This page lists all of the musical genres covered by the Virtual Instrument Museum. Each genre will link to a picture and information specific to that genre including information on the instruments associated with the particular genre.

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.

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...

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.

A-to-Z list of musical genres, briefly defined and occasionally illustrated. [A work-in-progress, not all entries are complete.]

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.

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,...

This is a WebQuest lesson in which students design a theme park consisting of musical "Lands," of various styles and genres.

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.

The third lesson plan 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,...

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....

This alphabetized list of musical forms and styles briefly defines and describes the types of musical sounds and genres created throughout history.

A descriptive site on the many styles of music. There is information on everything from chamber music to rap.

This resource provides an excellent introduction to the folk music genre and its elements.

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]

Short but interesting combination of music and race and its influence on American culture from the Kansas State University. Provides most important songs, artists, and lyrics. Unusual page.

A series of lesson plans geared toward elementary students. These lessons explore various musical cultures such as Germanic music, Korean songs, Ugandan music and Mexican music. You can use all of the lessons or simply choose which ones...

PBS presents several activities and lesson plans that cover the concepts of identifying different forms of music, learning about musical imagery, writing in response to music, and creating lyrics. The Sound Lounge has many interactive...

Interactive site that teaches kids about jazz, jazz instruments, and writing jazz music. Includes games,videos, and lots of great sounds.

This site has an web-article of the origins of 60s rock. Sections include "The Roots of Rock 'n' Roll," "The 1960's Begin," "The British Invade," and "1968 & 1969: The Unraveling." Also includes a bibliography section called...

This lesson plan could serve as the basis of a curriculum unit on slavery and/or the Civil War. Spirituals are analyzed, especially their cultural implications.

This resource explains how to learn about classical music, and covers the evolution, styles, and vocabulary of this important musical genre.

Access the world musical instrument collection of the Music Department of Wesleyan University through this virtual museum interface. Search for and learn about instruments by type, geographic location, instrument material, and genre....

Contains many links to information relating to folk music. The links go to artists pages, music genres, articles and folk music venues.