classification essay on rock music

Classification essay; aren't rock music isn't boring - 'sub-genres of choice'

linh110 2 / 6   Apr 22, 2014   #2 it act I think It acts :) ...

• UNC Libraries
• Collections
• Defining the Genre

Rock Music: Defining the Genre

• Early Influences
• 2000s - Present
• Race and Ethnicity
• North Carolina
• Registering and Requesting Materials

"It's Only Rock 'n' Roll (But I Like It)": Defining the Genre

Whether it is referred to as rock ‘n roll, rock ‘n’ roll, rock and roll, rock & roll, or just rock, the meaning of rock music is not definitive to one explanation or practice. These readings guide researchers in understanding "the spirit" of rock music by identifying characteristics, styles, and discourses of the genre. 

• "What Kind of Music?" by Franco Fabbri and Iain Chambers,  Popular Music , 1982
• "Producing Artistic Value: The Case of Rock Music" by Motti Regev,  The Sociological Quarterly , February 1994
• "The Future of Rock: Discourses That Struggle to Define a Genre" by Johan Fornäs,  Popular Music , January 1995
• "What Is Bad Music"  by Simon Frith , from  Bad Music: The Music We Love to Hate , 2008
• "The Aesthetic Discourse Space of Popular Music: 1985-86 and 2004-05" by Alex Van Venrooij,  Poetics , August 2009
• "'Nobody Likes Rock and Roll but the Public':  Down Beat , Genre Boundaries and the Dismissal of Rock and Roll by Jazz Critics" by Matt Brennan,  Popular Music and Society , 2013
• "My Music, Not Yours: Ravings of a Rock-and-Roll Fanatic" by B. Lee Cooper,  Popular Music and Society , 28 May 2013
• "Making Sense of Genre and Style in the Age of Transcultural Reproduction"  by Mats Sigvard Johansson,  International Review of the Aesthetics and Sociology of Music, 2016
• "Challenging Authenticity: Fakes and Forgeries in Rock Music"  by Chris Atton,  Popular Music , May 2019
• "What Makes Heavy Metal 'Heavy'?" by Jason Miller,  The Journal of Aesthetics and Art Criticism , 1 December 2022
• Articles Plus Index to hundreds of millions electronic resources, including journal and newspaper articles, e-books, dissertations, and media in campus library collections. more... less... Access: Off Campus Access is available for: UNC-Chapel Hill students, faculty, and staff; UNC Hospitals employees; UNC-Chapel Hill affiliated AHEC users.

Suggested Subject Headings

"Popular music genres"

"Rock music -- Analysis, appreciation"

"Rock music -- Criticism and interpretation"

"Rock music -- Instruction and study"

"Rock music -- Philosophy and aesthetics"

"Style, Musical"

Recommended Reference Materials

• << Previous: Home
• Next: History >>
• Last Updated: Nov 9, 2023 9:18 AM
• URL: https://guides.lib.unc.edu/rockmusic

Search & Find

• E-Research by Discipline
• More Search & Find

Places & Spaces

• Places to Study
• Book a Study Room
• Printers, Scanners, & Computers
• More Places & Spaces
• Borrowing & Circulation
• Request a Title for Purchase
• Schedule Instruction Session
• More Services

Support & Guides

• Course Reserves
• Research Guides
• Citing & Writing
• More Support & Guides
• Mission Statement
• Diversity Statement
• Staff Directory
• Job Opportunities
• Give to the Libraries
• News & Exhibits
• Reckoning Initiative
• More About Us

• Search This Site
• Privacy Policy
• Accessibility
• Give Us Your Feedback
• 208 Raleigh Street CB #3916
• Chapel Hill, NC 27515-8890
• 919-962-1053

Help | Advanced Search

Computer Science > Sound

Title: music classification: beyond supervised learning, towards real-world applications.

Abstract: Music classification is a music information retrieval (MIR) task to classify music items to labels such as genre, mood, and instruments. It is also closely related to other concepts such as music similarity and musical preference. In this tutorial, we put our focus on two directions - the recent training schemes beyond supervised learning and the successful application of music classification models. The target audience for this web book is researchers and practitioners who are interested in state-of-the-art music classification research and building real-world applications. We assume the audience is familiar with the basic machine learning concepts. In this book, we present three lectures as follows: 1. Music classification overview: Task definition, applications, existing approaches, datasets, 2. Beyond supervised learning: Semi- and self-supervised learning for music classification, 3. Towards real-world applications: Less-discussed, yet important research issues in practice.

Submission history

Access paper:.

• Other Formats

References & Citations

• Google Scholar
• Semantic Scholar

DBLP - CS Bibliography

Bibtex formatted citation.

Bibliographic and Citation Tools

Code, data and media associated with this article, recommenders and search tools.

• Institution

arXivLabs: experimental projects with community collaborators

arXivLabs is a framework that allows collaborators to develop and share new arXiv features directly on our website.

Both individuals and organizations that work with arXivLabs have embraced and accepted our values of openness, community, excellence, and user data privacy. arXiv is committed to these values and only works with partners that adhere to them.

Have an idea for a project that will add value for arXiv's community? Learn more about arXivLabs .

