# Musical Genre Definitions **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 1, 2011, 7:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/musical-genre-definitions/604682 "2011-12-01T07:28:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Trepa\_Mayfield](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/edb3f5/32.png) [@Trepa\_Mayfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trepa_Mayfield)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2011, 7:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/musical-genre-definitions/604682/1 "2011-12-01T07:28:20Z")
They’ve always given me trouble. Specifically: -What is the dividing line between Synth and Prog Rock? What genre does Genesis fall under? Boston? Cars? -What is New Wave? -When did Grunge separate from Punk, if it ever did? -What’s the difference between Rap and Hip-hop? Do both fall under the umbrella of R&B? If so, is there any modern R&B that is neither rap nor hip-hop? -I’ve heard that Classical is technically an incorrect way to describe symphonic orchestral music. If so, what is the correct term? -Is there a genre name for synthetic electronic faux-orchestral music, other than electronica? Music [like this](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mmzhi4T6wtM), for instance. -For that matter, at what point does a song stop being “classical”, and become simply instrumental? -Can one distinguish between Chiptune and regular Electronica simply by ear? -What is a concerto, and how does it relate to a symphony? (Does this belong in GQ?) ---
**Author:** ![installLSC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/54ee81/32.png) [@installLSC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/installLSC)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2011, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/musical-genre-definitions/604682/2 "2011-12-01T17:44:29Z")
I’ll give a shot: “Synth pop” is basically just regular pop music primarily played on synthesizers. “Prog rock” is rock music with strong classical elements such as extended songs that avoid verse/chorus structures and complex instrumentation. Prog is just as likely to be guitar based as keyboard based. Genesis was prog when Peter Gabriel was singing, and became synth pop soon after he left. Cars are definately synth pop. Boston was a relatively straightforward rock band based around electric guitars; they don’t even come close to either genre. “New wave” is pop and rock that was somehow influenced by punk rock. It’s a lot like alternative in that it tells you much more about the intended audience than the music itself; Elvis Costello and Devo were both new wave, but they sound absolutely nothing alike. “Rap” originally referred solely to the music itself, while “hip hop” was the associated lifestyle involving things like breakdancing and graffitti art. The terms have blurred over the years. There’s tons of R&B that has no rap elements; it’s just that you’re only going to hear them on stations aimed at older black audiences, the R&B you hear on top 40 stations won’t play them. ---
**Author:** ![Ephemera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8baadc/32.png) [@Ephemera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ephemera)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2011, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/musical-genre-definitions/604682/3 "2011-12-01T18:17:43Z")
Synthpop or synthrock is just music with synthesizers as the main instrument. Progressive music is more about song structure and complex instrumentation. Rapping is the style of vocalization, not the genre itself, which would be more correctly called hip hop. It’s unrelated to R&B except in demographics. ---
**Author:** ![Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e47c2d/32.png) [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biffy_the_Elephant_Shrew)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2011, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/musical-genre-definitions/604682/4 "2011-12-01T18:55:39Z")
> [@Trepa\_Mayfield](#): > > TheyWhat genre does Genesis fall under? Boston? Cars? Genesis is prog, Boston is AOR, the Cars are new wave. Nowadays they all fit under the “classic rock” umbrella. > [@](#): > > -What is New Wave? Music that grew out of the late '80s punk scene but was more accessible and pop-oriented than actual punk. Blondie, for example. > [@](#): > > -I’ve heard that Classical is technically an incorrect way to describe symphonic orchestral music. If so, what is the correct term? People who say this are referring to the fact that what’s called the “classical period” is specifically the last half of the 18th century. The only composers from this period that most of the general public has even heard of are Mozart and Haydn. Even Beethoven, the first half of whose life was in that period, isn’t considered “classical”; he’s “romantic” (i.e., 19th century). In my opinion this is pure pedantry and you should go ahead and refer to Bach, Beethoven, Brahms, Debussy, and Stravinsky all as “classical,” as most people would. > [@](#): > > -What is a concerto, and how does it relate to a symphony? A concerto has one (or sometimes more) featured “solo” instrument, often a piano, that is spotlighted throughout the piece, often playing very flashy, virtuosic parts in front of the orchestra, which sometimes drops out and lets the soloist play alone. A symphony is basically just a large-scale orchestral composition. Traditionally, the concerto has three movements and the symphony has four, but there are many, many exceptions, especially in the 20th century. (This is **all** a bit oversimplified for purposes of brevity.) ---
