What is Prog? - Progressive Rock Music Forum

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lucas

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Joined: February 06 2004
Location: France
Status: Offline
Points: 8138

Posted: April 09 2004 at 06:18

Prog is ... prog.

That's surely the best definition !

"Magma was the very first gothic rock band" (Didier Lockwood)

Dan Bobrowski View Drop Down

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Joined: February 02 2004
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 5243

Posted: April 08 2004 at 17:31

Looking at the genre "In General" terms, we see odd meters, virtuouso musicanship (hopefully), melding of genre's ie; classical, church music, folk, jazz, rock and ethnic, shifting rhythms, themes, point-counterpoint, multi level song structure(maani, help) meaning one song can have many movements or ideas, not just verse,-chorus-bridge-chorus. Prog usually is not "simple," it's complex. Even simple songs like Lucky Man, get a "treatment." Additional synths and such to spice it up.

richardh

Prog Reviewer

Joined: February 18 2004
Location: United Kingdom
Status: Offline
Points: 28059

Posted: April 08 2004 at 17:18

I don't think it's possible to define 'prog' exactly but most of us know what prog means and can point to the albums in their collection that have shaped it and made it recognisable.For the sake of this I would just take one:

Yes - Close To The Edge

It's definetly brilliant music played by highly trained and knowledgable musicians.''No nonsense,headbanging mindless boogie'' it aint !!!

Edited by richardh

Certif1ed

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Joined: April 08 2004
Location: England
Status: Offline
Points: 7559

Posted: April 08 2004 at 17:03

*Hope I didn't miss this in a different thread!*

I'd like to spin off a discussion which I hope will be very interesting, as we are all members of this forum because of a common interest; passion for Progressive music. I hesitate to use the term Progressive Rock, as many of the bands we love play jazz, folk or classical derivatives, and some don't even bother "Rocking it up".

I think the best way to play it is to see what comments come in, and then I'll respond - because (obviously!) I have my own opinions - but I am more interested in what other members think.

So; What Is Prog? What defines a piece of progressive music that sets it apart from a piece that isn't progressive? Does it have to have cool riffs? Great vocals? Instrumental pyrotechnics? Does it have to be intellectually challenging? Is Sergeant Pepper prog?

ENJOY

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lucas Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator Joined: February 06 2004 Location: France Status: Offline Points: 8138	Posted: April 09 2004 at 06:18
	Prog is ... prog. That's surely the best definition !
	"Magma was the very first gothic rock band" (Didier Lockwood)

Dan Bobrowski Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator Joined: February 02 2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 5243	Posted: April 08 2004 at 17:31
	Looking at the genre "In General" terms, we see odd meters, virtuouso musicanship (hopefully), melding of genre's ie; classical, church music, folk, jazz, rock and ethnic, shifting rhythms, themes, point-counterpoint, multi level song structure(maani, help) meaning one song can have many movements or ideas, not just verse,-chorus-bridge-chorus. Prog usually is not "simple," it's complex. Even simple songs like Lucky Man, get a "treatment." Additional synths and such to spice it up.

richardh Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Prog Reviewer Joined: February 18 2004 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 28059	Posted: April 08 2004 at 17:18
	I don't think it's possible to define 'prog' exactly but most of us know what prog means and can point to the albums in their collection that have shaped it and made it recognisable.For the sake of this I would just take one: Yes - Close To The Edge It's definetly brilliant music played by highly trained and knowledgable musicians.''No nonsense,headbanging mindless boogie'' it aint !!! Edited by richardh

Certif1ed Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator Joined: April 08 2004 Location: England Status: Offline Points: 7559	Posted: April 08 2004 at 17:03
	Hope I didn't miss this in a different thread! I'd like to spin off a discussion which I hope will be very interesting, as we are all members of this forum because of a common interest; passion for Progressive music. I hesitate to use the term Progressive Rock, as many of the bands we love play jazz, folk or classical derivatives, and some don't even bother "Rocking it up". I think the best way to play it is to see what comments come in, and then I'll respond - because (obviously!) I have my own opinions - but I am more interested in what other members think. So; What Is Prog? What defines a piece of progressive music that sets it apart from a piece that isn't progressive? Does it have to have cool riffs? Great vocals? Instrumental pyrotechnics? Does it have to be intellectually challenging? Is Sergeant Pepper prog? ENJOY