• Search Menu
• Browse content in Arts and Humanities
• Browse content in Archaeology
• Anglo-Saxon and Medieval Archaeology
• Archaeological Methodology and Techniques
• Archaeology by Region
• Archaeology of Religion
• Archaeology of Trade and Exchange
• Biblical Archaeology
• Contemporary and Public Archaeology
• Environmental Archaeology
• Historical Archaeology
• History and Theory of Archaeology
• Industrial Archaeology
• Landscape Archaeology
• Mortuary Archaeology
• Prehistoric Archaeology
• Underwater Archaeology
• Urban Archaeology
• Zooarchaeology
• Browse content in Architecture
• Architectural Structure and Design
• History of Architecture
• Residential and Domestic Buildings
• Theory of Architecture
• Browse content in Art
• Art Subjects and Themes
• History of Art
• Industrial and Commercial Art
• Theory of Art
• Biographical Studies
• Byzantine Studies
• Browse content in Classical Studies
• Classical History
• Classical Philosophy
• Classical Mythology
• Classical Literature
• Classical Reception
• Classical Art and Architecture
• Classical Oratory and Rhetoric
• Greek and Roman Papyrology
• Greek and Roman Epigraphy
• Greek and Roman Law
• Greek and Roman Archaeology
• Late Antiquity
• Religion in the Ancient World
• Digital Humanities
• Browse content in History
• Colonialism and Imperialism
• Diplomatic History
• Environmental History
• Genealogy, Heraldry, Names, and Honours
• Genocide and Ethnic Cleansing
• Historical Geography
• History by Period
• History of Emotions
• History of Agriculture
• History of Education
• History of Gender and Sexuality
• Industrial History
• Intellectual History
• International History
• Labour History
• Legal and Constitutional History
• Local and Family History
• Maritime History
• Military History
• National Liberation and Post-Colonialism
• Oral History
• Political History
• Public History
• Regional and National History
• Revolutions and Rebellions
• Slavery and Abolition of Slavery
• Social and Cultural History
• Theory, Methods, and Historiography
• Urban History
• World History
• Browse content in Language Teaching and Learning
• Language Learning (Specific Skills)
• Language Teaching Theory and Methods
• Browse content in Linguistics
• Applied Linguistics
• Cognitive Linguistics
• Computational Linguistics
• Forensic Linguistics
• Grammar, Syntax and Morphology
• Historical and Diachronic Linguistics
• History of English
• Language Evolution
• Language Reference
• Language Acquisition
• Language Variation
• Language Families
• Lexicography
• Linguistic Anthropology
• Linguistic Theories
• Linguistic Typology
• Phonetics and Phonology
• Psycholinguistics
• Sociolinguistics
• Translation and Interpretation
• Writing Systems
• Browse content in Literature
• Bibliography
• Children's Literature Studies
• Literary Studies (Romanticism)
• Literary Studies (American)
• Literary Studies (Asian)
• Literary Studies (European)
• Literary Studies (Eco-criticism)
• Literary Studies (Modernism)
• Literary Studies - World
• Literary Studies (1500 to 1800)
• Literary Studies (19th Century)
• Literary Studies (20th Century onwards)
• Literary Studies (African American Literature)
• Literary Studies (British and Irish)
• Literary Studies (Early and Medieval)
• Literary Studies (Fiction, Novelists, and Prose Writers)
• Literary Studies (Gender Studies)
• Literary Studies (Graphic Novels)
• Literary Studies (History of the Book)
• Literary Studies (Plays and Playwrights)
• Literary Studies (Poetry and Poets)
• Literary Studies (Postcolonial Literature)
• Literary Studies (Queer Studies)
• Literary Studies (Science Fiction)
• Literary Studies (Travel Literature)
• Literary Studies (War Literature)
• Literary Studies (Women's Writing)
• Literary Theory and Cultural Studies
• Mythology and Folklore
• Shakespeare Studies and Criticism
• Browse content in Media Studies
• Browse content in Music
• Applied Music
• Dance and Music
• Ethics in Music
• Ethnomusicology
• Gender and Sexuality in Music
• Medicine and Music
• Music Cultures
• Music and Media
• Music and Religion
• Music and Culture
• Music Education and Pedagogy
• Music Theory and Analysis
• Musical Scores, Lyrics, and Libretti
• Musical Structures, Styles, and Techniques
• Musicology and Music History
• Performance Practice and Studies
• Race and Ethnicity in Music
• Sound Studies
• Browse content in Performing Arts
• Browse content in Philosophy
• Aesthetics and Philosophy of Art
• Epistemology
• Feminist Philosophy
• History of Western Philosophy
• Metaphysics
• Moral Philosophy
• Non-Western Philosophy
• Philosophy of Language
• Philosophy of Mind
• Philosophy of Perception
• Philosophy of Science
• Philosophy of Action
• Philosophy of Law
• Philosophy of Religion
• Philosophy of Mathematics and Logic
• Practical Ethics
• Social and Political Philosophy
• Browse content in Religion
• Biblical Studies
• Christianity
• East Asian Religions
• History of Religion
• Judaism and Jewish Studies
• Qumran Studies
• Religion and Education
• Religion and Health
• Religion and Politics
• Religion and Science
• Religion and Law
• Religion and Art, Literature, and Music
• Religious Studies
• Browse content in Society and Culture
• Cookery, Food, and Drink
• Cultural Studies
• Customs and Traditions
• Ethical Issues and Debates
• Hobbies, Games, Arts and Crafts
• Lifestyle, Home, and Garden
• Natural world, Country Life, and Pets
• Popular Beliefs and Controversial Knowledge
• Sports and Outdoor Recreation
• Technology and Society
• Travel and Holiday
• Visual Culture
• Browse content in Law
• Arbitration
• Browse content in Company and Commercial Law
• Commercial Law
• Company Law
• Browse content in Comparative Law
• Systems of Law
• Competition Law
• Browse content in Constitutional and Administrative Law
• Government Powers
• Judicial Review
• Local Government Law
• Military and Defence Law
• Parliamentary and Legislative Practice
• Construction Law
• Contract Law
• Browse content in Criminal Law
• Criminal Procedure
• Criminal Evidence Law
• Sentencing and Punishment
• Employment and Labour Law
• Environment and Energy Law
• Browse content in Financial Law
• Banking Law
• Insolvency Law
• History of Law
• Human Rights and Immigration
• Intellectual Property Law
• Browse content in International Law
• Private International Law and Conflict of Laws
• Public International Law
• IT and Communications Law
• Jurisprudence and Philosophy of Law
• Law and Politics
• Law and Society
• Browse content in Legal System and Practice
• Courts and Procedure
• Legal Skills and Practice
• Primary Sources of Law
• Regulation of Legal Profession
• Medical and Healthcare Law
• Browse content in Policing
• Criminal Investigation and Detection
• Police and Security Services
• Police Procedure and Law
• Police Regional Planning
• Browse content in Property Law
• Personal Property Law
• Study and Revision
• Terrorism and National Security Law
• Browse content in Trusts Law
• Wills and Probate or Succession
• Browse content in Medicine and Health
• Browse content in Allied Health Professions
• Arts Therapies
• Clinical Science
• Dietetics and Nutrition
• Occupational Therapy
• Operating Department Practice
• Physiotherapy
• Radiography
• Speech and Language Therapy
• Browse content in Anaesthetics
• General Anaesthesia
• Neuroanaesthesia
• Clinical Neuroscience
• Browse content in Clinical Medicine
• Acute Medicine
• Cardiovascular Medicine
• Clinical Genetics
• Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics
• Dermatology
• Endocrinology and Diabetes
• Gastroenterology
• Genito-urinary Medicine
• Geriatric Medicine
• Infectious Diseases
• Medical Toxicology
• Medical Oncology
• Pain Medicine
• Palliative Medicine
• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Respiratory Medicine and Pulmonology
• Rheumatology
• Sleep Medicine
• Sports and Exercise Medicine
• Community Medical Services
• Critical Care
• Emergency Medicine
• Forensic Medicine
• Haematology
• History of Medicine
• Browse content in Medical Skills
• Clinical Skills
• Communication Skills
• Nursing Skills
• Surgical Skills
• Browse content in Medical Dentistry
• Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
• Paediatric Dentistry
• Restorative Dentistry and Orthodontics
• Surgical Dentistry
• Medical Ethics
• Medical Statistics and Methodology
• Browse content in Neurology
• Clinical Neurophysiology
• Neuropathology
• Nursing Studies
• Browse content in Obstetrics and Gynaecology
• Gynaecology
• Occupational Medicine
• Ophthalmology
• Otolaryngology (ENT)
• Browse content in Paediatrics
• Neonatology
• Browse content in Pathology
• Chemical Pathology
• Clinical Cytogenetics and Molecular Genetics
• Histopathology
• Medical Microbiology and Virology
• Patient Education and Information
• Browse content in Pharmacology
• Psychopharmacology
• Browse content in Popular Health
• Caring for Others
• Complementary and Alternative Medicine
• Self-help and Personal Development
• Browse content in Preclinical Medicine
• Cell Biology
• Molecular Biology and Genetics
• Reproduction, Growth and Development
• Primary Care
• Professional Development in Medicine
• Browse content in Psychiatry
• Addiction Medicine
• Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
• Forensic Psychiatry
• Learning Disabilities
• Old Age Psychiatry
• Psychotherapy
• Browse content in Public Health and Epidemiology
• Epidemiology
• Public Health
• Browse content in Radiology
• Clinical Radiology
• Interventional Radiology
• Nuclear Medicine
• Radiation Oncology
• Reproductive Medicine
• Browse content in Surgery
• Cardiothoracic Surgery
• Gastro-intestinal and Colorectal Surgery
• General Surgery
• Neurosurgery
• Paediatric Surgery
• Peri-operative Care
• Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
• Surgical Oncology
• Transplant Surgery
• Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgery
• Vascular Surgery
• Browse content in Science and Mathematics
• Browse content in Biological Sciences
• Aquatic Biology
• Biochemistry
• Bioinformatics and Computational Biology
• Developmental Biology
• Ecology and Conservation
• Evolutionary Biology
• Genetics and Genomics
• Microbiology
• Molecular and Cell Biology
• Natural History
• Plant Sciences and Forestry
• Research Methods in Life Sciences
• Structural Biology
• Systems Biology
• Zoology and Animal Sciences
• Browse content in Chemistry
• Analytical Chemistry
• Computational Chemistry
• Crystallography
• Environmental Chemistry
• Industrial Chemistry
• Inorganic Chemistry
• Materials Chemistry
• Medicinal Chemistry
• Mineralogy and Gems
• Organic Chemistry
• Physical Chemistry
• Polymer Chemistry
• Study and Communication Skills in Chemistry
• Theoretical Chemistry
• Browse content in Computer Science
• Artificial Intelligence
• Computer Architecture and Logic Design
• Game Studies
• Human-Computer Interaction
• Mathematical Theory of Computation
• Programming Languages
• Software Engineering
• Systems Analysis and Design
• Virtual Reality
• Browse content in Computing
• Business Applications
• Computer Security
• Computer Games
• Computer Networking and Communications
• Digital Lifestyle
• Graphical and Digital Media Applications
• Operating Systems
• Browse content in Earth Sciences and Geography
• Atmospheric Sciences
• Environmental Geography
• Geology and the Lithosphere
• Maps and Map-making
• Meteorology and Climatology
• Oceanography and Hydrology
• Palaeontology
• Physical Geography and Topography
• Regional Geography
• Soil Science
• Urban Geography
• Browse content in Engineering and Technology
• Agriculture and Farming
• Biological Engineering
• Civil Engineering, Surveying, and Building
• Electronics and Communications Engineering
• Energy Technology
• Engineering (General)
• Environmental Science, Engineering, and Technology
• History of Engineering and Technology
• Mechanical Engineering and Materials
• Technology of Industrial Chemistry
• Transport Technology and Trades
• Browse content in Environmental Science
• Applied Ecology (Environmental Science)
• Conservation of the Environment (Environmental Science)
• Environmental Sustainability
• Environmentalist Thought and Ideology (Environmental Science)
• Management of Land and Natural Resources (Environmental Science)
• Natural Disasters (Environmental Science)
• Nuclear Issues (Environmental Science)
• Pollution and Threats to the Environment (Environmental Science)
• Social Impact of Environmental Issues (Environmental Science)
• History of Science and Technology
• Browse content in Materials Science
• Ceramics and Glasses
• Composite Materials
• Metals, Alloying, and Corrosion
• Nanotechnology
• Browse content in Mathematics
• Applied Mathematics
• Biomathematics and Statistics
• History of Mathematics
• Mathematical Education
• Mathematical Finance
• Mathematical Analysis
• Numerical and Computational Mathematics
• Probability and Statistics
• Pure Mathematics
• Browse content in Neuroscience
• Cognition and Behavioural Neuroscience
• Development of the Nervous System
• Disorders of the Nervous System
• History of Neuroscience
• Invertebrate Neurobiology
• Molecular and Cellular Systems
• Neuroendocrinology and Autonomic Nervous System
• Neuroscientific Techniques
• Sensory and Motor Systems
• Browse content in Physics
• Astronomy and Astrophysics
• Atomic, Molecular, and Optical Physics
• Biological and Medical Physics
• Classical Mechanics
• Computational Physics
• Condensed Matter Physics
• Electromagnetism, Optics, and Acoustics
• History of Physics
• Mathematical and Statistical Physics
• Measurement Science
• Nuclear Physics
• Particles and Fields
• Plasma Physics
• Quantum Physics
• Relativity and Gravitation
• Semiconductor and Mesoscopic Physics
• Browse content in Psychology
• Affective Sciences
• Clinical Psychology
• Cognitive Psychology
• Cognitive Neuroscience
• Criminal and Forensic Psychology
• Developmental Psychology
• Educational Psychology
• Evolutionary Psychology
• Health Psychology
• History and Systems in Psychology
• Music Psychology
• Neuropsychology
• Organizational Psychology
• Psychological Assessment and Testing
• Psychology of Human-Technology Interaction
• Psychology Professional Development and Training
• Research Methods in Psychology
• Social Psychology
• Browse content in Social Sciences
• Browse content in Anthropology
• Anthropology of Religion
• Human Evolution
• Medical Anthropology
• Physical Anthropology
• Regional Anthropology
• Social and Cultural Anthropology
• Theory and Practice of Anthropology
• Browse content in Business and Management
• Business Ethics
• Business Strategy
• Business History
• Business and Technology
• Business and Government
• Business and the Environment
• Comparative Management
• Corporate Governance
• Corporate Social Responsibility
• Entrepreneurship
• Health Management
• Human Resource Management
• Industrial and Employment Relations
• Industry Studies
• Information and Communication Technologies
• International Business
• Knowledge Management
• Management and Management Techniques
• Operations Management
• Organizational Theory and Behaviour
• Pensions and Pension Management
• Public and Nonprofit Management
• Strategic Management
• Supply Chain Management
• Browse content in Criminology and Criminal Justice
• Criminal Justice
• Criminology
• Forms of Crime
• International and Comparative Criminology
• Youth Violence and Juvenile Justice
• Development Studies
• Browse content in Economics
• Agricultural, Environmental, and Natural Resource Economics
• Asian Economics
• Behavioural Finance
• Behavioural Economics and Neuroeconomics
• Econometrics and Mathematical Economics
• Economic History
• Economic Systems
• Economic Methodology
• Economic Development and Growth
• Financial Markets
• Financial Institutions and Services
• General Economics and Teaching
• Health, Education, and Welfare
• History of Economic Thought
• International Economics
• Labour and Demographic Economics
• Law and Economics
• Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics
• Microeconomics
• Public Economics
• Urban, Rural, and Regional Economics
• Welfare Economics
• Browse content in Education
• Adult Education and Continuous Learning
• Care and Counselling of Students
• Early Childhood and Elementary Education
• Educational Equipment and Technology
• Educational Strategies and Policy
• Higher and Further Education
• Organization and Management of Education
• Philosophy and Theory of Education
• Schools Studies
• Secondary Education
• Teaching of a Specific Subject
• Teaching of Specific Groups and Special Educational Needs
• Teaching Skills and Techniques
• Browse content in Environment
• Applied Ecology (Social Science)
• Climate Change
• Conservation of the Environment (Social Science)
• Environmentalist Thought and Ideology (Social Science)
• Natural Disasters (Environment)
• Social Impact of Environmental Issues (Social Science)
• Browse content in Human Geography
• Cultural Geography
• Economic Geography
• Political Geography
• Browse content in Interdisciplinary Studies
• Communication Studies
• Museums, Libraries, and Information Sciences
• Browse content in Politics
• African Politics
• Asian Politics
• Chinese Politics
• Comparative Politics
• Conflict Politics
• Elections and Electoral Studies
• Environmental Politics
• European Union
• Foreign Policy
• Gender and Politics
• Human Rights and Politics
• Indian Politics
• International Relations
• International Organization (Politics)
• International Political Economy
• Irish Politics
• Latin American Politics
• Middle Eastern Politics
• Political Behaviour
• Political Economy
• Political Institutions
• Political Methodology
• Political Communication
• Political Philosophy
• Political Sociology
• Political Theory
• Politics and Law
• Public Policy
• Public Administration
• Quantitative Political Methodology
• Regional Political Studies
• Russian Politics
• Security Studies
• State and Local Government
• UK Politics
• US Politics
• Browse content in Regional and Area Studies
• African Studies
• Asian Studies
• East Asian Studies
• Japanese Studies
• Latin American Studies
• Middle Eastern Studies
• Native American Studies
• Scottish Studies
• Browse content in Research and Information
• Research Methods
• Browse content in Social Work
• Addictions and Substance Misuse
• Adoption and Fostering
• Care of the Elderly
• Child and Adolescent Social Work
• Couple and Family Social Work
• Developmental and Physical Disabilities Social Work
• Direct Practice and Clinical Social Work
• Emergency Services
• Human Behaviour and the Social Environment
• International and Global Issues in Social Work
• Mental and Behavioural Health
• Social Justice and Human Rights
• Social Policy and Advocacy
• Social Work and Crime and Justice
• Social Work Macro Practice
• Social Work Practice Settings
• Social Work Research and Evidence-based Practice
• Welfare and Benefit Systems
• Browse content in Sociology
• Childhood Studies
• Community Development
• Comparative and Historical Sociology
• Economic Sociology
• Gender and Sexuality
• Gerontology and Ageing
• Health, Illness, and Medicine
• Marriage and the Family
• Migration Studies
• Occupations, Professions, and Work
• Organizations
• Population and Demography
• Race and Ethnicity
• Social Theory
• Social Movements and Social Change
• Social Research and Statistics
• Social Stratification, Inequality, and Mobility
• Sociology of Religion
• Sociology of Education
• Sport and Leisure
• Urban and Rural Studies
• Browse content in Warfare and Defence
• Defence Strategy, Planning, and Research
• Land Forces and Warfare
• Military Administration
• Military Life and Institutions
• Naval Forces and Warfare
• Other Warfare and Defence Issues
• Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution
• Weapons and Equipment

Understanding Rock: Essays in Muical Analysis

• Cite Icon Cite
• Permissions Icon Permissions

Scholars have become increasingly interested in rock music, but few of the many works published on rock music attempt to subject the music itself to close and sophisticated scrutiny. Understanding Rock brings together essays by several of musicology and music theory’s best young scholars that take a music-analytical perspective. Each essay explores the often complex musical structure of rock music, by such artists as the Beach Boys, the Grateful Dead, Cream, Jimi Hendrix, Yes, Paul Simon, and k.d. lang. Richly illustrated with musical examples and transcriptions, these essays attempt to expand our understanding of the musical experience generally, and to suppress dividing lines between pop and art music and the way they are studied.

