Why Understanding Genre Makes You More Creative

Let’s talk boundaries. 

More specifically, the boundaries of genre. 

Normally, we don’t like boundaries. As creatives, we like to think of ourselves and our art as a wild horse running… well… wild, without constraint or structure. Or, like a flame that is able to burn and grow in whichever way it wants. But what happens to a flame that goes uncontrolled? It turns into a forest fire.

Slightly dramatic, but hopefully you get my point.

So, today, we’re here to talk about how creativity often thrives within the boundaries of genre. Each genre of music comes with its own set of idiosyncrasies, sound palette, typical tempo range, and 'rules'.

Understanding this not only betters our ability to create music which is true to a genre, but also expands our ability when we decide to push beyond these boundaries into genre-bending.

The Idiosyncrasies of Genre

Every genre has characteristics that define its sound and feel.

They are the cues which tell us that we are listening to x or y. I won't go into detail about every genre, but here are two examples. 

Rock music typically features a certain instrumentation: electric guitars, bass, real drums, and a strong lead vocal. EDM and house music, on the other hand, are nearly always within a specific tempo range (usually between 120-130 BPM for house) and rely on synths, drum samples, and effects like risers and sound effects. These defining elements create a framework that guides us when writing in any particular genre. 

Why Is This Important?

Understanding these conventions of genre is crucial because it provides us with a clear set of parameters to work within. Boundaries and limitations push us to be more resourceful, making us think more deeply about our choices and encouraging innovation within those constraints. Think… How can I develop this genre and push its boundary while not leaving the genre or style?

And, a lack of boundaries or conventions can result in creativity running wild, which might sound appealing but can actually be harmful, ridiculous, experimental, or completely inconsequential.

Pitfalls of Creativity Running Wild

When we create without boundaries, we risk our creativity becoming unfocused and aimless. Without a clear structure, we may find ourselves trying to create one thing but ending up with something entirely different. This can lead to a lack of cohesion in our music, making it difficult for listeners to connect with our work. 

Structure and conventions provide us with a roadmap that helps to channel our creativity in a productive direction.

How good is it that we don’t have to reinvent the wheel, right? Or, maybe you do want to be avant garde. That’s cool too. 

Sound Selection

Sound selection is another key aspect of staying true to a genre.

In fact, it’s probably the most important aspect. They are our palette, our colours to be used on the brush, and mix in with other ones to create new shades and tones. They are our toolkit to evoke certain kinds of emotions. Simply put, sound = vibe.

The sounds we hear in a song subconsciously indicate to us what we’re listening to as we hear it. Distorted guitars? Probably something like rock or metal. Acoustic guitars? Probably folk, or maybe pop. 

The sounds we choose to use in our productions drive the direction of your music. 

For instance, if you're producing a traditional/old school hip-hop track, using 808 drum sounds layered in with sampled breakbeats is essential to achieving the right sound. Deviating too far from these expected sounds, and you’re no longer in that genre anymore, and the style of what you’re creating has changed. 

Meeting Audience Expectations

As weird as it feels to say… Think about the idea of a brand. What do we come to expect from certain brands? Do we have a negative reaction to one if they do something that’s unusual to their norm?

I might get a lot of crap for this. But, while we might not feel like likening ourselves to a brand, our audience will consume our music in the same way they do products from a brand. This isn’t about being something you’re not. It’s about consumer (listener) behaviour, and how to make sure that we meet that as we’re writing or producing.

Like we do with brands and their products, our audiences have expectations when it comes to hearing genres and styles, or even particular artists. 

We expect to hear certain sounds that are either a key part of the genre, or something complementary to the key sounds. 

If these expectations are not met, or if something significantly different is introduced (in an uncool way), it can jar the listener and detract from their enjoyment of the song. What could have been true to the genre is not, and what could have been cutting edge or progressive is just bland or confused.

Understanding this helps us to find that delicate balance between crafting music that resonates with our audiences, and still pushing ourselves to be more innovative in our artistry.

Breaking the Rules

It sounds so trite, but it’s true. Before you can effectively break the rules of a genre, you must first understand them. The keyword in that sentence being "effectively". You can go for your life and try push the boundaries, but if you don't understand how, then you could end up with a mess.

Knowing these rules can provide a foundation upon which you can build and experiment. This understanding empowers you to make deliberate choices about which rules to break and which ones to follow; resulting in music that is both innovative and grounded in a recognizable framework for the listener.

Wrapping Up

Understanding a genre is not about limiting creativity; it's about enhancing it. By working within the conventions of a genre, we gain the tools and knowledge needed to push the boundaries in meaningful ways.

This balance between structure and creativity allows us to create music that is both original and true to its roots, while also pushing the boundaries and creating something new. I think its where these two things meet that we find music which resonates deeply with listeners and stands the test of time.