Pondering the Pentatonic

In this video, Bobby McFerrin demonstrates how the pentatonic scale seems to be embedded in our brains, no matter what culture, gender, or age we are.

I think this demonstration sheds light on how musicians learn to improvise with each other in real time: By finding common musical ground and following each others lead; exploiting the knowledge they have of where their musical comrades might be heading to next, and meeting them there.

In a way, this video is like a jam session where Bobby is the soloist and the audience is holding down the chord progression.

so cool

World Science Festival 2009: Bobby McFerrin Demonstrates the Power of the Pentatonic Scale from World Science Festival on Vimeo.