Genres Explained

There’s a ton of genres, subgenres and even subsubgenres, but in this video you’ll learn the truth about why none of them are real, even though they are!

One of the most common questions we get is: Will your theory hacks work in my genre? As we get this question so often, we decided to dedicate a whole lesson to this genre issue. So, the answer to the question is… Yes, our hacks will work in your genre, because they work in all genres! And there you go, hope you enjoyed the lesson, and we’ll see you next week for another theory hack. Okay seriously though, the answer really is yes, but let’s explore why. So, in this lesson you’ll learn the truth about genres, then over the next few lessons we’ll analyze the music theory behind some examples that prove this truth. So if you wanna learn what Ed Sheeran’s music has in common with the metal subgenre Djent, and other such crazy but true genre facts, then be sure to subscribe and stay tuned.

Alright, first things first, why is genre so important to songwriters, producers, and music lovers in general? Well, it’s because our human brains have evolved to live in tribes, and genres create musical tribes, which in turn results in a divide between us (the insiders) and them (the outsiders). But, when you look at human history, anything that has ever created a divide between people is not good for anyone, and on the other hand, anything that brings people together is good for everyone. And it’s easy to see how music brings us together, but it’s just as easy to see how genres push us apart. Imagine two people walk past each other on the sidewalk, one’s wearing an Ed Sheeran shirt, the other’s in a Meshuggah shirt. You can guess very accurately what they’re thinking about each other, and it’s not “Hey we both love music so much we’re wearing shirts to show it, that’s awesome!”

Now, you may be thinking: Yeah but Ed Sheeran sux! That’s not the point here (and besides, there’s artists that suck in every genre), the point is: music connects us, while genres divide us. And accepting that truth will in no way diminish the enjoyment you get from your favourite genres, because when we dig deeper into the concept of genre, we find absolutely nothing wrong with it. The only problem is our attachment to, and identification with, specific genres. That’s the real issue.

Imagine how amazing the music industry would be if instead of only connecting with people in our genre, we extend our circle of compassion to include everyone. Also, genres are often born as a reaction (or an antithesis) to other genres. For example, you wouldn’t have metal if you didn’t have pop, and you wouldn’t have electronic music (played on virtual instruments) if you didn’t have organic music (played on real instruments). Just like night and day are opposites yet harmoniously coexist, so too do all genres and their opposites.

So now you know the first truth: Genre is far more about the tribe (i.e. the community and its culture), than it is about the actual music (i.e. the melodies, harmonies and rhythms). That’s why from a purely musical perspective, we can take a song in any genre and easily transform it into another genre, even its opposite. And that fact introduces the second truth: Genre also functions as music’s sonic packaging (i.e. its instrumentation and production).

Now, you may be thinking: Yeah, but genres do have musical characteristics that make them sound the way they do. And while there’s obviously an element of truth in that statement, it’s not enough to make the statement as a whole true. Here’s why: Those musical elements that people think are specific to a genre, can easily be found in other genres as well, except they’re not instantly recognizable due to a different context (i.e. a different sonic packaging). For example, that characteristic reggae rhythm (known as the skank) is often heard in EDM, but isn’t necessarily recognizable as a skank because it’s played on a synth instead of a guitar.

So, what’s the takeaway from all this? As a songwriter or producer, when you free yourself from the concept of genre, you free your music and the process by which you make it, because all songs at their core are just notes. And when you understand the relationships between all the notes and how they work together (in other words, music theory), you can apply that knowledge to making music in any genre, or a combination of genres, or no genre at all. And because genres come and go just like trends, it’s a waste of time focusing too much on something as fickle as genre. Instead, focus your time and energy on writing great melodies, harmonies and rhythms, cos great music is timeless!

© 2019 Revolution Harmony
Revolution Harmony is Ray Harmony & Kate Harmony
All content (script & music) in video by Revolution Harmony

[hoagy_ytfc]

I think we’re divided by your pronunciation of “Sheeran” :)

[jeanemilyt]

Music connects, genre divides. Ray and Kate Harmony multiplies.

[AnthonyBecker]

I was not expecting this to go this deep.

