From Classical to EDM: The Evolution of Music by Era

If you hear the word “music,” what song plays in your head?

It is probably some musical genre like pop, electronic, reggaeton…

What is certain is that you will not think of Cruck or Chillwave music, or perhaps a song of this style will come to your head, but you may not know that it belongs to a musical genre with such an unusual name.

It’s common to associate certain songs with a familiar musical genre without realizing they might belong to a subgenre with a unique name or a completely different genre. This complexity and diversity in music is a testament to the artistry and creativity of musicians.

This is because there are so many different musical styles, each with subgenres and varying depending on the region in which they originated, that it is impossible to know them all.

Thus, in this article, we have decided to bring together the vast majority of currently identified musical genres, sorted by date of origin and region.

It’s important to note that this list is incomplete. Musical genres and subgenres constantly evolve, with new ones emerging. Understanding the history and evolution of these genres can provide a fascinating insight into the world of music.

Furthermore, it isn’t easy to pinpoint exact dates of origin for many genres, so approximate periods have been given instead.

Musical genres sorted by era

This categorization helps us understand the evolution of music over time, from the classical compositions of Mozart and Beethoven to the modern electronic sounds of EDM.

• Classical ( between 1750 and 1820 ) – Composed by musicians such as Mozart and Beethoven, this genre is characterized by intricate melodies and structured compositions.
• Blues ( late 19th century ) – Rooted in African musical traditions, blues music conveys emotion through simple chord progressions and expressive vocals.
• Jazz ( early 20th century ) – In New Orleans, jazz combines blues, ragtime, and band music to create upbeat, improvisational melodies.
• Country ( 1920s ) – Inspired by folk, blues, and gospel music, country music is often characterized by story-telling lyrics and instruments such as the banjo and fiddle.
• Swing ( 1930s ) – A subgenre of jazz, swing is characterized by a powerful rhythm section and big band arrangements that encourage dancing.
• Rock’ n’ Roll ( 1950s ) – Fusing rhythm and blues with country, rock ‘n’ roll is known for its energetic rhythms, electric guitar, and rebellious attitude.
• Rhythm and Blues ( 1940-1950 ) – Often abbreviated as R&B, this genre blends jazz, blues, and gospel influences to create soulful, danceable melodies.
• Funk ( 1960s ) – Characterized by syncopated rhythms, groovy bass lines, and a focus on groove. Funk emerged from soul and jazz.
• Reggae ( 1960s ) – Originating in Jamaica, reggae combines elements of Caribbean folk music, calypso, and rhythm and blues, emphasizing fast-paced rhythms.
• Psychedelic rock ( 1960s ) – Marked by experimental sounds and lyrics that explore altered states of consciousness, psychedelic rock emerged during the countercultural movement.
• Hard rock ( 1960s ) – A heavier, more aggressive form of rock music, hard rock is characterized by distorted guitars, pounding drums, and shrill vocals.
• Heavy Metal ( late 1960s–1970s ) – With its origins in hard rock and blues-rock, heavy metal is known for its amplified distortion, extended guitar solos, and aggressive lyrics.
• **Progressive rock** ( late 1960s-1970s ) – Progressive rock is characterized by the fusion of rock with other genres such as classical music and jazz, complex song structures, and experimental instrumentation.
• Disco ( the 1970s ) – Defined by its infectious, danceable rhythms, disco music emerged from funk, soul, and pop.
• Punk Rock ( 1970s ) – Born as a reaction to mainstream music, punk rock is characterized by its raw, fast-paced sound and rebellious attitude.
• Hip Hop ( late 70s ) – Originating in the Bronx, hip hop encompasses rapping, DJing, breakdancing, and graffiti art, often focusing on social and political issues.
• New Wave ( late 1970s-1980s ) – A blend of punk rock and pop music. New Wave is known for its quirky, experimental sound, often incorporating synthesizers.
• Synthpop ( 1980s ) – Heavily synthesizer-based, synthpop is known for its quirky, experimental sound and often incorporates synthesizers.
• Electronic Dance Music (EDM) ( late 1980s–present ) – A term encompassing several electronic music genres, such as house, techno, trance, and dubstep, characterized by repetitive rhythms and synthesized sounds.
• House ( late 80s ) – A subgenre of EDM, house music is characterized by its 4/4 rhythm, synthesized bass lines, and repetitive loops.
• Techno ( late 80s ) – Another subgenre of EDM, techno is known for its repetitive beats, synthesized sounds, and a focus on rhythm over melody.
• Grunge ( late 1980s–1990s ) – A subgenre of alternative rock, grunge is characterized by its heavy, distorted guitar sound and introspective, often angsty lyrics.
• Britpop ( 1990s ) – British alternative rock movement characterized by catchy melodies, guitar-driven sound, and a sense of national pride, often seen as a reaction to American grunge.
• Trance ( 1990s ) – A subgenre of EDM. Trance is characterized by repetitive melodic phrases, hypnotic rhythms, and surges that lead to energetic climaxes.
• Indie Rock ( 1990s–present ) – A diverse genre that originated as a reaction to mainstream rock, indie rock often features unconventional sounds and structures and a strong DIY ethic.
• Pop Punk ( 1990s–2000s ) – A fusion of punk rock and pop music, pop punk is characterized by upbeat melodies, catchy hooks, and energetic performances.
• Emo ( 1990s–2000s ) – A punk and indie rock subgenre known for its introspective and emotive lyrics, confessional songwriting, and expressive vocals.
• Post-Rock ( 1990–present ) – Experimental genre characterized by the use of rock instruments to create atmospheric, cinematic soundscapes, often with minimal lyrics and unconventional song structures.
• K-pop ( 1990–present ) – Originating in South Korea, K-pop is characterized by catchy melodies, intricate choreography, and visually striking music videos, often performed by highly polished idol groups.
• Reggaeton ( 1990s-present ) is a fusion of reggae, hip-hop, and Latin American musical styles. It is characterized by its dembow rhythm and often explicit lyrics.
• Dubstep ( early 2000s) – Emerging from British garage and drum and bass, dubstep is characterized by solid bass lines, syncopated rhythms, and little use of vocals.

