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SteveG 
Forum Senior Member
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 Topic: What makes a good Prog song?
Posted: March 27 2015 at 10:58 |
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A very subjective question, but I surmise that many members will express similar views. So, what elements, in your opinion, are needed in order to make a make a good Prog song? Feel free to talk about music, musicianship, lyrics, concepts, recording techniques or whatever you feel is necessary from the artist.
Edited by SteveG - March 30 2015 at 11:34
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Progosopher
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Posted: March 27 2015 at 11:28 |
In no particular order: Virtuosity. I like to hear great musician play well. This even goes back before I truly discovered Prog when Ritchie Blackmore was like a god to me. Complex structures. Changes in tempo, key, time-signature, tone, chords, and instrumentation always catch my attention. Intelligent lyrics. Words that convey meaning and insight, preferably with a good melody. Listenability. While I appreciate chaos and dissonance, too much of it becomes a distraction. If I cannot distinguish the music from random sounds, I don't care much for it. Cohesion. A piece of music, whether a vocal song or instrumental, must come as a whole. This is especially challenging with multi-part epics. All the elements must hold together and serve one another. This also applies to albums as a whole and not just individual tracks. There is an art to pacing.
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The world of sound is certainly capable of infinite variety and, were our sense developed, of infinite extensions. -- George Santayana, "The Sense of Beauty"
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lazland
Prog Reviewer
Joined: October 28 2008
Location: Wales
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Posted: March 27 2015 at 11:43 |
Steve Hogarth, Steven Rothery, Mark Kelly, Ian Moseley, Pete Trewavas. Next...... 
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Enhance your life. Get down to www.lazland.org
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Horizons
Collaborator
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Posted: March 27 2015 at 11:47 |
 lazland wrote:
Steve Hogarth, Steven Rothery, Mark Kelly, Ian Moseley, Pete Trewavas.
Next...... |
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Crushed like a rose in the riverflow.
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Barbu
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Posted: March 27 2015 at 11:50 |
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verslibre
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Posted: March 27 2015 at 11:50 |
Stacks of analog synthesizers (and Rhodes), a beefy bass guitar tone, and percussion. Everything else is optional!
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The Sloth
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Posted: March 27 2015 at 12:12 |
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Colorful yet tasteful drumming; interesting "events" one after another; the undeniable creation of a mental image or feeling; the sense that this particular musical situation can only be found here in this song/album, yet the music itself isn't a chore to listen to.
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SteveG
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Posted: March 27 2015 at 16:08 |
lazland wrote:
Steve Hogarth, Steven Rothery, Mark Kelly, Ian Moseley, Pete Trewavas.
Next...... |
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This message was brought to you by a proud supporter of the Deep State.
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SteveG
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Posted: March 27 2015 at 16:08 |
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This message was brought to you by a proud supporter of the Deep State.
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twalsh
Forum Senior Member
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Posted: March 27 2015 at 18:18 |
Complexity, with a balance of melody and dissonance in the music and sufficient dynamics to appreciate both. Structure that extends at least a little beyond verse-chorus-verse Intelligent lyrics - interesting concepts are a bonus. I prefer my lyrics at least somewhat connected to real life experience or philosophy. Go easy on stories about elves and fairies. Virtuosity, especially with guitar. Yet, with instruments beyond just guitar/bass/drums or effects that make up for the lack of diverse instruments.
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More heavy prog, please!
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Svetonio
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Location: Serbia
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Posted: March 27 2015 at 19:10 |
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On the side of all mentioned above, and despite of prog instrumentals, I think that a way of singing is tremendously important issue.
Edited by Svetonio - March 27 2015 at 19:33
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ExittheLemming
Forum Senior Member
Joined: October 19 2007
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Posted: March 27 2015 at 19:20 |
Something that is a departure from habitual time honoured song structures e.g intro/verse 1/chorus/verse 2/middle eight/chorus/guitar solo etc In short, a good Prog song shouldn't really resemble a conventional song at all (otherwise it's just a long winded pop song  ) Oh, and also sparkly costumes...
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Polymorphia
Forum Senior Member
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Location: here
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Posted: March 27 2015 at 19:46 |
ExittheLemming wrote:
sparkly costumes...
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nail on the head
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The Dark Elf
Forum Senior Member
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Posted: March 27 2015 at 20:09 |
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Music that doesn't suck.
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...a vigorous circular motion hitherto unknown to the people of this area, but destined
to take the place of the mud shark in your mythology...
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cstack3
Forum Senior Member
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Posted: March 27 2015 at 21:27 |
verslibre wrote:
Stacks of analog synthesizers (and Rhodes), a beefy bass guitar tone, and percussion. Everything else is optional! |
Nay. Mellotrons in Prog are never optional.
A good prog song should be drenched in 8 voice choir, strings, flute, etc. On Mellotron.
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stegor
Forum Senior Member
Joined: March 23 2013
Location: Minnesota
Status: Offline
Points: 1987
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Posted: March 27 2015 at 22:10 |
The Sloth wrote:
Colorful yet tasteful drumming; interesting "events" one after another; the undeniable creation of a mental image or feeling; the sense that this particular musical situation can only be found here in this song/album, yet the music itself isn't a chore to listen to. |
I like this. Especially the "Interesting events" bit.
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HackettFan
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Joined: June 20 2012
Location: Oklahoma
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Points: 7946
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Posted: March 28 2015 at 00:16 |
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Unusual timbre.
Odd time signatures and unpredictable metrical characteristics in general.
Arrangements with lots of transitions.
Merging of other styles with rock.
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verslibre
Forum Senior Member
Joined: July 01 2004
Location: CA
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Points: 15000
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Posted: March 28 2015 at 01:15 |
cstack3 wrote:
verslibre wrote:
Stacks of analog synthesizers (and Rhodes), a beefy bass guitar tone, and percussion. Everything else is optional! |
Nay. Mellotrons in Prog are never optional.
A good prog song should be drenched in 8 voice choir, strings, flute, etc. On Mellotron. |
Okay, throw in 'Tron sounds because I do love 'em, I just don't want the 'Tron to become a crutch. 
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Kati
Forum Senior Member
Joined: September 10 2010
Location: Earth
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Points: 6253
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Posted: March 28 2015 at 01:43 |
guitars, guitar tunes! 
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richardh
Prog Reviewer
Joined: February 18 2004
Location: United Kingdom
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Points: 26131
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Posted: March 28 2015 at 03:36 |
cstack3 wrote:
verslibre wrote:
Stacks of analog synthesizers (and Rhodes), a beefy bass guitar tone, and percussion. Everything else is optional! |
Nay. Mellotrons in Prog are never optional.
A good prog song should be drenched in 8 voice choir, strings, flute, etc. On Mellotron. |
So that's where Keith Emerson went wrong ( I know I am going to open a hornets nest with this comment )
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What makes a good Prog song?
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