4 Responses to “Pentatonic scale - Amazing Grace”

1. 1 Richard Hall  on Oct 1st, 2007 at 6:43 am

   That’s a great story, compellingly told. But I don’t think it can be a true one. I believe that Amazing Grace was written in 1779, but I’m pretty sure the tune that we’re so familiar with was not published until 1830 or thereabouts. In any case, the tune of Amazing Grace is believed to have been based on a Scottish tune.
   Pentatonic scales are fascinating. They turn up in all sorts of places around the world. It’s amazing what can be done with just 5 notes!

2. 2 Bene Diction  on Oct 1st, 2007 at 8:54 am

   Phipps is from Trinidad, was raised in Montreal.

   He sings so good I forgive him, the US crowd is his audience after all and he is paid to motivate them.
   The low angle shot with the flag in it is a clue.:^)

   I slept through a lot of my music history classes - watching him I found myself wishing some of my professors could have been half as entertaining, I might have paid more attention.
   But yeah, a lot of cultures use a five note scale.
   I was taught Amazing Grace was a varient of an Irish or Scottish pub tune.
   Newton supposedly wrote the words in 1772 and they weren’t published until 1779. More verses were added over the years. Didn’t appear in note form until 1835.

   Library of Congress info: http://www.loc.gov/loc/lcib/0705/hymn.html

   Phipps is a good a story teller as he is a singer - head over to YouTube and listen to “Go down death.”

3. 3 Cindy Swanson  on Oct 2nd, 2007 at 5:26 am

   Phipps is amazing! One of the most under-rated pieces of music, ever, is a song he did with Larnelle Harris as part of the musical, “Saviour.” Insanely gorgeous and moving.

4. 4 BD  on Oct 2nd, 2007 at 6:48 am

   I’d never heard of Phipps until this weekend. Quite the voice.:^)