ABSTRACT
The fourth chapter focuses on that most distinctive British rock movement, progressive rock. Rather than focus on the bands who made this music, it focuses on the styles and impetuses from within which they developed. Thus, after discussing the origins of the movement and the practice of rock improvisation, it looks in turn at the input of jazz, of classical music, of folk music and of the imagination, the particular use of which helps to distinguish this music from others. The chapter also observes the different listening strategies called forth by progressive rock, and asks questions of the music’s defining label.
