How Music Works
[2006] download
In this film composer Howard Goodall looks at: melody’s basic elements, at the common rhythmic patterns that have been used by musicians from all cultures, at how familiar patterns of chord progressions give all kinds of music – from classical to popular.
– Why does melody affect us so deeply, from the moment we are born?
– How does a melody actually work?
– Why are some melodic shapes common to all cultures across the world?
– Can successful melodies be written at random?
– If not, what are the familiar melodic patterns composers of all types of music have fallen back on again and again, and why do they work?
– Why do some rhythms make us want to dance, while others make us feel tranquil?
– How does rhythm ‘work’ when there is no obvious pulse, as in much classical music?
– What links African drumming to J S Bach?
– Why do virtually all popular singers sing ahead of the beat?
– And how is it that a tiny Caribbean island has produced a rhythm that dominates popular music the world over?
– Why do the same chord patterns appear again and again, from Renaissance Italy to the latest chart hit?
Posted in film on February 1st, 2010 by fresh good minimal | 5 Comments