* Swing music was the most popular genre of the 1930s. Swing is a type of jazz that is characterized by its fast tempo and danceable rhythms. Some of the most popular swing bands of the era included the Benny Goodman Orchestra, the Count Basie Orchestra, and the Duke Ellington Orchestra.
* Big band music was another popular genre of the 1930s. Big bands were large ensembles that typically consisted of 10-20 musicians. Some of the most popular big bands of the era included the Glenn Miller Orchestra, the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, and the Artie Shaw Orchestra.
* Pop music was also popular in the 1930s. Pop music is a genre of music that is popular with the general public. Some of the most popular pop singers of the era included Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, and Judy Garland.
* R&B music was a genre of music that originated in the African-American community in the 1930s. R&B music is characterized by its strong vocal harmonies and rhythm and blues rhythms. Some of the most popular R&B singers of the era included Louis Jordan, Nat King Cole, and Billie Holiday.
* Country music was a genre of music that originated in the rural areas of the United States in the 1930s. Country music is characterized by its simple melodies and lyrics that often tell stories about everyday life. Some of the most popular country singers of the era included Jimmie Rodgers, Hank Williams, and Patsy Cline.
1940s
* Swing music remained popular in the 1940s, but it began to decline in popularity as the decade went on.
* Big band music also declined in popularity in the 1940s as new genres of music emerged.
* Pop music continued to be popular in the 1940s, and new genres of pop music emerged, such as doo-wop and rock and roll.
* R&B music continued to be popular in the 1940s and its influence began to spread beyond the African-American community.
* Country music continued to be popular in the 1940s, and new subgenres of country music emerged, such as honky-tonk and rockabilly.
1950s
* Rock and roll emerged as the most popular genre of music in the 1950s. Rock and roll is a genre of music that is characterized by its fast tempo, danceable rhythms, and simple lyrics. Some of the most popular rock and roll artists of the era included Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry, and Little Richard.
* Doo-wop was another popular genre of music in the 1950s. Doo-wop is a genre of pop music that is characterized by its close vocal harmonies and simple lyrics. Some of the most popular doo-wop groups of the era included the Platters, the Drifters, and the Coasters.
* R&B music continued to be popular in the 1950s, and new subgenres of R&B emerged, such as soul music and R&B soul.
* Country music continued to be popular in the 1950s, and new subgenres of country music emerged, such as Nashville sound and country-pop.