While it would be unwieldy and almost impossible to discuss every genre of music out there today, several major categories exist in which other subgenres may fall. Perhaps the largest of these music genres is rock and roll, an umbrella genre under which several other types of music can be categorized. Other major music genres include classical, folk, jazz, R&B, blues, metal, and world music.
Rock and roll is characterized by up-tempo beats and guitar-heavy sounds. Within the genre of rock and roll, one will find the music genres of folk rock, alternative, and heavy metal. All of these music genres rely heavily on guitars at various sound levels and distortions; for example, folk rock typically involves the use of acoustic guitars and clean-tone electric guitars at a soft or moderate volume; heavy metal goes in the extreme opposite direction and uses mainly heavily distorted electric guitars. Vocals are often sung loudly or even screamed. Alternative music tends to combine elements of these two genres. Rock and roll was born from the blues genre, as was R&B--short for rhythm and blues.
The glues genre comes from African-American musicians and is characterized by distinct song structures and themes. Blues can be up-tempo or mellow and often focus on some sort of struggle or sorrow; they are often based on spiritual hymns, work songs, chants, or narrative stories. The blues are most often constructed around certain chord progressions called the 12-bar blues. Because of the themes associated with the blues, people will often say they have the blues when they are sad or depressed.
Classical music is one of the major music genres and has been around for centuries. Classical music consists of meticulously composed scores often revolving around pianos and full orchestras. The melodies are often complex and musical scores are oftentimes, but not always, themed. In centuries past, classical music was most popular among the music genres and was prominent in early American, British, and European societies--though again, not exclusively. Today, classical music is commonly heard in movie scores and in local and national symphony halls.
World music is an extremely large genre that encompasses a wide variety of music from around the world. It may include tribal chants, sea shanties, music from various nations and cultures, and anything else that is individual to a certain culture or region. Because this is the largest of the music genres, one might argue it encompasses all music in general; however, in order to be considered world music, a subgenre must demonstrate some sort of regionality or cultural tie.
Rhythm and blues (R&B) is a style of music that grew out of 1940s black American music styles including blues and jazz. The style, chord structure and rhythms of rhythm and blues music deeply influenced both black and white American pop music during the 20th century. This term's meaning expanded in the late 20th century to include any predominantly black form of music.
As its name suggests, one of the major influences on rhythm and blues music was the blues. The blues is a style of music based off of a very specific 12-measure chord progression: four measures of the I chord, two of the IV chord, two of the I chord, one of the V or V7 chord, one of the IV chord, and two of the I chord. Rhythm and blues music adopted this progression in the 1940s and 1950s, sometimes tweaking it along the way, and made it more a part of mainstream American pop music.
Other influences on rhythm and blues include jazz, swing and boogie. Early R&B music usually featured a solo vocalist with a brass-heavy orchestra accompaniment. It usually had strong, often syncopated rhythms well-suited to the dance hall.
Especially during the 1950s, there was a give-and-take relationship
between rhythm and blues and rock and roll. Although the first was
predominant in black culture and the second in white culture, the two
often borrowed from one another. Elvis Presley, for instance, recorded a
number of songs that feature blues-influenced structures and vocal
styles. One of the most famous of these was "Hound Dog."
Leading up to the civil rights movement of the 1960s, many black
artists used their music as a platform to speak out against segregation
and racial inequalities. Big Bill Broonzy's "When Will I Get To Be
Called A Man" describes the life of a black man who is constantly
referred to as "boy" by white people. Most music was not as explicit
about racial themes as this song, but many other songs had undercurrents
of social unrest.
Since about the 1980s, rhythm and blues has often been used to
describe any music style performed by African American musicians and
geared primarily toward African American audiences. This encompasses a
wide range of styles, from gospel and soul to rap. Contemporary R&B
music continues to address themes of injustice in American society from
both religious and secular perspectives.
Rhythm and Blues or R&B music, was originally termed "race music" and basically included anything intended for African-American audiences. A combination of jazz, gospel, and blues, the term "R&B" was coined in the late 1940s in the United States for use as a less offensive marketing term. While R&B music has evolved over the years to spawn contemporary sounds, the original genre focused on "boogie" rhythms and included such famous acts as Bo Diddley and Chuck Berry. The end of World War II produced a surprising call for new sounds, and the R&B music genre took off as a result.
Traditional R&B
In the late 1940s and into the fifties, R&B groups consisted largely of brass instruments and woodwinds, as well as drums, piano and vocals. These elements were common in jazz bands, but R&B musicians produced a heavier sound with a steady beat. As the fifties progressed, the genre became notable for its sexually suggestive lyrics and provocative dancing associated with it. Artists like Muddy Waters descended upon Chicago’s south side, the new center of R&B music, and introduced elements like the electric guitar.
