Exploring new music genres.

A friend recently gave me a Soul music compilation that she found in a charity shop and which she thought I may like.  It had a selection of artists music across three CD’s and although I had many of the tracks on specific albums, it was good having them in one place as an easily accessible compilation.

It got me thinking about these compilation albums and how they can be a good introduction to various genres of music.  It is a good way to dip your toes into the waters of music that may be new to you and if you find a track that especially moves you, you can go off and find more music by that artist.

They are also good for people like me, who already have many of the tracks, but who sometimes only wants a quick burst of a particular genre and doesn’t want to be limited to just one artist.  I guess we can make up our own playlists these days, which I do, but it is also nice to have the choice taken out of my hands and it’s also great finding the odd new gem hidden amongst the tracks I already know.

Of course there are also some terrible compilations out there, where a cheap label has cobbled together some music from some obscure artists to make a quick buck.  If you start off with one of these, not only will you not find much to further explore, but you may also be turned off of a genre of music completely.  It’s worth paying that little bit more for a compilation that has access to a wide range of labels and respected artists so that you get a good cross section of music and which gives you a fair representation of what the genre has to offer.

I love the odd Power Ballad compilation here, or an Eighties collection there and the next day I will quite happily press play on a Blues selection, followed up by some Soul that gets my fingers clicking in one moment and my insides aching the next.  It’s like having your own radio station, without the DJ.  Which leads me on to my next point.  With Internet radio now you can easily find a station that specialises in one style of music and which plays some of the well known hits to whet your appetite.  You don’t necessarily need to buy a CD compilation to achieve the same goal anymore, although I personally still like to.  But, this way you can find some new music without the cost and then you can go off and buy some specific tracks or albums based on your recent musical finds.

Some people suggest the internet will be the death of music and it certainly is throwing up some challenges for the music industry.  But for those, like me, who still like to buy their music, it is a wonderful way to find new bands and music before you go out and buy some more from them to round out your collection.

Next time you see an inexpensive music collection of a genre you’re not especially familiar or comfortable with, give it a try.  You never know you may find something to further explore and some music that moves you as deeply as the music you already own.  The best way to enjoy your music is the constantly stretch yourself and try new things.  You’ll add some new music into your life, but you’ll also enjoy your existing collection more as you hear it from a fresh perspective.