Why I dislike genres (and a question)

[NewWorldMare]

I find that the style of the music I produce changes a lot between songs. I've heard people saying that this is natural as you start making music, that you'll "settle into a genre" over time.

Strangely, I *don't* want to end up producing one style of music and one style alone. I want to be constantly doing new things with my music. I want to create pieces that bend the distinctions between genres. I see a lot of people saying that they've decided to only produce "reggae-influenced trip glitch hop step" and it just seems so restricting to me.

In fact, I just really hate the idea of genres in general. Genres make it all to easy to stay in your comfort zone in terms of listening to music. I was and still am a hard and prog rock fan, and tended to stick to those genres. Without ponies, I probably would have never discovered electronic music - because of genres, and because of my misconcieved belief that "I will never like anything outside the genres I like".

Genres also tend to restrict you from producing new things. As in music listening, it's easy to settle down into a familiar groove - today's radio hits are good examples of that. Even the concept of breaking off multiple aliases à la Renard seems restrictive, as you may still be creating, consciously or not, to fit a genre.

So, my question: if you've chosen to produce only one style of music, why? Is it that you only like producing that style? Are you wary of trying something new because your subscribers expect a certain genre of you? I'd like to know your reasons.

Finally, reggae-influenced trip glitch hop step is best genre. Peace.

[Peak Freak]

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[BlackElectric]

So, my question: if you've chosen to produce only one style of music, why?

Because that's the style of music I like to do. I usually do just metal, but I did and electronic song for the "Smile!" album, and I have an acoustic/strings song on my youtube channel.

Is it that you only like producing that style?

Pretty much, yeah. The electronic song for Smile! was an experiment (Which, luckily for me, turned out well and actually made in onto the album) and so was the acoustic/strings song. I love listening to and creating metal stuff, so that's what I normally produce.

Are you wary of trying something new because your subscribers expect a certain genre of you? I'd like to know your reasons.

No, I just don't get inspiration to play other genres. Metal is what I grew up with, it's what I love, and it's what I want to produce. It's the genre I've "settled in to". Besides, metal has like, a million subgenres. I have lot's to try out.

[Kopachris]

BurningDesire, is that you?

(Sorry, it feels like two different music forums I participate in are leaking into each other.)

On topic: I agree with you to a certain extent, but there's still no better way to classify music based on its content.

[K3WRO]

I'll be honest, I only see genres as classification, without it, I'll be confused, because folk isn't the same as jazz right? And is this the reason Electronic dance music is called techno by most people?

Well, but in my views, it's more of something that's already done before is meant to be done by someone else to improve this certain style, or it's for commercial purposes, so record companies can target certain genres (i.e. rock) to it's main audiences, people have the likes and dislikes, so they'll make money if they sell it to the people who like this style (duh).

Basically, I mostly like the idea of genres, but I also see it as a limit when you know you can create music that will never fit into these genre classifications (until they make one, til then we're underground)

[colortwelve]

I think the point at which I decided to lock myself into a slightly more specific range of production (but still not single-genre) was a particularly good collaboration that I made a massive amount of progress on in one day. It was electro house with some progressive elements, so I decided to be a roughly house-based producer.

But I see where you're coming from, having previously listened mostly to progressive rock, and I still try to let that influence my music. Essentially, my attitude is that having a vision for a track is all well and good, but if you get an epiphany while you're producing, fucking follow it. It doesn't matter whether it makes sense in the context of the genre or the song, it's another idea. So in that sense, I try to work in a sort of progressive rock aesthetic in my work.

And, in my opinion, having a genre is less important than finding your sound. This doesn't even need to mean using a narrow range of instruments and synth patches - deadmau5 uses different synths in every song, but you can always tell it's him. Or you could go the Feed Me route, find one good signature bass and one good signature synth, a signature clap/snare, and get really, really good at mixing

But on to my reasons. I settled into the house umbrella because that collab felt better than any track has in a long time. And while I do love producing other genres (particularly drum and bass), I find it's always a nice starting point. As for my subscribers... Who cares what they think if they were crazy enough to sub to me.

