We know which instrumental genres music libraries ask TAXI for most often, but that doesn’t necessarily mean those are the most commonly used genres in TV shows. Many music libraries have robust playlists in the most frequently-used genres in their catalogs, but often ask TAXI to find them more of the same genre. Why? Because the tracks they have might be “aging out” and their catalogs need to be refreshed with more recent recordings with better samples and more contemporary sounds and productions.
Sometimes, TAXI’s clients ask us to find them more obscure genres that are harder for them to source through relationships with composers they already know. Those obscure genres are often used less frequently in TV shows. The good news is, if you have music in those obscure genres there are fewer choices for music supervisors. That could potentially increase your chances if you’re among the few composers with tracks in that genre. Less competition!
And the Answer Is…
All things considered, we didn’t find a very satisfying answer for which genres get used most often in TV shows.
Different music libraries gave us different answers, which were largely dependent on the type of TV shows they work with most often. But our research led us to some interesting and valuable insights and conclusions, so here they are!
The instrumental music genres most commonly used in TV shows depend on the show's genre, tone, and narrative needs, but production music libraries cater to a wide range of styles to enhance storytelling, set mood, and underscore key moments.
Below, we’ve identified the genres and subgenres from a list of 100 that are most frequently used in TV shows, based on their versatility, emotional impact, and prevalence in various TV formats (e.g., dramas, comedies, reality shows, documentaries, and procedurals). We’ve prioritized genres that are staples in TV production due to their ability to evoke specific moods or fit common scenarios, and we’ve included explanations as to why they’re frequently used.
Instrumental Music Genres Most Frequently Used in TV Shows
|
Genre/Subgenre |
Typical Use in TV Shows |
|
Ambient Chill |
Background for reflective scenes, montages, or lifestyle shows; creates a calm, modern vibe. |
|
Cinematic Epic |
Used in dramatic climaxes, trailers, or intense moments in dramas and action shows. |
|
Cinematic Suspense |
Common in thrillers, crime dramas, and mysteries to build tension during suspenseful scenes. |
|
Comedy Quirky |
Found in sitcoms and light-hearted shows to underscore humorous or whimsical moments. |
|
Corporate Inspirational |
Popular in reality shows, talent competitions, and feel-good segments to uplift viewers. |
|
Dramedy Cues |
Perfect for shows blending drama and comedy (e.g., Ted Lasso), balancing humor and heart. |
|
Easy Listening Lounge |
Used in talk shows, lifestyle programs, or upscale scenes to create a relaxed, sophisticated feel. |
|
Hip Hop Boom Bap |
Common in urban dramas, youth-oriented shows, or montages to add a gritty, rhythmic edge. |
|
Horror Tension |
Essential for horror shows, thrillers, or crime dramas to heighten fear and unease. |
|
Inspirational Uplifting |
Widely used in reality TV, sports shows, and dramas for emotional peaks and triumphs. Even though we didn’t target advertising uses in our research, this genre gets used pretty frequently in certain genres of TV commercials. |
|
Latin Salsa |
Found in dance shows, multicultural dramas, or festive scenes to add vibrant energy. |
|
Lo-Fi Hip Hop |
Popular in teen dramas, study-focused scenes, or modern settings for a chilled-out, relatable vibe. |
|
Minimal Piano |
Used in emotional scenes, dramas, or documentaries to convey intimacy or melancholy. Can also be used in upscale lounge and restaurant scenes. |
|
Orchestral Cinematic |
A staple for historical dramas, fantasy shows, or epic moments that can use a dose of grandeur. |
|
Pop Acoustic |
Common in coming-of-age shows, rom-coms, or heartfelt montages for a warm, accessible feel. |
|
Pop Dance |
Used in reality shows (too frequently in our humble opinion), dance competitions, or party scenes to energize and engage viewers. This genre gets used in certain types of TV commercials, as well. |
|
Reggae Dub |
Found in crime dramas, urban settings, or Caribbean-themed shows for a laid-back groove. |
|
Rock Indie |
Popular in teen dramas, comedies, or road-trip scenes for a youthful, rebellious energy. |
|
Sci-Fi Atmospheric |
This genre is almost a must-have for sci-fi shows, mysteries, or futuristic settings to create otherworldly vibes. |
|
Sports Anthemic |
Used in sports shows, highlight reels, or competition scenes to pump up the audience. |
|
Tension Underscore |
A go-to for procedurals, thrillers, and reality TV to maintain suspense during key moments. |
|
Tribal Percussion |
Common in adventure shows, travel documentaries, or action scenes for primal intensity. |
|
World Balkan |
Used in cultural dramas, travel shows, or quirky scenes for distinctive, lively textures. |
|
World Celtic |
Found in historical dramas, fantasy shows, or rural settings for an evocative, folkloric feel. |
|
World Tango |
Used in dance shows, romantic dramas, or Latin-themed scenes for passionate, dramatic flair. |
Why These Genres Are Commonly Used in TV Shows
These 25 genres and subgenres are frequently used in TV production because they:
- Enhance Emotional Impact: Genres like Cinematic Epic, Inspirational Uplifting, and Minimal Piano are versatile for evoking strong emotions, from triumph to sorrow, making them ideal for dramas and reality TV.
