I Am A Genrelist

A List of the Genres Within Music

Rock
Alternative Rock
Classic Rock
Nu Metal
Metalcore
Metal
Hardcore
Emo
Screamo
Punk
Power-Pop
Pop
Gangsta Rap
Bluegrass
Polka
Dixieland Jazz
Ska
Folk
Opera
Soundtrack
Techno
Inspo-pop
Country
R&B
Rap
Hip-Hop
Classical
Jazz
World
Marching Band
Gospel
Big Band

Sorting Through The List: Categories

Rock
Rock
Alternative Rock
Classic Rock

Hard Rock
Metalcore
Metal
Hardcore
Emo
Screamo
Punk

Urban
Gangsta Rap
Gospel
Techno
R&B
Rap
Hip-Hop

Horn-based
Dixieland Jazz
Ska
Jazz
Marching Band
Big Band

Rural
Bluegrass
Folk
Country

Other
Polka
World
Classical
Power-Pop
Pop
Opera

The Rationale

Splitting music into categories is problematic, as there may be several ways to approach distinguishing between the different types. Because of this, it is helpful to think through which perspective you will take when dividing the genres.

The category Rock is more or less based on what the Critics would think. Rock follows certain conventions, such as the use if distortion, a driving beat, and the use of guitar soloing.

The category Hard Rock is also based on this perspective. There are several formal patterns which separate Hard Rock from Rock. In Hard Rock, all the elements of Rock are taken to more extremes. The music can be more fast-paced, the singers are more apt to scream, and sometimes the soloing requires even more precision on the part of the guitarist.

The categories Urban and Rural are based on the Fans/Audience. People from Urban areas are more likely to listen to rap, whereas people from Rural areas are more likely to listen to Bluegrass.

Horn-based music is defined as a category of genres based upon the perspective of the Producers. To make Big Band music, for instance, requires that instruments like trumpets and trombones are utilized. These are the "materials needed to make" the music.

And there is the category of Other. The Critics are most likely to come up with a term like this. The reason these styles are included in this category is because they could either be a category unto themselves, or it is impossible to place them in one certain category because they rely on multiple categories and conventions.