I read some where that the Phygian scale is the Spanish flamenco minor. If that is true, then what is flamenco major scale?
Quoted from the New Grove Dictionary of Music on-line:
As in the popular music of Andalusia, the scales used for flamenco mostly exhibit an affinity for three principal types: firstly, the medieval Phrygian (or Greek Dorian); secondly, a modified scale resembling the Arab maqam Hijazi; and thirdly, a bimodal configuration alternating between major and minor 2nds and 3rds (ex.1). The melodies are predominantly diatonic, with occasional leaps of 3rds and 4ths, and the Phrygian cadence (A–G–F–E) is a common feature. According to the individual cante of the flamenco repertory, the use of ornamentation varies from light to heavy, and ascending or descending appoggiatura-like inflections are commonly used to accentuate certain notes. Such inflections are microtonal and are a particular feature of cante hondo. It is here that comparisons with North Indian and Arab modal practices appear valid. The flamenco repertory incorporates many metres: binary, simple and complex; ternary; and combinations of both. Polyrhythmic passages also occur in which the vocalist, singing in binary metre, may be accompanied in ternary metre. Additional cross-rhythms are provided by taconeo (heel-stamping), palmas sordas (hand-clapping) and pitos (finger-snapping). Songs of a purely parlando-rubato nature are usually sung a palo seco (without guitar accompaniment).
Flamenco, Israel J Katz, < http://www.grovemusic.com >
Well we all shine on--like the moon and the stars and the sun.
-- John Lennon
Hiya,
Spanish Phrygian is very much a hybrid. The "octave" comprises nine notes.
C, Db, Eb, E, F, G, Ab, Bb, C
Note there are two E's
In use, it has a very mediterranean feel.
Tim: Interesting definition. I understood the Cadence to be simply I#-I - F-E, or Bb-A and for the IV to be a minor rather than major chord - Am-G-F-E.
The best place I've found for scales is
Cheers,
A:-)
"Be good at what you can do" - Fingerbanger"
I have always felt that it is better to do what is beautiful than what is 'right'" - Eliot Fisk
Wedding music and guitar lessons in Essex. Listen at: http://www.rollmopmusic.co.uk
Hiya,
Spanish Phrygian is very much a hybrid. The "octave" comprises nine notes.
C, Db, Eb, E, F, G, Ab, Bb, C
Note there are two E's
In use, it has a very mediterranean feel.
Tim: Interesting definition. I understood the Cadence to be simply I#-I - F-E, or Bb-A and for the IV to be a minor rather than major chord - Am-G-F-E.
The best place I've found for scales is
Cheers,
A:-)
(Now if I only understood the definition!!!! :-X)
Well we all shine on--like the moon and the stars and the sun.
-- John Lennon
Hmmm.
I'm no flamenco player, so my thoughts on this may be wildly out of line, but whatever.
Personally, and I may well be wrong, the E-F combo in the typical flamenco progression Am-G-F-E has never felt like a I-#I. It feels very much like a V-VI, building up tension for the move back to the i (Am).
To me this Phrygian business has never made much sense in describing typical flamenco. It is very much standard harmonic minor: i-VII-VI-V.
Try it for yourself. The progression rests, (feels at home) on the Am, not on the E.
--
Helgi Briem
hbriem AT gmail DOT com
This is interesting. A phrygian cadence is a cadence on the V chord (which would make the A/Am the I/i chord); this agrees with Helgi's position (and modern Western music theory). At the same time, that does not mean that there ever has be a cadence on the I/i chord (after all, it is flamenca, not a classical sonata). This could certainly give the V chord a tonicized function. If we look at it from the perspective of the original Greek mode and the Moorish influence, then a case could easily be made for the E as the I chord. It seems either view is correct.
