There are three main types of music videos: performance videos, narrative videos, and conceptual videos. Performance videos typically show the artist performing live on stage or in a location. Narrative videos tell a story that relates to the song's lyrics through various storytelling shots edited together. Conceptual videos may also tell a story but have no real connection to the song, and can be experimental in style through animation or unusual editing techniques. Both performance and narrative elements are often combined for maximum effect in conveying the artist's identity and relating visually to the song.

1. Music Video
Types
By Alice Sophie Turrell

2. Performance
With performance based videos, they often show the
band or artist performing on stage live. Another
variation is the band or artist playing in a location –
such as a field or in a building.
This style of music video is most popular with rock
bands as it shows their energy and attitude best.
In terms of how the videos are filmed, there are various
typical shots used in performance videos, such as from
the audiences point of view, looking at the crowd, and
close ups of the artists playing instruments.
More often than not, performance and narrative styles
are put together to show both the band performing and
a story line.
A good example of a performance video is Bon Jovi’s
Living on a Prayer.

3. Narrative
A narrative video shows a story line to go along with
the song that often connects, giving visual aid to the
song. These are quite popular with pop artists and see
them acting out different scenarios.
The way they are filmed is similar to the way films
and TV shows are filmed, with shots that go well
together to create more of a story and often show the
story over a period of time.
To link the video more closely to the music, they
often cut between narrative and performance. I think
that this is the most effective way of showing a music
video as having the mixture of both performance and
narrative shows the audience what the band is like
and visuals to go with the song.
A good example of this is type of video is Eminem’s
Stan video which also shows some performance
along with story.

4. Conceptual
Concept videos are often similar to narrative
videos, except for the fact they have no real
point or link to the song. These can be shot in
any way really, and often rely heavily on
editing. These can also be cartoon/animated
style videos.
Lyric videos fall into the conceptual video
category as they have no real meaning and
rely a lot on editing.
An example is Fall Out Boy’s America’s
Suitetheart’s video which is conceptually
based but includes elements of performance
and narrative.