[Freewave]

Well it's fine not to like genres as restrictive boxes and certainly some people stick to genres because it's what they like and make best. It's often what their audience may know them for.

Your argument that you like to merge genres is a good one as a lot of people are doing that now or trying to find new ground in them is admirable. Complextro to a degree is a reaction to people doing the same thing (and it's not much of a real genre accordingly but a trend). Personally I too like to do that or jump from genre to genre so that i don't feel I'm treading water musically. That may mean i don't develop my skills in one genre to the point it's truly amazing which is always a repercussion though. I think a little variety though is the spice of life.

Finally, reggae-influenced trip glitch hop step is best genre. Peace.

So you DO like a genre!!

[Navron]

Even the most wide-ranging musicians still have an ultimate genre they partake in. That's more of what they mean by, "settling into a genre."

Shpongle is a Psybient band, but even though their music is ultimately in that genre, their individual songs range from jazz, rock, trance, downtempo, etc.

Your own particular sound will fall under a certain broad genre, and while many artists will stick to a particular sub-genre, many successful artists experiment with different styles, while still retaining their own sound.

What isn't recommended, is continuously alternating your own sound. An electronic trance musician can keep things interesting doing a trancey sounding version of jazz, but if they took out all electronic elements and released a black metal song, then a pop song, well, don't expect them to retain their listeners very well.

[NewWorldMare]

But when you for example make an album, then you should be careful. In the end an album shouldn't be a random compilation of so many different genres, but has to be a little bit more specific in style and genre. Else people won't see it as an album either and would rather get single tracks.

People don't just buy albums to get a lot of one genre. Buying one album once is a lot more convenient than downloading 12 songs one by one. There are albums like Balloon Party, which have a central theme but no genre restrictions. People also enjoy supporting their favourite artists. Personally, I'd *prefer* to buy an album with genre variation.

So, my question: if you've chosen to produce only one style of music, why?

Because that's the style of music I like to do.

For the record I think this is a totally valid reason. Actually, pretty much any reason is totally valid. This is completely subjective and my opinion.

BurningDesire, is that you?

(Sorry, it feels like two different music forums I participate in are leaking into each other.)

On topic: I agree with you to a certain extent, but there's still no better way to classify music based on its content.

Not me, and I think the classification that goes with genres is exactly the problem with them. It tends to box in both artists and listeners. Some people won't listen to anything that's "outside their genre", and artists are afraid of changing because of this.

I'll be honest, I only see genres as classification, without it, I'll be confused, because folk isn't the same as jazz right?

Genres are a bit of a necessary evil for very broad distinctions like this.

And, in my opinion, having a genre is less important than finding your sound.

Now that's interesting. What exactly is the difference between genre, style, and sound? I'd say they nest in that order, with genre the most general. But sound can also transcend genre... I think I agree with you on this. Being distinctive is important, that's for sure.

Finally, reggae-influenced trip glitch hop step is best genre. Peace.

So you DO like a genre!!

Only every other Friday.

Even the most wide-ranging musicians still have an ultimate genre they partake in. That's more of what they mean by, "settling into a genre."

I don't understand you here. Besides making electronic music, I also play the piano, and with those two different ways of making music I could make two completely different songs - songs so different that the only word to classify them both would be "music". Importantly, I also *want* to use both these instruments. And I have a feeling I'm not alone in this. You don't even need two different ways of making music at your disposal.

Your own particular sound will fall under a certain broad genre, and while many artists will stick to a particular sub-genre, many successful artists experiment with different styles, while still retaining their own sound.

What isn't recommended, is continuously alternating your own sound. An electronic trance musician can keep things interesting doing a trancey sounding version of jazz, but if they took out all electronic elements and released a black metal song, then a pop song, well, don't expect them to retain their listeners very well.

Sound pops up again. I disagree with you that sound is restricted by genre. I do agree with you that changing your sound isn't good (unless you don't give half a shit about popularity ).

