Which Is Harder: Jazz, Metal Or Classical?
Jazz, Metal and Classical are the most famous genres of music. They all need intense practice and focus to master.
Still, Jazz is a bit harder than the other genres. However, learning more than one genre can help a guitarist to become a master in his genre.
I have played guitar for more than 5 years and here I am going to share my own experience with the different genres. Though as a guitarist I am from the Metal genre.
However, I have learned and practiced other genres such as jazz, classical and country music too. It is to improve the sense and techniques of my guitar playing.
In years of learning various genres, I felt that Jazz is a bit harder than the other genres. However, every genre needs equal patience and practice to master.
The features of Jazz Music make it different from the genres. The harmony, use of the 7th, 9th, 11th and the 13th notes, the rhythmic pattern is quite different in the case of jazz. Further, it depends on the basic theory with a need to practice and improvisation.
On the other hand, I feel that Metal is actually easier than jazz after you crack it. Metal music basically depends on the innovative reefs, chord progression and a faster rhythm.
If you are a beginner and looking for which genre is harder: jazz, metal or classical, then go through the article. I have ranked the genres on the basis of their hardness which helps you to decide which one to learn first.
Also Read: Hard Vs Soft Guitar Picks: What’s Better For Different Usages
Ranking 5 Music Genres From Easiest To Hardest (For Guitar)
There are 5 basic music genres are mention from easiest to hardest for guitar
1. Classical
Classical Music is one of the oldest music genres and is in the helm of popularity over the centuries. Its simplicity and harmony makes it the best genre for learning guitar. I, as a guitarist, started my journey with this genre.
The key to classical music is its simplicity and harmony. Its consists of various scales, chords and rhythms. Still its simple harmonic progression and slow tempo makes it quite easy for learning guitars.
Well, classical music takes a long time of hard work to master as there are many things to learn. I found this is the best music genre. It helps me to grab a deep sense over musical notes, rhythms and harmony.
Classical music is the oldest genre of music. Lots of people around the world have a deep love for this genre.
Even researchers say that classical music is the best for the brains. Matteo Carcassi, Napoleon Coste, Johann Kaspar Mertz, Narciso Yepes are the few popular classical guitarists.
Classical Music has the most varieties of instruments among which classical guitar are very popular. Classical guitar is generally made of nylon strings. It is slightly different from the acoustic Spanish guitar.
Classical music is best for learning. It helps you to generate a deep sense of harmony, rhythm, scales and techniques. I always recommend beginners to start their learning from this genre.
2. Country
Country Music is another popular music that has originated in 1940s. Its melodious tone and pattern is quite attractive and is easy for beginners to learn.
Country music is developed from the Blues and church music. It consists of Honky Tonk music and ballads. It is quite simple in rhythm, scale and tempo. I have learned country music just after playing a few months of guitar.
From my experience, I have ranked it as the second easiest genre for guitar. For beginners, it may take five to seven months of hard work to master in country music.
The Country music is one of the popular genres of music. Lots of songs, guitar solos, instrumentals are there in this genre. Lady Antebellum, Brooks and Dunn, The Chicks, Rascal Flatts, Alabama are the most popular names in this genre.
Country music involves lots of musical instruments. Among them, string instruments, especially guitars are mostly popular. You can use acoustic or electric guitar while playing country music.
It is one of the best genres for learning for beginners. I recommend learning country music once you become familiar with scales and rhythms that merely take a few months.
3. Heavy Metal
Metal or Heavy Metal music is originated from United Kingdom and United States in between 1960s and 1970s.
As a guitarist of this genre for more than ten years, I have ranked it third in the list of the ‘Music genres from easiest to hardest for guitar’.
Metal music is developed from the blues, jazz and hard rock. The main features of this genre are the distorted guitar tones, super fast tempo and extended guitar solos.
There are some special techniques for playing metal in guitar. It makes it bit harder among the other music genres. It almost takes one to two years of hard work and practice to become a good metal guitar player.
Heavy metal has been originated during the 1960s and almost instantly gains popularity. With times its popularity gradually increases.
Today, it is probably the most popular music genre throughout the globe. Megadeth, Metallica, Led Zeppelin and Dream Theatre are the most popular metal bands.
Metal bands mostly use electric guitars, bass guitars and drums as key instruments. If you get the vibe and want to learn it, you must have an electric guitar. Of course a sound processor too.
Well, from my experience, I recommend beginners to start learning metal guitar. You should come to play Metal after a year with the acoustic guitar.
4. Blues
Blues, another popular music genre, is originated in 19th century from the African American folk songs specially work and spiritual songs. Summing up my experience with the Blues, I have listed it as the second hardest music genre.
You can figure out Blues music by its distinct melody, harmony and a scale with stunning chord progression. The scale we use in Blues, is a six-note scale consists of the minor pentatonic scale with a flattened fifth note.
However, many other scales are used in this genre. This feature of blues makes it one of the hardest genres. In addition, mastering in blues may take a few years; for me it takes almost 2 years of intense practice and dedication.
Blues gains its popularity in 1920s after developing its AAB lyric pattern. Initially, blues was of slow rhythm; but with time it gradually increases its tempo. Eddie Condon, Charlie Christian, Pat Metheny are the most popular guitarists belongs to this genre.
During the origination of blues music, it was played in piano and acoustic guitar. However, these days’ electric guitars are widely used to play blues. Personally, I also prefer my electric guitar for playing blues.
The hardness of Blues lies in its pattern and techniques. For this, I would recommend the beginners to start the journey with blues after learning a few other genres.
5. Jazz
Jazz is an American music that has been developed from Afro-American folk music. Its distinct features make it the hardest among the other genres.
Jazz music is not only dependent on the techniques and the basic theories. It needs regular improvisation to innovative ideas to create a masterpiece.
The rhythmic pattern, chords and the use of 7th, 9th, 11th and the 13th notes within the scale makes it a bit harder. That is why it takes many years to master.
Jazz has become one of the most popular genres among guitar players and music lovers. Have you heard about Wes Montgomery, Jim Hall, George Benson, Joe Pass? Yes, right? Well, they all are from this popular Jazz genre.
Jazz music is different by its traits. It needs techniques and a deep musical sense to master it. For beginners, I would recommend not choosing this genre at first. Learn and master the other genres to adopt the techniques and music sense to learn jazz faster in future.
Every genre has its own music, Jazz too has. Most well-known Jazz guitar player prefers a nylon string classical guitar. I have also played Jazz in acoustic, electric and classical guitar. But, the best output comes from the nylon string classical guitar.
Also Read: Usage Of Music Theory: Do You Need It To Play Instrument?
FAQs
Q: What Genre of Music Is Best for Learning?
Classical music is the best for learning guitar. Classical Music consists of various scales, harmony and rhythms that helps beginners to create a deep sense of music.
Q: Is Jazz Guitar Harder Than Classical?
Yes, Playing Jazz music is harder than classical. Jazz music consists of different types of scales, rhythms and harmony. On the other hand, the key to classical music lies in its simplicity. I always recommend learning jazz after learning a few other genres.
Q: Is It Easier to Play Classical or Acoustic Guitar?
Acoustic guitar is easier to play than classical. That said, both the classical and acoustic guitars are mostly similar – the difference lies in the techniques. Classical guitar is usually played for classical music – which requires a long time of hard work to master.
On the other hand an acoustic guitar can be used for playing various genres. It’s hardness depends on which genre you are learning.
