Right click on the folder, or on an empty space inside the folder, and click on Properties. Then you'll see the Customize tab.
There's lots of info about templates around here, but basically, you select the folder type from the "Optimize this folder for" dropdown in the Customize tab, (for instance, "General Items"), then OK. Now set up the folder the way you want for all folders like this one: the View type (list, details, etc.), which columns to display, their placement and width, the Sort by order, and any Groupings. Then you go to Folder options (In the toolbar in any folder: Organize dropdown > Folder and search options), click on View tab, then click the "Apply fo Folders" button. Now all folders of the type "General Items" will have the setup you just made. Then you do the same procedure for folders you want to be of the other types - Documents, Music, Pictures, Video.
As long as you untick the box for "Also apply this template for all subfolders", you can have one folder type within a different folder type.
Edit: you probably know, but I thought I'd better state the obvious - that you can keep different View types, sort order, etc. for individual folders. The Folder templates are just to make it easier to get the starting default arrangement for the different types, but go ahead and individualize as much as you can and want.