What do you do if you want to expand your musical repertoire to different genres?

Exploring different music genres can be a thrilling and enriching experience for any musician. It's a way to keep your sound fresh and to challenge yourself creatively. Whether you're a seasoned artist looking to shake things up or a newcomer eager to make your mark, expanding your musical repertoire requires curiosity and a willingness to step out of your comfort zone. It's about more than just learning new songs; it's about immersing yourself in different cultures and understanding the nuances that make each genre unique. So, if you're ready to broaden your musical horizons, let's dive into how you can seamlessly integrate new styles into your repertoire.

Find expert answers in this collaborative article

Selected by the community from 7 contributions. Learn more

1 Research Genres

Expanding your repertoire starts with research. Dive into the history of the genres you're interested in to understand their roots and evolution. Listen to iconic tracks and read about influential artists to get a sense of the genre's defining characteristics. Pay attention to the rhythm, the instruments used, and the typical song structures. This foundational knowledge will not only deepen your appreciation but also inform your approach when you start incorporating these new styles into your own music.

Add your perspective

Erfan Jazizadeh Karimi

Client and Sales Development Specialist @ Jumbula | Bachelor's of Music in piano
Report contribution
in my own personal experience, Expanding my musical repertoire to different genres is a rewarding journey that requires an open mind and a willingness to explore new sounds and techniques. obviously, the main important thing to consider when expanding the musical repertoire to different genres is definitely the techniques. when listening to different pianists or different composers, such as classical, jazz, rock or any other genres, it's always helpful to familiarizing ourselves and understanding what techniques are they using. when I usually want to expand my repertoire, I would always Start by identifying genres that intrigue me and resonate with my musical sensibilities, whether it's jazz, blues, electronic, or world music.

Like
Ratul Vijh

Transforming soundscapes, one note at a time
Report contribution
Finding new music for me personally takes me back to the time, when I was a kid trying out new flavors of candy. In the context of genres, it does expand your horizon and perspective of how crazy the music gets. Most of the music is written in 4/4 and hence it gets easier to grasp. But when it comes to different genres, there are few parameters which can give you a sense of what is and what is not. E.g. When you dive deep into the metal, the most noticeable factor boils down to 1.vocals 2.breakdowns 3. Guitar Tuning E.g. When you produce music, genres are defined based on the BPM 90-100 : Boom Bap 100-110:Mombeton 110-120:Future knock 120-130:House 130-140:Trap 150:Dubstep/Psy 160:Hardstyle 180 :DNB 190 :Frenchcore

Like

2 Listen Actively

Active listening is crucial when exploring new genres. Don't just have music playing in the background; sit down with the intent to analyze and understand what you're hearing. Notice how the melodies are constructed, what harmonies are used, and how dynamics shape the piece. Try to identify what makes the genre resonate with its audience. This exercise will develop your ear and help you to identify elements that you can adapt to your own music-making.

Add your perspective

Erfan Jazizadeh Karimi

Client and Sales Development Specialist @ Jumbula | Bachelor's of Music in piano
Report contribution
expanding our music repertoire to different genres depends on what genres aree we looking at. if we are looking at classical music genre we should identify the composers of classical music genre. if we are looking for Jazz style music we should identify and search for Jazz composers.

Like

3 Practice Techniques

Once you've done your research and listened actively, it's time to practice the specific techniques that define your chosen genres. If you're a guitarist delving into blues, for example, you might work on your bend and vibrato. For genres like jazz, learning new scales and chord progressions will be essential. Whatever the genre, focus on mastering the technical skills that will allow you to authentically perform and compose within that style.

Add your perspective

Erfan Jazizadeh Karimi

Client and Sales Development Specialist @ Jumbula | Bachelor's of Music in piano
Report contribution
I strongly agree and definitely think that practicing techniques are another important aspect of expanding musical repertoire.

Like

4 Collaborate Often

Collaboration can be a gateway to new musical territories. Work with musicians who are experts in the genres you're interested in. They can provide insights and techniques that you might not discover on your own. Collaborating isn't just about playing music together; it's also about exchanging ideas, culture, and experiences. This exposure can significantly accelerate your learning process and enrich your understanding of different musical styles.

Add your perspective

Erfan Jazizadeh Karimi

Client and Sales Development Specialist @ Jumbula | Bachelor's of Music in piano
Report contribution
also, another ideas that I found it unique about expanding Musical repertoire to different genres is always Collaborate with musicians from diverse backgrounds to gain new perspectives and insights.

Like

5 Create Fusions

As you become more comfortable with various genres, start experimenting with fusion. This doesn't mean forcing different styles together; rather, it involves finding organic ways to integrate elements from one genre into another. Think about how the rhythmic patterns of Latin music might spice up a pop song or how a jazz chord progression could add complexity to an R&B track. Fusion is a creative process that can lead to innovative and exciting new music.

Add your perspective

Erfan Jazizadeh Karimi

Client and Sales Development Specialist @ Jumbula | Bachelor's of Music in piano
Report contribution
I agree that we should experiment with fusion. I also found that active listening would be beneficial for expanding musical repertoire to different genres.

Like

6 Perform Live

Finally, take your expanded repertoire to the stage. Performing live is not only the ultimate test of your adaptability but also an opportunity to see how audiences respond to different genres. It can be a nerve-wracking experience to step out with new material, but it's also incredibly rewarding. Each performance is a chance to refine your approach and to see which cross-genre experiments resonate most with listeners.

Add your perspective

Erfan Jazizadeh Karimi

Client and Sales Development Specialist @ Jumbula | Bachelor's of Music in piano
Report contribution
I agree with the live performance and live performance would be great because now that we practiced our repertoires to different genres

Like

7 Hereâ€™s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that donâ€™t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

Add your perspective

Directory

What do you do if you want to expand your musical repertoire to different genres?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Research Genres

2 Listen Actively

3 Practice Techniques

4 Collaborate Often

5 Create Fusions

6 Perform Live

7 Hereâ€™s what else to consider

Music Industry

Rate this article

Thanks for your feedback

More articles on Music Industry

More relevant reading