[samuraiowlmusic]

My favourite genre is dubstep, deathstep, drumstep, metal, djent...pretty much anything synth, dark, and/or heavy.

Great video, thanks!

[ACompetitiveHalo]

Talking about taking a song from one genre and easily turning it into another genre, I remember specifically the rock/metal instrumental band Polyphia, before they really took off, actually covered Bach Concerto no. 1, and it sounded like a decent metal song. Other bands like Issues have incorporated RnB, funk, and even jazz elements to their predominantly metal sound, and I think it sounds fantastic. It really goes to show, when we're less concerned about what to call it, we can spend more time just simply enjoying it.

[thesullivanstreetproject]

I'm totally with you on genres! I'm eclectic in my tastes, and my recently-released EP reflects that. I know most people frown on that kind of thing, but my thinking is that if your tastes are varied and a certain style of music expresses a certain thought better than another, why not mix different styles on a single musical work?

If you're interested in checking out the EP, it's available on all the major digital download stores and streaming services. It's called The Sullivan Street Project.

I apologize for the sub-par mastering...I'm still learning and super broke, so I can't afford to pay to have it mastered.

[habbam.s.]

Rock/Metal (not all), mainly because I like (distorted) guitars and good/angry lyrics to cope with my existence 😀

[artificialnemesis]

I love Metal. Death Metal, Black Metal, Progressive/Djent, Technical Metal. I love the intensity and insanity of it.

I can listen to Cryptopsy "None So Vile" and get an immediate adrenaline rush. Of course, I might need some Jazz like Vienna Teng to help calm me down afterwords lol.

[kerwinfernandes]

That was such a cool take on genres, thank you for this information. God bless you both and your families always. 🙂🙏🏼❤️

[DeltaKT]

I totally agree, haha. When putting the track info in I always put in "unspecified", since I thought that choosing the genre is the listeners job, not mine. Happy to be part of this channel :)

[wizardeur]

The happiness of funk! And the basslines, gotta love the basslines ;)

[mirzaaljic]

Great music is Timeless! I completely agree with this! And I also agree that genres create tribes, I can confirm this from my own experience. I fell in love with music production within a very specific sub-genre of Electronic Dance Music, called Goa Trance. At the time, I couldn't make myself listen to anything else. I was stuck in that mode for a couple of years until I started learning more about music theory. Only after I got the grasp of what MUSIC is and that the genre I'm so infatuated with is subliminally instructing me to stay enclosed in one mindset, I was able to immediately open my mind to other awesome music that was just sitting out there, waiting for me.

Today, I work in multiple genres, ranging from electronic dance music, to orchestral movie soundtracks or 8-bit video game music. I also made some short metal tracks and whatnot. It's all in the notes as you guys said.

All in all, a very good video with some irrefutable truths :) I'm excited to see what comes in the next episode!

[HackMusicTheory]

What’s your favourite genre? And what do you love about it?

[rchrdlxndr]

Music connects us while Genres divide us. Wise words to remember.
We should just acknowledge that while a particular style of music doesn't affect us in the same way that another style of music does, it is still valid, because it does affect someone else.
Don't hate on different genres of music. You can be happy that it exists in the world for someone else's enjoyment, even if it isn't your cup of tea.

[mystinenkissa]

Happy Hardcore.. I love it because it's happy and heated... It's taking me away from this world to somewhere naive and lovely world where nothing is too vainglorious.

[SomeGuyMusic]

I like every genre to be honest because. I don't really have a favorite because I can say I like classical but then when I hear a dubstep song I'll be like my favorite is dubstep. I just like music in general to be honest and it really helps me when trying to come up with something because I'm not stuck all the time. Also thank you for recommending this video! It was very interesting to hear and really makes you think! 👍

[shreyagadataranavar]

So good! Thank you for sharing it with us💞

[Lovlina_]

I came here because I cannot differentiate between genres and wanted to learn how to do so 😂 but now I am having a change of mind

[vovinlonshin]

this makes me want to re-work some songs into the opposite genre.... I did one time take the "Mr Crowley" and re-worked it into a bluegrass song...

[charlessomerset]

Trance. Because it is the most inclusive, and for me is the perfect genre ambassador to the world. It sounds amazing, and has an undeniable positivity and energy.