Research into the Industry - Genre

A genre is “a class or category of artistic endeavour having a particular form, content, technique, or the like” [Source]

The Theoretical Axiomatic Triangle of Genres

Music has many genres all of which are simultaneously different and similar. According to musicologist Phillip Tagg, music can be classified by an "axiomatic triangle consisting of 'folk', 'art' and 'popular' musics." [Source]

Art Music

Beethoven's music is a perfect example of Art music

“Art music is music that is used as in a form of a work of art, and uses many textbook elements of music. Art music is generally instrumental, and when vocals are present they have very explicit poetic, political, or religious overtones.” [Source]

Popular Music

Justin Bieber's music is an example of Popular Music

"Popular music, unlike art music, is (1) conceived for mass distribution to large and often socioculturally heterogeneous groups of listeners, (2) stored and distributed in non-written form, (3) only possible in an industrial monetary economy where it becomes a commodity and (4) in capitalist societies, subject to the laws of 'free' enterprise, according to which it should ideally sell as much as possible of as little as possible to as many as possible" [Source]

Traditional Music

'Sakura Sakura' is a traditional Japanese song

^“Traditional music is the term increasingly used (e.g. by the Grammy Awards) for folk music that is not contemporary folk music.” [Source]

Criticisms of the Triangle

However, this triangle has been criticised for being too broad in its classification as many songs fit into multiple parts of the triangle.

“Neat divisions between 'folk' and 'popular', and 'popular' and 'art', are impossible to find ... arbitrary criteria [are used] to define the complement of 'popular'. 'Art' music, for example, is generally regarded as by nature complex, difficult, demanding; 'popular' music then has to be defined as 'simple', 'accessible', 'facile'. But many pieces commonly thought of as 'art' (Handel's 'Hallelujah Chorus', many Schubert songs, many Verdi arias) have qualities of simplicity; conversely, it is by no means obvious that the Sex Pistols' records were 'accessible', Frank Zappa's work 'simple', or Billie Holiday's 'facile'." (Middleton, 1990)

Standard Music Genres

Most people will use the more popular way of music classification which looks at the song’s styling. These types of genre include: Blues, Classical, Country, Dance, Hip-Hop, Jazz, Pop, R&B and Rock as well as many other lesser known genres like J-Pop (Japanese Pop), Latino, Christian & Gospel and Comedy. [Source]

Pop Music

Michael Jackson, world renowned King of Pop known for the likes of Thriller, Man In The Mirror and more

 “The definition of pop music is purposefully flexible as the music that is identified as pop is constantly changing.”

"The basic form for pop music is the song and usually a song consisting of verse and repeated chorus. Most often the songs are between 2 1/2 minutes and 5 1/2 minutes in length. ... They are played on the standard electric guitar, bass and drums with vocals that have a very strong catchy chorus, or hook. Art is not a concern. Audience pleasure in listening to the song is the primary goal."  [Source]

Rock Music

World famous rock band, Bon Jovi have produced some memorable anthems like Livin' On A Prayer and It's My Life

"Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music. Rock music also drew strongly on a number of other genres.

Musically, rock has centred on the electric guitar, usually as part of a rock group with bass guitar and drums. Typically, rock is song-based music with a 4/4 beat utilizing a verse-chorus form, but the genre has become extremely diverse and common musical characteristics are difficult to define. Like pop music, lyrics often stress romantic love but also address a wide variety of other themes that are frequently social or political in emphasis. Rock places a higher degree of emphasis on musicianship, live performance, and an ideology of authenticity than pop music." [Source]

The band I am using, Modern Winter fits into the Rock Genre because of their emphasis on performance and authenticity as well as the verse-chorus form and standard rock instruments.