Genre is the musical term for style! There are hundreds of musical genres, and the list continues to grow every day! Distinguishing one genre from another can be challenging for beginners. In our upcoming blog posts, we’ll explore the defining characteristics of the most popular genres. Today, let’s delve into what defines the sound of R&B!
Instrumentation
R&B can refer to a wide range of instrumentation choices, depending on the era! 80’s and 90’s R&B is often characterized by synthesizers and drum machines, whereas many modern R&B bands incorporate a live band of electric guitar, keyboard, bass guitar, and drums.
Sensual Lyrics
R&B lyrics often cover the topics of sensuality and love. This sounds simplistic and easy to achieve, but is quite difficult to do without coming across as cliché!
Vocal Runs
Vocalists in the genre of R&B are some of the best in the world! The style requires agility, range, and a highly developed ear. Vocal runs are a dominant feature that show off the singer’s skills and lend smoothness to the sound.
Harmonies and Background Vocals
Though many genres of music incorporate vocal harmonies and background vocals, they are rarely prominent parts of arrangements. In R&B, it is common for a singer to create and record their own intricate vocal harmonies (sometimes known as stacks) that provide a lush fullness to the music.
Collaboration and Features
R&B tends to be more collaborative than other genres. It is common for another singer or even rapper to be featured on a song. This community factor helps to keep the style fresh and forward-thinking!
Closing Notes
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