The Pentatonic Scale Rules...

[Chris98]

From the Guardian:

The power of the Pentatonic Scale
This video shows that humans have a universal appreciation and understanding of music, independent of culture and training

 

[kevgermany]

What a fantastic video. Bobby McFerrin is an incredible musician, and this demonstrates not only his understanding of music - but also the other side of it - how audiences relate/interact with music.

 

[TomMapfumo]

I just love the pentatonic scales - Major and Minor - such a lovely joyful sound, and an inevitable part of my warm up routine - really connects! Thanks, Chris, for a fascinating video...........!

Kind regards
Tom

 

[visionari1]

Brilliant.....See how he improvises from vitually nothing with ease....the way of a true master... apparently with mostly the pentatonic scale you can be a very competant creative musician.

Thanks for posting this!

ciao Jimu

 

[VirusKiller]

Very very interesting and provides some insight into my question here as to why jazz sounds different to other music.

 

[old git]

Somewhere, no, not over the rainbow, I've read that most very early instruments, things like bone whistles seem to use the pentatonic scale, no matter what culture, continent or clan developed it. Similarly, baby's comfort songs, such as "The Galloping Major" mimic the rhythms of walking as felt in the first comfort zone, the womb. Might be interesting to see if similar scales seem to play a part in calls used by our closest relatives or other animals.

 

[kevgermany]

Might be interesting to see if similar scales seem to play a part in calls used by our closest relatives or other animals.

Pentatonic chimps? Now that really puts us in our places.

 

[gladsaxisme]

I thought the singing was good but the dancing was rubbish

 

[jazzsaxman]

Bobby McFerrin

If the dancing gets you down - don't worry be happy.

 

[AlanU]

Very interesting, and fun.
It reminds me of a series of lectures for children by Wynton Marsalis, that I saw many years ago.
I'll go and look for them now.

 

[old git]

The Marsalis were brilliant, related blues to classical, if I remember correctly.

 

[AlanU]

That's right, The Nut Cracker Suite among other things.

I've just found that it is on You Tube, called 'Marsalis on music'.
I'm off to give it a look.

 

[BigMartin]

That's right, The Nut Cracker Suite among other things.

Interesting. Dance of the sugar Plum Fairy has always sounded like reggae to me (eg Bob Marley: Sun is Shining)

 

[kevgermany]

That's right, The Nut Cracker Suite among other things.

I've just found that it is on You Tube, called 'Marsalis on music'.
I'm off to give it a look.

That's well worth a look. Funny in places, especially Yo-Yo Ma at the end.

 

[Young Col]

In the same kind of vein, I recommend the John Kirby Sextet (1939 -41) who alongside standards of the day also recorded their take on many classical themes. All beautifully tight, cool, laid back and swinging. Bounce of the Sugar Plum Fairy, Beethoven Riffs On, Anitra's Dance, Minute Waltz and Humouresque included. This kind of arrangement was the precursor for the tight arrangements, often with Kirby's bass carrying the rhythmic momentum, that when merged with modern harmonic progressions emerged as bebop.

Also for a tour de force on Humouresque listen to Art Tatum's version, with it's astonishing runs, apparent playing out of time (like Earl Hines used to do) and incorporation of Harlem stride.

YC

 

[milandro]

for Children?

for everybody!

 

[old git]

Could be part of the series we were referring to. Do recall that amongst other things, blues were compared with sonata form.

Please computer literate youngsters, find the series somewhere, they were brill.

 

[milandro]

this should keep yo busy for a while

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=filRZfe3AjM&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUr_F2VXx0Q&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lRzGX_Fd3FI&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLn3sd-rHQ8&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QrHl-Oadyts&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiUjc_2PAsE&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yvs3J1cmnWQ&feature=related


this is an older one not part of that series
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xfk-R-3rn_4&feature=related

 

[old git]

Milandro,
The Dutch are now forgiven for their expedition up the Medway.

 

[milandro]

enjoy.......I am happy to have redeemed a whole nation