**Author:** ![heathen\_earthling](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/13edae/32.png) [@heathen\_earthling](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/heathen_earthling)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2011, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/musical-genre-definitions/604682/5 "2011-12-01T19:01:14Z")
I’ve noticed that most record stores have large “Pop/Rock” sections, rarely separate “Pop” and “Rock” sections. Are there really that many bands that are both that it is impossible to separate them? ---
**Author:** ![Infovore](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/infovore/32/420_2.png) [@Infovore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Infovore)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2011, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/musical-genre-definitions/604682/6 "2011-12-01T19:32:11Z")
While we’re at it, what are “dubstep” and “shoegaze”? I feel so old sometimes… ---
**Author:** ![Le\_Ministre\_de\_l\_au-dela](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/le_ministre_de_l_au-dela/32/12181_2.png) [@Le\_Ministre\_de\_l\_au-dela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Le_Ministre_de_l_au-dela)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2011, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/musical-genre-definitions/604682/7 "2011-12-01T21:18:13Z")
> [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](#): > > People who say this are referring to the fact that what’s called the “classical period” is specifically the last half of the 18th century. The only composers from this period that most of the general public has even heard of are Mozart and Haydn. Even Beethoven, the first half of whose life was in that period, isn’t considered “classical”; he’s “romantic” (i.e., 19th century). In my opinion this is pure pedantry and you should go ahead and refer to Bach, Beethoven, Brahms, Debussy, and Stravinsky all as “classical,” as most people would. If you’re going to be pedantic enough to call Genesis, Boston and The Cars different genres, then you shouldn’t be calling me pedantic for calling Josquin, Brahms and Varese different genres. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e47c2d/32.png) [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biffy_the_Elephant_Shrew)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2011, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/musical-genre-definitions/604682/8 "2011-12-01T21:29:15Z")
> [@Le\_Ministre\_de\_l\_au-dela](#): > > If you’re going to be pedantic enough to call Genesis, Boston and The Cars different genres, then you shouldn’t be calling me pedantic for calling Josquin, Brahms and Varese different genres. 🙂 Well, actually I’m assigning Genesis, Boston, and the Cars different _sub_-genres. They’re all rock, just as renaissance, romantic, and modern art musics are all classical. IMHO YMMV LS/MFT. ---
**Author:** ![Le\_Ministre\_de\_l\_au-dela](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/le_ministre_de_l_au-dela/32/12181_2.png) [@Le\_Ministre\_de\_l\_au-dela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Le_Ministre_de_l_au-dela)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2011, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/musical-genre-definitions/604682/9 "2011-12-01T21:37:44Z")
Ls/mft? ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2011, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/musical-genre-definitions/604682/10 "2011-12-01T21:56:19Z")
> [@Le\_Ministre\_de\_l\_au-dela](#): > > Ls/mft? Lucky Strike = Mighty Fine Taste - old ad on the side of their cigarette cartons… As to the OP - Grunge and Punk? Nah - grunge, more than anything, was a location: Seattle. Alice in Chains doesn’t sound much like Pearl Jam who doesn’t sound much like Soundgarden (although they came to share a drummer) who doesn’t sound much like Nirvana. Nirvana was punk in intent and some of the sonic tactics, but pop in melody and song construction. The others had very little punk in them… ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2011, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/musical-genre-definitions/604682/11 "2011-12-02T00:09:51Z")
I kinda think of grunge as a cross between punk & sludgy Sabbath-era heavy metal. Some bands (like Nirvana) took more from the poppy punk side of this mix; others, like Soundgarden and Alice in Chains, borrowed more from the heavy metal influences. It is mostly associated with the Seattle area, but there are a few acts from outside that area I’d consider grunge (like Stone Temple Pilots and maybe L7). ---
**Author:** ![woodstockbirdybird](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/woodstockbirdybird/32/7905_2.png) [@woodstockbirdybird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/woodstockbirdybird)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2011, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/musical-genre-definitions/604682/12 "2011-12-02T00:15:45Z")
> [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](#): > > Music that grew out of the late '80s punk scene but was more accessible and pop-oriented than actual punk. Blondie, for example. Nitpick: Late '70s. ---
**Author:** ![Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e47c2d/32.png) [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biffy_the_Elephant_Shrew)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2011, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/musical-genre-definitions/604682/13 "2011-12-02T00:18:37Z")
> [@woodstockbirdybird](#): > > Nitpick: Late '70s. You are correct, that was a typo. ---
