I think Progressive Rock has it's roots from jazz.
I grew up listening to early rock n roll, but also enjoyed listening to the Dave Brubeck Quartet.
The similarities are odd time signatures, poly rhythmic parts, extended pieces of music, improvisation, etc.
I remember once suggesting to my wife of a way to listen to Yes when they would get into a rather complicated section of their music, and it's what helped me also from what I learned when first listening to jazz.
And that was for me, to listen to one part, one instrument and focus on that, and then as you get in the groove you can kind of use that as a base and start to let your mind listen to what everyone is playing as a whole piece of music...and it worked for her. She now loves even the complicated sections that Yes plays, and it helps with other progressive rock bands we listen to..like King Crimson.
Bookmarks