Musical Styles

Classical Music Styles

     Gregorian Chant (c. 800-1200) - Monophonic, unaccompanied sacred singing used in early Christian liturgy

     Medieval Motet (1200s-1300s) - Polyphonic vocal music combining sacred and secular texts

     Renaissance Madrigal (1500s) - Secular vocal music with expressive text settings and polyphony

     Renaissance Mass (1400s-1600s) - Sacred choral compositions set to the Ordinary of the Mass

     Baroque Concerto (1600-1750) - Instrumental form featuring soloist(s) with orchestral accompaniment (e.g. Vivaldi)

     Baroque Fugue (1600-1750) - Polyphonic form where a theme is introduced and developed in multiple voices (e.g. J.S. Bach)

     Dance Suite (1600s-1700s) - Collection of stylized dances for keyboard or orchestra (e.g. Handel)

     Oratorio (1600s onward) - Large-scale sacred work for soloists, chorus, and orchestra without staging (e.g. Handel)

     Opera (1600s onward) - Dramatic staged work with vocalists, orchestra, and acting (e.g. Monteverdi, Mozart)

     Classical Symphony (1750-1820) - Multi-movement orchestral work with structured form (e.g. Haydn, Mozart)

     Classical Sonata (1750-1820) - Structured solo or chamber work with multiple movements (e.g. Beethoven)

     Classical Concerto (1750-1820) - Solo instrument with orchestra, often in three movements (e.g. Mozart)

     Classical Mass (1700s-1800s) - Extended choral settings of the liturgy for orchestra and choir (e.g. Haydn, Mozart)

     Romantic Lied (1800s) - German art song for voice and piano with expressive poetry (e.g. Schubert, Schumann)

     Romantic Symphony (1800s) - Expanded orchestral form with emotional and thematic depth (e.g. Brahms, Tchaikovsky)

     Romantic Opera (1800s) - Expressive, dramatic operas with larger orchestras and sweeping melodies (e.g. Verdi, Wagner)

     Tone Poem (mid-1800s onward) - Orchestral work that tells a story or paints a scene (e.g. Liszt, Richard Strauss)

     Impressionism (late 1800s-early 1900s) - Focused on atmosphere, colour, and subtle harmony (e.g. Debussy, Ravel)

     Expressionism (early 1900s) - Highly emotional, dissonant music exploring the subconscious (e.g. Schoenberg)

     Serialism / Twelve-Tone (1920s-1950s) - Compositional method using a fixed order of all 12 chromatic notes (e.g. Webern)

     Neoclassicism (1920s-1950s) - A return to classical forms with modern twists (e.g. Stravinsky)

     Minimalism (1960s-1980s) - Repetitive, slowly evolving music based on simple motifs (e.g. Steve Reich, Philip Glass)

     Electronic Classical Music (1950s onward) - Classical forms incorporating synthesized or manipulated sounds (e.g. Karlheinz Stockhausen)

     Spectral Music (1970s onward) - Focus on overtone series and sound colour rather than melody (e.g. Grisey)

     Postminimalism (1980s onward) - Builds on minimalism with more lyrical and complex textures (e.g. John Adams)

     Crossover Classical (1990s-present) - Blending classical techniques with pop, electronic, or cinematic music (e.g. Max Richter)

Early Popular Music Styles (1900s to Mid-20th Century)

     Ragtime (1895–1915) – Piano-based music with syncopated rhythms and steady left-hand stride (e.g. Scott Joplin)

     Vaudeville (1890s–1930s) – Variety-style performance music blending comedy, song, and dance on theatre circuits

     Tin Pan Alley (1890s–1930s) – Commercially composed, piano-driven popular songs from New York publishers

     Barbershop (early 1900s–1920s) – A cappella vocal harmony style in four parts with close consonant chords

     Classic Female Blues (1920s) – Early recorded blues by women backed by jazz bands (e.g. Bessie Smith, Ma Rainey)

     Country Blues (1920s–1930s) – Raw, acoustic blues performed solo with voice and guitar (e.g. Blind Lemon Jefferson)

