Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: Exploring the World of Music
This 12-video series examines elements of music such as melody, harmony, rhythm, and texture, and how they are used in a wide variety of music genres in cultures around the world.
Library of Congress
Loc: Omaha Indian Music
A fascinating site of traditional American Indian music. Listen online to the 44 wax cylinder recordings from 1895-97! Listen also to interviews of the tribe giving background information.
Wikimedia
Wikipedia: Baroque Music
A Wikipedia article on Baroque music distinguishes it from the Renaissance and Classical styles, discusses the different musical genres the Baroque composers wrote in, lists the important features of Baroque music, and provides a list of...
PBS
Pbs: American Roots Music
If teaching a unit about the history of popular music in America, this PBS web site supporting their four-part TV broadcast of a few years ago would make a great resource. Includes lesson plans and oral histories too.
Other
World Music Central: World Music Genres
A-to-Z list of musical genres, briefly defined and occasionally illustrated. [A work-in-progress, not all entries are complete.]
National Endowment for the Humanities
Neh: Edsit Ement: Music Across America
This curriculum unit devoted to the study of American music features five lesson plans that help students identify instruments, recognize styles and genres of American music and begin to comprehend the rich diversity of American music.
Black Past
Black Past: Rap/hip Hop
This encyclopedia entry gives a brief history of rap and hip hop and the influences of the music on modern culture.
PBS
Pbs: Independent Lens: Strange Fruit: Protest Music Past and Present
Listen to audio clips of songs of protest from eight eras of U.S. history. Explore the lyrics, learn about the songwriters, and gather background information on the music that served and continues to serve as a catalyst for thought,...
Pennsylvania State University
Penn State University: Design a Theme Park About Music
This is a WebQuest lesson in which young scholars design a theme park consisting of musical "Lands," of various styles and genres.
Wikimedia
Wikipedia: Music of the United States
Very thorough resource for music in the United States. History, genres, and references can be found on this site. Includes sample audio recordings.
Other
English Folk and Traditional Music on the Internet
This resource presents a thorough list of links relating to the definitions, organisations, libraries, archives, museums, research, magazines, journals, discographies, bibliographies, songs, tunes, dances, instruments, specific genres,...
University of Illinois
University of Illinois Urbana Champaign: Experimental Music Studios
The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign's electronic music facility. This site includes a pictorial tour and information on admissions.
Library of Congress
Loc: Dolly Parton and the Roots of Country Music
Explore the roots of country music through a timeline of Parton's life and a timeline of country music. Excellent information on Appalachian and Bluegrass music is also provided.
PBS
Pbs: American Roots Music: Lesson Three: Gospel Music Meets a Wide Audience
The third lesson deals with the emergence of gospel as a form of popular music among a general public. Gospel is a musical genre with roots in the African American church, particularly in the South. Between the 1940s and the 1960s,...
Other
Federal Focus Jazz Band: Traditional Jazz Style Guide
A stylistic breakdown and analysis of traditional jazz. Distinguishes between the different types of this unique genre.
BBC
Bbc Radio2: Sold on Song
If you love classic pop and rock songs and performers, you'll want to visit this site. Includes background information and audio, a glossary, a guide to songwriting styles, songwriting tips, music quizzes, interviews, and so much more....
Other
Classical Music Navigator: Forms and Styles
This alphabetized list of musical forms and styles briefly defines and describes the types of musical sounds and genres created throughout history.
Other
Alien Travel Guide: Musical Styles
A descriptive site on the many styles of music. There is information on everything from chamber music to rap.
San Diego State University
Sd State: Elements of Music: Media, Genre, Form Texture
One of the elements of music is "Texture." This site gives the definition, which basically is the relationship between melodic and harmonic.
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame: Sti Lesson 36: Cross Genre Comparisons in Hip Hop
From being viewed as a fad, hip-hop's commercial success has allowed it to permeate virtually all aspects of popular culture. By critically analyzing hip-hop music and comparing it with established music forms, the cultural relevance,...
Internet History Sourcebooks Project
Fordham University: Modern History Sourcebook: Music and Nationalism
Fordham University provides college-level reading on how the Nationalism of the 19th Century affected the music of the 20th, especially Classical music. These composers lived most of their lives in the 1800's, but are often classified...
Other
Maryl Neff: Definition of Folk Music
This resource provides an excellent introduction to the folk music genre and its elements.
University of Illinois
University of Illinois Urbana Champaign: Learning Musical Elements Through Listening
This is a site created for teaching children the art of listening to music. Includes sections on the elements of music, composers, and genres with more under construction.
South Carolina Educational Television
Etv: Artopia: Media Studio: Movie Soundtrack
Understand the impact of movie soundtracks. Watch a movie clip of Charade and sample nine different music genres to see how they affect the meaning of the story. [1:03]