Genre in Music Videos

1. What genre
would you
associate
with these
signifiers?

2. You have to identify conventions of your chosen genre
from the following areas…
Micro:
 Camera Shots
 Editing
 Mise-en-scène (props, costume, location)
Macro:
 Mix of performance and narrative
 Character (behaviour)
Tobeabletoevaluatethe
useofconventions ina
musicgenre with
referencetospecific
examples
(level 4)
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useofconventions ina
musicgenre with
referencetoexamples
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conventions ofagenre
(level 2)
Choose 3 videos and scrub through each one looking for these technical elements.

3. Classical
Behaviour
Instruments
Dress
Settings
Usually impeccably mannered.
Perhaps slightly elitist and
conceited.
Occasionally
rebellious.
Andre Rieu
Nigel Kennedy
Black tie or very smart.
Orchestral instruments,
often violins and cellos
(quartets) and pianos.
Grand, historic such
as Sydney Opera
House and Cities like
Rome.
IlVolo
Jenny Oaks Baker - violin
Modern – pop culture
influenced.
Lindsey Stirling
Landscapes.
Lang Lang - piano
Tobeabletoevaluatethe
useofconventions ina
musicgenre with
referencetospecific
examples
(level 4)
Tobeabletoanalysethe
useofconventions ina
musicgenre with
referencetoexamples
(level 3)
Tobeableidentify
conventions ofagenre
(level 2)

4. Classical
Camera
Content
Editing
ECU of instruments
being played
Slower pace to fit
the music. Use of dissolves.
Big focus on
performance.
Although more
modern cut quickly
CU of performers
More modern
artists use a mix of
performance and
conceptual.
Tobeabletoevaluatethe
useofconventions ina
musicgenre with
referencetospecific
examples
(level 4)
Tobeabletoanalysethe
useofconventions ina
musicgenre with
referencetoexamples
(level 3)
Tobeableidentify
conventions ofagenre
(level 2)

5. You have to identify conventions of your chosen genre
from the following areas…
Micro:
 Camera Shots
 Editing
 Mise-en-scène (props, costume, location)
Macro:
 Mix of performance and narrative
 Character (behaviour)
Tobeabletoevaluatethe
useofconventions ina
musicgenre with
referencetospecific
examples
(level 4)
Tobeabletoanalysethe
useofconventions ina
musicgenre with
referencetoexamples
(level 3)
Tobeableidentify
conventions ofagenre
(level 2)

6. The Uses & Gratifications theory proposes that the audience
is active and will use media texts for the following
gratifications:
 Diversion - escape from everyday problems and routine,
entertainment
 Personal Relationships - using the media for emotional and
other interaction, e.g. substituting soap operas for family life
 Personal Identity - finding yourself reflected in texts,
learning behaviour and values from texts
 Surveillance - Information which could be useful for living
e.g. weather reports, financial news, holiday bargains
Tobeabletoevaluatethe
useofconventions ina
musicgenre with
referencetospecific
examplesandtheory
(level 4)
Tobeabletoanalysethe
useofconventions ina
musicgenre with
referencetoexamples
andtheory
(level 3)
Tobeableidentify
conventions ofagenre
(level 2)

7. Many people use music to define themselves
(personal identity), to fit into social groups and sub-
cultures: emos, geeks, gangstas, skaters, metallers
etc. (personal relationships).
What music you like is often connected to your look
and style, your values and beliefs, your life aims and
goals.
Tobeabletoevaluatethe
useofconventions ina
musicgenre with
referencetospecific
examplesandtheory.
(level 4)
Tobeabletoanalysethe
useofconventions ina
musicgenre with
referencetoexamples
andtheory
(level 3)
Tobeableidentify
conventions ofagenre
(level 2)

8. Tobeabletoevaluatethe
useofconventions ina
musicgenre with
referencetospecific
examplesandtheory.
(level 4)
Tobeabletoanalysethe
useofconventions ina
musicgenre with
referencetoexamples
andtheory
(level 3)
Tobeableidentify
conventions ofagenre
(level 2)
Each genre of music has a different set of
ideologies and values.
(ways you think and feel about people and the world)
Each genre of music has its
own sub-culture which
supports this ideology.
For example, you wouldn’t
expect someone who is into
hip-hop / rap music to have
the same attitudes, values,
beliefs and approach to life
as someone who is into
classical music.

9. Match the values with the music genre and its typical
audience / sub-culture
(again, this is stereotyping, but this is often how texts position themselves)
Tobeabletoevaluatethe
useofconventions ina
musicgenre with
referencetospecific
examplesandtheory.
(level 4)
Tobeabletoanalysethe
useofconventions ina
musicgenre with
referencetoexamples
andtheory
(level 3)
Tobeableidentify
conventions ofagenre
(level 2)
Values / beliefs Subculture / music genre
Poetry is cool
Looking pretty is important EMO
Guns are cool
Making money is important
Men are more important than women GANGSTA RAP
Being different is cool
Women are equal to men
Falling in love is important POP
Big cars are cool

10. Tobeabletoevaluatethe
useofconventions ina
musicgenre with
referencetospecific
examplesandtheory.
(level 4)
Tobeabletoanalysethe
useofconventions ina
musicgenre with
referencetoexamples
andtheory
(level 3)
Tobeableidentify
conventions ofagenre
(level 2)
Steve Neale:
Genres are instances of repetition and difference.
Difference is absolutely essential to the economy of genre:
mere repetition would not attract an audience
Rick Altman provides four meanings of genre. Genre as:
• a blueprint
• structure
• a label
• a contract
David Buckingham argues that 'genre is not... simply
"given" by the culture: rather, it is in a constant process of
negotiation and change'

11. You need to create a genre study for your chosen
musical genre. Use your mind maps as a starting
point for structure and content.
Remember these key factors…
 Use examples first and discuss them
 Always include multiple examples to back up your points
 Utilise ICT/digital media wherever possible
Tobeabletoevaluatethe
useofconventions ina
musicgenre with
referencetospecific
examplesandtheory.
(level 4)
Tobeabletoanalysethe
useofconventions ina
musicgenre with
referencetoexamples
andtheory
(level 3)
Tobeableidentify
conventions ofagenre
(level 2)