Book Quotes

All music is pentatonic

~From Roots of the Classicalby Peter Van der Merwe, page 50:

In a way, the word 'pentatonic' is unfortunate. It is incidental that there happen to be five notes in the scale. The real basis of pentatonic melody is consonance, and, ultimately, that 'sound in nature', the major triad. This primordial pattern is so powerful that it provides a frame of reference for all the more elaborate types of melody and harmony, whether heptatonic, chromatic, or, for that matter, atonal. In the end, all music is pentatonic.

I just thought that was an interesting perspective! It certainly seems true when you think about it... but it's not something that pops out. Quite interesting!

Labels: Roots of the Classical

posted by Sean Hannifin @ 12:16 AM