What's the difference between rock and pop?

Question

I've heard many people talk about the legitimacy of rock acts over pop acts. However, I am noticing more and more that they are both very similar in musical stylings and composition.

The only noticable difference is that pop music seems to be more controlled by a producer and a team of professionals. Most rock acts seem to prefer to do all their own writing.

They both have commercial aims even if pop music is more overtly designed to make money. Mainstream rock acts are trying to win your wallet just as much as any other performer.

Answer 1

Pop music tends to be more lighthearted, less "heavy" in its themes. Rock music is usually much more aggressive, involves the use of distorted electric guitars, a "heavy" drum beat, etc. However, the lines can blur - is "Helter Skelter" by the Beatles rock or pop? The Beatles were a "pop" group, but that is a "rock" song. A lot of rock acts will perform somebody else's song - if they like it - the same with pop acts. I can only say what I think, but ultimately the decision is up to the listener.

Answer 2

That's kind of a difficult question that takes a lot of study to really know the difference other than initial listening. Rock and Pop have their roots in Jazz music, but basically the difference has to do with chord progression, instrumentation, and other things. In Jazz you will find wind instruments (sax, trumpet, etc.) but not always, guitar (mostly without any distortion), drums, maybe keyboards, and bass (usually an upright). Rock uses guitars (mostly with distortion or other effects, drums, bass, and keyboards. Pop nowadays is heavily keyboard and fake drum based, relying on artificial sounds and heavy rhythms. But, like I said this is a very limited answer since all 3 are intertwined together and share many of the same things.

Answer 3

Rock: Metalica. Pop: Britney Spears

Answer 4

Justin, I thought I'd take a stab at your question but honestly your observations say it better than I could. I always think of pop as the cheap stuff cooked up for the easiest audiance-teens to 20-somethings since they've always proven to be the most rabid fans for this stuff and quick to purchase it. Like you said it's heavily produced stuff. That's not to say that a hard working rock band can't have a big selling hit but it's the exception rather than the norm. Hey, I'll even admit to liking a lot of really terrible "pop" when I was in my teens but my tastes changed like they do for most of us with time to stuff w/ more stubstance and most times that means from pop to rock to jazz to all kinds of things. Hmmm, I've said too much...I like your self-answer better!

Answer 5

Pop was considered to be a top-10 thing which was usually very catchy choruses but not much style or depth. Rock is a little heavier and darker with more of an edge.

Answer 6

Rock has a more intense rhythm and often, lyrics, and is a specific by-product of rhythm & blues.

Pop doesn't describe a style of music. It refers to what's most popular (a.k.a., commercially successful). In most cases, that means pop music is more accesible, and therefore, more homognized and less intense, than rock. It can include any musical genre, including rock and rhythm & blues.

Answer 7

well rock has more of a headbanger style and pop is what's popular now...thats why its called pop and it just stays pop for the rest of the time its out

Answer 8

Rock is rockier than pop which is poppy

Answer 9

pop- britney spears

rock- afi, panic!at the disco, red hot chilli peppers....anything on kroq