As a new musician, choosing the right genre to start with can shape your learning journey, motivation, and even your musical identity. But with so many styles out there—pop, rock, jazz, classical, EDM—it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.
The truth? There’s no single “correct” genre to start with. But there is a right one for you—and it often comes down to personal goals, inspiration, and how you plan to make music (playing, singing, or producing).
Let’s walk through how to make that decision with confidence.
Start With the Music That Moves You
Above all, your first genre should be the one that genuinely excites you. It sounds simple, but it’s powerful. Reddit users often give the same advice:
“Start with the genre you love. You’ll stay more consistent, and it won’t feel like work.”
(Reddit)
If you love jazz, learn jazz. If your playlist is 90% pop hits, learn those songs. Learning what you already enjoy keeps motivation high, even when challenges arise.
Easy-Entry Genres for Beginners
If you’re completely new and aren’t sure what you like yet, some genres are especially beginner-friendly because of their simple structures, repetitive patterns, and lower technical barriers.
- Pop music is a great place to start. The chords are often repeated throughout the song, and melodies are predictable. Platforms like Yousician highlight pop as a top choice for beginners.
- Folk or acoustic styles typically use just a handful of open chords, light strumming, and accessible lyrics. They’re perfect for voice-and-guitar learners.
- Blues is another strong choice. Its 12-bar structure teaches you musical form early on, and it’s great for both rhythm and lead players. The expressive phrasing also makes it a fun genre to explore.
As Angkor Music notes, starting with simple songs in any genre helps build your confidence and enjoyment.
Genres That Build a Strong Musical Foundation
If you want to understand music deeply—both technically and creatively—you might lean toward more theory-rich genres.
- Classical music trains you in notation, timing, harmony, and discipline. It’s an ideal choice for pianists, string players, and vocalists who want a strong technical base. According to StrummingBars, classical training can strengthen your skills in any other genre later on.
- Country music, while easy to pick up, can also teach storytelling, clean technique, and strong song structure. It’s great for learning guitar picking and vocal phrasing.
If your goal is long-term musical fluency or even composing your own work, starting with one of these foundational genres is a smart move.
For Future Performers: Rock and Jazz
If you imagine yourself playing in a band or performing live, genre matters a lot. Here are two beginner-accessible genres that still allow growth:
- Rock is a favorite for guitarists, bassists, and drummers. It features power chords, iconic riffs, and rhythmic energy. Many learners pick up songs like Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit” or Green Day’s “Boulevard of Broken Dreams” early on because they’re easy and fun to play. CoachGuitar recommends rock for its mix of simplicity and energy.
- Jazz, while more advanced, can sharpen your understanding of chord changes, improvisation, and listening. Many musicians on Reddit say that jazz improved their technical skill and musical ear faster than any other genre—though it may take longer to feel comfortable in it.
What If You’re a Music Producer?
For those starting with a DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) rather than a traditional instrument, your genre choice affects what tools and techniques you’ll learn first.
- Hip-hop and rap are excellent genres for beginners in production. With loop-based structure and tons of free samples online, you can start building beats right away—even with minimal theory. One Reddit thread calls hip-hop “the easiest genre to get started in, but hard to master” (Reddit).
- Lo-fi and house music are also accessible because of their repetitive structure, slow BPMs, and emphasis on vibe over complexity. Users on the redmproduction subreddit often recommend them for learning beat-making and mixing basics.
For extra help, check out RocketPages’ beginner-friendly resources like:
Should You Stick With One Genre or Explore?
- Most teachers suggest starting with one genre to build focus and progress faster. As Synth Designer puts it: “It’s easier to measure improvement when you stay within one musical framework early on.”
- That said, experimentation is valuable too. One musician on Reddit said:
- “Genres will pick you eventually. Explore, even if it feels awkward at first—you’ll find your voice.”
- So if you feel stuck or uninspired in one genre, don’t hesitate to explore others. You’re not committing forever—just for now.
Want to Learn Faster and Play Better?
Here are a few curated RocketPages resources that can help you grow—no matter what genre you choose:
Final Thoughts
- There’s no wrong choice—only a good starting point. Whether you choose pop for its simplicity, jazz for its complexity, or hip-hop for its production freedom, what matters most is consistency, curiosity, and connection to the music you play.
- Start where you feel most energized, and evolve as your skills and interests grow. Every great musician once began where you are—wondering which genre to explore first. The most important step is simply getting started.