[Magnitude Zero]

Personally, I feel like if I come out of a song having no idea how to classify it, I done good. If people want to go around saying "I only make x and y" then that's their choice I guess, but I really hate the idea of being restricted by a label. Also, since there are so many subgenres of everything and I don't really see the point in keeping track of all of them, I'll stick to using umbrella terms (sorry "that's not dubstep, that's brostep" people).

[Habanc]

I understand completely, even if I don't agree that genres are restrictive. Humans are intelligent beings, and one of the ways we remember and learn is by categorizing things by patterns we can detect. It's only natural that if we listen to a couple different sound, and notice a recurring pattern (For instance, house's four-on-the-floor drum pattern), we will categorize it so we can identify further sounds.

Words and terms are, when you get down to it, only expressions, and expressions vary from person to person. For instance, I just see the word "genre" as a guideline, or a nudge in the right direction. From the genre description, you'll get a foothold of what the song is like, but beyond that, it's up to you to decide quite what the song is.

When I started listening to electronica three years ago, I had no clue what the genres were. I just went on a youtube marathon of all things electronica after one of my teammates showed me "Number One" by Max Farenthide. I unknowingly listened to trance, house, techno, hands up, electro and a bit of dubstep. But, of them all, "Not Exactly" by Deadmau5 was simply my favorite, and I started listening to his music from then on. I didn't know what House or Progressive House or Trance was for months. I just assumed it was all different techno (ignorance ftw).

Now, I produce mainly Progressive and Electro House because it has alot of elements I liked even before I knew what they or house was. The 128 BPM is infectious, obnoxious sidechaining is groovy, and the four kick beat gives a welcome sense of structure to the song, among other "feels" I get from the two genres that I still haven't found how to put into words yet. It's what I enjoy, and it just happens to fall under the house genre. I'm not trying to force my work into a certain genre, it's just that what I want to make is classified as house.

I've had a friend for months now tell me I need to move out from house and try new stuff to find "my style"... Well, I don't know how that'll help much since you can't just think up of a certain style. It comes from within yourself, subconsciously, over time. With that being said, what's the point of forcing yourself to switch it up, if it isn't what you really want to do? If you just produce what you enjoy (And that can change over time, nothing wrong with that), eventually you'll come up with your own, unique sound.

Much like art, music is creative; in the grand scheme of things, it shouldn't be hemmed in with borders and pre-conceived notions, yet rather something you do almost naturally and upon instinct.

tl;dr "Genre" is an expression and expressions vary from person to person. When I make the music I like to make, people classify it as house, and I'm okay with that.

[Watashig]

Even the concept of breaking off multiple aliases à la Renard seems restrictive, as you may still be creating, consciously or not, to fit a genre.

Klippa -- Arcadepunk vs. Hard Membrane.
J. Queenston -- Don't Stop Moving vs. Poison in a Killer's Notebook.
NegaRen -- Don't Stop Moving vs. Breaking Boundaries.
Renard -- A Picture of Finn Farting vs. Trauma.

I dunno about you, but I can hear how the styles for these aliases are changing over time, especially the bolded names. I don't think Renard decides to just produce music for a genre/alias, but rather produces what he likes and gives it to an alias (or makes a new one, eg. Darius/G-DARIA).

[Captain Ironhelm]

Listen to lots of a genre I like> make music I like> choose the closest fitting genre.

But really, no one wants to listen to Dubstep Polka Orchestral Country New Age Rap, so I don't see sticking to certain sounds as a bad thing. On the other hand, experimentation is what pushes music farther on and how we are where we are today, kudos to experimentation! I don't see either choice to be better than the other, but it's good to push yourself out of your limits now and then imo.

[ph00tbag]

Genre is something you need to approach with a balance of trepidation and welcoming. It's very useful when deciding whether you want to tout it to your established fans, but when you're actually making music, embracing it too fully can dampen your drive to experiment. For listeners, it's similar. A genre makes it easy to find similar music you'll still like, but it can also cause you to dismiss music because it's within a genre that you typically find yourself not liking. It's like any tool, really. You need to use it properly for it to work.