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Genres by Family

The thirteen broad families the styles in this library fall into, from classical to hip hop.

Art-music genres and forms, from plainchant through opera to contemporary concert music.

Country music and its American roots relatives — bluegrass, old-time, honky-tonk.

Music made with synthesis and sequencing, from ambient to club floors.

Genres defined by breaking the conventions of the ones above.

Traditional and folk repertoires, including court and ceremonial music.

Styles that exist because two other traditions met.

Rap and hip-hop styles, regional scenes included.

Jazz, blues, and the African-American traditions they grew from and fed back into.

Latin American and Caribbean styles, from son and samba to reggae and reggaeton.

Heavy metal and its subgenres.

Popular song forms built for a mass audience.

Music written for worship and devotional practice.

Rock and its descendants — punk, indie, grunge, garage, and the rest of the guitar lineage.