- How do I separate classic rock from hard rock?
- Hard rock is the heavier branch: deeper distortion, more aggressive rhythm, riffs built for force. Classic rock covers a wider field including melodic, comparatively restrained material. Think of hard rock as classic rock with the gain turned up.
- How do I get that analog recording quality?
- Describe gear and process: "tube amp distortion, live drum kit, tape saturation, light compression preserving dynamics." Avoid "modern production" or "maximized loudness" — classic rock's appeal lives in its dynamic swing, and flattening it removes the era entirely.
- How should I ask for the guitar solo?
- State position and character: "sixteen-bar guitar solo after the second chorus, pentatonic with bends and vibrato." Simply asking for "a solo" often yields something short or over-technical, which sits at odds with classic rock's plainspoken delivery.