Signed in as

Institutional accounts.

• GoogleCrawler [DO NOT DELETE]
• Google Scholar Indexing

Personal account

• Sign in with email/username & password
• Get email alerts
• Save searches
• Purchase content
• Activate your purchase/trial code

Institutional access

• Sign in with a library card Sign in with username/password Recommend to your librarian
• Institutional account management
• Get help with access

Access to content on Oxford Academic is often provided through institutional subscriptions and purchases. If you are a member of an institution with an active account, you may be able to access content in one of the following ways:

IP based access

Typically, access is provided across an institutional network to a range of IP addresses. This authentication occurs automatically, and it is not possible to sign out of an IP authenticated account.

Sign in through your institution

Choose this option to get remote access when outside your institution. Shibboleth/Open Athens technology is used to provide single sign-on between your institution’s website and Oxford Academic.

• Click Sign in through your institution.
• Select your institution from the list provided, which will take you to your institution's website to sign in.
• When on the institution site, please use the credentials provided by your institution. Do not use an Oxford Academic personal account.
• Following successful sign in, you will be returned to Oxford Academic.

If your institution is not listed or you cannot sign in to your institution’s website, please contact your librarian or administrator.

Sign in with a library card

Enter your library card number to sign in. If you cannot sign in, please contact your librarian.

Society Members

Society member access to a journal is achieved in one of the following ways:

Sign in through society site

Many societies offer single sign-on between the society website and Oxford Academic. If you see ‘Sign in through society site’ in the sign in pane within a journal:

• Click Sign in through society site.
• When on the society site, please use the credentials provided by that society. Do not use an Oxford Academic personal account.

If you do not have a society account or have forgotten your username or password, please contact your society.

Sign in using a personal account

Some societies use Oxford Academic personal accounts to provide access to their members. See below.

A personal account can be used to get email alerts, save searches, purchase content, and activate subscriptions.

Some societies use Oxford Academic personal accounts to provide access to their members.

Viewing your signed in accounts

Click the account icon in the top right to:

• View your signed in personal account and access account management features.
• View the institutional accounts that are providing access.

Signed in but can't access content

Oxford Academic is home to a wide variety of products. The institutional subscription may not cover the content that you are trying to access. If you believe you should have access to that content, please contact your librarian.

For librarians and administrators, your personal account also provides access to institutional account management. Here you will find options to view and activate subscriptions, manage institutional settings and access options, access usage statistics, and more.

Our books are available by subscription or purchase to libraries and institutions.

• About Oxford Academic
• Publish journals with us
• University press partners
• What we publish
• New features  
• Open access
• Rights and permissions
• Accessibility
• Advertising
• Media enquiries
• Oxford University Press
• Oxford Languages
• University of Oxford

Oxford University Press is a department of the University of Oxford. It furthers the University's objective of excellence in research, scholarship, and education by publishing worldwide

• Copyright © 2024 Oxford University Press
• Cookie settings
• Cookie policy
• Privacy policy
• Legal notice

This Feature Is Available To Subscribers Only

Sign In or Create an Account

This PDF is available to Subscribers Only

For full access to this pdf, sign in to an existing account, or purchase an annual subscription.

Home — Essay Samples — Entertainment — Music — Rock Music

Essays on Rock Music

Impacts of paul mccartney's 2023 tour, nirvana "rape me": meaning, made-to-order essay as fast as you need it.

Each essay is customized to cater to your unique preferences

+ experts online

Paul Mccartney’s Musical Evolution and Continued Relevance

The analysis of rock music as a genre. how it occurred and why it is significant, the generational gap and rock 'n' roll in the 1950s, review on imagine dragons, let us write you an essay from scratch.

• 450+ experts on 30 subjects ready to help
• Custom essay delivered in as few as 3 hours

The Influence of The Beatles on Pop Music

Eddie van halen's biography: hard rock star, pink floyd’s song money and its effect on culture, the influence of the beatles on the world, get a personalized essay in under 3 hours.

Expert-written essays crafted with your exact needs in mind

Biography, Success and Popularity of Jimi Hendrix

How the beatles influenced modern music, the connection between the beatles and drug use, heavy metal in baghdad: history, interest, and experience, the impact of the beatles on teen culture in the 1960s, john lennon – an artist and peace activist, heavy metal music and how it can positively influence people, a report on the beatles and its effect on music world, the talking heads band and their famous albums, the connection of the beatles to surrealist aesthetics, a research of why heavy metal music is considered satan's melody, the role of the album a hard day’s night in the beatles’ legacy, the controversial personality of marilyn manson, investigation of the personal background of the beatles, marilyn manson: the artist's life beyond the stage, the beatles – the world’s most influential group of musicians, marilyn manson’s look as the way for self-expression, analysis of the most important songs in the beatles’ music legacy, peculiar characteristics that make marilyn manson an original artist, how the beatles began a revolution in music, relevant topics.

• Concert Review
• Country Music
• Baroque Music
• Jazz Concert

By clicking “Check Writers’ Offers”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy . We’ll occasionally send you promo and account related email

No need to pay just yet!

We use cookies to personalyze your web-site experience. By continuing we’ll assume you board with our cookie policy .

• Instructions Followed To The Letter
• Deadlines Met At Every Stage
• Unique And Plagiarism Free

Music genre classification based on auditory image, spectral and acoustic features

• Regular Paper
• Published: 10 January 2022
• Volume 28 , pages 779–791, ( 2022 )

Cite this article

• Xin Cai 1 &
• Hongjuan Zhang   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0001-8731-9054 1  

949 Accesses

15 Citations

Explore all metrics

Music genre is one of the conventional ways to describe music content, and also is one of the important labels of music information retrieval. Therefore, the effective and precise music genre classification method becomes an urgent need for realizing automatic organization of large music archives. Inspired by the fact that humans have a better automatic recognizing music genre ability, which may attribute to our auditory system, even for the participants with little musical literacy. In this paper, a novel classification framework incorporating the auditory image feature with traditional acoustic features and spectral feature is proposed to improve the classification accuracy. In detail, auditory image feature is extracted based on the auditory image model which simulates the auditory system of the human ear and has also been successfully used in other fields apart from music genre classification to our best knowledge. Moreover, the logarithmic frequency spectrogram rather than linear is adopted to extract the spectral feature to capture the information about the low-frequency part adequately. These above two features and the traditional acoustic feature are evaluated, compared, respectively, and fused finally based on the GTZAN, GTZAN-NEW, ISMIR2004 and Homburg datasets. Experimental results show that the proposed method owns the higher classification accuracy and the better stability than many state-of-the-art classification methods.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price includes VAT (Russian Federation)

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Rent this article via DeepDyve

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Music mood and human emotion recognition based on physiological signals: a systematic review

Vybhav Chaturvedi, Arman Beer Kaur, … Munish Kumar

Speech Emotion Recognition: A Comprehensive Survey

Mohammed Jawad Al-Dujaili & Abbas Ebrahimi-Moghadam

Comparative analysis of audio classification with MFCC and STFT features using machine learning techniques

Mahendra Kumar Gourisaria, Rakshit Agrawal, … Pradeep Kumar Singh

Allamy, S., Koerich, A.L.: 1D CNN Architectures for Music Genre Classification. arXiv preprint arXiv:210507302 (2021)

Bleeck, S., Ives, T., Patterson, R.: Aim-mat: the auditory image model in matlab. Acta Acust. Acust. 90 , 781–787 (2004)

Google Scholar  

Boser, B.E., Guyon, I.M., Vapnik, V.N.: A training algorithm for optimal margin classifiers. In: Proceedings of the Fifth Annual Workshop on Computational Learning Theory, pp 144–152 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1145/130385.130401

Cano, P., Gômez, E., Gouyon, F., Herrera, P., Koppenberger, M., Ong, B., Serra, X., Streich, S., Wack, N.: ISMIR 2004 Audio Description Contest. Technical Report. Music Technology Group, Bracelona (2006)

Castillo, J.R., Flores, M.J.: Web-based music genre classification for timeline song visualization and analysis. IEEE Access 9 , 18801–18816 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1109/ACCESS.2021.3053864

Article   Google Scholar  

Chaki, J.: Pattern analysis based acoustic signal processing: a survey of the state-of-art. Int. J. Speech Technol. (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10772-020-09681-3

Chan, W.C., Liang, P.H., Shih, Y.P., Yang, U.C., Chang Lin, W., Hsu, C.N.: Learning to predict expression efficacy of vectors in recombinant protein production. BMC Bioinform. 11 (1), 1–12 (2010)

Çoban, Ö., Özyer, G.T.: Music genre classification from turkish lyrics. In: 2016 24th Signal Processing and Communication Application Conference (SIU), pp 101–104 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1109/SIU.2016.7495686

Çoban, Ö.: Turkish music genre classification using audio and lyrics features. Süleyman Demirel Üniversitesi Fen Bilimleri Enstitüsü Dergisi 21 (2), 322–331 (2017)

Corrêa, D.C., Rodrigues, F.A.: A survey on symbolic data-based music genre classification. Expert Syst. Appl. 60 , 190–210 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eswa.2016.04.008

Costa, Y., Oliveira, L., Koerich, A., Gouyon, F.: Music genre recognition using spectrograms. In: 2011 18th International Conference on Systems, Signals and Image Processing, pp 1–4 (2011)

Costa, C.H.L., Valle, J.D., Koerich, A.L., Koerich, R.L.: Automatic classification of audio data. IEEE Trans. Syst. Man Cybernet. 1 , 562–567 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1109/ICSMC.2004.1398359

Costa, Y., Oliveira, L., Koerich, A., Gouyon, F., Martins, J.: Music genre classification using lbp textural features. Signal Process. 92 (11), 2723–2737 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sigpro.2012.04.023

Costa, Y., Oliveira, L., Koerich, A., Gouyon, F.: Music genre recognition using gabor filters and lpq texture descriptors. Progress Pattern Recogn. Image Anal. Comput. Vis. Appl. 8259 , 67–74 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-41827-3_9

Cover, T., Hart, P.: Nearest neighbor pattern classification. IEEE Trans. Inf. Theory 13 (1), 21–27 (1967). https://doi.org/10.1109/TIT.1967.1053964

Article   MATH   Google Scholar  

Foleis, J.H., Tavares, T.F.: Texture selection for automatic music genre classification. Appl. Soft Comput. 89 , 106–127 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.asoc.2020.106127

Fu, Z., Lu, G., Ting, K., Zhang, D.: On feature combination for music classification. In: Structural, Syntactic, and Statistical Pattern Recognition, pp 453–462 (2010)

Fu, Z., Lu, G., Ting, K.M., Zhang, D.: A survey of audio-based music classification and annotation. IEEE Trans. Multimedia 13 (2), 303–319 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1109/TMM.2010.2098858

Glasberg, B., Moore, B.: Derivation of auditory filter shapes from notched-noise data. Hear. Res. 47 (1), 103–138 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1016/0378-5955(90)90170-T

Glasberg, B., Moore, B.: Frequency selectivity as a function of level and frequency measured with uniformly exciting notched noise. J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 108 (5), 2318–2328 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1121/1.1315291

Glasberg, B., Moore, B.: A model of loudness applicable to time-varying sounds. J. Audio Eng. Soc. 50 , 331–342 (2002)

Gogate, M., Dashtipour, K., Hussain, A.: Visual Speech In Real Noisy Environments (VISION): A Novel Benchmark Dataset and Deep Learning-Based Baseline System. In: Proceeding Interspeech 2020, pp 4521–4525 (2020b). https://doi.org/10.21437/Interspeech.2020-2935

Gogate, M., Dashtipour, K., Adeel, A., Hussain, A.: Cochleanet: a robust language-independent audio-visual model for speech enhancement. Inf. Fus. 63 , 273–285 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.inffus.2020.04.001

Homburg, H., Mierswa, I., Möller, B., Morik, K., Wurst, M.: A benchmark dataset for audio classification and clustering. ISMIR 2005 , 528–531 (2005)

Hyder, R., Ghaffarzadegan, S., Feng, Z., Hansen, J., Hasan, T.: Acoustic Scene Classification using a CNN-Supervector System Trained with Auditory and Spectrogram Image Features. pp. 3073–3077 (2017). https://doi.org/10.21437/Interspeech.2017-431

