Do Music Genres Matter?
I often see people arguing about music genres claiming how some are better than others. You’ll see typical comments like: “Pop sucks! Rock is awesome”, or “Hip Hop is king and Metal is trash” (no pun intended my dear trash metal fans). And these debates can get really passionate, even heated.
But these arguments don’t really make sense. Especially today, when genres are changing, artists are mixing different styles, experimenting.
It’s not the genres that make music great. It is the artists, the bands, the musicians. Genres are just labels, vague classifications. If you want to discover good music, focus on finding creative artists whose sound you like.
Being constrained by a genre is often the reason why people do not explore other music styles. Don’t put yourself in a cage. Or you’ll miss out on amazing artists, songs and whole music cultures.
What Is A Music Genre
A music genre is just a label we put on songs. They help us understand what kind of music it is. It’s a convenient way to group together songs that share similar sounds, instruments and themes.
For example Rock genre usually has electric guitars and drums. And Classical music usually features orchestras and complex arrangements. In the end genres give us a quick idea of what to expect when we listen to an unknown song.
Why Music Genres Have Vague Borders
But music fans often miss one important thing. Which is – music genres have very vague borders. Why are music genres hard to define? Because music is always evolving and artists love to experiment.
They don’t have to stick to one style. Artists are creative creatures after all. At least the good ones. So naturally they blend different sounds and ideas from various music styles to create something cool, something new.
This mixing makes it hard to draw clear lines between genres. Today music scene has plenty of bands that are like chameleons. Take Falling in Reverse as an example. Some of their songs combine elements of a dozen styles: Hip Hop, Metal, Orchestra, Rock, Punk, etc. So do not look at the genre label as something set in stone.
Differences Within The Same Genres
Even within the same genre there’s a lot of variety. Let’s not go far and take Rock music as an example. Classic Rock has a different vibe compared to Punk Rock or Alternative Rock. Classic Rock might feature long guitar solos, while Punk Rock is faster and louder. Alternative Rock is a different beast altogether. It has a different sound, uses other techniques and has its own vibe. And yet, all this music can be labeled as Rock.
And even if we take a specific sub-genre, that supposedly should have a similar sound. Even then two separate bands within the same subgenre will play completely different music. A lead singer may have drastically different voice, the drummer may have a different skill lever. Lead guitar may have totally different style of solos.
That’s the beauty of music – that is it so diverse. It would be so boring if everyone sounded the same. But of course people being people we try to label everything.
If you want to learn more about various genres, here’s a Main Music Genres and Sub-genres Guide
If Genres Don’t Matter – What Does?
If genres don’t matter, what should you look for when searching for new music? It’s simple – look for quality and originality of the music. It’s the artists talent and their creativity that you should pay attention to.
If a song touches your heart, makes you sing in the shower, or helps you through tough times, then you found the right one. The connection you feel with the music is the only thing that matters. And it can come from any genre.
I personally am not the biggest fan of country music. Most of it just doesn’t vibe with me. But some songs – certainly do. Some tunes are just amazing. So while I an not a country music genre enthusiast, I am a fan of Chris Stapleton. I have plenty of his song in my playlist. And he is just one of the examples.
Conclusion
Music genres are just labels. If you are looking for new music, genres are a nice way to start, but do not get caught by these labels. Look for artists you like and try searching for similar ones.
Personal taste is the most important factor. Find music that resonates with you regardless of its genre. Explore different artists and styles and you will discover hundreds of hidden gems that you might have missed by sticking to only one genre.
