Brain-Boosting Benefits of Tuning Into Different Music Genres

Imagine life without color. You would wake up each morning, walk into your blue bathroom, brush your teeth with your blue toothbrush, and put on your best blue outfit. Then, you would walk out of your blue house through the bluegrass and hop in your blue car.

This blue life would be rather, well, blue. And it is not far off from what life would be like if we only had one genre of music. For example, classical music is excellent, but it does not fit every situation. Dancing at the club on a Saturday night to Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons could prove to be a bit uncomfortable.

Knowing different genres of music allows us to enjoy all sorts of different sounds, variations, and styles based on our current mood or situation. But that is not the only reason it is so important, so let’s explore.

Different Types of Music Genres

A genre is a category of music that helps distinguish different musical forms or styles. While some music can be listened to and automatically classified, separating music into genres is very subjective. And to be honest – many of these categories seem to overlap.

Genres give the listener an idea of what to expect by just reading an artist’s name or hearing the song’s title. When you know the genre, however, you have a general idea of what you can expect. So, what are the most distinct and/or popular music genres?

• Rock
• Pop
• Electronic
• Soul, R&B
• Funk
• Hip Hop
• Hip Hop
• Punk

Although most of these genres are popular, spreading far and wide among fans, many people have a genre they prefer most – and they stick to it.

Expand Your Musical Horizons and Taste

Getting to know a genre can teach us about a lot of things without ever hearing the music. Of course, it teaches us more once we do. But, simply knowing the category already allows you to make a couple of assumptions, such as:

• Describing the music itself. You could hear a song and try to explain it to your friend as a bit fast with a lot of loud guitar and singing. It would be a lot easier to say rock, right? Radio stations are broken down by genre to describe best the music they play, so you know which station best fits your preferences. And, when purchasing music – without hearing it – you want to know what the music will be like when you make it come to life. Genres do this.
• Describing its following. The audience or fans of genres will often have a particular set of characteristics. Believe it or not, some people feel that taste in music can describe one’s personality. For example, those who enjoy classical pieces may have more quiet and introverted natures. On the other hand, those who love jazz and blues are more creative and extroverted.

Turn on, Tune Into, and Strengthen Your Musicality

Artists must understand all sorts of art in bringing the best practices together to create the finished product. One may have a preferred painting technique but learning alternatives and combining elements can help create a better masterpiece.

To be a well-rounded musician, you need to have a good understanding of different genres. Sure, you can create music without having this extra knowledge, but imagine how much more impressive it will sound when you add various tones, melodies, styles, and theories together.

When you are ready to learn and explore different genres, consider the following:

• Look up the genre and begin listening to a few of the songs. These may be the top hits or not. Apps like Spotify and Apple Music allow you to search via genre and provide you with a list of tracks to check out.
• Find a track you like and buy the sheet music. Learn to play it.
• Pay attention to what you like about it, what you don’t, what is easy to play, and challenging. Ask yourself – what did I learn?

Genres can be complex. Look closely at the variations within the genre, including the sub-genres that fall under the category. Sometimes, gaining a better understanding of the musicians themselves – especially those who have gained great popularity – can give you a better appreciation of the genre. Exploring different genres can help you grow as a musician.

Music Genre Genealogy and History

While you are learning about new genres, make sure you are learning about their history. The more you do this, the more you will understand that many genres stem from one another. Let’s take a brief look at jazz music.

Did you know that it started within the African American communities in the heart of New Orleans? As you dig deeper, you will learn that it has historical roots in blues and ragtime. Also, unlike most other genres, this one comes with a lot of improvising.

Jazz musicians can be as free as they want to be with their art – creating beautiful music that always has variances. When listening to music in an unfamiliar genre, knowing its history will allow you to pick up on things you may have otherwise missed.

The Brain Science of Listening to Different Music Genres

A study out of Northwestern University concluded that study participants “tend to engage a larger network of the brain when they listened to two kinds of music.” These individuals – referred to as bimusicals – were believed to have more intricate brain functions (much like those who are bilingual).

The result? They tend to do well with problem-solving and multi-tasking skills in all aspects of life. If you were still trying to understand the significance of knowing different genres of music, this should be it! Listening to more than one genre of music is important if you want a brighter life.

Regardless of your personal preferences, take time to learn about new genres, listen to them, and uncover what so many followers already love. Not only will it make you a more well-rounded individual, but it will also make you a better musician.