Styles of music are a broad term that encompasses musical genres. There are many different kinds of music, but each is made up of specific elements that create a unique sound. Some of these elements include the musical instrument used, the tempo, and the lyrics.
Rock
The term rock refers to a style of popular music that originated in the United States in the 1950s. It is characterized by guitars, a heavy snare and kick drum beat, and verse-chorus songs. It is one of the most famous and influential forms of music in history.
R&B
Rhythm and blues, also known as soul, is a popular form of music that came from African American roots. The music was influenced by blues and gospel, and it became a very popular style during the 20th century. The genre features hand claps, call and response singing, and a heavy focus on lead singers.
Hip-hop
Another African American genre, hip-hop was founded in the 1970s and derived from soul music. It was a fun, fast style that was perfect for dancing. It was influenced by jazz and other styles, and its artists were men or women with big voices.
Pop
Generally speaking, pop is the most popular type of music. It has a wide range of sub-genres, and it can be seen as a cross between rock and rap. It includes a variety of instruments, including guitars, pianos, and drums.
Easy listening
Easy listening is a music genre that involves re-workings of classic pop and rock songs. Its popularity increased in the 1970s and 1980s and has continued to be popular today.
Dance
Dance is a musical genre that has many different sub-genres and it has also grown in popularity in recent years. It is a fast-growing genre and its popularity stems from DJs such as David Guetta, Calvin Harris and Tiesto.
Techno
The electronic music genre techno is a direct descendant of dance and trance, and is a euphoric music that has to be played at a high tempo and with a kick 4/4 kick drum lead beat. Its main characteristic is that it aims to induce a trance-like state in the listener.
Drum and bass
The drum and bass genre is a form of electronic music that uses a fast breakbeat of 165 to 185 bpm, and heavy bass lines. It is also often accompanied by synthesizers and samples.
Grunge
A distinct style of alternative rock emerged in the 1970s and 80s. It was flamboyant and over-the-top, with exaggerated Caucasian dance styles and clothing. It was a major influence on the emergence of punk rock in the 1990s and early 2000s.
World
The world is a huge continent that is home to many cultures and traditions. Each culture has their own rhythms and melodic nuances that separate them from each other. The music of each country can be categorized as world music, but they all have unique names and sub-genres.
Folk
Folk is a musical genre that comes from the United States, but has also been inspired by European folk music. It is usually characterized by simple forms and harmonies that are accompanied by folk instruments such as banjos, guitars, dulcimers and dobros. It is a very popular genre in the United States and has been influenced by artists such as Woodie Guthrie, Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell and Leonard Cohen.