Musical subgenres

Listed below are some notable subgenres within the main genres mentioned above:

Rock

1. Alternative rock
2. Rock Art
3. Garage Rock
4. Glam Rock
5. Grunge
6. Hard Rock
7. Indie Rock
8. Math Rock
9. Post-Rock
10. Progressive Rock
11. Psychedelic Rock
12. Punk Rock
13. Southern Rock
14. Stoner Rock
15. Shoegaze
16. Post-Punk
17. No Wave

Metal

1. Black Metal
2. Death Metal
3. Doom Metal
4. Folk Metal
5. Glam Metal
6. Gothic metal
7. Industrial metal
8. Power Metal
9. Progressive metal
10. Sludge Metal
11. Symphonic metal
12. Thrash Metal

Electronic dance music (EDM)

1. Atmosphere
2. Breakbeat
3. Drum and Bass
4. Dubstep
5. Electro
6. Glitch
7. Hardcore
8. House
9. IDM (Intelligent Dance Music)
10. Jungle
11. Techno
12. Trance
13. Trap
14. Trip Hop
15. Vaporwave
16. Chillwave
17. Darkwave
18. EBM (Electronic Body Music)

Hip Hop

1. Alternative Hip Hop
2. Boom Bap
3. Conscious Hip Hop
4. Crunk
5. Dirty South
6. East Coast Hip Hop
7. Gangsta Rap
8. G-Funk
9. Grime
10. Hip Hop Hardcore
11. Horrorcore
12. Jazz Rap
13. Old School Hip Hop
14. Trap
15. West Coast Hip Hop

Country

1. Alt-Country
2. American
3. Bluegrass
4. Classic Country
5. Country Pop
6. Country Rock
7. Honky Tonk
8. Outlaw Country
9. Traditional Country

Jazz

1. Acid Jazz
2. Avant-garde jazz
3. Bebop
4. Fresh Jazz
5. Dixieland
6. Free Jazz
7. Fusion
8. Gypsy Jazz
9. Latin Jazz
10. Modal Jazz
11. Soft Jazz
12. Swing 13
13. Vocal Jazz

Blues

1. Acoustic Blues
2. Chicago Blues
3. Country Blues
4. Delta Blues
5. Electric Blues
6. Gospel Blues
7. Jump Blues
8. Piedmont Blues
9. Texas Blues

Regional musical styles

The same thing happens with regional and general styles and subgenres: it is impossible to identify them precisely since new ones are constantly proposed.

