What is your opinion of Rock as a composer?

hehehe, every time I see this thread topic in the list, I keep thinking of that wrestler "The Rock" and wondering... gosh, does he compose now?

Glad to know I'm not the only one who read it wrong at first...though I didn't think of the wrestler "The Rock," but more just personifying the genre Rock, turning it into a composer. "Oh, yes--I think Rock makes a wonderful composer!"

I'm just curious to see what you guys think about rock.

Theres a lot of sub genres and things some would consider rock but others wouldn't, but for the purpose of this thread we will just call it all rock.

I really love a lot of classical, especialy anything with counter point. But I love rock too. I become bored with most chorus/verse songs but I do like a good many, from all different eras too. I like progressive rock more than other types.

But what makes music rock? Fast tempo? Lots of repetition of 16th note drones? Thick sounding instruments? Low levels of polyphony?

It does seem like a pretty simple style. Is there really any merit in it past pleasing the masses?

I Hate it. It is all about classical....my opinion

I Hate it. It is all about classical....my opinion

That's a little narrow-minded now, don't 'cha think?

That's a little narrow-minded now, don't 'cha think?

maybe...but that is my opinion, I respect people who like it.

maybe...but that is my opinion, I respect people who like it.

Fair enough, you're entitled to it. I don't respect people with that sort of attitude.

well my dad like it. I just don't like the MUSIC...I don't mind the people.

That's a little narrow-minded now, don't 'cha think?

actually, no, it's not a question of narrow-minded.

taste is taste, it's not much more complicated.

I don't think he said "I hate rock, it sux". I would then have supported your statement that there was a display of narrow-mindedness.

I don't care for rock myself, either.

does that make me narrow-minded?

probably not, I probably like more styles of music than most fans of rock music.

I'm certain you yourself have styles of music you like less, or even not at all.

...it's not a question of narrow-minded.

taste is taste, it's not much more complicated.

I don't think he said "I hate rock, it sux". I would then have supported your statement that there was a display of narrow-mindedness.

I don't care for rock myself, either.

does that make me narrow-minded?

probably not, I probably like more styles of music than most fans of rock music.

I'm certain you yourself have styles of music you like less, or even not at all.

Point taken, and true enough. I get a little hasty when people say the 'hate' something...

I get a little hasty when people say the 'hate' something...

Totally...I HATE it when people do that! :P

you said hate...it is dislike...not to be mean, au revoir, I am going to bed.

you said hate...it is dislike...not to be mean, au revoir, I am going to bed.

actually....YOU said 'hate'.

I Hate it. It is all about classical....my opinion

I know but pianoman did too.

For me, it's like this

Rock = 3 chords (possible innovation)

Emo Rock = 2 chords (no innovation)

Hard Rock = 4 chords (blunt music)

OK, listen to something like "Voodoo Chile" by Jimi Hendrix, and preferably look at the music (I got the whole Electric Ladyland album for a very reasonable price). The chords he uses there are very complex (supported by Noel Reddings awesome bass) and a played with awesome feel and technicality, and a lot of the best stuff was improvised on the spot I think. He also plays with an awesome lead/rhythm style, playing the role of both guitarists. You'll have to look at the music to see what I really mean.

I just don't like the way people dump all rock into "3 chords - boring". It really isn't. I know there will always bad bands, just like there was probaly bad composers in the 1800's (although we probaly don't hear about them). It is just a really unfair generalization.

OK, listen to something like "Voodoo Chile" by Jimi Hendrix, and preferably look at the music (I got the whole Electric Ladyland album for a very reasonable price). The chords he uses there are very complex (supported by Noel Reddings awesome bass) and a played with awesome feel and technicality, and a lot of the best stuff was improvised on the spot I think. He also plays with an awesome lead/rhythm style, playing the role of both guitarists. You'll have to look at the music to see what I really mean.

