Top 10 Kinds of World Music

This list contains top world music (ethno music) genres that I love for their various unique qualities.

1. Indian Classical Music

   When you listen to Ravi Shankar or other Indian classical music, you have those questions. It is the most meditative classical music in the world. Also, Indian classical music is older, like Western classical music. The tabla, tanpura, and sitar are very typical for this music.

2. African Music

   Polyrhythms and African drums are unique to African music, and of course, there are many tribes and many genres.

3. Arabic Music

   I've recently gotten around to listening to some Arabic music, and it's more varied than I expected. It's also kind of soothing in a way that I wasn't anticipating. I am slowly warming up to it as a whole. It's got a distinct charm to it that I think is only rivaled by Mexican music or maybe European music now that I think about it.

   Arabic and Turkish music contains quarter tones, which I love, and also some great rhythms.

4. Balkan Music

   Balkan music, or the music of Serbia, Bulgaria, and Romania, typically features irregular rhythms, like 7/8 or 9/8.

5. Croatian Music

   Croatian music is very romantic, unlike other Balkan music genres.

6. Tibetan Music

   Oh, those fascinating Tibetan monk chants and Tibetan singing bowls, or shangs and tingshas, are very typical for Tibetan music. Also, this music is very meditative.

7. Latin Music

   Latin music is very rhythmical and also contains influences from European, African, and American music. Cuban salsa, Dominican merengue, music from Colombia, and Brazilian pagode are also very rhythmical.

8. Chinese Music

   The pentatonic scale is very typical for Asian, and specifically, Chinese music. Also, the erhu, guqin, and dizi are famous musical instruments.

9. Greek Music

   Greeks are very proud of their culture, although it is influenced by some Oriental things. The bouzouki, a famous Greek musical instrument, is very similar to the Turkish saz. But, even with those imported musical instruments, Greek music is beautiful.

10. Altai Throat Singing Music

    It is possible for some people to sing two voices at one time. This is also typical for Tuvan or Mongolian music.

The Newcomers
11. ?

    Ethno Pop Music

12. ?

    Irish Music

    Thin Lizzy, Gary Moore, and really good traditional music like Whiskey in the Jar

The Contenders

13. German Music

    German music, specifically Volksmusik (the traditional music of German-speaking countries), and Schlagers are very harmonious and great, as is Volksmusik with yodeling.

14. Russian Music

    Of course, the Red Army Choir, Alla Pugacheva, Vladimir Vysotsky, and balalaikas are very great in Russian music.