I think you will find this interesting.
"In this fun, 3-min performance from the World Science Festival, musician Bobby McFerrin uses the pentatonic scale to reveal one surprising result of the way our brains are wired." http://www.ted.com/talks/bobby_mcferrin_hacks_your_brain_with_music.html
It seems much used in the songs of Gaelic Scotland. Also in Andean music. But the happiness of those who play the latter seems all too inclined to break the bounds of the bearable and issue in terminally irritating howls and whoops and stuff that kill off or hide any actual tunes that are going on underneath it - and that tradition does have some nice tunes. Or perhaps they are not happy at all, but doing what they think will induce the punters to stump up. Well, this one's stumped up for a disc or two of this dreck and isn't going to do so any more for the time being.
The Gaels don't seem to have gone down that road yet, thank goodness. I suppose the early warning sign would be if they started singing songs like The Anaconda Passes, or something, but if it was in Gaelic most of us, of course, wouldn't pick up on it.
...or perhaps, My Heart Is Embraced By The Essence Of The Cactus; or, I Am Possessed By The Spirit Of The Jaguar Tonight; or, I Am Going To Fly Like A Monkey Into Your Window...
People like bogman who live in these parts can no doubt send us early warning if or when the songs begin to get a little strange...
I was at a singing workshop with Bobby McFerrin at Celtic Connections this year. What an experience. I missed the concert itself but apparently it was amazing and even more interactive than the workshop.
For the record, nicholas, the people up at Pacha Mama think Northumbrian music is silly. When any of your crowd sets up in a street in Cuzco to play, it's early siesta. You should hear the derision from the locals. Also, you could stand to eat more guinea pig.
Mc Ferrin is a god of vocal music. What a shame that most people associate him with a throw-away piece like "Don't Worry Be Happy!" Although one of the reasons that otherwise simple piece was so popular, was how catchy his performance made it!
The local mall installed tiny TV's above the urinals that play advertisements for various things - Zoom Media it's called. There's only about four ads loaded right now, and one of them has the whistling at the start of "Don't worry, be happy" as it's theme. You're likely to hear it several times each visit.
So now I need to go pee every time I hear the song. Damn that Pavlov!
For many years I traveled around and sang with children and people of many ages. My traveling bag of instruments included a set of pentatonic chimes.
One day after a class, a young boy, probably age four or five, sat gently playing the chimes, mesmerized. His name was Noel as I now recall. He told me, "this music is very old." I was quite struck by this child, and by his comment, as he seemed to be connecting with something primal, stirred by the pentatonic scale.
There is one Northumbrian piper whom the Andeans love. It is no less than she whose name in Quechua translates something like: "She for whom the puma loses sleep, refuses food, and generally neglects himself." She is none other than Kathryn Tickell. She could stand to eat more guinea pig, though.
Bobby McFerrin hacks your brain with music
Bobby McFerrin hacks your brain with music
I think you will find this interesting.
"In this fun, 3-min performance from the World Science Festival, musician Bobby McFerrin uses the pentatonic scale to reveal one surprising result of the way our brains are wired."
http://www.ted.com/talks/bobby_mcferrin_hacks_your_brain_with_music.html
# Posted on March 6th 2010 by old and in the way
Re: Bobby McFerrin hacks your brain with music
This is absolutely wonderful. Thanks for posting.
µ
# Posted on March 6th 2010 by Markplucker
Re: Bobby McFerrin hacks your brain with music
This video has also been of interest to cantorial students (the pentatonic scale is one of the prayer modes).
The pentatonic scale is wonderful. Literally, no two notes ever sound bad together.
# Posted on March 6th 2010 by sara505sings
Re: Bobby McFerrin hacks your brain with music
It seems much used in the songs of Gaelic Scotland. Also in Andean music. But the happiness of those who play the latter seems all too inclined to break the bounds of the bearable and issue in terminally irritating howls and whoops and stuff that kill off or hide any actual tunes that are going on underneath it - and that tradition does have some nice tunes. Or perhaps they are not happy at all, but doing what they think will induce the punters to stump up. Well, this one's stumped up for a disc or two of this dreck and isn't going to do so any more for the time being.
The Gaels don't seem to have gone down that road yet, thank goodness. I suppose the early warning sign would be if they started singing songs like The Anaconda Passes, or something, but if it was in Gaelic most of us, of course, wouldn't pick up on it.
# Posted on March 6th 2010 by nicholas
Re: Bobby McFerrin hacks your brain with music
Fabulous stuff - thanks!
# Posted on March 6th 2010 by eiluned
Re: Bobby McFerrin hacks your brain with music
...or perhaps, My Heart Is Embraced By The Essence Of The Cactus; or, I Am Possessed By The Spirit Of The Jaguar Tonight; or, I Am Going To Fly Like A Monkey Into Your Window...
People like bogman who live in these parts can no doubt send us early warning if or when the songs begin to get a little strange...
# Posted on March 6th 2010 by nicholas
Re: Bobby McFerrin hacks your brain with music
Honest to God, I haven't had a depressed moment since the day I joined the session.org. Each thread, each posting, is funnier than the last.
# Posted on March 6th 2010 by sara505sings
Re: Bobby McFerrin hacks your brain with music
“Don't Worry, Be Happy”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9K4BKkLaCI
Something extra for the weekend ~ 'c'
# Posted on March 6th 2010 by ceolachan
Re: Bobby McFerrin hacks your brain with music
You think so nicholas, alright, what's Gaelic for Anaconda?