The Sound of R&B
R&B lyrics sometimes focused on segregation and racial issues, like other musical genres associated with African American musicians, but arrangement and musical style became increasingly important. In general, this style of music includes steady rhythms and numerous instruments to create multiple layers of sound. The music is often meant to inspire dancing or to at least provide a sound that is catchy and interesting. Lyrics in these songs can cover a wide range of subjects, such as love, relationships, and dancing.
Development of R&B
As the genre progressed throughout the decades, R&B music started becoming known as soul music; it was also no longer exclusively made by African American artists. White musicians started composing R&B songs, though the genre was still dominated by artists like Chubby Checker, Sam Cooke, and bands like The Miracles. As the music progressed and caught on in society, it helped dispel the commonly held belief that so-called "black" music was only for certain people. The genre transcended race relations and survived by carving out its own niche in the US music scene.
Contemporary R&B
Contemporary R&B music has a distinctly different sound than its forebears. It often focuses on pop beats and culture rather than the blues, gospel and jazz sounds of previous generations, though those elements may still be present. In many ways, it developed and grew out of the "funk" sound and disco in the 1970s. As those types of music became less popular, contemporary R&B mixed some of the style of funk with popular music, though vocal performances in this genre are often heavily inspired by gospel and blues.
We have the ancient Greeks to thank for the modern seven modes of music, although some of their original modes have been replaced over time. Greek musicians may have been the first to understand the intimate relationship of mathematics and music theory, leading to what we understand as the major and minor scales. A traditional scale may be divided into 8 notes, but the intervals between those notes are not always equal. The Greeks developed scales which began and ended on each note of the original major scale (Ionian) we still hear today. The Greeks named the different scales after cities which reflected the mood of the seven modes of music. Modern music theorists now call these modes Ionian, Dorian, Phrygian, Lydian, Mixolydian, Aeolian and Locrian.
Making it in the music industry can mean numerous things. You could become a powerful music industry lawyer, a skilled producer, the head of a record company, a sought after sound technician, or an instantly recognizable musician. Usually when people ask this question, they refer to making it as a musician, where “making it” implies a degree of fame and an ability to live on what you make from performances and recordings.
For all the musicians in the world out there, there are relatively few that will ever hit the top of the music industry. This is no reason not to try, especially if you feel that you are born to become a musician. However, expanding your definition of “making it in the music industry” may help you launch a more successful career. Here are a few tips for making it in the music industry:
1) Although there are a few musicians who have a certain "it factor" who get by on little talent, talent, knowledge and skill are all main requirements for the music industry. Talent alone is not enough, but must be paired with continual practice, gaining new knowledge, and studying. No musician is made worse by learning more, but many musicians with natural talent fail to apply their talent and suffer from arrogance, thinking that they have learned all they need to know. Essentially, you should never stop learning, because in a lifetime, there is still more to master and learn.
2) People who want to make it in the music industry need to take criticism seriously and well, especially from teachers. However, many now famous musicians ignored statements like “You’ll never make it.” Feel free to ignore these blanket statements, but tune in to criticism like “You are always flat on that high C, “ or “Your technique needs improvement.”
3) The music business isn't limited to sold out concerts, and making records. Take opportunities to perform, even if they seem beneath you. A good wedding singer can support him or herself while waiting for their more public career to launch. Every chance to perform can benefit you financially, and also hone your performance skills.
4) Don’t wait for your big break. Increase your exposure by performing, sending tapes to record companies, meeting people in the music industry, and writing letters to producers and agents. People who sit on their hands, waiting to get noticed, seldom do. As with any job search, you have to keep looking until you find someone in the music industry who believes in your talent. Interactions with record companies and agents should be professional, so come up with a good resume, a good recording, and a professional cover letter.
5) Stay away from the temptations that plague the music industry and the entertainment industry. Lots of beautiful careers were cut painfully short by drug and alcohol addiction. If you do use drugs or too much alcohol, focus on getting clean prior to getting a contract. Likewise, don't fall victim to eating disorders to achieve the "celebrity" look you may feel is required. The music business can be grueling, and living a healthy lifestyle will get you far.
6) Work in careers that will keep you in touch with other musicians. Teach music, be a roadie, work as an assistant at a record company, work at a musical instrument store, or manage a box office. This keeps your exposure level relatively high, and gives you the chance to meet people that could influence your career.
7) Consider free self-publishing. You have to look at bands like OK Go that suddenly became hugely popular because they put a couple of videos on YouTube. If you have a great song you want the public to hear, then let them hear it. The general public, rather than the more standard music industry is becoming increasingly more effective in defining what they like.
8) Have a full and happy life aside from your music. If you do become famous at some future date, good relationships with family and friends from your pre-fame days can often normalize the experience. All musicians need to make music an important part of their daily life, but have other things in your life that make you happy too.
Even with these tips, you may never properly “make it” in the music industry. Many try and few succeed. But you can do what you love to do, which is to play. In the end, getting to do what you love, even on a small scale, is still “making it.”