Irino, T., Patterson, R.: A dynamic compressive gammachirp auditory filterbank. IEEE Trans. Audio Speech Lang. Process. 14 (6), 2222–2232 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1109/TASL.2006.874669

Kittler, J., Hatef, M., Duin, R.P.W., Matas, J.: On combining classifiers. IEEE Trans. Pattern Anal. Mach. Intell. 20 (3), 226–239 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1109/34.667881

Lee, C.H., Shih, J.L., Yu, K.M., Lin, H.S.: Automatic music genre classification based on modulation spectral analysis of spectral and cepstral features. IEEE Trans. Multimedia 11 , 670–682 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1109/TMM.2009.2017635

Li, T.L., Chan, A.B.: Genre classification and the invariance of mfcc features to key and tempo. In: International Conference on MultiMedia Modeling, Springer, pp 317–327 (2011)

Li, T., Ogihara, M.: Toward intelligent music information retrieval. IEEE Trans. Multimedia 8 (3), 564–574 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1109/TMM.2006.870730

Lidy, T., Rauber, A.: Evaluation of feature extractors and psycho-acoustic transformations for music genre classification. In: Proceedings of the Sixth International Conference on Music Information Retrieval (ISMIR 2005), pp 34–41 (2005)

Lim, S., Lee, J., Jang, S., Lee, S., Kim, M.Y.: Music-genre classification system based on spectro-temporal features and feature selection. IEEE Trans. Consum. Electron. 58 (4), 1262–1268 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1109/TCE.2012.6414994

Martens, J.P., Leman, M., Baets, B., Meyer, H.: A comparison of human and automatic musical genre classification. IEEE Int. Conf. Acoustics Speech Signal Process. 4 , 233–236 (2004)

McKay, C., Fujinaga, I.: Improving automatic music classification performance by extracting features from different types of data. In: Proceedings of the International Conference on Multimedia Information Retrieval. pp. 257–266 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1145/1743384.1743430

Mitrović, D., Zeppelzauer, M., Breiteneder, C.: Features for content-based audio retrieval. In: Advances in Computers: Improving the Web, vol 78, Elsevier. pp .71–150 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1016/S0065-2458(10)78003-7

Muller, F., Mertins, A.: On using the auditory image model and invariant-integration for noise robust automatic speech recognition. In: 2012 IEEE International Conference on Acoustics, Speech and Signal Processing (ICASSP). pp. 4905–4908 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1109/ICASSP.2012.6289019

Munkong, R., Juang, B.: Auditory perception and cognition. IEEE Signal Process. Mag. 25 (3), 98–117 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1109/MSP.2008.918418

Nanni, L., Costa, Y., Lumini, A., Kim, M.Y., Baek, S.R.: Combining visual and acoustic features for music genre classification. Expert Syst. Appl. 45 , 108–117 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eswa.2015.09.018

Nanni, L., Costa, Y., Lucio, D., Silla, C., Brahnam, S.: Combining visual and acoustic features for audio classification tasks. Pattern Recogn. Lett. 88 , 49–56 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.patrec.2017.01.013

Nonaka, R., Emoto, T., Abeyratne, U.R., Jinnouchi, O., Kawata, I., Ohnishi, H., Akutagawa, M., Konaka, S., Kinouchi, Y.: Automatic snore sound extraction from sleep sound recordings via auditory image modeling. Biomed. Signal Process. Control 27 , 7–14 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bspc.2015.12.009

Nosaka, R., Suryanto, C.H., Fukui, K.: Rotation invariant co-occurrence among adjacent lbps. In: Park, J.I., Kim, J. (eds.) Computer Vision - ACCV 2012 Workshops, pp. 15–25. Springer, Heidelberg (2013)

Chapter   Google Scholar  

Ojala, T., Pietikainen, M., Maenpaa, T.: Multiresolution gray-scale and rotation invariant texture classification with local binary patterns. IEEE Trans. Pattern Anal. Mach. Intell. 24 (7), 971–987 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1109/TPAMI.2002.1017623

Ojansivu, V., Heikkilä, J.: Blur insensitive texture classification using local phase quantization. In: Elmoataz, A., Lezoray, O., Nouboud, F., Mammass, D. (eds.) Image and Signal Processing, pp. 236–243. Springer, Heidelberg (2008)

Panagakis, Y., Kotropoulos, C.L., Arce, G.R.: Music genre classification using locality preserving non-negative tensor factorization and sparse representations. In: ISMIR, pp 249–254 (2009)

Panagakis, Y., Kotropoulos, C.L., Arce, G.R.: Music genre classification via joint sparse low-rank representation of audio features. IEEE/ACM Trans. Audio Speech Language Process. 22 (12), 1905–1917 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1109/TASLP.2014.2355774

Patterson, R., Robinson, K., Holdsworth, J., McKeown, D., Zhang, C., Allerhand, M.: Complex sounds and auditory images. In: Cazals, Y., Horner, K., Demany, L. (eds) Auditory Physiology and Perception, Pergamon. pp. 429–446 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-08-041847-6.50054-X

Patterson, R.D., Allerhand, M.H., Giguère, C.: Time-domain modeling of peripheral auditory processing: a modular architecture and a software platform. Acoust. Soc. Am. J. 98 (4), 1890–1894 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1121/1.414456

Perrot, D., Gjerdigen, R.: Scanning the dial: an exploration of factors in the identification of musical style. In: Proceedings of the 1999 Society for Music Perception and Cognition, p 88 (1999)

Qiu, L., Li, S., Sung, Y.: 3D-DCDAE: Unsupervised music latent representations learning method based on a deep 3d convolutional denoising autoencoder for music genre classification. Mathematics 9 (18), 2274 (2021). https://doi.org/10.3390/math9182274

Qiu, L., Li, S., Sung, Y.: DBTMPE: Deep bidirectional transformers-based masked predictive encoder approach for music genre classification. Mathematics 9 (5), 530 (2021). https://doi.org/10.3390/math9050530

Schindler, A., Rauber, A.: An audio-visual approach to music genre classification through affective color features. In: Hanbury A, Kazai G, Rauber A, Fuhr N (eds) Advances in Information Retrieval. pp. 61–67 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-16354-3_8

Sturm, B.L.: The GTZAN dataset: its contents, its faults, their effects on evaluation, and its future use. CoRR abs/1306.1461:1–29 (2013)

Tsaptsinos, A.: Lyrics-based music genre classification using a hierarchical attention network. CoRR abs/1707.04678 (2017)

Tzanetakis, G., Cook, P.: Musical genre classification of audio signals. IEEE Trans. Speech Audio Process. 10 (5), 293–302 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1109/TSA.2002.800560

Wright, J., Yang, A.Y., Ganesh, A., Sastry, S.S., Ma, Y.: Robust face recognition via sparse representation. IEEE Trans. Pattern Anal. Mach. Intell. 31 (2), 210–227 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1109/TPAMI.2008.79

Wu, M., Chen, Z., Jang, J.R., Ren, J., Li, Y., Lu, C.: Combining visual and acoustic features for music genre classification. In: 2011 10th International Conference on Machine Learning and Applications and Workshops, vol 2, pp. 124–129 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1109/ICMLA.2011.48

Yang, H., Zhang, W.Q.: Music genre classification using duplicated convolutional layers in neural networks. In: Proc. Interspeech 2019, pp. 3382–3386 (2019). https://doi.org/10.21437/Interspeech.2019-1298

Ylioinas, J., Hadid, A., Guo, Y., Pietikäinen, M.: Efficient image appearance description using dense sampling based local binary patterns. In: Lee, K.M., Matsushita, Y., Rehg, J.M., Hu, Z. (eds.) Computer Vision - ACCV 2012, pp. 375–388. Springer, Heidelberg (2013)

Yu, Y., Luo, S., Liu, S., Qiao, H., Liu, Y., Feng, L.: Deep attention based music genre classification. Neurocomputing 372 , 84–91 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neucom.2019.09.054

Zhao, G., Ahonen, T., Matas, J., Pietikainen, M.: Rotation-invariant image and video description with local binary pattern features. IEEE Trans. Image Process. 21 (4), 1465–1477 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1109/TIP.2011.2175739

Article   MathSciNet   MATH   Google Scholar  

Download references

Acknowledgements

We thank all the referees and the editorial board members for their insightful comments and suggestions, which improved our paper significantly. This study was funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China under the Grants No. 11501351.

Author information

Authors and affiliations.

Department of Mathematics, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, People’s Republic of China

Xin Cai & Hongjuan Zhang

You can also search for this author in PubMed   Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Hongjuan Zhang .

Additional information

Communicated by P. Pala.

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cai, X., Zhang, H. Music genre classification based on auditory image, spectral and acoustic features. Multimedia Systems 28 , 779–791 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00530-021-00886-3

Download citation

Received : 23 June 2021

Accepted : 30 December 2021

Published : 10 January 2022

Issue Date : June 2022

DOI : https://doi.org/10.1007/s00530-021-00886-3

Share this article

Anyone you share the following link with will be able to read this content:

Sorry, a shareable link is not currently available for this article.

Provided by the Springer Nature SharedIt content-sharing initiative

• Music genre classification
• Auditory image feature
• Spectral feature
• Acoustic feature
• Feature fusion
• Find a journal
• Publish with us
• Track your research

267 Music Essay Topics + Writing Guide [2024 Update]

Your mood leaves a lot to be desired. Everything around you is getting on your nerves. But still, there’s one thing that may save you: music. Just think of all the times you turned on your favorite song, and it lifted your spirits!

Our specialists will write a custom essay specially for you!

So, why not write about it in a music essay? In this article, you’ll find all the information necessary for this type of assignment:

• 267 brilliant music essay topics,
• a sample paper,
• a step-by-step guide and writing tips.

And don’t forget to bookmark  custom-writing.org  where you can find helpful essay tips in articles like this one.

🔝 Music Essay Topics: Top 10

• 🎵 Music Essay Definition
• 🎼 Essay Topics
• ✍️ How to Write
• 📑 Essay Sample

🔗 References

• Compare different recording formats.
• The purpose of music.
• Ternary and rondo: compare and contrast.
• Music as a lifestyle.
• The benefits of singing.
• Ethnomusicology as a career.
• Evolution of the radio.
• The importance of school musicals.
• Music as a tool for meditation.
• Music in sports.

🎵 Essays about Music: What Are They?

A music essay describes or analyzes a piece of music, its context, or one’s personal attitude towards it. This type of assignment requires a compelling primary argument and a clear structure.

To write well about music, you don’t have to be a professional musician. All you need is to be able to listen, understand, and evaluate it. You should also provide your interpretation and opinion on it.

Writing about Music: Assignment Types

An essay on music is a popular assignment in high school and college. However, many students find it hard to describe sounds in a written form. In this article, we will give you some tips on writing about music.

Just in 1 hour! We will write you a plagiarism-free paper in hardly more than 1 hour

Here are the typical tasks that you might receive:

• Concert report. It requires describing the music you’ve heard using as many details and terms as you can.
• Historical analysis of a piece. Your aim is to describe the historical context of a piece or its relation to the historical setting. For this type of assignment, you may need to do some research.
• Song analysis. In this type of essay, you explore song lyrics’ meaning and show how they work together with the melody.
• Performance or media comparison. Here you need to compare several interpretations or performances of one piece of music.

All of these assignments require a different approach and topic. You will find topics for these types of tasks below.

How to Choose a Music Essay Topic

First things first, you need to find a suitable music essay topic. To accomplish this task, you might want to take the following steps:

• Analyze your relationship with music . What role does it play in your life? Your topic choice will be different if you are a musician or merely a listener.
• Think about how music influences your everyday life . For instance, you can study how listening to music affects our mental health. Impressing your readers with some historical facts from the world of music is also a great idea.
• Try reflecting on the role of different music genres in your life . Whether you prefer rap or classical music, exploring a genre is an excellent topic idea. Topics related to musical instruments are also worth attention.
• Narrow your topic down. Otherwise, it will be too difficult to focus your essay on just one idea.

🎼 Music Essay Topics List

The first thing you need to do is to choose your topic. We have prepared a variety of music topics perfect for research papers and short essays. You can also use them for speeches or college application essays.

