Resource: Musicmap

If you’re interested in the genealogy of popular music and LOVE infographics, then Musicmap is the site for you! Created by Kwinten Crauwels, this incredibly detailed and well-researched site provides users with a detailed map of the many connections between all styles of popular music. Simply by zooming in on any area of the initial map (see above) you can see the many sub-genres associated with each style of music and if you zoom in even further, you can click on the sub-genre and get a YouTube playlist that illustrates the style of music and includes representative bands and musicians from that style. It’s amazing.

Aside from the fact that I didn’t even know that there was a genre called Louisiana Swamp Blues, I find that this site can become a HUGE rabbit hole. Whenever I visit the site, I typically find myself digging further and further and then when I look up at the clock, 30 minutes to an hour has gone by. I love the way that the site is structured and I love the connections between genres. Users will find many different types of lines that connect genres and the style of each line has a purpose. For example, if a solid line connects two genres then they are a primary origin connection. A dashed line is a secondary connection, and there is even a backlash/anti-influence line to show where a certain genre has caused musicians to create an opposing genre. Super cool.

If you teach ANY type of general music class that covers American popular music, or if you are a Modern Band teacher, then you definitely need to bookmark this site and use it whenever you are introducing a new style or genre of popular music. The site even has a store where you can purchase a large poster of the Musicmap and put it up in your classroom.