen to?" every year it becomes more and more difficult to answer.

Modern musical genres are such a global issue that if we were to study it in all its details, the text would turn out to be painfully long. After all, today every group, the discovery is necessarily unique and, of course, worthy of the title of pioneers of the next genre. However, we will nevertheless try to understand the chaos of new musical directions at least at a glance.

Folk music and classics

No matter how branched out the system of musical styles, the roots of each of them still go back to one of the good old "whales". For example, folk motives give life to such a modern musical genre as progressive folk (ethnics combined with modernity), which in turn breaks up into many other “folk”: folk rock, psychedelic folk, dark folk, folk punk, indie folk, etc. Classical music has also been reincarnated in our time, adding itself the prefix "neo".

(soundcloud) https://soundcloud.com/elionsoporte/clanadonia-tu-bardh (/ soundcloud)

Blues and jazz

Blues, the progenitor of a good half of modern music (jazz, rock and pop), lives today in sensitive neosoul, perky funk and their variations with other genres (for example, liquid funk, drumfunk, funk-rock, jazz-funk, etc. ). Interestingly, modern R "n" B also traces its history back to rhythm and blues. Traditional jazz, by the way, also does not stand still: adding electronic notes, it turned into nu-jazz (new urban jazz), and, having become more rhythmic and danceable, into acid jazz.

(soundcloud) https://soundcloud.com/jazzanova/fedimes-flight-funkhaus (/ soundcloud)

Rock

Once rock and itself was a new musical direction, now it is another respected "whale", which provides the basis for a huge number of sub-styles. Among the most common are hardcore (fast and heavy music), grindcore (generating sounds similar to grinding), contrasting and dirty grunge, chaotic shoegaze, independent indie rock (without clear criteria and framework), illogical noise rock and rapcore combining the warring worlds of rock and rap fans. By the way, the fusion of elements of different styles is one of the characteristic features of modern musical genres. Synth-pop can boast of the same feature.

(soundcloud) https://soundcloud.com/1stfranco/arctic-monkeys-dancing-shoes (/ soundcloud)

Electonic music

In general, all further directions are inextricably linked with electronics - the most progressive phenomenon in the world of music due to its technical component. Of the myriad of directions that appeared so soon, the most widespread are EBM (Electronic Body Music), IDM (Intelligent Dance Music), house, techno, trance, ambient, new age, chillwave, trip-hop, eurodance and more recently conquered the entire musical world. dubstep.

(soundcloud) https://soundcloud.com/papillonsdenuit/vitalic-poison-lips (/ soundcloud)