Genre Guide
A professional reference for musicians. Each genre explained through the lens of songwriting, production, vocal technique, and performance.
Classical
Carnatic
South Indian classical music system emphasizing structured composition, complex rhythmic patterns, and devotional expression.
60-180 BPMHindustani Classical
North Indian classical music system built on ragas, talas, and improvisation spanning centuries of tradition.
40-160 BPMWestern Classical
European art music tradition spanning from medieval polyphony to contemporary orchestral and chamber compositions.
40-200 BPMElectronic
Ambient
Atmospheric electronic music prioritizing texture, space, and mood over rhythm and conventional song structure.
0-100 BPMEDM
Umbrella term for electronic dance music genres designed for high-energy club and festival environments.
120-150 BPMHouse
Four-on-the-floor electronic dance music rooted in Chicago's club scene, emphasizing groove, repetition, and soulful expression.
118-132 BPMLo-Fi
Deliberately low-fidelity music emphasizing warmth, imperfection, and nostalgic atmospheres through degraded audio aesthetics.
70-90 BPMTechno
Repetitive, machine-driven electronic music born in Detroit, emphasizing rhythm, texture, and industrial futurism.
125-150 BPMTrance
Euphoric electronic music characterized by extended builds, melodic synthesizer lines, and transcendent emotional arcs.
128-150 BPMFolk & Traditional
Hip-Hop & Rap
Boom Bap
Classic East Coast hip-hop production style defined by hard-hitting kicks, snappy snares, and sample-based beatmaking.
85-100 BPMDrill
Dark, aggressive hip-hop subgenre with sliding 808 basslines, minimal melodies, and unflinching street narratives.
135-145 BPMHip-Hop
Rhythmically driven music centered on rapping, sampling, and beats, born from Black American culture and now a global force.
80-115 BPMTrap
Bass-heavy hip-hop subgenre defined by 808 drums, rapid hi-hat rolls, dark atmospheres, and Southern-rooted production.
130-170 BPMJazz & Blues
Blues
Foundational American roots music built on 12-bar structures, bent notes, and expressive storytelling of hardship and resilience.
60-130 BPMJazz
Improvisational American art form built on swing, blues harmony, and spontaneous melodic invention over complex chord changes.
60-300 BPMJazz Fusion
Genre-blending music combining jazz improvisation and harmony with rock, funk, electronic, and world music elements.
80-180 BPMMetal & Punk
Pop
Bollywood Pop
Hindi film-adjacent popular music blending Indian melodic traditions with contemporary pop, electronic, and hip-hop production.
90-140 BPMIndie Pop
Guitar-and-synth-driven pop music with DIY sensibility, introspective lyrics, and an aesthetic valuing authenticity over commercial polish.
95-135 BPMK-Pop
Highly produced South Korean pop music combining infectious melodies, synchronized performance, and genre-fluid production.
95-140 BPMPop
Commercially oriented popular music emphasizing catchy melodies, polished production, and broad emotional accessibility.
100-130 BPMR&B & Soul
Neo-Soul
Organic, jazz-and-hip-hop-inflected soul music emphasizing live instrumentation, conscious lyrics, and artistic individuality.
70-105 BPMR&B
Rhythm-driven, vocally expressive music rooted in African American traditions, blending soul, funk, and contemporary production.
65-110 BPMSoul
Deeply emotive vocal music fusing gospel fervor with rhythm and blues, defined by raw emotional delivery and groove.
70-130 BPMRock
Grunge
Raw, angst-driven rock fusing punk energy with heavy metal riffs, defined by dynamic extremes and emotional authenticity.
100-140 BPMIndie Rock
Guitar-driven rock music from independent labels and DIY scenes, valuing artistic originality and sonic experimentation.
100-150 BPMProgressive Rock
Ambitious, compositionally complex rock music incorporating classical, jazz, and electronic elements with extended forms.
60-180 BPMPsychedelic Rock
Mind-expanding rock music using effects, unconventional structures, and sonic experimentation to evoke altered consciousness.
80-140 BPMRock
Guitar-driven popular music built on strong rhythms, amplified instrumentation, and a tradition of rebellion and emotional directness.
100-140 BPMWorld & Fusion
Afrobeat
Polyrhythmic West African groove music fusing Yoruba rhythms, jazz harmony, funk energy, and political consciousness.
100-130 BPMFusion
Cross-cultural music blending Indian classical, folk, and world traditions with Western genres to create new hybrid forms.
70-160 BPMReggae
Jamaican rhythm music defined by offbeat guitar skank, deep bass, one-drop drumming, and roots-conscious lyrical themes.
65-90 BPMDevotional & Spiritual
Bhajan
Hindu devotional song tradition spanning simple congregational chanting to elaborate classical compositions of spiritual expression.
60-120 BPMQawwali
Sufi devotional music from South Asia featuring ecstatic group singing, rhythmic handclaps, and spiritual transcendence.
80-180 BPMSufi
Mystical Islamic devotional music tradition emphasizing spiritual ecstasy, divine love, and the dissolution of self through song.
60-160 BPM