Pitch - WHEATBELT
Minor 2nd Interval
Harmonically, I have emphasised modes utilising the flattened 2nd – an interval which Henry Tate in Australian Musical Possibilities (1926) suggested he heard in the call of the butcher bird and could be the basis for a characteristic “Australian scale” (Skinner, 2006).
-Iain Graindage
In Wheatbelt, the minor 2nd interval is used frequently. Have a look through the score - can you spot some examples where Graindage uses the minor 2nd? Is it used melodically or harmonically?
Open 5th Interval
The open 5th interval is also significant in wheatbelt. Why is that so? How does it contrast from the minor 2nd interval?
Modes
What is a mode?
To put it briefly, a mode is a scale.. but it gets a bit more complicated then that. Watch the video by 12 tone theory to find out:
The modes ranked on a "brightness scale"
Each mode has a distinct character that is used in different ways. David Bennett explains:
Identification time!
Listen to the following melodies. Can you guess what mode they are using? The tonal centre will be given. These will all either be dorian, phrygian, lydian or mixolydian.
Questions to ask yourself:
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Does it sound more like major or minor?
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Which scale degree has been altered?
1. The Fellowship of the Rings: Prologue - Howard Shore (F tonal centre)
2. Royals - Lorde (D tonal centre)
3. Star Wars The Empire Strikes Back: Yoda's Theme - John Williams (C tonal centre)
4. PhoSpheric Variations - Paul Stanhope (D Tonal Centre)
Answers!
1. Phrygian
2. Mixolydian
3. Lydian
4. Dorian
Want More?
Try this Kahoot quiz, and see how many you get correct!