I just don't like the way people dump all rock into "3 chords - boring". It really isn't. I know there will always bad bands, just like there was probaly bad composers in the 1800's (although we probaly don't hear about them). It is just a really unfair generalization.

I didn't dump rock into the "3 chords boring" Don't generalise like that. I said there's possible innovation with plain rock. You need to actually read what I posted next time

by the way, I have listened to voodoo child, and being a guitar player I do like some of it, but it's still just the same to me

I'm just curious to see what you guys think about rock.

Theres a lot of sub genres and things some would consider rock but others wouldn't, but for the purpose of this thread we will just call it all rock.

Progressive rock keeps my interest. Ie: Bands like Dream Theater. I like simpler rock as well - Duran Duran, Rush, some Maiden, but I only listen to them once in a while for refreshment - it's not music I can listen to over and over again like Bach or Mozart Concertos.

But what makes music rock? Fast tempo? Lots of repetition of 16th note drones? Thick sounding instruments? Low levels of polyphony?

Choice of instruments, at the base level.

Edit: I don't know how I could have not included old Queensryche. Screaming in Digital...mmmm.

In regard to people's comments on chordal usage in rock music, firstly, as has already been said, Jimi Hendrix and secondly, you have to take note of the fact that rock music often carries its interest in the lyrics...the doors for example...

Oh and...The Doors as in the band...i wasn't referring to some line in a rock song that i found really meaningful... "the doors"

excuse me while i go laugh at myself...

I think everybody should listen to Gentle Giant who one may call 'rock' although they cover a lot of ground. I dare anyone to figure out how many chords they use simply because they don't exist. Everything is vertical with independence of musical liner which you would find in classical music. The difference being, in my opinion bear in mind, is that rock music like Gentle Giant is infinitely more gratifying because it speaks to its listener on both a primal and cerebral level, and I often feel quite annoyed when classical music attains the elitist heights it still does today. Granted there are some rock bands who are dull and unimaginative but I think the very best rock music equals any of the great classical music, and although some may find that to be blasphemous then so be it, I know some songs that could rival Schubert both musically and lyrically any day, and believe me, I love Schubert!

I personally hate rock. Everyone else in my family seems to love rock, including Pink Floyd (yuck), but I personally hold high contempt for rock. It's ugly, far too strong, and nearly destroys the purpose of music... okay, that's a bit too far, but you can see I hold contempt for it.

The only band I really like would be They Might Be Giants - which as a friend of mine tells me is not even a rock band. But even so - I listen to only music composed before the 1940's.

I really don't think it's at all valuable to a composer to not listen to modern music, and i'm referring to art music here and to block out other genres. In my opinion you need to listen to as much of a variety as you can in order to develop musically and expand your ability. I'm not saying you should listen to it all the time or even often but studying modern music once in a while is only going to do you good.

And also, how can you not listen to music after the 1940's? EVERYTHING HAPPENED IN THE 60's!! Shall I list for you??

Joni Mitchell

Leonard Cohen

Jimi Hendrix

Frank Zappa

Jacqueline du Pre made her debut

THE BEATLES

There are many more i'm sure. Anyway.........:o

I really don't think it's at all valuable to a composer to not listen to modern music...

Joni Mitchell

Leonard Cohen

Jimi Hendrix

Frank Zappa

Jacqueline du Pre made her debut

THE BEATLES

I agree with you - (I feel) it should be every composer's goal to absorb and assimilate evrything out there.

And, nice list. Cohen being a severely underrated songwriter, Joni Mitchell (listened to her album Mingus earlier today), Zappa...

I'm also a HUGE fan of

...

My opinion on rock is the same as it is on Western art music... if the music is good, I will listen to it. If I think it's garbage, I will not.

My favorite band is Pink Floyd... saw Roger Waters at KeyArena last October. It was loud as hell, great quadraphonic sound system.

I agree with you - (I feel) it should be every composer's goal to absorb and assimilate evrything out there.

So true.

I even try listening to rap occasionaly.

Havent found anything usefull in it though.