Pentatonics

[nigelgatherer]

Often in my classes and workshops I discuss and explore pentatonic scales, and the magical properties they have. I was pleased to see this clip of Bobby McFerrin doing a mini workshop on pentatonics;

vimeo.com/5732745

[alistair]

Great Nigel. Would like to to have seen the next bit though, with the answer to "What does it all mean?".

[nigelgatherer]

Therer's a link to the whole video on that page. I haven't looked at it myself yet.

[Brian McClory]

(25-02-2010 02:52 PM)nigelgatherer Wrote:  Therer's a link to the whole video on that page. I haven't looked at it myself yet.

I have watched a couple of the videos - fascinating. I recommend at least a glance if you are interested in how music works on humans.
http://www.worldsciencefestival.com/vide...urons-full

[alistair]

(02-03-2010 09:43 PM)Brian McClory Wrote:  

(25-02-2010 02:52 PM)nigelgatherer Wrote:  Therer's a link to the whole video on that page. I haven't looked at it myself yet.

I have watched a couple of the videos - fascinating. I recommend at least a glance if you are interested in how music works on humans.
http://www.worldsciencefestival.com/vide...urons-full

Many of the same themes are explored in depth in a wonderful book by Oliver Sachs called "Musicophilia" I got for Christmas a couple of years ago. Of course there's no accompanying CD or DVD.

[jesalbond]

The first scales most guitar players learn are pentatonic scales, especially rock players. However, the context they are usually used in as such is where the pentatonic scale being played is the same as the key center or root note it's being played over (for example, E minor pent over an E minor chord). However, this is only one pentatonic scale that can diatonically (I.E. in key) work over such a chord or tonal center.