Definition

Noun: A category or type of music characterized by a distinct set of conventions, styles, forms, and cultural contexts. It refers to an expressive style of music that groups together pieces sharing similar traditions or techniques.

Usage

The term "musical genre" is used to classify and discuss music. It helps in identifying, comparing, and understanding different traditions within music. - As a subject or object: "Musical genre" can be the main topic of discussion or the category into which music is placed. - With descriptors: It is often modified by adjectives specifying the type (e.g., popular musical genre, classical musical genre).

Examples

• Jazz is a musical genre that originated in the African-American communities of New Orleans.
• The study focused on the evolution of the hip-hop musical genre.
• It's difficult to classify this artist's work into a single musical genre.

Advanced Usage

• "transcend a musical genre": To create music that does not fit neatly into the established conventions of a single category.
  • Their latest album transcends any single musical genre.
• "within the musical genre of": Used to specify the particular category being discussed.
  • He is a leading composer within the musical genre of film scores.

Variants and Related Words

• Genre (n): A more general term for a category of artistic composition, as in music, literature, or film, characterized by similarities in form, style, or subject matter. "Musical genre" is a specific application of this term.
  • She enjoys novels from the science fiction genre.
• Music genre (n): A common alternative phrasing with identical meaning to "musical genre".
  • Electronic dance music is a popular music genre.

Synonyms

• Music style: A manner or technique in which music is performed or composed.
• Musical style: Often used interchangeably with "musical genre," though "style" can sometimes refer to a more specific aesthetic within a genre.
• Musical form: While this can refer to the structure of a piece (e.g., sonata form), it is sometimes used broadly to mean category.

Related Phrases

• Genre-bending (adj): Describing music that blends elements from different musical genres.
  • The band is known for its genre-bending sound.
• Cross-genre (adj): Involving or combining different musical genres.
  • The festival is known for its cross-genre collaborations.

Noun

1. an expressive style of music