@@ismailfardane3207 While the 5th is the most important note generally in western music(besides the 1 obviously.) Other things can replace it, namely the fourth. I would also like to add that the "korean and chinese way" mentioned by the op is really just the general way used by most western countries as well, since they are the two notes that provide the most dissonance in a scale.
@@nawa1249 after some reasearch i found that japanese scales do have a 5th and a 2. it's impossible to have a good soindint scale without the fifth and the root and also you can't modulate without it
@@ismailfardane3207 Many do, but not all. If you want to see an example, check out the "ritsu" scale and then there's also the "iwato" scale which uses a diminished 5th(technically a 5th but functions very differently.) Due to the importance of the 5th it is no doubt used more often than not, but I wouldn't say it is impossible for a scale without one to sound nice. In fact, messing around a bit with the pentatonic mentioned by the op sounded pretty nice in my experience(the one without the 2 and 5.) it really fits over the 7th and 9th chords often used in japanese music, not to mention their love for 4th and 2nd intervals.
@@nawa1249 ok hahaa maybe it's just because i got used to know that the 5fth is the base of every scale. the locrian scale does not have a fifth and its not very used in western music because it sounds dissonant but maybe if we change context here the 5th may not be used at all. so the fifth is important in western music but in eastern music it can not be utilisated .
this is so cool. I got my music degree a few years ago, and am a big Kpop fan and notices that some K-pop songs incorporate some of these modes in there songs (like can't stop me- TWICE) and I was nerding over it.
Very interesting video. Hello from India. In Hindustani Classical Music, we have Raag Bhupali (the one from Arirang) and Raag Durga (Japanese Yo Scale). These correspond to Raga Mohana and Raga Shudda Saveri in Carnatic Classical Music.
“There are not more than five musical notes, yet the combinations of these five give rise to more melodies than can ever be heard.” - Sun Tzǔ, The Art of War (5.7)
There’s a 4th type of Asian pentatonic scale, and it’s used in Indonesian Gamelan music. Take the Chinese scale talked about in this video, and sharpen the 3rd and 7th degrees. For example this scale in C would go something like this. C, E, F, G, B. This type of pentatonic scale is used in Indonesian songs like, Sangkala, and Di Tukade -At the River. Use this scale if you want to evoke the sound of Indonesian Gamelan music.
The Korean one is the standard pentatonic scale, just starting and ending on the major root note instead of the minor. It's interesting how that one little change can affect the sound so much.
Very often, I remember a different Japanese pentatonic (cannot remember its name at all!), particularly from samurai films, whereby the flatted 2nd is played, as opposed to the natural 2nd, which gives even more of a Japanese flavour, in my opinion
Yes I believe you're referring to either Iwato or Kumojoishi. But they still derive from the natural minor Pentatonic, using the same 5 set of notes but start on the inversion of it, as a mode
thanks for the information. It is very easy for me to remember it, once I connect it to my indian system. Korean is just plain Bhupali raag. Chinese is a subset of Kafi raag, with 2nd and 6th notes missing. I am having a lot of fun playing on the chinese scale. Everything magically sounds far eastern.....
Sorry for the late reply, I'd say go with basic triads harmonies of I, ii, IV, V and vi as a safe bet! Then listen to some traditional music to see how they harmonize.
Yes good question. Traditionally, I believe a lot of these lines were played monophonically or with a slight countermelody or minimal harmony. It depends on the era and country as well. I would say, much of it would be simple I - IV type of progressions.
Major Pentatonic Melodies omit the 4th & 7th of the Major Scale. Minor Pentatonic Melodies omit the 2nd & 6th of the Minor Scale. The Minor Pentatonic Blues Scale adds the "Flatted 5th"(b5) To avoid confusion, it is important to always qualify which Pentatonic Scale is being referred to, referenced and/or played!! Due to the prevalence of Blues and Rock genres (songs and tunes) in America, some Blues & Rock musicians just say "Pentatonic Scale" when in fact they are most often referring to and playing the "Minor Pentatonic Scale"!!, and sometimes are referring to and/or playing the "Minor Pentatonic Blues Scale". So please everybody, be complete in your reference to which "Pentatonic Scale" you are playing in your TH-cam tutorials! Thanks :)
@@SohnCompositions I don't think it is supposed to be pronounced like that in any accent. Especially the U, you pronounce it as juː, but it's supposed to be ɜː in US accent. The A as well, it should be ɑː, instead of æ. Don't take this reply as a flex, I had to look up those fancy phonetic symbols.