     Gospel (1920s onward) – Spiritual vocal music rooted in African-American church traditions

     Dixieland (Early Jazz) (1910s–1930s) – Upbeat, collective improvisation style from New Orleans jazz

     Boogie Woogie (1920s–1940s) – Energetic piano blues with driving left-hand rhythm (e.g. Meade "Lux" Lewis)

     Jump Blues (late 1930s–1950s) – Danceable, horn-driven blues with swing influence (e.g. Louis Jordan)

     Swing (1930s–1940s) – Big band jazz with strong rhythm and arrangements for dancing

     Honky Tonk (1930s–1950s) – Twangy, emotional country music with barroom themes (e.g. Ernest Tubb)

     Western Swing (1930s–1940s) – Country-meets-jazz dance music with fiddles and swing bands (e.g. Bob Wills)

     Skiffle (1930s in US / 1950s in UK) – Folk-blues-jazz hybrid using homemade or simple instruments

     Bakersfield Sound (1940s–1950s) – Edgy West Coast country with electric guitar and a rawer tone (e.g. Buck Owens)

     Rockabilly (early 1950s) – High-energy fusion of country and rhythm & blues; precursor to rock and roll

     Rhythm & Blues (R&B) (late 1940s–1950s) – Electric blues-based dance music with gospel and jazz roots

     Traditional Pop (1940s–1950s) – Orchestral pop vocals focused on melody and clarity (e.g. Frank Sinatra)

     Crooner Style (1940s–1950s) – Smooth, intimate vocal style popularized by male soloists with gentle orchestration

Mid-to-Late 20th Century Popular Music Styles

     Rock and Roll (mid-1950s) - Upbeat, guitar-based music combining blues, country, and R&B (e.g. Chuck Berry, Elvis Presley)

     Doo-Wop (1950s-early 1960s) - Vocal harmony-driven pop rooted in gospel and R&B (e.g. The Platters, The Drifters)

     Soul (late 1950s-1970s) - Emotional, gospel-influenced music with strong vocals and groove (e.g. Sam Cooke, Aretha Franklin)

     Surf Rock (early 1960s) - Reverb-heavy guitar music evoking beach culture (e.g. Dick Dale, The Beach Boys)

     British Invasion (1964 onward) - UK bands influenced by American blues and rock taking over global charts (e.g. The Beatles)

     Folk Rock (mid-1960s) - Acoustic folk fused with electric rock elements (e.g. Bob Dylan, The Byrds)

     Garage Rock (mid-1960s) - Raw, amateur-sounding rock with simple riffs and emotional delivery (e.g. The Kingsmen)

     Psychedelic Rock (late 1960s) - Experimental rock with surreal lyrics and effects (e.g. Jimi Hendrix, Jefferson Airplane)

     Funk (late 1960s-1980s) - Rhythm-driven style with syncopation and powerful grooves (e.g. James Brown, Parliament-Funka

     Progressive Rock (late 1960s-1970s) - Complex, symphonic rock with extended structures (e.g. Pink Floyd, Yes)

     Country Rock (late 1960s-1970s) - Rock music with country influence and storytelling (e.g. The Eagles, Gram Parsons)

     Hard Rock (late 1960s-1980s) - Loud, riff-heavy rock with powerful vocals (e.g. Led Zeppelin, AC/DC)

     Heavy Metal (early 1970s onward) - Aggressive, distorted guitar rock with darker themes (e.g. Black Sabbath, Judas Priest)

     Glam Rock (early 1970s) - Theatrical, flamboyant rock with catchy melodies (e.g. David Bowie, T. Rex)

     Disco (mid-1970s) - Dance music with orchestral elements and steady 4/4 beat (e.g. Bee Gees, Donna Summer)

     Reggae (1970s) - Laid-back Jamaican music with offbeat rhythms and social themes (e.g. Bob Marley)

     Punk Rock (late 1970s) - Fast, rebellious rock with anti-establishment themes (e.g. The Ramones, Sex Pistols)

