Groove & Style with Yeo
In this video...
Yeo talks about the style and groove in the song The One That Got Away by Al Parkinson which has a relaxed and laid back feel.
Examples of Style
Each style has its own traits, but artists often mix and blend genres
Open the tabs below to explore how they do it.
MUSICAL STYLE
Reggae
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.
Listen to the examples.
These tracks draw on reggae but mix in funk, indie, or rock. They’re not pure reggae.
Listen for:
- Offbeat strumming or laid-back grooves
- How are these songs different from typical reggae, such as Three Little Birds by Bob Marley?
Want to write Reggae? Song building ideas
- Structure: Verse → Chorus → Verse → Chorus → (Optional Bridge) → Chorus
- Lyrics: Love, life, or standing up for something
- Melody: Easy-going and catchy. Often call and response. Bass guitar is often melodic
- Chords: Keep it simple and repetitive. Try just using two chords to start
- Rhythm: Off-beat guitar or keys (on beats 2 & 4)
- Instruments: Guitar, bass, drums, keyboards, and sometimes horns or percussion like bongos
MUSICAL STYLE
EDM
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.
Listen to the examples.
These tracks use EDM elements in different ways:
- Ninajirachi blends dreamy pop with electronic beats
- Peking Duk remixes a mellow Crowded House ballad. Listen to the original here and compare
Listen for:
- Where energy builds or drops
- What parts repeat, loop, or drop out to build excitement?
Want to write EDM? Song building ideas
- Structure: Build-up → Drop → Breakdown → Build-up → Drop
- Lyrics: Optional! Often about partying, love, or self-confidence
- Melody: Simple, catchy, and repetitive
- Rhythm: 4/4 beat with driving bass and drums
- Instruments: Synths, drum machines, samples — the computer IS the band
Try Ableton Playground to get you started.
MUSICAL STYLE
SOUL
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.
Listen to the examples.
These songs are soul-inspired, but each has its own twist:
- Wilson Blackley blends soul with indie using just guitar and voice
- Chloe Kay draws on blues, jazz, and funk
Listen for:
- How do the vocals show emotion? (Tone, phrasing, dynamics)
- What instruments drive the groove
- Compare these songs to soul singer Aretha Franklin. What’s similar? What’s different?
Want to write Soul? Song building ideas
- Structure: Verse → Chorus → Verse → Chorus → Bridge → Chorus
- Lyrics: Heartfelt — often about love, struggle, or empowerment
- Melody: Smooth and expressive, with vocal runs
- Chords: Rich, jazzy chords – Try 7ths and 9ths
- Rhythm: Groovy & steady – makes you move
- Instruments: Electric piano/organ, bass, drums, backing vocals, soulful lead vocals – maybe horns
MUSICAL STYLE
POP
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.
Listen to the examples.
Both artists bring a pop feel with their own twist:
- G Flip blends pop with rock and emotional storytelling
- Kira Puru adds funk and dance energy
Listen for:
- What makes these songs catchy? Is it the rhythm, a melody, or something else?
- What makes the chorus stand out from the verses?
Want to write pop? Song building ideas
- Structure: Verse → Chorus → Verse → Chorus → Bridge → Big Chorus (or Outro). Keep it short – 3 mins
- Lyrics: Love, fun, dreams – Keep it relatable
- Melody: Simple and singable
- Chords: Stick with 3 or 4 easy ones
- Rhythm: Steady 4/4 groove
- Instruments: Guitar, bass, drums, synths, samples
MUSICAL STYLE
PUNK
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.
Listen to the examples.
These modern Aussie punk songs are raw, loud, and full of attitude with a rock edge.
- What gives these songs their punk energy – tempo, distortion, vocals, lyrics, or something else?
- How do they compare to older punk like The Saints?
Want to write Punk? Song building ideas
- Structure: Verse → Chorus → Verse → Chorus → (Bridge) → Chorus
- Lyrics: Say what’s on your mind — bold, honest, political, or personal
- Melody: Unpolished, gritty — often shouted or sung with edge
- Chords: Power chords – simple, fast, loud, and distorted
- Rhythm: Fast, 4/4 beats, keeping the pace driving
- Instruments: Guitar, bass, drums, and vocals – nothing too fancy
MUSICAL STYLE
HIP HOP
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.
Listen to the examples.
Baker Boy blends hip hop with dance and cultural celebration. Hilltop Hoods use classic hip hop beats with lyrical storytelling. Both represent different sides of Australian hip hop.
- Can you hear a strong beat or rhythm? What sounds are keeping time and supporting the vocals?
- How is the chorus performed — is it rapped or sung?
Want to write Hip Hop? Song building ideas
- Structure: Intro → Verse → Chorus → Verse → Chorus. Try a longer verse (16 bars) and shorter chorus (8 bars). Leaves room for the rap
- Lyrics: Tell a story or topic you are passionate about — experiment with wordplay and rhyme
- Melody: Not always the focus but sometimes there is a melody in the chorus or main hook
- Chords: Use a loop or sample — keep it simple
- Rhythm: Steady, head-nodding beats. Use samples or drum machines
- Instruments: Drum machines, turntables, vocals (rap/MC), samples. Use recording software as an instrument!
