המשוואה המפורסמת?
מפורסמת איפה בדיוק? בוא נחפש ב-Google, מנוע החיפוש החזק ביותר כיום, את המחרוזת "what is progressive rock". תוצאה מס' 1:
A style of rock music that emerged in the 1970s; associated with attempts to combine rock with jazz and other forms; intended for listening and not dancing
ג'אז! אפילו אני מופתע. תוצאה מס' 2:
Definition 1 - defining it as a genre: Some people think of prog-rock as a specific type of music. They either define it by the song structures (songs that are 20 minutes long with multiple movements, songs with lots of counterpoint, etc), or by the instrumentation (songs featuring a mellotron or lots of synthesizers, songs with instruments not usually found in rock like flute, violin, etc). This sort of prog is usually based on classical forms. People who define progressive rock this way tend to prefer the symphonic prog bands from the 70s, and the "neo-prog" bands of the 80s and 90s who play in a similar style. Definition 2 - defining it as an attitude: Other people think of prog-rock as any music that is only classified as rock-and-roll because it can't be defined otherwise. Anything that pushes the boundries or breaks new ground. Stuff that there's no chance in hell you'd ever hear on the radio. The instrumentation and song structures don't have to fit any pre-conceived categories. These people are usually as open to new bands as they are the experimental older bands.
כאן כבר יש שיפור, אבל זה רק חלק קטן מהגדרה, והכותב מסייג שהנוסחה הזו תואמת רק לתת ז'אנרים Symphonic Progressive Rock ו-Neo-Prog. ממשיכים ופוגשים חבר ותיק, מר ג'רי לאקי!
Progressive rock is music that incorporates the following:
Complex arrangements usually featuring intricate keyboard and guitar playing.
Songs predominantly on the longish side, but structured, rarely improvised.
A mixture of loud passages, soft passages, and musical crescendos to add to the dynamics of the arrangements.
The use of Mellotron or string synth to simulate an orchestra backing.
The possible inclusion of live symphony orchestra backing.
Extended instrumental solos, perhaps involving some improvisation.
The inclusion of musical styles from other than a rock format.
A blending of acoustic, electric and electronic instruments where each plays a vital role in translating the emotion of compositions which typically contain more than one mood.
Multi-movement compositions that may or may not return to a musical theme. In some cases the end section may bear little resemblance to the first part of the song.
Compositions created from unrelated parts, i.e. Genesis' "Supper's Ready."
קצת מסורבל... אבל איפה המשוואה הנודעת לשמצה? היתכן שג'רי לאקי לא שמע עליה? בקיצור, המשוואה המפורסמת היא לא כזו מפורסמת. היא מפורסמת רק כאן בישראל בזכות עיקשותו הנודעת לשמצה של הוגה המשוואה, אדם יקר בשם אורי ברייטמן. אני לא מזלזל בה, היא פרי מאמץ כן לתמצת את המושג למינימום ולאפשר לכל בר דעת לזהות לבדו מה פרוג ומה שמוג. זו משוואה טובה אך לא מושלמת, והיא ממש לא "מפורסמת".