I was thinking about rock and roll the other day.

**Rain Man** · 11-30-2004, 02:21 PM

While I visit Funkytown as often as anybody, I find rock and roll to be an odd phenomenon for two reasons.

1. Music has been around for 15,000 years, ever since the first caveman pounded on a rock while another blew the last marrow out of an alto mammoth bone. How does an entirely new genre evolve in the 1950s? You can argue about roots, but it's hard to argue that rock music existed in previous centuries. Why did minstrels not come up with the few notes that define "Sweet Home Alabama?" Why did ancient Egyptians not bob and weave to "Satisfaction?" Or did they?

2. While many instruments are used, I think we can all agree that the instrumental foundations of rock and roll are the guitar, the drum, and the piano. Why? Was this random happenstance, or is there a reason for it? In parallel universes, is rock music built upon the drum, the trumpet, and the violin? The guitar, the tympani, and the clarinet? It's not like drum sets and pianos are easily portable, so why? Why, I ask?

Perhaps some musical historians can settle these burning questions for me.

stevieray · 11-30-2004, 02:23 PM

Les Paul

**Donger** · 11-30-2004, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rain Man

While I visit Funkytown as often as anybody, I find rock and roll to be an odd phenomenon for two reasons.

1. Music has been around for 15,000 years, ever since the first caveman pounded on a rock while another blew the last marrow out of an alto mammoth bone. How does an entirely new genre evolve in the 1950s? You can argue about roots, but it's hard to argue that rock music existed in previous centuries. Why did minstrels not come up with the few notes that define "Sweet Home Alabama?" Why did ancient Egyptians not bob and weave to "Satisfaction?" Or did they?

2. While many instruments are used, I think we can all agree that the instrumental foundations of rock and roll are the guitar, the drum, and the piano. Why? Was this random happenstance, or is there a reason for it? In parallel universes, is rock music built upon the drum, the trumpet, and the violin? The guitar, the tympani, and the clarinet? It's not like drum sets and pianos are easily portable, so why? Why, I ask?

Perhaps some musical historians can settle these burning questions for me.

Great. Now I have that song from Caveman in my head. Thanks a lot.

Dr. Johnny Fever · 11-30-2004, 02:23 PM

Because clarinets and violins don't rock.

Duh.

go bo · 11-30-2004, 02:23 PM

musical historians?

we have musical historians?

**BigRedChief** · 11-30-2004, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rain Man

While I visit Funkytown as often as anybody, I find rock and roll to be an odd phenomenon for two reasons.

1. Music has been around for 15,000 years, ever since the first caveman pounded on a rock while another blew the last marrow out of an alto mammoth bone. How does an entirely new genre evolve in the 1950s? You can argue about roots, but it's hard to argue that rock music existed in previous centuries. Why did minstrels not come up with the few notes that define "Sweet Home Alabama?" Why did ancient Egyptians not bob and weave to "Satisfaction?" Or did they?

2. While many instruments are used, I think we can all agree that the instrumental foundations of rock and roll are the guitar, the drum, and the piano. Why? Was this random happenstance, or is there a reason for it? In parallel universes, is rock music built upon the drum, the trumpet, and the violin? The guitar, the tympani, and the clarinet? It's not like drum sets and pianos are easily portable, so why? Why, I ask?

Perhaps some musical historians can settle these burning questions for me.

You have entirely too much time on your hands. The thin air of Denver has made you kooky.

Dr. Johnny Fever · 11-30-2004, 02:26 PM

At least rock and roll wasn't built around the spoons, cow bell, or glockenschpiel....(sp?)... even if Springsteen does use one once in a while.

**BigRedChief** · 11-30-2004, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beer me

At least rock and roll wasn't built around the spoons, cow bell, or glockenschpiel....(sp?)... even if Springsteen does use one once in a while.

I love the "more cow bell" skil on SNL.....AHHHHH what memories.

SPchief · 11-30-2004, 02:28 PM

Rainman, Are you bored today?