Argumentative Essay about Music: Topics & Ideas

Argumentative essays about music are usually concerned with a specific music-related issue you choose to address. Just like with any other argumentative essay, you should present both sides of the topic. Also, reliable facts are a must for this type of essay.

Receive a plagiarism-free paper tailored to your instructions. Cut 20% off your first order!

• The influence of modern technologies on the music industry. Technologies allow artists to create and promote their songs independently. Because of this, record labels are less critical to musicians than before. However, the emergence of new technologies also gave rise to piracy . Do the positives outweigh the negatives?
• What’s the effect of pop music on the modern generation? Today’s pop songs are usually commercial . Because of this, some people say that pop has ruined the current generations’ perception of music. Others argue that contemporary pop music expanded the possibilities of the genre.
• Rock music makes people more aggressive . Some consider rock music merely an arrangement of aggressive tunes that foster violence. On the counter side, science has proven that people who prefer rock to other genres are calmer and more concentrated. Which position do you agree with?
• Can people with hearing impairments become famous musicians ? Many believe that access to fame and fortune is limited for disabled people. The deaf may seem especially unsuited for the music business . Yet, the examples of Beethoven, Neil Young, and Chris Martin show that hearing problems don’t have to be an issue.
• Will streaming completely substitute physical copies? Digitalization is on its way to replacing LPs and CDs. For most people, it’s simply more convenient. But their opponents claim that an MP3 file can never sound as good as a physical copy.
• Some music genres can be a catalyst for violence. While their beats may be calm, hip-hop and rap’s lyrics are often aggressive and brutal. Does it have adverse effects on a listener?
• Can a person become addicted to music ?
• Censorship on the radio: why stations shouldn’t bleep out obscenities.
• Is mandatory musical education in high schools practical?
• The impact of Mozart’s music on toddlers.
• Should a musician’s personal life affect people’s perception of their art?
• How susceptible are teenagers to political messages in songs?
• Music influences one’s mental and physical capabilities .
• Are children who listen to music more intelligent than others?
• Music genres are inherently dependent on musical instruments .
• Is music as an art form more popular than cinema ?
• Debate whether rap musicians promote a frivolous and careless lifestyle .
• Many musicians became famous only because they’ve had connections.
• Music festivals are the best form of entertainment.
• Does music always sound better live than on records?
• Is classical music better than modern genres?
• Is it justified that some religions view music as a sin?
• Typically, music defines a culture and its traditions: true or false?
• Rap music has a strong connection to rebellious movements.
• Jamaican music’s link to the stoner lifestyle is unjustified.
• Synesthesia: how is music related to visuals?

Opinion on Music: Essay Topics

Opinion essays about music might seem similar to the argumentative type. Here, you are expected to write your personal opinion on a topic. Naturally, you can have many opinions on musical topics. Why not broadcast them? Keep in mind that you also need to provide reasons for your point of view.

• Music therapy can help people with mental illnesses . It’s a well-known fact that music affects the human brain. This ability makes it perfect for treating mental health problems. On the one hand, psychologists established that listening to classical music increases one’s cognitive capacity . On the other hand, listening to heavy rock impacts responsiveness.
• The questionable treatment of women in the music industry . While it may seem that both sexes are treated equally, women still earn much less than they deserve. Moreover, the extreme sexualization of girls persists as one of the most pressing problems in the industry.
• Which musician or band impacted your worldview ? Discuss what makes your favorite artist special. Consider analyzing their lyrics, genre, and evolution. If you want to, add a review of one of their albums .
• What are the challenges of being an independent artist? Typically, independent artists deal with all the financial, promotional, and distributional affairs by themselves. In the increasingly complex music business, this is not an easy task.
• Is social media efficient for promotion? Almost every modern artist uses social media to promote their albums or songs. Users often check their networks for updates, which increases the musician’s visibility. But do such methods help in the long run?
• Passion is the essential personal quality for every musician . If an artist is not eager to continually produce high-quality output, they’re unlikely to succeed. However, qualities such as responsibility, honesty, hard work, and creativity are also vital.
• Is music good for stress relief?
• How does music connect people ?
• Analyze qualities that good musicians shouldn’t have.
• Who are the most excellent musicians in the country genre ?
• Is it possible to live without interacting with music ?
• Choose three successful rappers and analyze their influence.
• How can a musician become famous without having money or connections?
• What are the difficulties of being in a band ?
• Who impacted the development of indie music the most?
• Is pop music losing its popularity? If so, why?
• Three factors that affected your choice of a favorite genre .
• Which artists are the most prominent in power metal?
• Which record label is the most influential now?
• Can Justin Bieber’s songs be considered legendary?
• Did Kanye West introduce a new kind of rap?
• Which rock bands lost their fame because of a scandal ? How did it happen?
• Discuss Dire Straits’ impact on music history .
• Who are currently the most successful women pop singers ?
• Why are some music genres more popular than others?
• What does success in the music world depend on ?

Topics for a Persuasive Essay about Music

Is there anything music-related you want to convince people of? A persuasive paper is your chance. Carefully craft your arguments to show your readers you’ve always been right about the beauty of cowbells. If it’s not your jam, consider these essay topics about music:

• A seven-string guitar is superior to a six-string one. The additional string gives more room for creativity. It might be challenging to master, but in the end, the music has a fuller sound . Do you think it’s worth the effort?
• The lyrics don’t matter as long as the melody is good. It’s possible to like songs from different countries, even if the listener doesn’t understand the language. The singing is simply part of the composition. Does this mean that what the vocalist says is unimportant?

• Most people living in big cities neglect country music. People from urban areas tend to think that country music is tasteless. For them, its tunes and lyrics sound too simple. Does the strong association with cowboys, farms, and long roads simply not appeal to the city lifestyle?
• Should rap music be performed only by black people ? The genre hosts a large portion of African American artists . Not only that, but black rappers are widely considered the best of their craft. Do white artists do the genre justice?
• Music that artists make merely to get money is soulless. Passion is a critical factor for every musician. If money is the primary driver for creating a song , the result is inevitably flawed. Do you agree?
• Pop music is undergoing a transformation. Listeners acknowledge pop as the primary genre of contemporary music . Yet, new musical instruments are changing the game. Even the lyrics touch on more serious topics than before.
• Indie is the new pop. Indie music is a relatively novel genre. Still, it continues to gain popularity. The light-hearted tunes paired with existential lyrics have captured the audience’s hearts. Is it possible to envision the future of music without bands such as Coldplay, The 1975, and the Arctic Monkeys?
• The meaning of freedom for jazz as a musical genre .
• Punk rock has recently witnessed a renaissance.
• Exposing plants to classical music makes them grow faster.
• Classical music: intellectually stimulating or relaxing ?
• Is it justified that some countries legally prohibit artists from performing?
• Is it easier for children to learn with music?
• Can a person ever become a great artist without a natural talent ?
• Should workplaces allow their employees to listen to background music ?
• Jimi Hendrix’s guitar skills are still unmatched.
• The impact of pop music on European culture and trends.
• Kurt Cobain’s death should have been a wake-up call for the music industry .
• Why is music beneficial to society?
• Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan’s legacy can be felt even today.
• Nintendocore is a legitimate genre that the industry should take more seriously.
• Should you listen to a bands’ music even if you disagree with their opinions ?
• Musicians should receive more government support.
• Patriotic songs make people feel passionate and energetic about their country.
• Depressive and sad tunes can worsen a person’s mood.
• Doctors and therapists need to understand the importance of music .

Music Evaluation Essay Topics

Do you want to know how to evaluate music? The point is to divide your overall impression into several parts. Music evaluation requires much attention and concentration, so try to do your best to stay focused while listening.

Use these criteria for evaluating music performances:

Now all you need to do is choose a topic and get down to writing!

Get an originally-written paper according to your instructions!

• Discuss the rise and fall of hardcore punk. Many bands that started in the hardcore punk scene softened their sound over time. Why did this genre disappear from the mainstream?
• Copyright laws are going too far . It’s getting increasingly difficult to use somebody else’s intellectual property. Creators on YouTube have to fear lawsuits for creatively repurposing copyrighted music. Moreover, laws such as the DMCA are frequently abused to generate revenues.
• More bands should use their influence for political purposes . Renowned artists have a broad reach. Bands like Rise Against or Anti Flag use this influence to raise political awareness among their fans. Is it a fair approach?
• Borrowing and plagiarism in contemporary music . New artists don’t emerge without having listened to other musicians. They draw inspiration from their predecessors. Thus, songs are always a mix of already existing tracks. In your essay, discuss the difference between homage and plagiarism.
• What are the similarities between poetry and song lyrics? Songs and poems are similar in that they deliver a message to the audience. Their creation demands extensive knowledge of rhyming, literary devices, and other components.
• Why do some musicians ask others to write lyrics for them? It is a common practice to have a crew of songwriters who create texts for performers. Sometimes it happens due to a lack of imagination or inspiration. Does finding out that your favorite artist doesn’t write their lyrics destroy the magic of their music?
• How can popular music diversify as a genre? Pop music reached its peak. Adding and borrowing elements from different genres can be one way to diversify a streamlined genre.
• The history of music as political propaganda .
• Explain the difference between high and low contemporary music culture .
• How is contemporary music related to that from other periods?
• What are the connections between pop music and the hip-hop genre?
• What connects popular music and contemporary culture ?
• How does music in the United States relate to Spanish music ?
• Analyze the evolution of Indian music .
• Discuss why certain albums manage to climb to the top of the charts.
• The link between social classes and musical genres.
• Differences and similarities of music and other art forms .
• How does a musical instrument’s origin influence its development?
• What is the role of traditional music today?

• What are the main processes in music production?
• How is music theory relevant today?
• Analyze which contemporary artists’ albums had an effect comparable to that of Queen’s A Night at the Opera .
• Eurodance: Europe’s most extravagant genre.
• Songs and everyday life of Michael Jackson vs. Madonna: who wins the ultimate pop crown?
• What difficulties has Eminem faced throughout his career?
• Over-ear headphones provide a better sound experience than on-ear ones.

Topics for an Expository Essay on Music

An expository essay explains or describes a subject. In the colorful world of music, topics can range from the physics of sound waves to artists’ social impact.

• The importance of Blues music in the late 19 th century and now . Blues originated in the 19 th century American South. It was an outlet for African Americans to express their sorrows. Later, it exceeded by far the cultural boundaries that confined it.
• The role of music in prison camps. Singing was an essential part of life in the Nazi concentration camps . One of the most well-known songs of that time is called Peat Bog Soldiers . In your expository essay, explore why prisoners started singing and how it developed.
• How did Chester Bennington’s death impact the music industry? Linkin Park was a giant in the business for decades until depression made their lead singer take his own life. The event sparked debates surrounding mental health and pressure in the creative industry. What long-lasting effects did these discussions have?
• How did Baroque music reflect the zeitgeist? Compared to the Renaissance period, Baroque was in all aspects very pompous. The artists of the Sun King’s time didn’t shy away from the extravaganza. This ideal is especially prominent in architecture. How does music fit into the picture?
• Investigate the development of musical harmony. The Ancient Greeks already had an idea of some tones fitting together better than others. However, it wasn’t until the 1600s that tonality became a crucial part of music theory.
• Music in commercials: an analysis. Songs and jingles are commonplace in TV commercials. But what are they good for? In your essay, you can compare the success of advertisements with and without music.
• What causes music trends to change? It’s easy to define various eras of music . Naturally, the invention of new instruments has influenced this development. What other factors played a role in these transformations?
• Why is 4/4 a universal beat?
• Examine the origins of The Star-Spangled Banner .
• The effects of dissonance on the human mind .
• How do staccato, legato, and other forms of articulation influence the perception of a musical piece ?
• Discuss the significance of music in video games .
• Music drives people’s motivation.
• Explain the calming effects of nature sounds .
• How does music influence literature ?
• Celtic music is known to have an extraordinary impact on the psyche. How does it work?
• How does music impact the discharge of hormones such as dopamine?
• Music therapy is suitable for those who have bipolar disorder .
• What made Falco such a unique artist?
• How does the perception of a silent film differ from that of a movie with sound?
• A rock concert by Kansas: How the relevance of live concerts changed over time .
• Is being able to read music important for a composer ?
• How did Beethoven write music after losing his hearing?
• Should all songs have proper rhythm and structure?
• Why do so many indie artists become commercial?
• Is it essential for song lyrics to rhyme?

