Genealogy of musical genres

The genealogy of musical genres is the pattern of musical genres that have contributed to the development of new genres. Evolution in musical instruments^[1] in technology and in culture can influence the evolution of musical genres.^[2]

Genealogical charts or family trees of musical genres show how new genres have emerged from existing genres and how multiple genres have contributed to a new genre. Since music can be endlessly broken down into smaller and smaller categories, a genealogical chart will usually focus on one major genre and its different strains. How these developed out of one another is shown in a genealogical chart, often with major figures or innovators of each subgenre.

A simplified example appears below.

Classical

Blues

Folk

Opera

Jazz

Country

Rhythm and Blues

Hip Hop

Rock

Reggae

Soul

Metal

Punk

Funk

Disco

Dance/Electronic