We mentioned that dance has a lot of sub-genres, but this is its biggest. It’s the fastest-growing music type across the world and rose in popularity with DJs like David Guetta, Calvin Harris and Tiesto leading the way. It’s closely linked to House music and came about as disco declined.

Originally a cult and underground movement, EDM is now mainstream and while part of the dance music umbrella, is very much its own entity. EDM festivals, big-name DJ gigs and Vegas events ensure it continues to be successful.

Funk uses a syncopated beat and heavy bass lines and distinctive grooves. It originates from African American influences and takes cues from Soul, Jazz and R&B.

What is Pop Music?

• Blues Music
• Rock and Roll Music
• Jazz Music
• Dance Music

Most African American musicians only played blues, but some played classical music as well and learned European harmony. Some even mixed European harmony with the rhythms and scales of blues, and it was from this mixture that “jazz” was born.Some of the greatest jazz orchestras were those led by Duke Ellington, Count Basie and Fletcher Henderson, with whom Louis Armstrong played. All the most popular singers of the day.

These new styles weren’t as easy to dance to as swing, so they weren’t as popular, but they found a new audience of serious listeners for whom modern jazz was art music rather than popular music.