What\u2019s your musical genre? Have you consciously chosen one? Do you really know all about it? How does it differ from others? Can you describe its nuances? Every genre and sub-genre or style of music is characterized by specific features, some obvious and some quite subtle, without which it just isn\u2019t really authentic. Many nuances may be completely overlooked by players who don\u2019t realize they are important, and maybe don\u2019t hear them, because they aren\u2019t familiar enough with the genre and don\u2019t know what to listen for.<\/p>\n
Some musical genres are intellectually oriented and complex, some are fun-loving and happy, some are all about life\u2019s stories, some are contemplative or even soporific. The differences can actually lead to negative attitudes toward one genre by those who are accustomed to another, because we tend to assume that the \u201crules\u201d of music are the same for all<\/em> music. They\u2019re not.<\/p>\n For instance, consider the difference between, say, dancers who perform Middle eastern \u201cbellydance\u201d and those who are trained in ballet. Although both require intense training to become truly skilled, the rules of movement are in many ways nearly opposite between these two styles. One observing the other might think them all wrong!<\/p>\n