Defining your musical genre can feel overwhelming when you’re first starting out as a musician. With so many different genres and subgenres out there, how do you know which one fits your music the best? Finding your genre is an important step in developing your musical identity and connecting with the right listeners. Follow these tips to determine your music’s genre:
Listen to Your Influences
Think about what artists, bands, or genres have influenced your music the most. The genres that have shaped your sound are a good starting point for defining your own genre. Make a list of your biggest influences and what genres they fall under – this can give you ideas for where your music fits. For example, if your influences include a mix of punk, grunge, and indie rock bands, that combination may point to an alternative or indie rock genre for your own songs.
Analyze the Musical Elements
Listen closely to the musical elements within your songs. The specific instruments, rhythms, production style, melody, and vocals you use can give clues about your genre. Some key things to listen for:
- Instruments: Electric guitars and drums may indicate rock, while synths point to electronic or dance.
- Rhythm: Upbeat, danceable rhythms are often pop, hip hop, or EDM, while slower tempos may signal rock ballads.
- Production: Heavily produced or effects-driven tracks often fall under electronic genres, while a raw, live sound suggests rock or folk.
- Melody/Vocals: Strong vocal melodies and hooks are essential for pop, while complex guitar or synth melodies indicate genres like progressive rock or techno.
Examine the Song Themes and Lyrics
The themes expressed through your lyrics can also give hints about your genre. Certain topics and styles are associated with particular genres:
| Genre | Common Themes/Lyrics |
|---|---|
| Pop | Love, relationships, partying, having fun |
| Hip hop | Street life, money, confidence, success |
| Country | Small towns, nature, patriotism, heartbreak |
| Metal | Darkness, anger, rebellion, power |
| Punk | Rebellion, anti-establishment, high energy |
Of course, these are generalizations – but looking at your own lyrics can reveal themes that align with certain genres.
Consider the Overall Song Structure
The typical structure of your songs can provide genre clues as well. While lyrics and sounds are important, how your overall song is put together is also a factor:
- Verse-Chorus: This simple structure with distinct verses and catchy choruses is a hallmark of pop, rock, and country songs.
- ABABCBB: Adding a bridge (B section) is common in rock and pop for more variety.
- Verse-Chorus with Breakdown: Dance/electronic tracks often have instrumental breakdowns to highlight beats.
- Non-Standard Forms: Genres like jazz and progressive rock experiment with song structures.
If your songs follow more predictable structures, that can point to mainstream genres focused on catchy hooks. But unusual structures may align you with experimental genres.
Determine Your Target Audience
Figuring out your target listener demographic can provide useful genre indications. Ask yourself:
- Who would be drawn to my lyrics and musical style?
- Where would my ideal fans listen to this music – clubs, parties, car rides?
- What aesthetics, fashion, and lifestyle match my music?
Your target audience often signifies your genre – for example, high-energy party music may be EDM or hip hop, while introspective, poetic songs could fit indie folk. Outlining your ideal listener helps position your genre.
Research Genre Characteristics
Doing some research on genre characteristics can give you deeper insight into how your music aligns with different categories. Look into the typical features of your potential genres such as:
- Instrumentation
- Rhythms and tempos
- Song structures
- Melodic and harmonic elements
- Production styles
- Vocal styles
See which genre descriptions match your songs the closest. For example, if you use distorted guitar riffs and a driving rhythm section, that may point to punk or metal more than folk or country.
Get Feedback from Others
An outside perspective from other musicians, producers, or music industry professionals can provide helpful feedback on your genre. Ask trusted contacts what genre they would classify your music as and why. See if there is a consensus for a certain genre among multiple people. Feedback from others may reveal genre associations you hadn’t considered.
You can also look at comments on your music uploads or social channels. What genre terms do fans use to describe your sound? Consistent descriptors from listeners can give useful genre indications.
Consider the Venues You Play
If you perform live shows, the types of venues that book you can reveal your genre fit:
| Venue Type | Potential Matching Genres |
|---|---|
| Clubs | EDM, hip hop, pop, rock, indie electronica |
| Dive bars | Rock, punk, metal, alternative |
| Festivals | Wide variety including pop, rock, indie, folk |
| Performing arts centers | Jazz, classical, folk, acoustic |
| Stadiums/arenas | Mainstream pop, rock, country |
Seeing the venues and bills you fit well with can reveal your genre lane. If you get booked for a metal festival, that says something about your genre direction.
Pick Genre Labels Strategically
Once you’ve assessed your music from all these angles, it’s time to pick one or more genre terms to describe your sound. A few tips on selecting genres:
- You can blend multiple genres if your sound fuses different styles.
- Consider both main genres and more niche subgenres.
- Weigh which genre terms resonate most with your target fans.
- Balance accuracy with marketability when choosing genres.
You may change or refine your genre definitions over time as your music evolves. But choose labels that feel authentic for now, while also helping attract your ideal audience.
Use Genres to Inform Your Branding
Your genre identity should inform other aspects of your artist branding too. Think about:
- What image and aesthetics align with your genre?
- What platforms and networks does your genre audience use?
- How can you create merch that fits your genre culture?
- What artists in your genre space could you potentially collaborate with?
Let your genre guide the visuals, channels, messaging, and partnerships you pursue. Lean into the culture and community around your genre as you build your brand.
Remix and Evolve Over Time
Musicians’ sounds often change and progress over their careers. What genre you start with may not be what defines you forever. As your style develops, re-examine how your genre definition needs to shift too. Track how elements like your:
- Influences
- Instruments and production
- Lyrics and themes
- Target audience
Evolve, and choose genres that fit each musical phase. Don’t be afraid to reinvent your genre completely if your musical identity changes. Just make sure to bring your fans along for the journey with clear genre messaging.
Conclusion
Defining your genre is an important step in finding your niche as an artist. But don’t stress about picking a single, rigid genre label. Focus on choosing descriptive terms that capture the spirit of your sound authentically. Let your influences, musical elements, lyrics, song structure, audience appeal, and industry feedback all guide your genre identification. With the right genre descriptors, you can build connections with fans who will love the unique musical identity you craft.
