Taking a look at Frank Zappa's incredible composition, "Alien Orifice" and trying to examine the compositional techniques he uses. I also show how the tune differs between recordings (there are actually a lot more differences than you'd think).
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Stuff I talk about in this vid:
0:00 Intro
0:53 Chords
2:28 Modal Center Switching
3:43 m7/M7 Half-Step Movement
7:10 Constant/Deviation
10:14 Common Tones
11:30 Main Theme Melody
19:28 Nested Tuplets
20:36 How Is The Theme Presented?
21:16 Bass Ostinato
22:35 Main Theme Harmony
24:20 First Solo
27:00 Pre-Guitar Solo Interlude
30:37 Guitar Solo
45:41 Post-Guitar Solo Interlude
57:14 Demystifying FZ's Odd Time Phrases
1:00:17 Post-Guitar Solo Interlude (pt. II)
1:11:57 Section C
1:27:17 Final Main Theme
1:34:05 Outro
I'm also really stupid and misspelled "demystifying"... apologies for that haha. It's also an "F" not a "G" at 1:25:17, rendering my stale observation completely inapplicable. The slide should also say "Bb Whole/Half" instead of "Bb Half/Whole" at 1:32:22. Thanks to Emil for pointing those out!
Stuff I reference in this vid:
Hawaiian Punch Jingle - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rfIY8g4P1YU
The Drummers of Frank Zappa - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGeZGrJ1ICQ
FZ conducting "Integrales" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KhfI3Tg4SrY
FZ interview (how melody works) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upJJpABG5e8&t
"Alien Orifice" (Steve Vai demo) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rr8z57_Ekng
Tempo Mental (Steve Vai article) - https://www.vai.com/tempo-mental/
Stupid Awful Mezzo Jazz Intro Vid - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GCx_J8cEVgQ
"RDNZL" rehearsal in Australia - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQvxKj2fhLA
"Alien Orifice" '84 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HNZEdz2S9nE
"Purple Haze" - Jimi Hendrix https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFHPgoZlSWY
Tommy Mars Interview (minor lydian) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4V3DncjmkRo
The Frank Zappa Guitar Book - https://amzn.to/377xfKl
"Lady Bird" performance by Dexter Gordon - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r0vhqDCy9eQ
"Pools" by Steps Ahead https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dLE_IBg9abk
"Magic Fingers" (200 Motels) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2H_SsrNE8eI
"Octandre" by Edgard Varese https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cLIOdiAzddY
"Take The A Train" performance by Mingus w/ Eric Dolphy - https://bit.ly/2V20JDL
Brett Clement's writings - https://ballstate.academia.edu/BrettClement
Ruth Underwood on sus2 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7Sq0chFjps&t
Bizarre World of FZ (#2) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5v2YPH4OzU
Royal March from L'Histoire du Soldat - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cdmch1QTeR8
FZ "Musician" Interview - https://www.afka.net/Articles/1979-08_Musician.htm
If you want to listen to the outro song in full - https://youtu.be/my92pPSHHwI
I'm available for zoom/skype (or in person if you live in Maryland) lessons! Feel free to shoot me a message if you want to learn guitar, bass or how to make really corny midi versions of Zappa tunes either on Instagram or at tbar818@gmail.com.
Thanks to:
Brett Clement because I basically copied what he says
Samuel R. Howard because I basically copied his idea and style of talking about FZ's music
Adam Rooner for helping me with sound
My wife for doing an impression of the elevator in our apartment that says "going up"