History of Music: Essay Topics

If you’re interested in the evolution of music, you’ve come to the right section. Historical research reveals the significance of music throughout time. Unsurprisingly, songs and melodies have been part of human culture for centuries. Dive deeper into this exciting subject with one of the following ideas:

• How did the Catholic Church influence music development in Europe? During the Middle Ages , religious movements had a significant impact on music. Consequently, composers used to create more sacred music. It became a way of personal expression since it often contained religious texts. 
• The cultural meaning of Renaissance music and its influence on other styles . During the time of the Renaissance , sacred and secular music heavily impacted each other. As a result, more variety emerged. The chanson and madrigal, for example, became popular around Europe.
• Research archaeological findings of early musicality. The search for the oldest musical instrument delivers thrilling insights. Archaeologists have excavated a flute made of ivory and bird bones, dating approximately 43,000 years ago. They found it in a cave in Germany where Neanderthals lived.
• History of early music and appearance of musical instruments. The beginning of the human culture was the turning point of musical instruments’ appearance. They were primarily used for spiritual rites; typically, they were horns or drums for ceremonies.
• Louis Armstrong’s contributions to the jazz world. Jazz originated in New Orleans and was a favorite among African Americans. Louis Armstrong’s improvisations forever changed the genre, making the soloist-improviser the center of the performance.
• The phenomenon of pop music and its origins. Popular music dates back to the second half of the last century. It comes from the US and the UK. Its main peculiarity lies in the variety of tunes and lyrics .
• Native American music before the discovery of the New World . Incas and Aztecs had particular styles of music. Findings show that these ancient civilizations used instruments for ceremonies. Researchers also discovered that various American cultures mingled, thus creating new techniques.
• The use of string instruments in classical Greek songwriting.
• Famous composers of 18th century Italy and their influence.
• Mozart vs. Beethoven: comparison of techniques.
• Deliver a thoughtful analysis of Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony .
• What role do acoustic instruments play in jazz compositions ?
• Explore the history of the Ocarina.
• Due to what circumstances did Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart become one of the greatest musical geniuses in history?
• Influence of the Romantic period on modern music .
• How and why were the swing era and jazz connected?
• Rock and roll as an international language in the 20th century.
• Explore the rise of techno music.
• Is there a historical connection between music and math ?
• How did music become a staple subject in many schools?
• The greatest musicians of World War I .
• Industrialization and its effect on music development.
• How did female producers such as Kate Bush impact the music industry ?
• Analyze Frédéric Chopin’s contribution to classical music .
• Music evolution in ancient Greece vs. the Roman Empire .
• How does archeology help to uncover musical traditions ?
• Tupac’s influence on modern rap music .

Classification Essay about Music: Topic Ideas

In a classification essay, you explain how a whole relates to parts or vice versa. To do it, you need to divide one broad category into several subcategories. Each classification paragraph focuses on one subcategory, so you need to find a key feature that will be your basis of division. For example, you can divide music by genre, volume, musical instruments, etc.

Here is our list of musical topics for this essay type:

• The most popular types of alternative music among teenagers. Naturally, teens like different kinds of rock and experimental music . Try to dig deeper and ask some teenagers about their preferences to get a clear picture.
• Types of modern dance music . Describe the tendencies and popular genres. You can also focus on a specific country.
• The most popular types of jazz music in Europe . Although jazz emerged in the United States, this genre became recognizable all over the world. You can analyze the most popular streamed songs, or the concerts and other mass events.
• Rock music in the ’70s. You can describe the genres, styles, or types of performers. The concerts, clothes, and lifestyles are also suitable for this topic.
• Blues musicians of different time periods. Analyze the lyrics, the musical instruments they used, and how long their careers lasted.
• Classification of music for children . Some of it can be for dancing, development, or just listening. Research the purposes of different kinds of music for children.
• Types of music used in films. The soundtrack is one of the main things we remember after watching a movie. There can be popular songs or tracks composed specifically for a film .
• Rock bands that represent different subgenres.
• Rap subgenres in the United States.
• Periods of classical music .
• What motivates people to start a musical career?
• Different kinds of music for relaxation.
• The industries where composers work .
• Types of opera singers and instrumental music .
• Different professions in the music industry .
• Unpopular genres of independent music.
• Different types of music listeners .

College Essay about Music: Topics

When you apply to your dream college, you need to write an impressive essay. Admissions officers pay attention not only to your grades and achievements but also to your personality. Your writing can indicate your motivation, academic interests, and how well you fit into the college. Writing an essay about “music in my life” is a great way to demonstrate your passion and creativity.

Choose one of these topics related to music for your college essay:

• The role of music in your life . Describe what music means to you, how often you listen to it, and how it helps you in life. For example, you can write about inspiration, motivation, or the sense of freedom that it gives you.
• What are the essential aspects of music for you? Try to write down everything you like about music. It might be melodies, lyrics, vocals, or mood. You can choose several aspects if you feel that you can’t decide.
• The time when music changed your life. In this essay, you can pick one occurrence or describe how music changed your life gradually. It’s important to indicate where you started from and where it led you.
• How do you see the future of the music industry? Demonstrate to the admissions officer how well you know the art and the business.
• Your role model in the music industry. You may write about the qualities of the person you admire and why you want to develop them in yourself. Remember that admission officers want to read about you, not your idol.
• How did your musical taste change over the last ten years? Describe the evolution of your preferences. Explain why you have changed some of your past choices. Do you think your musical taste has improved?
• Your favorite musical genre .
• Does listening to music help to heal body and spirit?
• What is the best music performance you have ever seen?
• Why do people become fans of particular musicians?
• Your favorite song lyrics .
• Can people be judged by their musical taste?
• Why is music an essential part of human culture?
• Quote about music that appeals to you the most.
• How can music education help you in the future?
• Do you prefer listening to music or performing it?
• How can music change your mood?
• Why you want to become a musician.
• Which culture has the most beautiful ethnical music ?
• Is music more of an art or business?
• What are the essential parts of musical education ?

Other Music Essay Topics

• Why do supermarkets play music? Think of the reasons why marketers use music in advertising and how it impacts customer behavior.
• An analysis of Robert Wise’s The Sound of Music . Evaluate how the director uses music to tell a story.
• The impact of music on the human brain . Examine the latest research in the mental health field and how music therapy affects depression treatments.
• The workings of the music industry . Assess how contemporary audio technology and touring lifestyle affect musicians.
• The role of music in different cultures. Choose and compare two countries to analyze their perspectives on the music industry.
• Music on television . Evaluate how the music of TV shows and movies impacts the audience’s feelings and behavior.
• Oliver Sacks’ contribution to music psychology. Explore the theories he discusses in Musicophilia and describe its influence on music psychology.
• Should all music be available for free download? Think about the ethical and legal aspects of this issue.
• How did music psychology help the development of music education ? Try to find a correlation between these two fields.
• Britney Spears and the adverse effects of teen popularity. Writing about this topic, you might want to focus on how her early fame affected her life. What happened after her famous breakdown in 2007?
• The half-life of one-hit-wonders. Focus your paper on quantitative research. How long do one-hit-wonders stay famous on average? Why do they fail to maintain their success?
• Journalism and the music industry. Examine the effects positive or negative press had on a musician of your choice.
• Festivals and sponsorship. Discuss the benefits that corporate sponsors and the creators of music festivals gain from working together.
• Rock songs and pessimistic lyrics. Why do most popular rock songs have such sad and angry lyrics?
• Discuss the development of your music taste. Write about what pushed you to change and how it influenced your life.
• The psychology of music. Examine what someone’s favorite music genre can tell about their personality.
• Is ASMR music? ASMR artists make quiet sounds to soothe their audience. But can we really consider it music?
• A historical analysis of jazz. Explore how African Americans influenced the flourishing culture of jazz that has spread worldwide.
• The effect of classical music on children’s cognitive abilities. Supposedly, classical music is great for kids. Study this theory and make your conclusions.
• Discuss the characteristics of modern Latin American music . Dive into its diversity and describe the reasons for its popularity.
• How do Chinese artists make traditional music? Write about its complex creation process. Analyze the importance of articulation for composers.
• The history of music . With this essay, explore the six periods of music history. To top it off, you can predict what music will be like in the future.
• The music industry goes online. Discuss the importance of the internet for the industry and the challenges associated with it.
• The magic of instrumental music. Pick your favorite orchestra pieces and find unique features in each of them.
• Musical education: the sound of success? Does everyone need a musical background?
• Explore the latest techniques in songwriting . Look into the song creation process of contemporary musicians. How do they get the audience to enjoy their art?
• Compare and contrast e-pianos and keyboards . In doing so, consider their structure, sound, and features.
• The Woodstock festival as a game-changer. How has the Woodstock Music and Art Fair influenced the current state of the music industry? Additionally, investigate how current festivals hold up to the standards set by Woodstock.
• Music therapy for stroke patients . Find out whether incorporating elements of music therapy can support the treatment of patients who suffered a stroke.
• How do amplifiers work? If you’re a musician, you’ve likely used an amplifier before. Now it’s time to figure out what they are actually doing.
• The Killers’ contributions to indie rock. How would you define their style of music? What makes them a key player in indie music?
• Analyze the music in Grease . Pick some of the most popular songs from the musical and write about their influence on American culture.
• What’s the best way to interpret songs? Describe methods to deconstruct songs and how the music style affects this process.
• Teufel vs. Sennheiser: the ultimate comparison. German sound equipment manufacturers are known for their cutting-edge technologies . But which brand is the best?
• What role does harmony play in music composition? Choose several pieces of music and describe how the artists used harmony.
• How necessary are double bass drums? Do musicians place them on stage just to impress people, or do they have actual use?
• Compare regular festivals and free ones. Why spend hundreds of dollars on Coachella if you can go to Woodstock for free? In your essay, focus on the differences such as size, participating artists, and general entertainment .
• A historical analysis of choral music. Singing in groups is a practice common across various cultures . You might choose one or two to work on.
• How did The Rolling Stones influence British culture? The Rolling Stones are one of the longest-standing rock bands of all time. Naturally, this left significant marks on their home country.
• How important are regional accents for English-language singers ? When working on this theoretical topic, include some examples and your personal opinion.
• The world of musical instruments: medieval music . This fun essay can focus on different types of medieval instruments and their evolution.
• Does the creative process differ for electronic and acoustic music? Look at how artists usually write songs. Do they start with the melody, the rhythm, or the lyrics? Does it depend on the medium?
• The correlation between poems and medieval songs. Find out how composers were reinventing poetry to create songs.
• Hip-hop and gender equality . What is the role of women in the development of this music style? Don’t forget to give examples.
• When politics interferes with art: Eurovision. Analyze the role of the political situation in this song contest. Is there anything left of its original idea?
• How did Vladimir Vysotsky become a beloved musical figure outside of Soviet Russia? It’s unusual for Russian-language musicians to gain fame outside of their home country. Research how Vysotsky managed to mingle in the USA and have some of his work posthumously released in Europe.
• K-pop conquers the world . You may narrow the topic down to a specific artist. Focus on the influence of Korean music in other cultures.
• Music school students vs. amateurs. Discuss the different experiences and outcomes of music school students and those who learn to play instruments at home.
• Do music choices shape one’s identity , or is it the other way around? It’s an exciting question that lets you dig deep into the psychology of music.
• The music of dissents. Energizing songs play an essential part in rebellions and revolutions. For example, analyze how protesters used music during the Arab Spring .
• The development and popularity of electronic music . Starting from the early experiments, analyze the development of this style and its increasing influence
• How do artists use social media to promote their music? You might want to choose one or two examples to illustrate the tools they use.
• Organum as one of the oldest written types of music . Study the development of this music style throughout various cultures.
• The appeal of Metallica’s Nothing Else Matters. Many people consider the song one of their favorites. Examine its structure , melody, and lyrics. What makes it unique?
• Africa’s hidden musical gems. African music is as diverse as its people. Pick two countries and compare their style. How do they differ from Western art ?
• Did people’s music tastes improve compared to previous decades? Here, you have the chance to express your views on the evolution of people’s music preferences.
• Is the life of pop stars as easy as people think? Share your thoughts on whether famous musicians and singers have a leisurely lifestyle.
• Physiological reactions to different types of music . Study how your body reacts to various beats and tones.
• Why do people tend to listen to specific songs on certain occasions? In your essay, ponder the effects of love songs or powerful anthems on one’s mood .
• What does someone’s ringtone say about their personality ? Think about how it affects your perception of a person.
• The impact of music on the individual’s productivity . Studies suggest a positive effect on people’s performance when they listen to something pleasant while working. But all the noise can get overstimulating. That’s why finding the balance is central.
• Music is natural. In the depth of nature, there is music. Rain, a bird’s song, or the tapping of a squirrel’s feet melt together to create a beautiful composition . Music is everywhere—one only needs to listen carefully.

