How To Define Your Musical Genre

Most of us tend to associate our artistic production with one (maybe more) style, or genre, of music. There are just certain types of rhythms, melodies, and overall tones that draw us closer to that particular type of music.

First off, is it even necessary to define your genre?

One could say that there are definitely some positive aspects to defining your musical genre. Some of these include the following:

• Narrows your focus, allowing you to possibly master that genre.
• Sets you apart from other musicians, other acts, etc.
• People can identify with you or relate to you easier.
• Makes you easier to locate, search, SEO, etc.

Other aspects to consider:

• Your strengths and weaknesses.
• How skilled are you as a song writer versus your audio production skills?
• Maybe just try something completely brand new (genre or instrument) for a change.

Narrows Your Focus

Choosing a genre allows you to remove the distractions that are associated with just writing, recording and producing “whatever” comes to mind. I would imagine that if you’ve managed to gather a decent amount of people who listen to your music, they’ve probably (probably) learned to expect a certain type of music from you. If you’re primarily producing grungy guitar tracks, then suddenly crank a couple of hip hop tracks… I’m sure that would be a bit a shock to some of your listeners… Not to say, they won’t like it, but it would definitely be unexpected, at least, at first.

Sets You Apart

Because of your narrowed focus of operating in a particular music genre, you’ve know set yourself apart from musicians, or acts, outside of your genre. You will be known as, “The Such-N-Such Guy, or Gal, or Group” that always cranks out a hard-hitting, stadium-ready guitar anthem, or perhaps large-scale, synthesized, ambient scores approaching mystical stature… whatever… Listeners will know how to categorize you for sure.

Your listeners will identify with you easier

People are drawn to people they feel they have things in common with. If you happen to come from a bluegrass background and tend to write your music in such a manner, I’m sure a large part of your following will come from a similar background. I say, “similar,” because, as we all know, you don’t (always) have to relate to something, or someone, to have an interest, but it does play a role in the relationship.

Easier to find

In this extremely computer-oriented, search-based society, the terms we use to describe ourselves make us easier to find in the vast ocean of artists that are out there. Of course, having an unusual name and some sort of presence on social media sort of trumps just about everything… But still… Sticking to a particular genre makes finding you that much easier.
Just being associated with certain terms within a genre (might) prove beneficial. Especially, if you tend to use certain words in the description of yourself, your group, your songs, etc. Sticking with the earlier bluegrass genre (I’m not bluegrass artist, but do love the guitar associated with it)… Let’s say you’re a bluegrass guitarist, rather than a fiddle player. People can find you easier because you are a bluegrass artist, and a bluegrass guitarist, but not a bluegrass fiddle player… etc. … etc. …

What are your strengths and weaknesses?

If reggae music is your thing, approaching a heavy metal tune might be a bit of a stretch (in most cases), and probably wouldn’t sound natural. That’s not to say you can’t branch out and try new things in music, but starting with what you’re comfortable with will probably bring more authenticity to the table as far as you’re overall sound goes… just sayin’…
Now, if you start to get some feedback from your listeners, friends and family even (not always to be trusted as good critics, but…) that you sound more like “this” type of music than “that” type of music, then perhaps you could take a step back and re-evaluate. Maybe even write a little more in that newly discovered direction.

If you’re a natural when it comes to learning a new instrument, maybe take a class on a brand-new instrument to see if any new creative doors open for you… who knows…
Which songs come more natural to record?

How’s Your Recording Skills?

Is it easier for you to mix a folk song properly, or a rock, or hip-hop song? If you don’t already know, you will soon find out that not all music is produced exactly the same way in a home (or Pro) studio. There’s different frequencies, audio levels, effects, etc. that have to be taken into consideration with each type of song. You may find it easier to produce music primarily composed of MIDI / VST drums, bass, and another synthesizer, rather than micing instruments on all tracks.

Related: Recording Music at Home Without a Computer

Micing instruments can prove quite challenging due to the room you’re recording in, the quality of the instruments, the microphones, etc. But producing 100% electronic music (no microphones needed for the instruments) has its own challenges as well. You still have to be able to mix the frequencies involved with each instrument in such a way as to produce the best quality output possible with the MIDI / VST instruments that are being used in the recording. You may find you gravitate more towards one type of recording process over the other, which will help to define the type of music you tend to create.

Every so often, listen to out of character genres

Just to shake things up a bit, maybe listen to genres that you DO NOT identify with at all, just to see what you notice this time through your listening experience. Listen with an open mind. Practice music appreciation a little more to identify the instruments being played, the message in the lyrics, etc.

Conclusion

Some would say just let the music flow naturally, and I would agree. Never suppress your musical expression. Not everything you produce needs to hear the light of day in public, but that doesn’t mean you should necessarily dispose of it. It may serve you in the future.

In the end, it’s up to you as to which music you will ultimately write and record. Again, don’t stop the creative juices from flowing just because you feel what you are writing / playing isn’t fitting into a particular style of music. If you are writing for a particular project, it may be necessary to stick to a certain style. Where-as, if you are just writing just to be writing, the world is your oyster (so-to-speak) … Just let go. You can even try combining a couple of genres together for the desired result. With enough searching, you find a porifera of examples who’ve done this. You could possibly create your own genre (?) …

Until Next Time! . . .