Sohn Compositions The way I hear you pronouncing it and many other americans is like sakoora and not like sakura. when you see the word in japanese さくら you can almost see the pronunciation the くis very similar to the way it should be pronounced. The u is very quick and short and not stressed.
The western scale you play is the minor blues scale. It is not a pentatonic - penta = 5, tonic = tones, but it has 6 tones, so it would be a hexatonic.
Hey Jonathan, thanks for the input. Just to correct the point you made... in that example I'm only playing 5 notes: Bb Db, Eb, F, and Ab. I believe I mention how it is similar to the Blues scale a little bit later too. So I would still call it a Pentatonic since it doesn't include the sharp four.
@@SohnCompositions You played the minor blues scale in the video at around 9:41 - see it for yourself. It contains the E natural... and mentioned in the video "the western pentatonic includes the sharp 4th". I think what you meant to say was "the minor blues scale includes the sharp 4th". The western pentatonic does not include a sharp 4th.
Yes, I played the blues scale there because I was differentiating between that with the Pentatonic notes in the General's Order song example. I clearly state right before playing it around 9:41. But again for the song example, I do not play the E natural. Thanks for clarifying on the Western Pentatonic. The sharp four is for the blues scale, which in that case would be a Hexatonic.
First heard General's order in the Jackie Chan Film "Drunken Master" In the scene when he is being trained by Sam Seed, always wanted to know what that tune was. Classic Kung fu film. th-cam.com/video/iE9ZF2eA-Fc/w-d-xo.html&ab_channel=MuameRaKaMasteR
@@SohnCompositions I'm not a musicologist. It comes from experience and contact. I've been listening to Chinese music (and playing it) for quite a long time.
@@anonymehehe ive been looking for info on Chinese music and all ive found is they use the major pentatonic, but im sure thats not it, do you know where I can find more info?
Korea and China: remove the fourth and the seventh in major scale
Japan: remove the second and the fifth in major scale
tte 5th is important
@@ismailfardane3207 While the 5th is the most important note generally in western music(besides the 1 obviously.) Other things can replace it, namely the fourth. I would also like to add that the "korean and chinese way" mentioned by the op is really just the general way used by most western countries as well, since they are the two notes that provide the most dissonance in a scale.
@@nawa1249 after some reasearch i found that japanese scales do have a 5th and a 2. it's impossible to have a good soindint scale without the fifth and the root and also you can't modulate without it
@@ismailfardane3207 Many do, but not all. If you want to see an example, check out the "ritsu" scale and then there's also the "iwato" scale which uses a diminished 5th(technically a 5th but functions very differently.) Due to the importance of the 5th it is no doubt used more often than not, but I wouldn't say it is impossible for a scale without one to sound nice. In fact, messing around a bit with the pentatonic mentioned by the op sounded pretty nice in my experience(the one without the 2 and 5.) it really fits over the 7th and 9th chords often used in japanese music, not to mention their love for 4th and 2nd intervals.
@@nawa1249 ok hahaa maybe it's just because i got used to know that the 5fth is the base of every scale. the locrian scale does not have a fifth and its not very used in western music because it sounds dissonant but maybe if we change context here the 5th may not be used at all. so the fifth is important in western music but in eastern music it can not be utilisated .
I love how specific these are. Great parallels with how Western music understands scales.
8:15 this is my childhood. Don't remember much of chinese from when i was a kid but this is one of the things we all remember
Once upon a time in China had this as an opening no?
this is so cool. I got my music degree a few years ago, and am a big Kpop fan and notices that some K-pop songs incorporate some of these modes in there songs (like can't stop me- TWICE) and I was nerding over it.