If you haven’t found what you’re looking for, you’re welcome to use our topic generator .

✍️ Music Essay: How to Write

So, you have chosen your essay title. Now it’s time to start writing! But before you begin, read the sections below and learn how to organize your work.

How to Describe Music in Writing

You might think that writing about music is like dancing about architecture. Well, it is not an easy task, but we know how to cope with it.

Follow these tips while writing:

• Make a comparison.  Explain which characteristics of a piece remind you or are identical to those of another one. It’s better to avoid comparing music from different composers in this case. Instead, evaluate and analyze two musical pieces from the same composer.
• Describe the melody and dynamics.  You may want to use musical terms to show your knowledge and proficiency. Define the genre and what kind of instruments and tones are used.
• Explain how it makes you feel.  You can use basic human emotions to describe the feelings of a listener. For example, it can be anger, tenderness, irritation, excitement, or nostalgia.
• Use metaphorical language.  You may try using your imagination to create analogies. Be careful not to make your metaphors overcomplicated, as it may confuse the readers.

Essays about Music: Descriptive Words

Do you want your essay on music to be interesting and expressive? Then you may want to use descriptive vocabulary. Here are some of the terms that you can use in your essay to make it sound more professional:

• Tempo is the “speed” of music. There are fixed expressions to define tempo—for example, largo, moderate, or presto. You can also describe how fast the music feels.
• Timbre is the term that evaluates the “color” of music. Even if two instruments play the same note of the same volume, the sound is still different. This is how you can notice the color of the tone. For example, gentle, clear, heavy, or warm can be the adjectives to describe timbre.
• Dynamics define the volume levels of music. The volume can be the same all the time, for example loud or soft. If the volume of music changes, you can use such expressions as “gradually gets louder” “or suddenly becomes soft.”
• Harmony characterizes how all the notes and chords sound together. The sequence of chords—chord progression—defines how satisfying the melody is for the listener. For example, if the transitions are smooth, you can use such words as “relaxed” or “warm.”

Music Essay Outline

Like any other assignment, writing about music requires a proper essay outline that will guide you through the writing. The following sections will help you with that.

Before you start, here are some tips that will help you prepare for writing:

• Do some prior research. Try to learn as much as possible about the piece you will be writing about. It’s also helpful to listen to the music several times with headphones to notice more details.
• Don’t be afraid of asking questions. Consult your instructor if you’re unsure about your topic or the piece you have chosen.
• Choose the topic that you like. If you’re passionate about a subject, it is always easier to write about it. Who said that homework could not be interesting?
• Follow the recommendations that your instructor gives. It includes word limit, formatting style, deadline, and essay type.

Music Essay Introduction

The introduction is the section where you come up with a brief explanation of the topic. You may start it with a quotation, definition, or short statement that catches your reader’s attention and leads them to the essay subject.

A thesis statement is usually the last sentence of the introduction that defines the content of body paragraphs. It needs to be specific and not longer than two sentences. If you decide to shift the focus of your essay while writing, it’s crucial to change your thesis too.

Different types of essays require different thesis statements. Let’s take a closer look:

Music Essay Body

Your essay’s body is the most significant part of your writing. Here, you provide evidence and explanations of your claims.

The typical body paragraph structure includes:

• A topic sentence explaining the argument for a particular paragraph.
• An introduction to the evidence you gathered to support an argument.
• Quotes and facts (don’t forget about proper citation!) and their explanation.
• A connection between the evidence and the essay topic.
• Paragraph transitions  leading your reader to the next section.

Topic Sentence about Music

Topic sentences can be used as a roadmap to writing your essay. Each body paragraph begins with a topic sentence that defines what the paragraph is about. It introduces the argument or main thought that will be explained. It’s also connected with the thesis statement.

It’s essential to make your thesis easy to understand, so it’s better not to overcomplicate it. For example, here’s an unsuccessful topic sentence with unnecessary words:

As stated above, the guitar is an essential musical instrument in rock music that defines how it sounds.

Instead, you can formulate it like this:

The guitar is the most iconic musical instrument in rock music that defines how it sounds.

Music Essay Conclusion

When writing a conclusion for your essay on music, you can use the following structure:

• Summarize the text in a few sentences.
• Review the key points of your paper.
• Paraphrase the thesis.

To make your essay conclusion more effective, avoid the following:

📑 What Music Means to Me: Essay Example

Now you know all about writing an essay on music! To make it even easier for you, we’ve prepared an essay sample that you can use for inspiration. Check it out:

Now all you need is to turn the music on and get down to writing! We hope you liked this guide. If you did, don’t hesitate to share it with your friends.

Further reading:

• How to Write a Good Critique Paper: Killer Tips + Examples
• How to Write an Art Critique Essay: Guidelines and Examples
• How to Write a Movie Critique Paper: Top Tips + Example
• Modern Fairy Tale Essay: How to Write, Topics and Ideas
• 200 Creative Topics for Opinion Essays
• 182 Free Ideas for Argumentative or Persuasive Essay Topics
• 180 Excellent Evaluation Essay Topics

✏️ Music Essay FAQ

Music is a vast topic. An essay might deal with anything ranging from trends in the 1950s to the best guitarists of all time. Writing an introduction to certain music styles or bands is also possible. In any case, the paper should be well-structured, logical, and cohesive.

Writing about music doesn’t necessarily require any specific skills. If you’re not familiar with the theory of music and can’t play musical instruments, you can just write about the music you like. Here are some topic ideas: favorite music band, style, or how you perceive music.

You can interpret music as a topic in various ways. If you are getting a degree in this field, you might want to write something more specific and technical. If your essay aims to merely inform and entertain, write about your favorite music style or band.

If you are writing an essay for school, a good choice would be an expository essay. It doesn’t require any specific knowledge of the music industry. Title suggestions might be: “My perception of music,” “My favorite band,” “How music can change the world.”

• What is the Music Industry? Definition and Facts: Study.com
• What Music Do You Write To?: Writers & Artists
• A Music Review: British Council
• Music: UNC Writing Center: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
• Sound and Sense: Writing about Music: Colorado State University
• Music analysis Research Papers: Academia.edu
• The Power of Music Therapy: Belmont University
• Musicology: Northwestern Bienen School of Music
• Musicology: Areas of Study: Indiana State University
• Music Facts: Facts.net
• Music History from Primary Sources: Library of Congress
• Music: Encyclopedia Britannica
• A History of Classical Music: Part 1: The List
• What Is Jazz: Smithsonian Institution
• The 50 Greatest Composers of All Time: Classical Music
• Musical Terms and Concepts: SUNY Potsdam
• Ethnomusicology: University of Oxford
• Music Research Process: Syracuse University
• Journal of Popular Music Studies: University of California Press
• The History of Pop Music in 5 Defining Decades: The Culture Trip
• Music of the 20 th Century: Lumen Learning
• Explainer: Indie Music: The Conversation
• Your Brain on Music: University of Central Florida
• Music and Health: Harvard University
• The Psychological Function of Music Listening: NIH
• Essays that Worked: Hamilton
• Writing in Music: Writing Thesis Statements: The City University of New York
• Academic Writing about Music: University of Denver
• How to Write Song Lyrics: Berklee
• Essay Introduction: University of Maryland
• Tips and Examples for Writing Thesis Statements: Purdue University
• Writing Body Paragraphs: Monash University
• Some Tips for Writing Efficient, Effective Body Paragraphs: University of California, Berkeley
• Writing a Paper: Conclusions: Walden University
• Share to Facebook
• Share to Twitter
• Share to LinkedIn
• Share to email

Not everyone knows it, but globalization is not a brand-new process that started with the advent of the Internet. In fact, it’s been around throughout all of human history. This makes the choice of topics related to globalization practically endless.  If you need help choosing a writing idea, this Custom-Writing.org...

In today’s world, fashion has become one of the most significant aspects of our lives. It influences everything from clothing and furniture to language and etiquette. It propels the economy, shapes people’s personal tastes, defines individuals and communities, and satisfies all possible desires and needs. In this article, Custom-Writing.org experts...

Early motherhood is a very complicated social problem. Even though the number of teenage mothers globally has decreased since 1991, about 12 million teen girls in developing countries give birth every year. If you need to write a paper on the issue of adolescent pregnancy and can’t find a good...

Human rights are moral norms and behavior standards towards all people that are protected by national and international law. They represent fundamental principles on which our society is founded. Human rights are a crucial safeguard for every person in the world. That’s why teachers often assign students to research and...

Global warming has been a major issue for almost half a century. Today, it remains a topical problem on which the future of humanity depends. Despite a halt between 1998 and 2013, world temperatures continue to rise, and the situation is expected to get worse in the future. When it...

Have you ever witnessed someone face unwanted aggressive behavior from classmates? According to the National Center for Educational Statistics, 1 in 5 students says they have experienced bullying at least once in their lifetime. These shocking statistics prove that bullying is a burning topic that deserves detailed research. In this...

Recycling involves collecting, processing, and reusing materials to manufacture new products. With its help, we can preserve natural resources, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and save energy. And did you know that recycling also creates jobs and supports the economy? If you want to delve into this exciting topic in your...

Expository writing, as the name suggests, involves presenting factual information. It aims to educate readers rather than entertain or persuade them. Examples of expository writing include scholarly articles, textbook pages, news reports, and instructional guides. Therefore, it may seem challenging to students who are used to writing persuasive and argumentative...

Expository or informative essays are academic papers presenting objective explanations of a specific subject with facts and evidence. These essays prioritize balanced views over personal opinions, aiming to inform readers without imposing the writer’s perspective. Informative essays are widely assigned to students across various academic levels and can cover various...

Your computer stores your memories, contacts, and study-related materials. It’s probably one of your most valuable items. But how often do you think about its safety? Cyber security is something that can help you with this. Simply put, it prevents digital attacks so that no one can access your data....

A problem solution essay is a type of persuasive essay. It’s a piece of writing that presents a particular problem and provides different options for solving it. It is commonly used for subject exams or IELTS writing tasks. In this article, we’ll take a look at how to write this...

Have you ever wondered why everyone has a unique set of character traits? What is the connection between brain function and people’s behavior? How do we memorize things or make decisions? These are quite intriguing and puzzling questions, right? A science that will answer them is psychology. It’s a multi-faceted...

Thank you very much for this post on music essay writing! You don’t know how long I looked for the helpful information on writing music essays!

Music takes an important part in my life. I wake up and go to bed listening to music. And now when I’m writing my music essay, I also listen to music. And it’s also a pleasure to read an article on how to write an essay on music!

• Essay Samples
• College Essay
• Writing Tools
• Writing guide

↑ Return to College Essay

Importance of music in my life – Classification and Division essay

Introduction

Here I classify music and its importance in my life. In my essay, I break down music into some of its most popular genres and then explain their importance in my life.

Classification

Music is the use of vocal sounds or instrumental sounds, or both. It is used to form a harmony or expression that is often easier to memorize than just a selection of notes or words.

Music may be divided in to genres, which are forms of music that tend to follow similar rules or patterns.

Here vocals are more often used over instrumental music, with the defining feature being the poetic use of words to a beat. This form of music has had a profound effect on my life as it has allowed me to express feelings and emotions I didn’t know I had. For example, the song, “No love” that features Eminem helped me express a form of gut determination I didn’t know I had.

This is often told as a story, with many of the US versions being centered on stories of hardship and sadness. The instrumentals also tend to be acoustic, and several forms include more than one singer or story. This type of music has had an effect on my life through allowing me to express sad emotions through the stories of others. For example, the “Whisky lullaby” demonstrates the sadness a person may feel at being unable to stop the loss of a loved one.

This form of music often involves a heavy drum feature and electric guitars. It is an angry form of music that is meant to elicit emotions beyond happiness or sadness, bringing about feelings either of aggression, anger or excitement. This has had an effect on my life through allowing me to express anger vicariously instead of on other people. Masters of such techniques involve groups such as Aerosmith and Blink 182, although the latter is more about expressing excitement.

