Rock Music

Everyone listens to rock music as a kid, but when you are grown up your relationship to it can change. When I was first listening to it, I wasn't aware of the history of rock music. To me, rock 'n roll was just something fun to put on when I was partying with friends, relaxing after school, or even cleaning my room up. I liked to go to rock concerts and trade CDs with friends. I knew people in bands, and started trying to play some rock music myself. That is when things got more serious.

At the time, I didn't realize how interesting and intricate rock and roll can get. The history of rock music is much more complex than most of the simplistic music of today would have you thinking. It has roots in traditional African American music, Caribbean music, country, and many other different styles. It has always been a music of rebellion, but the nature of that rebellion has changed over the years. Sometimes it has been remarkably simplistic while other times it has been incredibly complex. In short, it is hard to reduce it to one simple explanation.

I realized early on that I wanted to be a rock musician. I had only read a few books about bands playing rock 'n roll, but I was absolutely captivated by the lifestyle. A lot of my friends practiced all the time while listening to the same basic bands, but I realize that exposing myself to diverse influences was every bit as important as practicing. There are many different kinds of rock musicians out there, and the more I studied the more I would learn to do.

I started listening to music online. My favorites thing to do is to put on Pandora. If you've never seen this site, you should check it out. Basically, you can select any band or song you want and it creates a radio station based on that. It plays songs in a similar vein, often exposing you to groups you've never heard of before. It plays both famous songs and ones that are less well known, guaranteeing a variety of different musical influences.

It is the greatest way I know to expand your understanding of rock music. It certainly has worked for me. I've gone from a three chord wonder to a progressive rocker, incorporating elements of jazz, blues, and Caribbean music into a diverse mix. I even throw in a little bit of country from time to time to spice things up.