Musical Genres - A Nuisance Or A Necessity? Options

[Cosmin Lupu]

We human beings are used to placing things in little boxes it feels good to know what's what, but to what end? I was hilariously amused to read a comment on one of my YT vids, which showcases a riff in the song called 'Seeds' by ARIA. The riff is very machinegun like and the comment stated: 'Wow dude! Typewritecore!' it feels great to have invented a new sub sub sub sub genre, but hey, after all, it's just music, ain't it?

How are you guys feeling about all the sub-genres people are using to define music nowadays - do you think it's better to say that one thing is classic metal and another modern for instance? It definitely feels much easier and less pressurizing on people, who won't sometimes know where to place a band when they talk about it

[Ben Higgins]

Interesting point.

I think before there were too many labels we would just listen to music and if was slightly different to the bands we were listening too, we would just make a mental adjustment to it but it would just be another band we listened to, nothing more.

With a genre title we can't help but have a presumption before we hear the music and that can get in the way of our natural receptiveness to the music.

[Cosmin Lupu]

Interesting point.

I think before there were too many labels we would just listen to music and if was slightly different to the bands we were listening too, we would just make a mental adjustment to it but it would just be another band we listened to, nothing more.

With a genre title we can't help but have a presumption before we hear the music and that can get in the way of our natural receptiveness to the music.

Right! Exactly what I was thinking of For instance, a friend told me about the band called 'Mutemath' and said they are indie - my silly mind, immediately associated them with some sort of music I don't like. Nonetheless, I gave them a listen and I was hooked that instant exactly what you were saying - associating a genre with something we don't like, may take us down a misty path.



These guys are so damn good!

[SpaseMoonkey]

How are you guys feeling about all the sub-genres people are using to define music nowadays - do you think it's better to say that one thing is classic metal and another modern for instance? It definitely feels much easier and less pressurizing on people, who won't sometimes know where to place a band when they talk about it

Kind of sounds like trying to explain to the older crowd of people at work what music I like. I just go metal and say bands that they could relate to such as Ozzy, Deep Purple and such. They have more of an understanding what you listen to.

But the younger generation blows my mind that almost every band has to have a special name for the music they do. Mathcore? Crabcore? Deathcore? I can only tell you that each of them seems to be a sort of trash metal with high pitched girl vocals.

I think the sub genres for me are easier to find. Hey I want to find other bands like Messhuggah look up djent, wow look at all them bands *goes click crazy*.

[Ivan Milenkovic]

Well, not sure, but I'm very careful at "labeling" someone's band when talking to musicians and fans, simply because each of us has it's own opinion. We all have our own perceptions of what "it" is. We all respect if someone says crabcore, or simply says metal, it's a different point of view nothing else

When we hear music or sounds, it brings emotions that are on a personal level, so it's best to leave others to have their own personal opinion. I've heard people calling certain music using very disturbing and offensive names, but later on it came to be one of the most popular stuff ever. So, it's definitely a personal preference.

[dark dude]

I don't have a problem with it at all and find it useful a lot of the time.

It's only when people start arguing about this being 'x' and that not being 'y' that I switch off (e.g. YouTube comments).

[Ben Higgins]

I don't have a problem with it at all and find it useful a lot of the time.

It's only when people start arguing about this being 'x' and that not being 'y' that I switch off (e.g. YouTube comments).

That's also where I am. I don't mind there being different genres an it is useful but it gets a bit ridiculous with how many there are now.

But yes, the worst is when somebody makes the 'dreadful error' of getting a genre wrong ! It's laughable how pedantic people are.

[Cosmin Lupu]

That's also where I am. I don't mind there being different genres an it is useful but it gets a bit ridiculous with how many there are now.

But yes, the worst is when somebody makes the 'dreadful error' of getting a genre wrong ! It's laughable how pedantic people are.

ha! Ben! You don't know what upsidedownmeltyourfacecrushyourbrainmetal is?

[Fran]

I stopped at classical and rock. Well, not really but almost

It's really hard to put every band in a box with others and label them like they all sound the same, they don't.

[The Uncreator]

Classification creates a beneficial order and an unwanted chaos.

[Cosmin Lupu]

Classification creates a beneficial order and an unwanted chaos.

As long as we don't go crazy on each other for not knowing some of the names as Ben said, it's ok!