Many Kpop songs are based on the Korean or "gugak" (=traditional Korean) scale as it's called:)
You are a great teacher. I love your teaching and giving examples.
cool explanation, liked all the examples! really interesting that hans zimmer seems to have borrowed from Sakura to make the Interstellar theme!
Yes, I've thought that too when listening to Interstellar :)
Very interesting video. Hello from India.
In Hindustani Classical Music, we have Raag Bhupali (the one from Arirang) and Raag Durga (Japanese Yo Scale). These correspond to Raga Mohana and Raga Shudda Saveri in Carnatic Classical Music.
Wow that's very insightful. Thanks Areas. I'll need to invest some time to listen to some Hindustani and Carnatic Classical music.
Fascinating. Thanks!
Very interesting. The tastes of different countries and how they have evolved.
Yes indeed. There's much more to these Eastern flavor scales, these are just a small sample that I found interesting.
“There are not more than five musical notes, yet the combinations of these five give rise to more melodies than can ever be heard.” - Sun Tzǔ, The Art of War (5.7)
That was great! Thank you!
Thanks for watching!
There’s a 4th type of Asian pentatonic scale, and it’s used in Indonesian Gamelan music. Take the Chinese scale talked about in this video, and sharpen the 3rd and 7th degrees. For example this scale in C would go something like this.
C, E, F, G, B. This type of pentatonic scale is used in Indonesian songs like, Sangkala, and Di Tukade -At the River. Use this scale if you want to evoke the sound of Indonesian Gamelan music.
Ahh thank you for that. That's a great addition.
The Korean one is the standard pentatonic scale, just starting and ending on the major root note instead of the minor. It's interesting how that one little change can affect the sound so much.
I agree!
Awesome! !!!
This video helped me a lot...
Thank you for the video
Hope to see more learning stuffs related to east-asians music! I really love it❤
The pentatonic scale, the scale that was with humans since the stone age, man this is so deep
There's something special about the pentatonic. Thanks for watching
@@SohnCompositions no problem, I love music and anyone that likes it too instantly makes me a fan
THANKS BRO I HAVE BEES SEARCHING THIS VIDEO FOR A LONG TIME !!!!
Your welcome man! Hope it helps!
Very often, I remember a different Japanese pentatonic (cannot remember its name at all!), particularly from samurai films, whereby the flatted 2nd is played, as opposed to the natural 2nd, which gives even more of a Japanese flavour, in my opinion
Yes I believe you're referring to either Iwato or Kumojoishi. But they still derive from the natural minor Pentatonic, using the same 5 set of notes but start on the inversion of it, as a mode
thanks for the information. It is very easy for me to remember it, once I connect it to my indian system. Korean is just plain Bhupali raag. Chinese is a subset of Kafi raag, with 2nd and 6th notes missing. I am having a lot of fun playing on the chinese scale. Everything magically sounds far eastern.....
Hi ! Thank you so much for sharing. Can I ask about harmony? How do you create chords with this scales?
Sorry for the late reply, I'd say go with basic triads harmonies of I, ii, IV, V and vi as a safe bet! Then listen to some traditional music to see how they harmonize.
Ohhh cantonese sounds so awesome
Cool stuff! 😊
Thank alot man! Great info ❤️❤️
Thank you, very good lesson.
Glad you liked it!
Thanks! Now how to find a main Motif for a catchy theme :)
Haha yes, now to write that masterpiece!
very useful and well explained !! thank you Sohn
Glad you enjoyed and found it useful!
Thank you for tutorial!
But what about harmony? How can I harmonize this type of melody?
Yes good question. Traditionally, I believe a lot of these lines were played monophonically or with a slight countermelody or minimal harmony. It depends on the era and country as well. I would say, much of it would be simple I - IV type of progressions.
@@SohnCompositions Thanks a lot!
