Genre restrictions

[DDman465]

Is metal still metal if all the instruments are electronic (synths and what-not)? No physical guitars, ect.

This isn't stopping me from doing anything, just wondering how the majority of people would label a song like it.

[loansindi]

Instrumentation usually isn't the defining feature of a genre.

[TheSandyman]

Try picturing someone who's listening to your song for the first time, and ask yourself what he'd say if you asked which genre your song is. That's how I do it.

[Gario]

At 5/30/11 04:18 PM, loansindi wrote: Instrumentation usually isn't the defining feature of a genre.

For some genres it can be - metal being one of them. Without the distorted guitar you're not going to be writing metal. True, that's not all there is to making metal, but it is a pretty basic requirement. I'm not an expert in genre-labeling myself, but unless you're going to imitate the metal guitar by using samples or something then your electronic track will probably be something like 'Industrial' or the like.

[FatKidWitAJetPak]

I think that people should make music however they want to make music, and then label it later. I never knew what genre my music was until I heard about "ambient". To answer your question, however, heavy metal is still heavy metal if it uses electronic synths. In fact, many popular metal heads here use all sorts of electronic like synths in their songs. It really gives it a nice edge and appeals to the common public. *since all the kids these days rage in their pants once they hear electronic music and review with a 10 immediately*

[Chris-V2]

At 5/30/11 04:27 PM, Gario wrote:

At 5/30/11 04:18 PM, loansindi wrote: Instrumentation usually isn't the defining feature of a genre.

For some genres it can be - metal being one of them. Without the distorted guitar you're not going to be writing metal.

Apocalyptica. Come at me, bro.

Instrumentation is just an aspect, genre categorization is loose so I wouldn't be too woried. It's more of about sharing a certain number of stylistic elements than a particular one. You could have Metal with no drums, or Jazz Metal, or Metal in a major key, or Metal in 3/4. And if you asked someone what it was they'd answer "It's Metal".

[loansindi]

At 5/30/11 04:33 PM, Chris-V2 wrote:

At 5/30/11 04:27 PM, Gario wrote:

At 5/30/11 04:18 PM, loansindi wrote: Instrumentation usually isn't the defining feature of a genre.

For some genres it can be - metal being one of them. Without the distorted guitar you're not going to be writing metal.

Apocalyptica. Come at me, bro.

van canto.

Instrumentation is just an aspect, genre categorization is loose so I wouldn't be too woried. It's more of about sharing a certain number of stylistic elements than a particular one.

It's entirely about thematic construction, most genres are not tied to any specific instrumentation at all.

[Back-From-Purgatory]

The latest version of my most popular "heavy metal" song (See sig) is more focused on the orchestra than the guitars, and I've been getting a lot of reviews saying it isn't really heavy metal... But it's the closest genre I could think to put it in... Then it made best of the week, so I'm pretty sure people won't get mad because of the type of instrumentation you use as long as it sounds good and at least slightly resembles the genre you put it under.

My 2 cents.

[HolyKonni]

yes, intrumentation doesn't determine genre, and metal is still metal with electro intruments. heck, you can even make 8-bit metal and its still metal.

[Gario]

At 5/30/11 04:33 PM, Chris-V2 wrote:

At 5/30/11 04:27 PM, Gario wrote:

At 5/30/11 04:18 PM, loansindi wrote: Instrumentation usually isn't the defining feature of a genre.

For some genres it can be - metal being one of them. Without the distorted guitar you're not going to be writing metal.

Apocalyptica. Come at me, bro.

Instrumentation is just an aspect, genre categorization is loose so I wouldn't be too woried. It's more of about sharing a certain number of stylistic elements than a particular one. You could have Metal with no drums, or Jazz Metal, or Metal in a major key, or Metal in 3/4. And if you asked someone what it was they'd answer "It's Metal".

I'd argue that it's not technically metal, actually (though it IS awesome, which is probably why a metalhead would answer as such). Probably popular, or some other obscure genre, but not metal.

[sugarsimon]

who those making a rock and hardcore music of course

[Step]

I take back what I said in the other thread about sugarsimon's grammar improving.

[Echo]

At 5/31/11 08:34 AM, sugarsimon wrote: who those making a rock and hardcore music of course

He's obviously referring to hardcore music about a rock.

[Chris-V2]

Quit hatin' on Sugarsimon. He's just trying to participate!