Opera and gothic Opera

This is a form of music that relies heavily on vocals, with there often being just one vocalist, though the rest of the band may join in during certain parts of the song. They often involve big instrumental pieces, sometimes with the singer singing over them, and often involve a full orchestra. The best on the planet for this type of music is a group called Nightwish, and they have had an impact on my life through allowing me to express repressed emotions through the power their music holds on both a conscious and unconscious level.

The effect of music can be quite profound, with psychologists proving that a music can evoke emotions, can bring back memories, and can allow people to live vicariously and thereby not have to express their emotions in a more real and/or negative way. My essay did not cover all forms of music, but did cover the major genres that have affected my life in some way, and that still affect the lives of thousands of people worldwide irrespective of their race, background or general attitude.

Follow Us on Social Media

Get more free essays

Send via email

Most useful resources for students:.

• Free Essays Download
• Writing Tools List
• Proofreading Services
• Universities Rating

Contributors Bio

Find more useful services for students

Free plagiarism check, professional editing, online tutoring, free grammar check.

Improving writing skills since 2002

(855) 4-ESSAYS

Type a new keyword(s) and press Enter to search

Music classifications.

• Word Count: 507
• Approx Pages: 2
• View my Saved Essays
• Downloads: 35
• Grade level: High School
• Problems? Flag this paper!

            Music has the ability to shape one's mind. Throughout history it has been blatantly obvious that this favored type entertainment have changed with the passing times. The growth of music has led to an expansions to ones freedom of expression. These changes cause divisions in music which then cause divisions in society. Any man who says that music doesn't play a major role in ones life is deserving of pity. Every man today fits under at least one classification of music. Musical styles can go hand and hand with one's personality. .              Look at three categories of music. For example, Rock, Rap, and Classical, every group has a certain stereotype that society looks upon. Looking at Rap fans one can notice that they seem to usually enjoy the "ghetto" life. The quick speaking rhyming sound is usually aimed for the urban setting and speaks of poverty, drugs, money, and fame. This can generate a person to stereotypically wear baggy pants, work boots, a silver chain with a medallion attached to it and name brand clothes such as Tommy, Timberland, Echo, or Polo Jeans. This type of person may also use slang words such as "yo" or "ya buggin." Music has aided to a new kind of personality that has never existed. Some dislike this form of self expression and would rather go for something less "ghetto" and listen to a form of Rock. .              Another category, Rock, has a different style then Rap. This form of music is more based in the use of the guitar. A Rock fan tends to like the style and unique sound that either an electric guitar or acoustic guitar generates. This style creates a person that some feel are very "grunge." This stereotype usually means that the person dresses in blue jeans with the knee ripped, an old tee-shirt with long hair that needs a good washing. This head-banging sound helps Rock fans express themselves the way they want. The sound of the music correlates with the style of dress.

• Page 1 of 2

Essays Related to Music classifications

1. classification of music.

CLASSIFICATION OF MUSIC Music has always been a part of every culture, big or small. ... Some music represents people, and other music expresses people. ... Another type of music is punk. Punk is a loud and heavy music. ... Hardcore music is the last type of music on the list. ...

• Word Count: 685
• Approx Pages: 3
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

2. Cutlure of Music

Music plays an important role in today's culture. ... (The amount depends on how one classifies the music). ... Next is Opera music. Opera is drama set to music. ... Jazz originated in New Orleans around the turn of the 20th century and since then has evolved into many different classifications. ...

• Word Count: 389

3. Music Appreciation

Music holds a significant purpose in our everyday lives. ... Sound is an important characteristic of music. ... The seven classifications of music are woodwinds, strings, brass, percussion, keyboards, electronics, and voice, the oldest of the seven. ... Rhythm is the flow of music through time. ... Renaissance music is mainly polyphonic. ...

• Word Count: 562

4. apartheid and music

Classification into these categories was based on appearance, social acknowledgment, and ancestry. ... Music also provided a practical purpose throughout the country. The music served the purpose of communication during this time period. ... And finally, music also served a tactical purpose in South African society. ... This statement seems to be the most accurate reflection of music's purpose in South African apartheid. ...

• Word Count: 3760
• Approx Pages: 15

5. Sabah Music Culture

Western tonal music is taken as the standard music, there is no other good music except tonal music. Music before Bach and after Tchaikovsky are considered "strange" music. ... In the main there was a conscious and deliberate move to discard Chinese music and take on the new music. ... Under a broad classification of pop music, there is a variety of musical expressions: the most prominent is the recorded music industry being CDs and cassettes. ... While people recognise that Chinese music CDs are from Hong Kong or Taiwan, most of the pop music in fact is in the style of Japanese Pop music w...

• Word Count: 2674
• Approx Pages: 11

6. World Music and Globalization

World music and globalization of world music is becoming one of the most controversial topics in today's world. ... While the classification of world music is problematic, for many, world music represents much of what is right in the world. ... However, critics disagree with concept of globalization of world music, fearing that the distribution of music through recording companies, and advancement of music technology will eventually homogenize distinct cultures into a global monoculture. ... It is evident that the global music industry has flourished due to the introduction and cooperativ...

• Word Count: 1189
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

Hip-Hop Music has always been a form of expression. ... Music can be used to calm a person down, to relieve stress, or sheer leisure entertainment. ... Within these genres, there are different classifications. Hip-Hop music is one of the different genres. It has helped many artists channel their emotions through their music. ...

• Word Count: 613

8. Genre Theory and the Hollywood Musical

The term 'genre' has been historically referred to as the classification of literary texts and forms. In modernity and postmodernity it has been extended beyond literary boundaries to encapsulate (among other 'art forms') the classification of film/cinema. ... It is important to note that in addition to assisting the classification of film, genre also expresses the industrialized mode of production of film. ... The subsequent years saw the rise of burlesque, vaudeville, music hall and theatre - (as previously discussed) all largely contributing factors to the emergence o...

• Word Count: 2434
• Approx Pages: 10

9. Clockwork Orange

Clockwork Orange Film Review United Kingdom, 1971 Running Length: 2:17 MPAA Classification: R (Sex, nudity, violence, rape) Cast: Malcolm McDowell, Patrick Magee, Warren Clarke, James Marcus, Aubrey Morris, Godfrey Quigley, Michael Bates Director: Stanley Kubrick Producer: Warner Bros Screenplay: Stanley Kubrick based on the novel by Anthony Burgess Cinematography: John Alcott Music: Walter Carlos Released in 1971, A Clockwork Orange was produced, directed and written by Stanley Kubrick's, based upon the novel by Anthony Burgess. ... The colorful set designs by John...

• Word Count: 521

• Share full article

Advertisement

Supported by

Letter of Recommendation

The Retro Music Genre That Will Change Your Life

Classic rock rules. When the right song comes on the radio, I pretty much see God.

By Nate Rogers

Distilled to its purest essence, rock music, my genre of choice, is somewhat embarrassing. I usually enjoy a Kiss song when I hear it, for instance — I wish you luck trying to resist the power-pop perfection of “Strutter” — but I would still prefer that no one walk in on me while it’s playing. (Doesn’t anyone knock anymore?) There are plenty of artful examples of rock music, definitely, but its power-stancing DNA will always be grown adults in silly outfits screaming about their broken hearts.

I don’t get the impression that Spotify, which I use often, values the questionable excesses of rock ’n’ roll quite the way I do. That’s not necessarily a terrible thing — nobody should just be sitting around listening to arena rock from the 1970s. But I have a theory about why the streaming giant favors certain softer styles of music: Perhaps the most ideal streaming customer is one who uses a service while working, racking up hours of passive plays. But you cannot have Kiss on while you work. You’ll quickly get irritated with the repetition or the obnoxious lyrics or the tinny production and want to switch to something more pacifying. And Spotify will be more than happy to offer an alternative, having become quite adept at recommending music that hits the spot, song after song, through its Autoplay algorithm. My experience with letting Spotify take the wheel is that it finds music that sits pleasantly in the background, and while listening with Autoplay on, my environs are like a coffee shop, no matter where I am. In other words, the platform doesn’t really get, nor effectively push, the core of the subgenre I crave most of all: classic rock.

You’re probably familiar with the peculiar distinctions of classic rock, even as they continue to morph in real time. Based on what classic rock D.J.s tend to play, we’re talking about music made from the mid-60s to the early ’00s at this point (sorry, I don’t like that any more than you do). But the songs are not determined by age so much as feel: Hoobastank’s schmaltzy hit “The Reason” is more than 20 years old now, though you would not classify it as classic rock. Red Hot Chili Peppers’ war-torn ballad “Scar Tissue,” however, released just a few years earlier, fits the bill. Classic rock is music you could see a suburban father listening to on a speaker while washing his car in the driveway. Painfully masculine, beautifully simple.

Take that car out of the driveway, and an alternative to streaming-induced banality awaits. I’ve found myself tuning in to 95.5 KLOS, my local classic-rock station, as I drive around the concrete sprawl of Los Angeles, which is an easy place to get sentimental about rock history. Turn a corner, and there’s Whisky a Go Go, there’s Laurel Canyon, there’s Sunset Sound. Leather-pants-wearing ghosts everywhere you look. L.A. was not built on subtlety, and it’s often best to commune with it at a high volume. A little bit of added radio crackle is fine; everything is grimy here.

I like listening to rock ’n’ roll not to accent my world but rather to draw my active attention.

Of course, the sugar blast of the most carnal rock songs cannot alone constitute a healthful diet, but a little can be rejuvenating. On my own, I would never fire up Mötley Crüe’s “Kickstart My Heart,” and I doubt Spotify would serve it to me through Autoplay. I’m thankful for that — it makes me feel as if I need a shower afterward — but total abstention from a song that catchy is like never indulging in a milkshake.

And certain peaks of rock history are well established for a reason. After hearing Jimi Hendrix’s “Voodoo Child” approximately 10 times in one month, I’m convinced there’s no moment more musically exhilarating than when the full band kicks in. And every time I hear Tom Petty sing about having the radio on in “Runnin’ Down a Dream,” while I, too, have the radio on, I pretty much see God. At one point recently, when a KLOS D.J. seamlessly transitioned Bob Seger’s “Hollywood Nights” into the Cars’ “Just What I Needed,” I almost burst out of my Prius.

But the classic rock I enjoy is not the only reason I tune into KLOS. What I’m also looking for is the music I despise . How else would I know that Grand Funk Railroad did a six-minute cover of “Gimme Shelter”? I’m drawn to the genre’s goofy idiosyncrasies. I cannot help laughing at James Hetfield every time I hear him end a line in a Metallica song with “-ah!” I’ve learned that whenever there’s a hair-metal song too vague and clichéd to place initially, the chorus comes on and it’s always Scorpions. For every legitimately classic classic-rock song KLOS plays, there’s another that makes the argument for rewriting the genre.

Maybe it’s a masochistic impulse to seek out this kind of inconsistency. But I can sense that, after my first decade of streaming, I’ve become more prone to complacency. I like listening to rock ’n’ roll not to accent my world but rather to draw my active attention. So, to keep my ears sharp, that means occasionally resetting my brain with the loudest, brashest music in the canon, for better or worse. (Sometimes that’s a spectrum captured within one simultaneously terrible, amazing song, like Kiss’s undeniably catchy “Lick It Up.”) And then, after an hour or so of this process, classic rock gives me back something crucial that streaming has been slowly taking away: the desire to turn the music off.

Nate Rogers is a writer in Los Angeles. His writing has appeared in The Los Angeles Times, The Ringer, Stereogum and elsewhere.

Explore The New York Times Magazine

The ‘Colorblindness’ Trap: Nikole Hannah-Jones examines how the fall of affirmative action may be viewed as part of a 50-year campaign to undermine the progress of the civil rights movement .

Deathbed Visions: Researchers are documenting the illusions seen by the dying , a phenomenon that seems to help them, as well as those they leave behind.

The Mad Perfumer of Parma: Hilde Soliani, the creator of fantastical perfumes, makes feral scents that evoke everything from oysters to opera houses .

Mona Island’s Terrifying Allure: Here’s why immigrants, seekers and pilgrims have been drawn for centuries to the treacherous shores of the remote island near Puerto Rico .

Creature Comforts: How exactly did pets take over our world? A writer spent a week at some luxury dog “hotels”  with his goldendoodle to find out.