     New Wave (late 1970s-1980s) - Quirky, synth-based rock with a post-punk edge (e.g. Blondie, Talking Heads)

     Synthpop (early-mid 1980s) - Pop built around synthesizers and drum machines (e.g. Depeche Mode, Pet Shop Boys)

     Hip Hop (late 1970s-1980s) - Cultural movement with rap, DJing, breakdancing, and graffiti (e.g. Grandmaster Flash)

     Rap (1980s onward) - Rhythmic spoken word lyrics delivered over beats (e.g. Run-DMC, Public Enemy)

     Alternative Rock (1980s-1990s) - Rock outside the mainstream, often experimental (e.g. R.E.M., Pixies)

     Hair Metal (1980s) - Flashy, glam-influenced metal with power ballads (e.g. Bon Jovi, Poison)

     Grunge (early 1990s) - Dirty-sounding, angst-driven rock from Seattle (e.g. Nirvana, Pearl Jam)

     Britpop (mid-1990s) - British guitar pop revival with catchy hooks and cultural pride (e.g. Oasis, Blur)

     Trip Hop (mid-1990s) - Downtempo blend of hip hop, electronica, and soul (e.g. Massive Attack, Portishead)

     Pop Punk (late 1990s-2000s) - Melodic punk with catchy choruses and youthful themes (e.g. Green Day, Blink-182)

21st Century Popular Music Styles

     Nu Metal (early 2000s) - A mix of metal, hip hop, and alternative rock with down-tuned guitars (e.g. Linkin Park, Korn)

     Pop Punk Revival (early 2000s) - Energetic punk-influenced pop rock with themes of youth (e.g. Blink-182, Sum 41)

     Indie Rock Boom (early to mid-2000s) - Guitar-driven alternative rock with DIY ethos (e.g. Arctic Monkeys, The Strokes)

     Electropop (mid-2000s onward) - Catchy pop with electronic synth production (e.g. Robyn, Lady Gaga)

     EDM Pop (late 2000s-2010s) - Pop fused with electronic dance elements and DJ-led production (e.g. Calvin Harris, Avicii)

     Trap (late 2000s-2010s) - Subgenre of hip hop with fast hi-hats, booming bass, and moody beats (e.g. Future, Travis Scott)

     Alternative R&B (2010s) - Genre-blending R&B with atmospheric production and introspective lyrics (e.g. Frank Ocean, SZA)

     Lofi Hip Hop (2010s) - Relaxed, ambient beats often used for studying or background listening

     K-pop Global Rise (2010s) - Korean pop music blending dance, visuals, and multilingual vocals (e.g. BTS, BLACKPINK)

     Indie Folk Revival (2010s) - Acoustic-driven folk-pop with emotional lyrics (e.g. Bon Iver, Mumford & Sons)

     Emo Rap (mid-to-late 2010s) - A fusion of emotional lyrics and trap production (e.g. Juice WRLD, Lil Peep)

     Cloud Rap (mid-to-late 2010s) - Dreamy, lo-fi hip hop with atmospheric beats (e.g. Yung Lean)

     Afrobeats Explosion (2010s) - West African pop with rhythmic grooves and global influence (e.g. Burna Boy, Wizkid)

     Reggaeton Global Popularity (2010s) - Latin urban music with dembow rhythm (e.g. Bad Bunny, J Balvin)

     Hyperpop (late 2010s-2020s) - Maximalist, experimental pop with distorted sounds and glitchy vocals (e.g. 100 gecs, Charli X

     Bedroom Pop (late 2010s-2020s) - Intimate, lo-fi pop often produced independently at home (e.g. Clairo, beabadoobee)

     Synthwave (2010s-2020s) - Retro-style electronic music inspired by 1980s film and video game soundtracks

     Drill (2010s-2020s) - Gritty trap-influenced rap style from Chicago and the UK (e.g. Chief Keef, Headie One)

     New R&B / Alt-R&B (2020s) - Continued evolution of R&B with genre fusion and mood-driven sounds

     Crossover Classical / Neoclassical (2020s) - Modern composers blending classical elements with ambient and electronic styles