- Set Specific Moods: Horror Tension, Cinematic Suspense, and Tension Underscore create unease for thrillers and procedurals, while Comedy Quirky and Dramedy Cues add levity to comedies.
- Reflect Cultural Contexts: World music styles like Latin Salsa, World Balkan, World Celtic, and World Tango provide authentic or exotic flavors for diverse settings or multicultural narratives.
- Appeal to Broad Audiences: Accessible genres like Pop Acoustic, Pop Dance, and Rock Indie resonate with wide demographics, fitting teen dramas, rom-coms, and lifestyle shows.
- Support Dynamic Pacing: Up-tempo styles like Sports Anthemic, Hip Hop Boom Bap, and Tribal Percussion drive action and energy, while Ambient Chill and Lo-Fi Hip Hop slow the pace for reflection.
- Fit TV Budgets and Needs: Production music libraries prioritize these genres because they’re cost-effective, royalty-free, and designed for quick integration into scenes, unlike licensed popular songs.
Things We Noted!
- TV Genres Influence Music Choice: Crime shows (e.g., Law & Order) lean on Tension Underscore and Horror Tension, while sitcoms (e.g., The Office) favor Comedy Quirky and Dramedy Cues. Reality TV (e.g., The Bachelor) heavily uses Inspirational Uplifting and Corporate Inspirational for emotional story arcs.
- World Music Use: World Celtic is common in fantasy (e.g., Outlander), Latin Salsa and World Tango in dance shows (e.g., Dancing with the Stars), and World Balkan in quirky or travel-focused content.
- Trends: Lo-Fi Hip Hop has surged in modern teen dramas due to its popularity in youth culture, while Sci-Fi Atmospheric is a staple in streaming sci-fi hits (e.g., Stranger Things).
Additional Insights
While other genres that would fall in the “more obscure” genres we mentioned earlier (e.g., Mongolian/Tuvan Throat Singing, Baroque Chamber, Glitch Hop) are less common in mainstream TV due to their niche appeal, they could very well get licensed in specialized documentaries or niche streaming content. The genres we listed are the most prevalent because they align with the broad storytelling needs of TV, from network procedurals to streaming dramas.
We hope this gives you at least some insights into which genres get used most frequently and why they’re used. It might help you to focus on which genres you choose to concentrate your writing and productions efforts on. Common sense tells us that creating music in the most frequently used genres will increase your chances of getting more placements and earning more income!
One Last Thought
You could potentially “own” the Mongolian/Tuvan Throat Singing category in a library’s catalog, thereby skyrocketing your chances of landing a sync every time a music supervisor needs that genre. Those requests don’t happen very often. Then again, being one of a hundred or more tension cues in a catalog could produce the opposite odds.
Our advice, spread your bets, zig when others zag, and do some of each! But never (and we mean never) produce a bunch of music in a genre you’re not completely familiar with. Bad execution in a popular genre won’t work out well, even if the statistics look promising.