A Taxonomy of Progressive Rock Forms

Starts as as ballad and evolves into a jam. The jam is typically heavy. Often reprises the opening theme.

• Trilogy
• Thirty Years
• Can Utility and the Coastliners
• Take a Pebble

Like the ballad jam but epic. The jam is definitely heavy.

• Stairway to Heaven
• Freebird
• Starless

Lots of seemingly unrelated bits strung together. Can have explicit movements or not.

• And You and I
• Karn Evil Number 9
• Supper's Ready

No words spoken.

• where to begin …

Typically instrumental. Literally a drone or drone via repetition.

• Alaska (opening)
• Aladdin's Bolero ⇒ or should there be a “The crescendo” class?