**Skip Towne** · 11-30-2004, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

You have entirely too much time on your hands. The thin air of Denver has made you kooky.

I think you're right. He claims he was normal when he was in Rolla.

**Rain Man** · 11-30-2004, 02:31 PM

How could you tell?

Brock · 11-30-2004, 02:31 PM

Druids invented it, at the behest of their Dark Master.

**Baby Lee** · 11-30-2004, 02:34 PM

Umm, electricity. Leading to amplification, tweaking, feedback, digitization.

go bo · 11-30-2004, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baby Lee

Umm, electricity. Leading to amplification, tweaking, feedback, digitization.

well that would certainly explain the emergence of electric guitars...

**Mr. Kotter** · 11-30-2004, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

You have entirely too much time on your hands. The thin air of Denver has made you kooky.

You've only just now realized this...?

11-30-2004, 02:21 PM
Rain Man NFL's #1 Ermines Fan Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: My house Casino cash: $3278491 VARSITY	I was thinking about rock and roll the other day. While I visit Funkytown as often as anybody, I find rock and roll to be an odd phenomenon for two reasons. 1. Music has been around for 15,000 years, ever since the first caveman pounded on a rock while another blew the last marrow out of an alto mammoth bone. How does an entirely new genre evolve in the 1950s? You can argue about roots, but it's hard to argue that rock music existed in previous centuries. Why did minstrels not come up with the few notes that define "Sweet Home Alabama?" Why did ancient Egyptians not bob and weave to "Satisfaction?" Or did they? 2. While many instruments are used, I think we can all agree that the instrumental foundations of rock and roll are the guitar, the drum, and the piano. Why? Was this random happenstance, or is there a reason for it? In parallel universes, is rock music built upon the drum, the trumpet, and the violin? The guitar, the tympani, and the clarinet? It's not like drum sets and pianos are easily portable, so why? Why, I ask? Perhaps some musical historians can settle these burning questions for me.
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11-30-2004, 02:23 PM	#2
stevieray best in the biz Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Under Pressure Casino cash: $2545273	Les Paul
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11-30-2004, 02:23 PM	#4
Dr. Johnny Fever stax of wax Join Date: Feb 2004 Casino cash: $10004900	Because clarinets and violins don't rock. Duh. __________________ courtesy of BoneKrusher "Baseball? It's just a game. As simple as a ball and bat, yet as complex as the American spirit it symbolizes. It's a sport, a business and sometimes a religion." Ernie Harwell
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11-30-2004, 02:23 PM	#5
go bo Flop = Man of Steel!! Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: independence Casino cash: $10006405	musical historians? we have musical historians?
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11-30-2004, 02:26 PM	#7
Dr. Johnny Fever stax of wax Join Date: Feb 2004 Casino cash: $10004900	At least rock and roll wasn't built around the spoons, cow bell, or glockenschpiel....(sp?)... even if Springsteen does use one once in a while. __________________ courtesy of BoneKrusher "Baseball? It's just a game. As simple as a ball and bat, yet as complex as the American spirit it symbolizes. It's a sport, a business and sometimes a religion." Ernie Harwell
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11-30-2004, 02:28 PM	#9
SPchief In Search of a Life Join Date: Feb 2004 Casino cash: $1802905	Rainman, Are you bored today?
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11-30-2004, 02:31 PM	#11
Rain Man NFL's #1 Ermines Fan Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: My house Casino cash: $3278491 VARSITY	How could you tell? __________________ I'm putting random letters here as a celebration of free speech: xigrakgrah misorojeq rkemeseit.
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11-30-2004, 02:31 PM	#12
Brock Say hello to my little friend Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Larryville Casino cash: $9598422	Druids invented it, at the behest of their Dark Master.
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11-30-2004, 02:34 PM	#13
Baby Lee Supporter Join Date: Aug 2000 Casino cash: $6838598	Umm, electricity. Leading to amplification, tweaking, feedback, digitization. __________________ We need the kind of courage that can withstand the subtle corruption of the cynics - E.W.
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