However, listed below are some popular and influential regional styles in different parts of the world:

North America

• Appalachian Folklore
• Cajun
• Creole
• Delta Blues
• Native American Music
• New Orleans Jazz
• Texan
• Tex-Mex
• Zydeco

South America

• Argentine Tango
• Bossa Nova (Brazil)
• Candombe (Uruguay)
• Chacarera (Argentina)
• Choro (Brazil)
• Cumbia (Colombia)
• Forró (Brazil)
• Merengue (Dominican Republic)
• Samba (Brazil)
• Salsa (Cuba, Puerto Rico)
• Vallenato (Colombia)

Europe

• Balkan Brass Band (Southeastern Europe)
• Celtic music (Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Brittany)
• Fado (Portugal)
• Flamenco (Spain)
• Greek folklore (Greece)
• Klezmer (Eastern Europe)
• Nordic folklore (Scandinavia)
• Polka (Central Europe)
• Romani music (Eastern Europe)
• Tarantella (Italy)
• Tuvan throat singing (Republic of Tuva, Russia)
• Mugham (Azerbaijan)

Africa

• Afrobeat (West Africa)
• Benga (Kenya)
• Gnawa (Morocco)
• Highlife (West Africa)
• Juju (Nigeria)
• Kwaito (South Africa)
• Mbalax (Senegal)
• Rai (Algeria)
• Soukous (Congo)
• Taarab (East Africa)
• Makossa (Cameroon)

Asia

• Bhangra (India)
• Chinese Opera (China)
• Gamelan (Indonesia)
• Gagaku (Japan)
• K-Pop (South Korea)
• Qawwali (South Asia)
• Tala (India)
• Thai classical music (Thailand)
• Traditional Japanese music (Japan)
• Traditional Persian music (Iran)
• Dangdut (Indonesia)
• Sufi music (Middle East, North Africa, South Asia)
• Japanese Enka (Japan)
• J-Pop (Japan)
• Cantopop (Hong Kong)
• Mandopop (Mainland China, Taiwan)

Oceania

• Aboriginal music (Australia)
• Hawaiian music (Hawaii)
• Maori music (New Zealand)
• Music of the Pacific Islands (Polynesia, Micronesia, Melanesia)

As can be seen, numerous musical styles have changed over the years and differed by region, depending on the social situation at the time and the interests of its people.

Thus, we can find a rich and great variety of musical styles to choose from and enjoy the ones we like the most.

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How to Use Copyrighted Music on YouTube

When it comes to uploading content on YouTube, ensuring that you follow copyright rules is crucial, especially when it involves copyrighted music. Using music without permission can result in serious consequences, such as muted audio, blocked videos, or even the permanent shutdown of your channel. For new content creators, navigating the world of copyright music can seem daunting. However, by understanding the rules and options available to you, such as royalty free music and no copyright music, you can legally and effectively use music in your videos.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk through everything you need to know about using copyrighted music on YouTube, including how to obtain music licenses, how to find free royalty free music, and the best practices to avoid copyright issues.

What Is Copyrighted Music?

Before we dive into how to use copyrighted music on YouTube, it’s essential to understand what it means. Copyrighted music refers to any piece of music that is legally protected by copyright law. This protection ensures that the creators or owners of the music have control over how their work is used, shared, or reproduced. Essentially, if you want to use someone’s copyright music in your YouTube video, you must first obtain permission, typically in the form of a music license.

Failure to obtain the necessary permission can result in your video being taken down by YouTube, or worse, your channel being permanently banned for repeated violations. Understanding and respecting copyright law is key to maintaining a successful YouTube presence.

YouTube’s Copyright Rules

YouTube has strict guidelines in place regarding the use of copyright music. These rules are designed to protect artists from having their work used without permission. YouTube uses advanced algorithms to scan videos for copyrighted music, and if detected, the platform will take action depending on the severity of the violation.

Here’s what could happen if you use copyrighted music without permission, leading to potential consequences that you should be cautious about:

1. Video Muted: YouTube may mute the portion of your video that contains the infringing music.

2. Video Blocked: In some cases, YouTube might block the video from being viewed in certain countries or even worldwide.

3. Demonetization: The original music owner may claim your video and monetize it themselves, meaning they will earn revenue from ads rather than you.

4. Channel Strikes: Repeated violations can lead to strikes on your channel, which, if accumulated, can result in your channel being permanently taken down.

Understanding YouTube’s copyright system and taking the necessary precautions is not just critical, but also a sign of your commitment to long-term success.

What Is Music Licensing?

Music licensing is the legal process that allows you to use copyrighted music in your YouTube videos. When you license a song, you are essentially getting permission from the artist or copyright holder to use their music in your project. Licensing agreements can vary, and costs can range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars, depending on the popularity of the song and the terms negotiated.

There are two main types of music licenses you might encounter:

1. Synchronization License (Sync License): This license allows you to use a piece of music in sync with visual media, such as YouTube videos. You’ll need to obtain this license from the copyright holder (artist or label).

2. Master License: This gives you permission to use the recorded version of the music. Sometimes, you’ll need both a sync and master license to legally use a song in your video.