MUSICAL STYLE
ROCK
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.
Listen to the examples.
These Aussie rock tracks use distorted guitar riffs, steady drum grooves, and dynamic vocals to create a powerful, driving sound.
Listen for:
- What gives these songs their rock sound — the tone of the guitars, the drum beat, the vocal delivery, or something else?
- How does each vocalist shape the energy — through intensity, melody, or phrasing?
- How do they compare to older rock like Thunderstruck by AC/DC?
Want to write Rock? Song building ideas
- Structure: Intro → Verse → Chorus → Verse → Chorus → Guitar Solo → Chorus
- Lyrics: Personal, rebellious, or just about how good rock is!
- Melody: Simple but powerful – guitar and vocals take the spotlight
- Chords: Power chords played with distortion
- Rhythm: 4/4 beats, accent on beats 2+4
- Instruments: Vocals, guitar, bass, drums – nothing fancy!
Try This!
- Create a rock chord progression by experimenting with power chords
- Need a little help? How to play power chords
MUSICAL STYLE
LATIN
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.
Listen to the examples.
‘Bird in Paradise’ by The Cat Empire isn’t traditional Latin — it blends jazz, ska, reggae, and Latin-inspired rhythms.
Listen for:
- What instruments drive the rhythm?
- How would the feel change with a straight 4/4 beat?
Want to write Latin? Song building ideas
- Structure: Verse → Chorus → Verse → Chorus → Bridge → Chorus (can change depending on style)
- Lyrics: Passionate and rhythmic – often about love, life, or celebration
- Melody: Smooth and flowing – sometimes call-and-response
- Chords: Warm and lively – with repeating patterns that keep the groove going
- Rhythm: Syncopated and danceable – full of energy with percussion
- Instruments: Guitars, piano, brass, lots of percussion, bass, and vocals
MUSICAL STYLE
INDIE
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.
Listen to the examples.
Indie isn’t a strict genre — it’s often a mix of pop, rock, and alternative sounds.
Ball Park Music blend relatable lyrics with an upbeat rhythm.
- What gives this song its indie feel — the lyrics, instruments, song structure?
- Can you hear influences from other genres?
Want to write Indie? Song building ideas
- Structure: Flexible — usually Verse → Chorus → Verse → Chorus → Bridge → Chorus, but you can mix it up!
- Lyrics: Honest and thoughtful – feelings, stories, or everyday moments
- Melody: Gentle and melodic – often soft, fitting the mood of the song
- Chords: Simple, clean sounds – often with jangly or fingerpicked guitars
- Rhythm: Relaxed and steady – Drums support the song without being too loud or fast
- Instruments: Acoustic or electric guitars, bass, drums, keyboards, and sometimes strings or synths
CONVENTIONAL vs UNCONVENTIONAL STYLES
Conventional Styles
Conventional styles follow the usual expectations for the genre
Examples
A pop song with a big singable chorus
A hip-hop song with rapping
A guitar solo in a rock song
Listening
Even though they are different styles, these examples use:
- Verse-chorus structure
- Repetitive chord progressions
- 4/4 time signature
- Steady beat
- Catchy singable hooks
- Repetition – melody, lyrics, rhythm
What styles would you label these song? What typical style traits can you hear?
Look at the style section above and think about instruments, vocal style, and sounds used such as clean or distorted guitar sounds.
Unconventional Styles
Mix things up
They might use unusual song structures, blend genres, surprise the listener, or use unexpected sounds and instruments.
What makes these songs sound different or unexpected?
UNCONVENTIONAL STYLE
Crumbling Castle - King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard
- Blends genres of rock such as Psychedelic, progressive rock
- Long song (over 8 minutes)
- Shifting time signatures
- Evolving, non-repeating structure
UNCONVENTIONAL STYLE
Energy - Sampa the Great (feat. Nadeem Din-Gabisi)
- Blends genres (hip hop, soul, jazz, spoken word)
- Combines rap, spoken word, & soulful vocals
- Unclear song structure
UNCONVENTIONAL STYLE
Precession - Black Aleph
- Metal and traditional Iranian influences
- Unusual instrument combo – Guitar, cello, percussion
- Unpredictable rhythms and melodies
BUT NOT ALL MUSIC FITS NEATLY INTO A BOX
Jessica Mauboy & Barkaa's cover of Yothu Yindi - 'World Turning'
A song can follow some rules while pushing others
Listen closely — what other parts of the song feel familiar, and which parts stand out as different?
Unconventional because it:
- Blends pop, hip hop, soul, and gospel styles
- Unclear song structure
Conventional because it:
- Has a steady beat
- Includes catchy, singable vocal hooks
- Uses repetition
- Short song length
Other Ideas
Compare Covers
Listening to different versions of the same song is a great way to hear how style and genre can shape a song. Try exploring Triple J’s Like a Version to hear how artists change style/genre, instrumentation, and groove/feel.
Search by Genre
Triple J Unearthed lets you search for songs by genre. Use it to explore different sounds, discover local artists, and get inspired by how they mix styles.
Style & groove go hand in hand
Check out the Groove page for more on how rhythm and feel help shape a song’s style.
