My experience of genres

I have been given a list of musical genres with a short description of each, and been asked to write about the ones I've heard previously and my thoughts on each.  First though, a short overview on my listening habits:

Playing an instrument has certainly sculpted my listening pattern as it stands today. By playing classical music on piano, this led me from an early age to identifying music that I particularly enjoyed, and finding more to listen to. It is only in recent years though that classical music has been my almost exclusive go-to genre. In my teenage years and into my early twenties, 90's rock music (particularly grunge and metal) was a big influence on me. I always thought it quite strange that I would listen to a Metallica album one minute, and the next be playing a Clementi Sonatina. It made me smile when I read in my course materials that 'curiously, both classical music and heavy metal lovers are thought to have a number of personality traits in common'. This is something I intend to research more, as I can't myself pin down why this might be the case. My main influences for finding new music now is composers that influenced other composers I already listen to, and TV and film music.


Classical - This one is easy, as it's a genre I listen to and play on a daily basis. However, there are many sub-genres and eras of classical music. I don't like it all, but I've liked the vast majority of what I've heard. I like the vast range of classical music - whatever my mood, there is music to compliment it. I also enjoy the intelligent and skilful creation of the music, and the virtuosity of the performers. Although I have been a musician since a young age, it is only in recent years when my interest in really getting to grips with classical music of a type other than solo piano has really taken off.

Contemporary Classical - I have heard very little of this genre, as I've always had the impression of it being harsh, dissonant, with no discernible structure or sense of key. This is a considerable contrast to my usual musical palate. In the weeks before starting this course, I experimented a little with some contemporary classical music, which has sparked an interest to learn more about it, and to see whether my previous conceptions were well founded or not.

Country - The only times I can recall being exposed to country music is scenes within television programmes, and occasionally when a pop singer well known in this country collaborates with a country singer, a recent example being at a concert I attended with my Fiancée to see American pop singer Kelly Clarkson, where she sang a country song duet with (a digital) Jason Aldean. I don't particularly dislike this genre, however I think to fully appreciate the style you have to be a part of the culture that it stems from, which explains why it's popular mostly in America.

Dance Music - Certain sub-genres of dance music I enjoy several times a week, for a practical reason: when I'm at the gym. Several studies have shown that listening to music while working out produces a surge of adrenaline, which in turn leads to increased respiration and heart rate. This provides more oxygen-rich blood to the muscles, allowing you to train harder for longer. The gym staff play their own track lists in classes, so I am exposed to a wide range of dance music, most of which I couldn't name the sub-genre or artist, but I feel it serves its purpose for me at the time. Two types of dance music that I am a little familiar with is dub-step and trance, although I'd struggle to name many artists that write this music.

Early Music - I have little experience of this genre, apart from snippets I may have inadvertently caught on TV programmes or radio and one or two pieces on Spotify. I have not yet purposely listened to any "authentic performance" ensembles, although I am very interested in learning more about them. There are two early instruments that I particularly enjoy and would like to hear in an authentic performance; the recorder, and the lute. I plan to actively seek out a live authentic performance of early music as soon as possible.

Folk Music - I have no experience of this genre per se however I have actively listened to music that composers have written based on their native or other nationalities folk music. Only this morning I was listening to Bartók's Transylvanian and Roumanian folk dances for orchestra. Other examples would include Brahms' Hungarian Dances, Grieg's Lyric Pieces, and Chopin's Mazurkas. I really enjoy this music, I think the main reason being that they invoke strong imagery of the culture of origin, often sounding very pastoral. I'd be inclined to sample some folk music to see how it compares to the classical composers interpretations.

Jazz - Jazz music is a genre I've shied away from for the most part, not because I don't enjoy what I've heard, but more because it is so different and so alien compared to what I'm used to. Classical composers that I mostly listen to wrote in a major/minor tonality, and the pieces are expected to be performed precisely to the composers intention, as set out in the score. From the little I know about jazz however, it is written using the ancient modes of early music (Mixolydian, Aeolian etc), and is heavily based on improvisation. Because it is almost the polar opposite to what I'm used to, I've always regarded jazz as notable, but impenetrable.

Musical Theatre - I have barely experienced musicals, and I think this is mostly because the music involved is not to my taste. With that being said, I did watch the 2004 film adaptation of "Phantom of the Opera" at the cinema, and remember enjoying it a lot. I don't think I have much interest in exploring this genre further though.

Opera - I have attempted to listen to Opera in the past, but haven't got on well with it. I often find the vocals quite shrill, and as a lot of operas are sung in a foreign language, I find it hard to connect with the story being portrayed. I do feel however that I haven't given opera a fair go, and intend to explore the genre further, with some research and perhaps a live performance. I think with some better understanding on my part,
there is a real opportunity for me to enjoy this genre.

Pop - As stated in the course materials, pop is constantly evolving, with the tastes of the mainstream public. Some of the issues I have with pop music are that often it seems like the music itself takes a back seat to aesthetics - how the performer looks, how they dress, what they say and how they act on stage and in public. The music itself almost seems of little relevance as long as appearances on reality TV programmes and in magazines are being sold. Comments are often made about pop artists not writing their own material. Personally I don't think that is an issue as long as they are doing their part well. Most Hollywood actors don't write their own scripts, and most concert pianists are famous for their interpretations of the works of others.
I don't actively listen to pop, and I don't intend to become more involved in this genre.

R'n'B - I have little to no experience to go by here, so I'll keep it brief. Like pop music, R'n'B appears to put a lot of emphasis on image, however from the little I've heard, artists such as Beyonce do appear to sing well, and put on a good show.

Rap - Again, little experience to go by here, however several years ago I did attend a concert by Eminem which I recall enjoying. I have heard rap in other contexts too, such as rap/rock hybrids, examples being Linkin Park, Rage Against The Machine, and  Limp Bizkit. I find I do enjoy these rock hybrids more enjoyable than "pure" rap. I am aware that other types of rap exist, such as "gangster rap", but I find the subject matter and artists' image questionable and have no inclination to explore this further.

Reggae - I, like I'd imagine most people, have heard some of the hits of artists such as Bob Marley and UB40. I don't dislike the genre, but have no "pull" towards it either. Like country music, I feel it is geared towards a culture of which I'm not part of, and so have little interest.

Rock - During the late 90's and early 00's I listened to a lot of rock music, mostly of the sub-genres of grunge, punk and metal. I particularly enjoyed songs that had a strong melody, and which had lyrics that were relevant to someone in teenage years. My enjoyment of this music was such that I was a member of several amateur rock bands, at one time or another playing guitar, bass guitar and drums. My listening of rock music has dwindled a lot since that time, to the point where its a very occasional foray. I attribute this to the fact that I've "outgrown" a lot of that music. Music that's targeted at a teenage audience no longer resonates with me now, as I steadily approach 30. I would like to point out though that I'm referring to particular rock music I listened to at that time. I am fully aware that not all rock music, or even the majority is geared towards a younger audience.

Soul - Maybe the genre that I've had the least exposure to? Although I recognise the names "Ray Charles" and "Aretha Franklin" mentioned in the course text, I wouldn't have been able to think of those names or other soul artists myself without prompting. I am unable to comment further on this genre as my experience of it is nil.