Pentatonic Melodies

 

What is a pentatonic melody? 

A pentatonic melody is a melody based off of a pentatonic scale. A pentatonic scale is a scale comprised of five notes. Typically, a major pentatonic scale is the first, second, third, fifth, and sixth scale degrees of the diatonic key. For example, the C major scale is: C, D, E, F, G, A, B.

 The C major pentatonic scale would be: C, D, E, G, A.

 Pentatonic melodies use the notes from the pentatonic scale, so a piece in C major that uses pentatonic melodies would use the notes C, D, E, G, and A. 

 Although pentatonic scales and melodies date back to Ancient Greece, and have been used worldwide since, many people associate Asian music with pentatonic scales and melodies.

Pentatonic Melodies in Un Sospiro

The opening melodic line of Un Sospiro is a pentatonic melody, as it uses the notes of the Db major pentatonic scale: Db, Eb, F, Ab, and Bb.

This pentatonic melody is the main theme of the music. Here, it is presented as a singular melodic line with no harmonies. The simplicity of the melodic line gives the piece a feeling of calmness, as there are no other notes in the melody to add tension. Additionally, the notes are arranged so that they are not at dissonant intervals. The lack of tension causes a lack of tonal center, which makes the melody feel relaxing and calming, like a sigh.

Pentatonic Melodies in Liu Yang River

The opening phrase of Liu Yang River is a pentatonic melody, as it uses the notes of the A major pentatonic scale: A, B, C#, E and F#.

  Unlike Un Sospiro, this melody is not the main theme of the piece, but a fanfare, or introduction, of the piece. The pentatonic nature of this phrase is indicative of oriental composition techniques, and gives the piece a soft feeling. The phrase is presented as open fifths, which creates a lack of tonal center, as there are no thirds in the chords to determine their colors. Additionally, the progression of chords in the melody are at close intervals, which creates an uncertainty of where the piece is going, giving the piece a flowing feel. The calm and flowing feeling of the piece makes it sound like flowing water, like a river.