What does music look like?

When you plot the spectrum of music, the differences between genres can be pretty striking. In these plots, frequency is the vertical axis and time is the horizontal axis.

Dubstep (We Are Infinite)

Dubstep is interesting to watch, because of the high contrasts and sound effects. Once you recognize the patterns, you can predict what you will hear a few seconds before it plays.

Piano

Piano tends to look relatively crisp and clean

Movie Soundtrack, Full Orchestra (The Pagemaster)

The triangle shape going up and down in frequency is from a harp or wind chimes.

Adele Singing a Capella

You can see the vibrato as the up and down "squiggles"

Death Metal

A bit repetitive, the bass dominates.

Electric Guitar & Drums

The lower vertical lines that occur in pairs are bass drum. The higher vertical lines are from tapping drumsticks.

Country Music