I heard that native american flutes are tuned with minor pentatonic
Japanese songs before Hiroshima: Let's go minor
Japanese songs after Hiroshima: Let's go major
Major Pentatonic Melodies omit the 4th & 7th of the Major Scale.
Minor Pentatonic Melodies omit the 2nd & 6th of the Minor Scale.
The Minor Pentatonic Blues Scale adds the "Flatted 5th"(b5)
To avoid confusion, it is important to always qualify which Pentatonic Scale is being referred to, referenced and/or played!!
Due to the prevalence of Blues and Rock genres (songs and tunes) in America, some Blues & Rock musicians just say "Pentatonic Scale" when in fact they are most often referring to and playing the "Minor Pentatonic Scale"!!, and sometimes are referring to and/or playing the "Minor Pentatonic Blues Scale".
So please everybody, be complete in your reference to which "Pentatonic Scale" you are playing in your TH-cam tutorials! Thanks :)
I know sakura from critical ops
I am surprised that you play this keyboard so well and your English is brilliant!
Haha, thanks. I was born in the states and have a music degree. 👍
lol why suprised?
5:06-5:39
the way you pronounce sakura tho 😂
Sakura? Am I pronouncing it too American or something?
@@SohnCompositions I don't think it is supposed to be pronounced like that in any accent. Especially the U, you pronounce it as juː, but it's supposed to be ɜː in US accent. The A as well, it should be ɑː, instead of æ.
Don't take this reply as a flex, I had to look up those fancy phonetic symbols.
Sohn Compositions The way I hear you pronouncing it and many other americans is like sakoora and not like sakura. when you see the word in japanese さくら you can almost see the pronunciation the くis very similar to the way it should be pronounced. The u is very quick and short and not stressed.
@@fish7735 Thanks for the clarification
@@fish7735 we gotta admit, we are just 2 weebs jumping on a normal person who isn't that interested in Japanese culture
😍😍
1:26
I know it's Sekura, but I can't help but say Sekiro
The western scale you play is the minor blues scale. It is not a pentatonic - penta = 5, tonic = tones, but it has 6 tones, so it would be a hexatonic.
Hey Jonathan, thanks for the input. Just to correct the point you made... in that example I'm only playing 5 notes: Bb Db, Eb, F, and Ab. I believe I mention how it is similar to the Blues scale a little bit later too. So I would still call it a Pentatonic since it doesn't include the sharp four.
@@SohnCompositions You played the minor blues scale in the video at around 9:41 - see it for yourself. It contains the E natural... and mentioned in the video "the western pentatonic includes the sharp 4th". I think what you meant to say was "the minor blues scale includes the sharp 4th". The western pentatonic does not include a sharp 4th.
Yes, I played the blues scale there because I was differentiating between that with the Pentatonic notes in the General's Order song example. I clearly state right before playing it around 9:41. But again for the song example, I do not play the E natural.
Thanks for clarifying on the Western Pentatonic. The sharp four is for the blues scale, which in that case would be a Hexatonic.
First heard General's order in the Jackie Chan Film "Drunken Master" In the scene when he is being trained by Sam Seed, always wanted to know what that tune was. Classic Kung fu film. th-cam.com/video/iE9ZF2eA-Fc/w-d-xo.html&ab_channel=MuameRaKaMasteR
Ahh, yes. I discovered this song through "Once Upon a Time in China." George Lam deserves some credit for making this tune iconic.
The Korean pentatonic and the Chinese pentatonic is practically the same
Yeah, pretty much. It seems to be that way. I'd love to hear a musicologist's point of view on this subject. Very fascinating.
@@SohnCompositions I'm not a musicologist. It comes from experience and contact. I've been listening to Chinese music (and playing it) for quite a long time.
@@anonymehehe ive been looking for info on Chinese music and all ive found is they use the major pentatonic, but im sure thats not it, do you know where I can find more info?
Did my man just say "E#" ? 🤣
Did I? If I said that then, it was probably in a weird key like C# major, in which E sharp is a thing. :)
it wouldn't be a "secret" if people were cultured