Rockpedia

Compare

Two genres, side by side. The ratings are editorial judgements on a ten-point scale, not measurements. Where they come out level, the difference is in the prose underneath them.

First genre

Canterbury scene1968

Second genre

Symphonic prog1970

Head to headCanterbury scene vs Symphonic prog
Canterbury scene: heaviness 2, melody 8, speed 5. Symphonic prog: heaviness 3, melody 8, speed 5.Heaviness2 / 3Melody8 / 8Speed5 / 5
Each corner is a ten-point rating. The further out, the higher.

The difference, by ear

Symphonic prog is grand and orchestral. Canterbury is domestic and jazzy, and the two sound almost nothing alike despite sharing a parent.

Both are sung cleanly and move at much the same pace, around 70 to 150 bpm. To hear the difference, play Soft Machine next to Yes. Both grew out of progressive rock, Canterbury scene first and symphonic prog two years after.

Put together from each genre's vocals, tempo, song length, key acts and place in the tree.

In figures

Heaviness
Canterbury scene2
Symphonic prog3
+1
Speed
Canterbury scene5
Symphonic prog5
level
Melody
Canterbury scene8
Symphonic prog8
level

Canterbury scene

1968 · Canterbury, England

Where it sits

Rock › Progressive rock › Canterbury scene

In short

Prog with jazz harmony and dry English humour. Looser and stranger than its symphonic neighbours.

How it sounds

  • Jazz harmony - sevenths and ninths - in place of blues pentatonics.
  • Fuzzed organ, the signature of Mike Ratledge in Soft Machine.
  • Absurdist humour in the lyrics, in contrast with the complexity of the music.

Key acts

  • Soft Machine
  • Caravan
  • Hatfield and the North

Start here

The pickCaravan - In the Land of Grey and Pink. Prog that doesn't take itself seriously, and lasts because of it.

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Symphonic prog

1970 · UK / Italy

Where it sits

Rock › Progressive rock › Symphonic prog

In short

Orchestral arrangements transposed onto Hammond organ and Moog. Roger Dean cover art included.

How it sounds

  • Hammond organ through a Leslie and a Moog acting as a horn section.
  • Sectional arrangements with themes that return transformed.
  • Instrumental virtuosity on open display, especially on keyboards.

Key acts

  • Yes
  • Emerson, Lake & Palmer
  • PFM

Start here

The pickYes - Close to the Edge. The title track runs eighteen minutes and wastes none of them.

Full page →