If you have ever been present in a service where a congregation “sings in tongues” and you have been surprised at the way the “random” singing of many voices harmonises – you may not have the musical insight to have realised that the congregation was singing using the pentatonic scale (all the black notes on a piano form a pentatonic scale). Any combination of a pentatonic scale sounds great. Enjoy this video:
World Science Festival 2009: Bobby McFerrin Demonstrates the Power of the Pentatonic Scale from World Science Festival on Vimeo.
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I find it interesting that a congregation could suddenly all sing on a pentatonic scale.
It is wonderful when it happens in a large gathering. That Bobby Mc F video was great. Thanks for sharing.
Interesting that music on the pentatonic scale would be what comes out when people are just singing what comes into their mouths/hearts. At Steiner Schools/Waldorf Schools, the children start with pentatonic flutes and songs before moving to more complex scales and instruments in 3rd grade. It seems it’s a basic experience at a spiritual level too.