# Posted on March 6th 2010 by ceolachan
Re: Bobby McFerrin hacks your brain with music
I expect it's Anaconda.
Of course! It'll make it that bit easier to tell when they start singing about them. Obvious really - silly old me.
# Posted on March 7th 2010 by nicholas
Re: Bobby McFerrin hacks your brain with music
I would be mightily grateful to have passed an anaconda - not to mention surprised!
# Posted on March 7th 2010 by eiluned
Re: Bobby McFerrin hacks your brain with music
I was at a singing workshop with Bobby McFerrin at Celtic Connections this year. What an experience. I missed the concert itself but apparently it was amazing and even more interactive than the workshop.
# Posted on March 7th 2010 by No Cause For Alarm
Re: Bobby McFerrin hacks your brain with music
i would have made the trip to Glasgow just for that had I known.
# Posted on March 7th 2010 by eiluned
Re: Bobby McFerrin hacks your brain with music
So would I, even if it meant putting the thumb back into service...
# Posted on March 7th 2010 by ceolachan
Re: Bobby McFerrin hacks your brain with music
For the record, nicholas, the people up at Pacha Mama think Northumbrian music is silly. When any of your crowd sets up in a street in Cuzco to play, it's early siesta. You should hear the derision from the locals. Also, you could stand to eat more guinea pig.
# Posted on March 7th 2010 by Atahualpa Quigley
Re: Bobby McFerrin hacks your brain with music
Bobby McFerrin "lilting", with Kieran Munnelly (who's better on the flute!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jko9yvVoAsk
# Posted on March 7th 2010 by Sweeney Astray
Re: Bobby McFerrin hacks your brain with music
You're way too busy sara505 - must be on the drugs ...
# Posted on March 7th 2010 by Hup
Re: Bobby McFerrin hacks your brain with music
Strangely enough, eiluned, someone seems to have done exactly that...
http://www.fugly.com/pictures/20792/probably_should_flush_that.html
# Posted on March 7th 2010 by bc_box_player
Re: Bobby McFerrin hacks your brain with music
I've always entertained the idea of Bobby McFerrin doing something together with Michael Winslow (Police Academy sound effects guy)
# Posted on March 7th 2010 by Lint - upon - Tweed
Re: Bobby McFerrin hacks your brain with music
Ha ha, that's a good one bc_box. The Anaconda Passes or someone that "passed" an anaconda.
Took me a moment there, nice one.
# Posted on March 7th 2010 by Lint - upon - Tweed
Re: Bobby McFerrin hacks your brain with music
Is there a Catatonic Scale?
# Posted on March 7th 2010 by nicholas
Re: Bobby McFerrin hacks your brain with music
Actually, there are bound to be several. It just needs an academic to give one or more of them an important-sounding name.
# Posted on March 7th 2010 by nicholas
Re: Bobby McFerrin hacks your brain with music
Catatonia forever!
# Posted on March 7th 2010 by ceolachan
Re: Bobby McFerrin hacks your brain with music
Catatonia, you're calling me. Now I'm going home.
# Posted on March 7th 2010 by DrSilverSpear
"Road Rage" ~ Catatonia
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yH04i4eTrJk
# Posted on March 7th 2010 by ceolachan
You could be taking it easy ~
You should be making it easy on yourself...
# Posted on March 7th 2010 by ceolachan
Re: Bobby McFerrin hacks your brain with music
Mc Ferrin is a god of vocal music. What a shame that most people associate him with a throw-away piece like "Don't Worry Be Happy!" Although one of the reasons that otherwise simple piece was so popular, was how catchy his performance made it!
# Posted on March 7th 2010 by AlBrown
Re: Bobby McFerrin hacks your brain with music
I would imagine that one song allowed him to do whatever else he wanted to do musically.
# Posted on March 8th 2010 by old and in the way
Re: Bobby McFerrin hacks your brain with music
The local mall installed tiny TV's above the urinals that play advertisements for various things - Zoom Media it's called. There's only about four ads loaded right now, and one of them has the whistling at the start of "Don't worry, be happy" as it's theme. You're likely to hear it several times each visit.
So now I need to go pee every time I hear the song. Damn that Pavlov!
# Posted on March 8th 2010 by grego
Re: Bobby McFerrin hacks your brain with music
Really? Have we actually come to that? Wee TVs above urinals that play adverts? Wow. 21st century culture is in a sorry state indeed.
# Posted on March 8th 2010 by DrSilverSpear
Re: Bobby McFerrin hacks your brain with music
I thought of one more pentatonic story to share.
For many years I traveled around and sang with children and people of many ages. My traveling bag of instruments included a set of pentatonic chimes.
One day after a class, a young boy, probably age four or five, sat gently playing the chimes, mesmerized. His name was Noel as I now recall. He told me, "this music is very old." I was quite struck by this child, and by his comment, as he seemed to be connecting with something primal, stirred by the pentatonic scale.
# Posted on March 8th 2010 by sara505sings
Re: Bobby McFerrin hacks your brain with music
There is one Northumbrian piper whom the Andeans love. It is no less than she whose name in Quechua translates something like: "She for whom the puma loses sleep, refuses food, and generally neglects himself." She is none other than Kathryn Tickell. She could stand to eat more guinea pig, though.
# Posted on March 21st 2010 by Atahualpa Quigley