Steps to License Copyrighted Music

If you’re determined to use copyrighted music in your video, follow these steps to legally obtain a music license:

1. Identify the Copyright Holder: This could be the artist, record label, or another entity. You may need to contact multiple parties, especially for popular songs.

2. Negotiate Terms: Once you’ve contacted the appropriate people, you’ll need to negotiate a licensing agreement. This will typically involve a one-time fee or royalties (a percentage of revenue generated by your video).

3. Sign the Agreement: After agreeing on terms, you’ll sign a contract that grants you the legal rights to use the music in your video.

Keep in mind that the licensing process can take weeks or even months, so plan ahead if you want to use a specific track. Also, licensing fees can be expensive, particularly for popular songs.

Alternatives to Copyrighted Music: Royalty Free Music

If the licensing process sounds complicated or too expensive, you’ll be happy to know there are alternatives. One of the best ways to avoid the hassle of traditional music licensing is to use royalty free music or no copyright music in your YouTube videos.

Royalty free music allows you to use a song without having to pay ongoing royalties. Instead, you pay a one-time fee (or sometimes no fee at all) to use the track across multiple projects. This type of music is perfect for content creators because it eliminates the need for complex negotiations with copyright holders.

What Is Royalty Free Music?

Royalty free music is a type of music licensing where you pay a one-time fee to use a track, and you don’t have to worry about paying royalties each time the music is played. Unlike traditional music licensing, royalty free music is not just affordable, but also accessible, making it an empowering choice for YouTube content creators.

There are many websites where you can find free royalty free music or purchase tracks for a small fee. Some platforms, like TuneCutter, offer a “FREE” subscription model that provides unlimited access to their entire music library. This is an excellent option for creators who need a constant supply of high-quality music.

Benefits of Using Royalty Free Music

1. Cost-Effective: Instead of paying thousands of dollars for a single song, royalty free music typically costs much less. Many platforms also offer free royalty free music, which is an excellent option for creators on a tight budget.

2. No Legal Worries: Once you’ve paid for the license, you don’t have to worry about copyright claims or legal issues.

3. Unlimited Use: Many royalty free music licenses allow you to use the track across multiple videos or projects without having to pay additional fees.

Where to Find Royalty Free and No Copyright Music

Finding royalty free music or no copyright music for YouTube is easier than ever. Here are some of the top resources to explore:

1. YouTube Audio Library: YouTube offers its own library of no copyright music that you can use in your videos for free. The library includes a wide range of genres, and you can even filter by mood or duration.

2. TuneCutter: TuneCutter is a popular service that offers royalty free music for YouTube videos. With a free subscription, you can access thousands of high-quality tracks and never worry about copyright claims.

3. Epidemic Sound: Epidemic Sound is another excellent source of royalty free music. They offer a wide variety of tracks and sound effects, and their subscription service allows you to use the music across multiple platforms, including YouTube.

4. Artlist.io: Artlist provides a vast selection of royalty free music, and their simple licensing model allows you to use tracks in any type of video, commercial or non-commercial.

5. Bensound: If you’re looking for free royalty free music, Bensound offers a collection of high-quality tracks available for free use with proper attribution.

How to Use No Copyright Music Legally

While no copyright music is a great option, you still need to be careful when using it. Always check the terms and conditions of the music you download. Some tracks may require attribution (crediting the artist), while others might have restrictions on how the music can be used.

If you’re using free royalty free music, make sure the source is legitimate. Sometimes, music labeled as “no copyright” may still have restrictions, especially if it’s been uploaded by a third party. To stay safe, always download music from reputable sources like YouTube’s Audio Library or dedicated royalty free music platforms.

Final Tips for Using Music in YouTube Videos

At the end of the day, using music in YouTube videos comes down to understanding your options and making informed decisions. Here are a few final tips to help you:

1. Do Your Research: Before using any music in your video, make sure you fully understand the licensing terms. Whether you’re using copyrighted music, royalty free music, or no copyright music, always double-check the requirements to avoid copyright claims.

2. Consider Your Budget: If you have the budget, licensing popular copyright music can elevate your content. However, if you’re on a tight budget, free royalty free music is a great alternative.

3. Avoid Risky Sources: Be cautious when downloading no copyright music from unofficial sources. Stick to reputable platforms like YouTube’s Audio Library, TuneCutter, or Artlist.

4. Use YouTube’s Audio Library: If you’re looking for an easy and risk-free option, YouTube’s own audio library offers a wide range of no copyright music that you can use for free.

By following these guidelines, you can enhance your YouTube videos with the perfect soundtrack while avoiding the pitfalls of copyright infringement.