My friend says prog music is elitist

[Fassa Albrecht]

This guy is one of my best friends and he's also a musician and so we talk about music a lot.


One night we were talking about my present search for prog-rock musicians for a band I'm trying to set up.
He basically said that with its emphasis on technicality over listenability and its references to high culture and obscure references, along with the coded lyrics and deep meaning, that prog rock musicians are in some way 'elitist'.


Any opinions on how I can come back at that?

[bongomania]

"Well, I can't expect an ignorant peon such as yourself to appreciate great Art."

[Fassa Albrecht]

Originally Posted by bongomania

"Well, I can't expect an ignorant peon such as yourself to appreciate great Art."

Already tried that- but seen as he's a sound engineer and songwriter too he really is more musical than me.....

[emblymouse]

Only people can be elitist. Prog rockers do not have that market cornered.

[Jay Terrien]

Hey, who says that long wizard's capes and racks of synths are elitist? (Someone please post a Rick Wakeman pix)

LOL!!

The genre as a whole is somewhat elitist. This is why 90% of the music sounds gay. It all depends on who/what band is writing the music. Progressive thinkers, the concept does not equal progressive rock music, the genre. Trust me, even the most notable prog. rockers criticize and poke fun at the genre.

Originally Posted by Fassa Albrecht

This guy is one of my best friends and he's also a musician and so we talk about music a lot.


One night we were talking about my present search for prog-rock musicians for a band I'm trying to set up.
He basically said that with its emphasis on technicality over listenability and its references to high culture and obscure references, along with the coded lyrics and deep meaning, that prog rock musicians are in some way 'elitist'.


Any opinions on how I can come back at that?

[bongomania]

Also note that any time you speak/write in code (including any kind of symbolism or dialect, old or modern), or wear distinct costumage, it serves to separate yourself from anyone who does not understand the code or wear the same sort of costume. If the code and costumage you use have a previous association with intellectual wankery, you're stuck with that baggage. It doesn't help that the musical forms themselves are often an agglomeration of intellectual concepts that can't be danced to.

[Basshappi]

Does he feel the same about Baroque, Hard Bop, Fusion jazz?

Prog is just rock music with elements of jazz and classical music mixed in. Most (if not all) music is a combination of various styles.

Your friend's argument is fundamentally flawed anyway because only people can be elitists.

[*smb]

"Someone has an opinion different to mine. How do I make them think the same as me?"

[tomvelsor]

Originally Posted by Fassa Albrecht

Already tried that- but seen as he's a sound engineer and songwriter too he really is more musical than me.....

then maybe you should listen to him

[dave64o]

How can he be so "musical" if he arrogantly writes off an entire genre of music and those who enjoy it. I think he's an ignorant person and that his attitude is also quite elitist.

I suppose Itzhak Perlman is an elitist snob, too? Playing that classical music with all it's demanding technical challenges, what a self absorbed bastard he is ....

[steve21]

I sure hope so. How else would people know the style of music I listen to thinks it is better than the style of music they listen to?

[artistanbul]

He doesn't necessarily have to be ignorant IMO.

I dig prog music, though from a different perspective than I dig, say, blues. I like the technical aspects and experimantation. The experience.

Because of the content and intent, progressive music is more prone to be arrogant and obscure than other genres. I has an "I don't really give a d**n" attitude, and plays for a more limited audience.

Not that there's anything wrong with that...

Though I don't think elitism is the correct term, as it may carry the meaning, prog bands look down on conventional music. I think bohemian would be more apt.

[worker201]

Originally Posted by Fassa Albrecht

He basically said that with its emphasis on technicality over listenability and its references to high culture and obscure references, along with the coded lyrics and deep meaning, that prog rock musicians are in some way 'elitist'.

Any opinions on how I can come back at that?

Ask him what he thinks about the artists in the top ten this week. If there's any he doesn't like, you can call him an elitist right back.

(personally, I don't think there's anything wrong with being a little bit elite)

[PaulMacCnj]

This sounds like what the punk / new waves rockers of the mid to late 1970's where saying. The progressive rock musicians were blasted for being too into themselves, just wanted to hear themselves play, making music long and complicated just for the sake of it, etc.. To each his own. I like a lot of different types of music. Lately, my favorite is is the long, jam songs as performed by the Grateful Dead. I certainly don't think of any of the Dead members as elitests.

[Munjibunga]

I am the arbitor of all things elite, and prog is bourgeois.

[steve21]

Originally Posted by Munjibunga

I am the arbitor of all things elite, and prog is bourgeois.

Well, that's the end of that debate. He is a total hyper-elite member, after all.

[TrooperFarva]

I was always of the opinion that music is a form of artistic expression, used best to express emotional experiences. To me, alternating sections of 5/8 and 13/16 doesn't express anything more than "we're a bunch of jackasses trying to show off." IMHO, of course.

[IanStephenson]

Of course it is. What's the problem?

Elitist isn't actually a bad thing. If you're going discrimitate, then doing so on the basis of ability and talent doesn't seem a bad thing.

[Deacon_Blues]

Everybody has a right to their opinion. You choose yours.

[StanFan]

One of the main things he says I don't agree with is the technicality aspect. Just as much prog music tends to be bordering on minimalistic as it does with extremely technical aspects. It just depends on what bands he is referring to.