**Author:** ![cgg419](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cgg419/32/2847_2.png) [@cgg419](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cgg419)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2011, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/musical-genre-definitions/604682/14 "2011-12-02T00:37:29Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > but there are a few acts from outside that area I’d consider grunge (like Stone Temple Pilots). On Core I can see it, but they moved far away from the “grunge” label over the years (not that I have anything against grunge, but I don’t think they fit) [Lady Picture Show](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yyiKDNuNG9o) ---
**Author:** ![Jaledin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Jaledin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jaledin)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2011, 4:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/musical-genre-definitions/604682/15 "2011-12-02T04:02:53Z")
You guys are distracting me! I haven’t thought about some of this music for a while. I’ll be a pisser and say it’s all marketing, though. Not really – the fans get involved for much pop music – but I’m thinking of stuff like “Acid Jazz” (no stranger to the substance, but the name always really bugged me because it makes no sense) and that whole neo-swing revival, whatever. ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2011, 4:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/musical-genre-definitions/604682/16 "2011-12-02T04:15:52Z")
> [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](#): > > … IMHO YMMV LS/MFT. > [@Le\_Ministre\_de\_l\_au-dela](#): > > Ls/mft? > [@WordMan](#): > > Lucky Strike = Mighty Fine Taste - old ad on the side of their cigarette cartons… that would be Lucky Strike means fine tobacco ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2011, 4:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/musical-genre-definitions/604682/17 "2011-12-02T04:19:51Z")
> [@Trepa\_Mayfield](#): > > They’ve always given me trouble. Specifically: > > -I’ve heard that Classical is technically an incorrect way to describe symphonic orchestral music. If so, what is the correct term? > -For that matter, at what point does a song stop being “classical”, and become simply instrumental? > (Does this belong in GQ?) i’ve heard the term light classical for modern orchestra music. also might be mood music or easy listening. ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2011, 4:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/musical-genre-definitions/604682/18 "2011-12-02T04:33:00Z")
> [@Infovore](#): > > While we’re at it, what are “dubstep” and “shoegaze”? > > I feel so old sometimes… Someone will probably object, but I feel that shoegaze is a lot like lo fi with more overt alternative elements. Listen to Dinosaur Jr., The Catherine Wheel, Curve, Swervedriver and Slowdive, and you’ll pretty much have a handle on it. Dubstep, on the other hand, is a type of electronic dance music. I can’t tell you much more than that because of all the bands listed on [wiki](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_dubstep_musicians), I only recognize 3 of them, 2 of which I don’t like. Skream’s okay, though. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2011, 5:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/musical-genre-definitions/604682/19 "2011-12-02T05:04:59Z")
> [@elfkin477](#): > > Someone will probably object, but I feel that shoegaze is a lot like lo fi with more overt alternative elements. Listen to Dinosaur Jr., The Catherine Wheel, Curve, Swervedriver and Slowdive, and you’ll pretty much have a handle on it. Yeah, I think of shoegaze as a bit different than lo-fi. I especially think of My Bloody Valentine–giant walls of distorted guitar sounds, reverb, lots of droning elements, often detached vocals. Very atmospheric instrumentally. But shoegaze can cover a lot of territory. Ride would be another typical shoegaze band. I never really thought of Dinosaur Jr. as shoegaze, but the others I would agree on. Smashing Pumpkins, for instance, have a lot of elements of shoegaze in their music, especially on Siamese Dream and Mellon Collie. ---
**Author:** ![Sunshine\_and\_Smiles](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a5b964/32.png) [@Sunshine\_and\_Smiles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunshine_and_Smiles)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2011, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/musical-genre-definitions/604682/20 "2011-12-03T17:52:59Z")
To chime in with shoegaze - to my ears it’s generally slower than most rock, fuzzed out distorted, vocals light atop the mix, dreary. **MBV** , as noted by **pulykamell** , weren’t the first to do it but they pretty much created it in their own image. The name comes from when bands such as this would play live, pretty much just standing there looking at their shoes while a few strums of the guitar would release walls of feedback. As far as live art goes, it leaves a little something to be desired, but the sound influenced later acts like **Black Rebel Motorcycle Club** and **The Pains of Being Pure at Heart**. Dubstep evolved from UK garage/2-step music. It still has the two-step beat, which is why no one can really dance to it. You can only sort of stomp or crab around. There’s a lot of different kinds of dubstep though. My favorite is [Burial](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IlEkvbRmfrA), an early purveyor of the sound who for whatever reason wasn’t emulated. Dubstep that you’re more likely to encounter is mostly derived from [Rusko](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yOXXjCr4n9g) - a UK producer who figured out you could REALLY push the bass on a song, add a little wobble, and people would go apeshit. THe two-step beat and the thickly distorted, prominent bass are the distinguishing features of dubstep today. Acts like [Skrillex](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WSeNSzJ2-Jw), **Skream** , **Cookie Monsta** , et al. now all aim to be the ‘filthiest’ (meaning the sound of the distortion of the bass sounds more like a broken gasoline powered machine) and ‘heaviest’. This allowed the frats to adopt the sound, and now you’re just as likely to see a candy kid as the varsity captain at a dubstep show. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/musical-genre-definitions/604682.md?page=2)