Codes and Conventions of Rock Music

Rock has many sub-categories and the most contrasting are hard rock and soft rock. These types of music are all considered rock, but grasp the complete opposite ends of the spectrum when it comes to style of the music. 


These are examples of what hard rock and soft rock can sound like and the obvious differences in the style.

Some of the codes and conventions of rock music are things like the bands instruments. Whenever you see media with rock music, you will nearly always see iconography like microphones, guitars and drums. This makes us think of the loud, electric music when it is being played. You can also see pictures of fans smiling and bright stage lights beaming down on stage. This lets us know that the fans are having a good time and adds excitement to the atmosphere.

Another code and convention is that sometimes the artists can wear dark eye make-up, which makes them seem dangerous and rebellious.  Unlike in soft rock where make-up is softer or non-existent so show a kind of more natural beauty side which is reflected in the softer music. which makes them seem dangerous and rebellious. 

         

This style of rock also comes from the fashion convection which usually includes items like jeans, jackets and shirts in dark colours, or bright light colours if it is soft rock. This supports the stereotypical male gender by making them seem strong, dangerous, daring, confident and courageous at times.  Back in the 80's and 70's it was more common for rock bands to wear matching costumes eg. KISS and The Upper Crust.

But now rock bands are more commonly seen wearing clothes that are unique to the other band members. This creates a feeling of originality, individuality and may even inspire fans to show off their own unique styles.

One more feature of rock is the style of hair which is also usually quite messy and the artist themselves can look disorganised, but they manage to contain a kind of nonchalance and mysterious look about them that can reflect in the music as well. Whilst in soft rock, the artists can have messy hair, but to a lesser extent.

 

In rock, the body language can be quite fierce and with a kind of ‘in your face’ attitude.This makes the artists seem aggressive and with a 'ready for a fight' look. It also means that the audience get railed up as well. Fans of hard rock tend to go a bit wild with 'rock on' gestures and head banding, emulating the wild acts of their heroes on stage. Or like in soft rock, the music can be very relaxing and make the audience easy up. There is nothing being forced on the audience and becomes very easy to listen to. These two contrasting types of rock can have two very opposite effects on the listener. 

In hard rock, the theme is often of explicit displays of emotion through aggressive and gory lyrics and are on dark and depressing subjects. Whilst soft rock can deal with lighter or even sorrowful subjects like love, loss or freedom. The lyrics are not shouted or yelled and there are more times when there is harmony in the music.  I like that this genera has such variety which means I can take my magazine in many different directions.