The Pentatonic Scale or The Power of Bobby McFerrin

View the full "Notes & Neurons: In Search of the Common Chorus" video

The major pentatonic scale is: Do-Re-Mi-Sol-La-Do (C-D-E-G-A-C), and does not include Fa(F) and Ti/Si(B) (no semi tones in this scale!). That is why many folk songs and nursery rhymes throughout the globe are based on the pentatonic scale - easier to sing! You can also create a pentatonic scale by playing only the "black" keys on the piano. If you check the Kodály pages, you will notice that Kodály teaches first the pentatonic scale and only at the end introduces Fa(F) and Ti/Si(B).

And now, about the video... Bobby McFerrin is not only a wonderful musician and entertainer, but also an educator. Let's try to incorporate his magic into our self teaching and our performances / auditions:

• Begin with something basic that you / the audience are comfortable with and familiar with.
• Repeat. Another easy warmup / song.
• Then go to the next step - take time to introduce the new concept / more difficult range / more difficult exercise / deeper music
• Once you start rolling - go on (third note).
• Do everything you do with fun, charm and humour (splitting his legs). Introduce a funny song, funny gesture. If you have a bad day - don't be frustrated; if you forget the words - don't panic. Laugh at yourself and apologize - but stay focused.
• Don't dwell on the joke - move right on now that the audience is "yours" - more is coming up!
• Going down the minor third (the fourth note he introduced) is not trivial - so he leads the audience. Could be analogical to working on the passaggio area. Carefully!
• Then just play. Improvise. Use what you know + make up your own exercises - what works on your voice. Make new ornaments to your pieces (when stylistically accepted). I wouldn't recommend improvising during a performance, unless you're Ella Fitzgerald, but prepare some new ornaments for your next performance...
• Always end a performance when they want more and don't overwork the voice when practicing - always end your practice when you still feel fresh and energetic!
• Give credit to others (the audience, pianist, conductor, other singers etc...), love yourself and your voice just enough but not too much - you won't leave space for others to love you ;-)

And many more things... Please share if you can "pin down" what else makes his performance so good!