"The abnegation of reason is not the evidence of faith, but the confession of despair."
- J.B. Lightfoot
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Thought you music geeks would like this. I am not one of you, and I found it fascinating.
After the opening little beatbox-type song, is a demonstration McFerrin orchestrates with audience participation. Keep in mind this is a room full of science dorks, not musicians.
World Science Festival 2009: Bobby McFerrin Demonstrates the Power of the Pentatonic Scale from World Science Festival on Vimeo.
We have music in us. Because God put it there.
Animals can make pretty noises. Only humans make songs.
HT: Lots of people
Trackbacks:
Trackback URL: http://thinklings.org/bloo.trackback.php/5546.
Comments on "Bobby McFerrin and the Power of the Pentatonic Scale":
2. Shrode
- 08/09/2009 7:00 am CDT
OK, I didn't go to the website to watch the whole program.
What did happen there, and what did that have to do with science? I really wanted to hear the discussion after the video ended! AAAAARGH.
3. Shrode
- 08/09/2009 7:03 am CDT
OK, here's the link to the whole deal.
I'll have to go watch it when I have a free hour. :)
4. Shrode
- 08/09/2009 7:09 am CDT
The wikipedia article on Bobby McFerrin is pretty impressive. I had no idea. An excerpt.
In addition to his vocal performing career, Mr. McFerrin was appointed in 1994 as creative chair of the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra. He makes regular tours as a guest conductor for symphony orchestras throughout the United States and Canada, including the San Francisco Symphony (on his 40th birthday), the New York Philharmonic, the Chicago Symphony, the Cleveland Orchestra, the Philadelphia Orchestra, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the London Philharmonic and many others. In his concert appearances, he combines serious conducting of classical pieces with his own unique vocal improvisations, often with participation from the audience and the orchestra. For example, his concerts often end with McFerrin conducting the orchestra in an a cappella rendition of the "William Tell Overture," in which the orchestra members sing their musical parts in McFerrin's vocal style, instead of playing their parts on their instruments.
9. Shrode
- 08/09/2009 3:07 pm CDT
I'm the author of the original post Bill links to in comment 1. I've long been fascinated by this topic.
You'll notice though that I argue the point some with Bill over there, a long, long time ago, even though I do agree with him that music was discovered. I guess the reason for the argument is that I want to make sure that I could demonstrate it to a skeptic. I'm exploring all the angles... :)
That said, in a spirit of learning, I considered this demonstration. Now I haven't watched the whole one hour presentation yet, but just that demonstration still leaves me with questions about what it proves.
I noticed that when McFerrin jumped not everyone sang, and sometimes there's considerably less voices. I wonder if the people who sang are people are people who already know the scale and already know how to sing, and have been taught that before, therefore proving nothing? And even if McFerrin is right that every audience does that, perhaps it's because music is worldwide? And there are enough people who know the basics in every audience?j
Here's what would prove it to me - if the individual sitting at home, did it, on their own...and if we all or most could.
So how about it folks, if you haven't seen the video yet, will you pretend you are in the audience and sing the notes as McFerrin indicates there at home by yourself in front of the computer? Then report back on the results.
Thanks everyone!
10. Andrew
- 08/09/2009 9:24 pm CDT
So how about it folks, if you haven't seen the video yet, will you pretend you are in the audience and sing the notes as McFerrin indicates there at home by yourself in front of the computer? Then report back on the results.
I could do it, but I'm musically inclined.
11. Raindream
- 08/10/2009 8:02 am CDT
"Only human make songs," and I'm told only Christians sing hymns. Other faiths chant, but do not sing, maybe because their faith is dead. I don't have a dissertation to back this up.
12. jen
- 08/10/2009 9:00 am CDT
I was singing along to the video as well, but like Andrew said, I'm musically inclined.
13. G. Frederick
- 08/10/2009 9:38 am CDT
I watched the whole thing and though the commentary of the scientists was mostly over my head, I still enjoyed it. I could do it as well, and I am very NOT musically inclined. Not to say that I did it perfectly in key. But I understood what was being asked and could anticipate what to do. There is no doubt that Bobby McFerrin is amazing. I loved listening to the opening "beatbox" thing. There was also a thing later on where he and the musicians did an improv piece that was wholly amazing to me.
14. Cara
- 08/11/2009 6:19 pm CDT
There's an interesting book titled, "Musicophilia" which explores the place music occupies in the human brain and how it affects the human condition. Everything in the book is geared towards an evolutionary explanation for human intelligence and behavioural phenomena. However, evolutionary scientists cannot account for the development of music - they cannot explain how music would be considered "adaptive" and thus evolved with humanity. Of course, I believe that is because there is a Creator involved and not random genetic mutations, beneficial or otherwise. It's a fascinating read though - music is integral in every culture.
Bobby McFerrin is also a believer - http://mailer.fsu.edu/~jcn8861/resources/tt-mcferrin.html this blog post discusses a jazz class meeting him and asking what his inspiration is. His answer:
""Every day, after I wake up, I spend at least two hours in the Bible." He talked about how he wrestles with scriptures, asking God to help him understand and apply them to his life, seeking guidance for his day. He opened a window for us into his life and showed us his faith in God and his devotion.
He is incredibly talented, and I love presentations like his.
Leave a Comment:
Very, very cool.
Reminds me of this ancient post.
Discovered :-)