wat's thedifference between rock, pop, jass & classical music?

Answer 1

Fredrick z -- gotta disagree with you re jazz....

How harmonically complex was Vivaldi?

If you take a listen to the output of Dave Brubeck, especially "Take 5" and "Blue Rondo à la Turk", you might change your opinion re dynamics, harmonic complexity, and rhythmic interest.

Also, listen to Bill Evans and his amazing rendition of "Green Dolphin Street". Mighty interesting harmonies.

The best jazz musicians have the ability to compose on the spot. John Coltrain's sax solos are astounding. True improvisation at it's finest.

Answer 2

I think the major differences between "classical" by which I assume you mean "serious" music and the others, is that the harmonic language of "classical" music is far more developed and far more sophisticated. Though some jazz makes attempts at modern harmonies, most of those attempts are quite limited.

Additionally, classical music contains a variety of dynamic expressions, that is it varies from loud to soft and back. Pop and rock and much jazz does not do that. They are all pretty much at the same volume levels from start to finish .

Classical compositions contain more than one theme and the two or more themes are allowed to play off of each other and weave together to form surprising new sounds. The other species mentioned in the question almost never do that.

Classical music, because of its complex harmonies and very well designed thematic material is capable of sustaining itself for much longer time periods. Many symphonic works are over half and hour in length and some are much much longer. Pop Rock and Jazz because they are intrinsically much simpler can not sustain themselves much beyond a few minutes.

Many other differences but these are some of the main ones

Answer 3

I think the classification of music into these categories is mostly artificial. One respondent made the simple delineation that "classical music does not use electric guitars". That is very limiting -- I don't know if any composer has yet employed an electric guitar in a "classical" composition, but I would not limit the genre to disallow such things. Classical music encompasses a sub-genre called Electronica which consists almost entirely of synthesized sounds, so why not an electric guitar as well?

The real delineation of music these days is the composer's intended audience.

Rock music is intended for a certain portion of the young and young at heart audience that wants a loud, raucous fun experience, best heard at a live concert.

Pop music is intend to appeal to the masses, and is best heard recorded -- live performances tend to be overproduced and lip-synched since so much of the "art" of pop music comes in post-production. (Most of these artists can't sing as well as they sound after production.)

Jazz music is intended for a certain portion of the population who want a different experience -- a unique, different every night, live experience.

Classical music is intended for the concert hall -- a more staid, cerebral experience.

Of course, all of these are generalizations, and therefore prone to exceptions.

Answer 4

I think Frederick's answer fairly complete .... my only disagreement and it is MINOR ...... Jazz unlike pop and rock tends to be more complex many times with intertwining melodies and tempo changes and also infrequently using dynamic changes not most of it but it does happen

Answer 5

Those are separate questions. I'll take the easy one for now: Classical music does not use electric guitars. Jazz might, pop usually and rock always.

Answer 6

just so you know its jazz.

what instruments are played basically.