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Compiling global examples of music in the Suspended Pentatonic Scale

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1-2-4-5-b7

(C-D-F-G-B^b)

o • o • • o • o • • o • o

• Suspended Pentatonic: Sounds •

Real-world examples of the scale in action:

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• General: 

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• India: Matches the swaras of the Hindustani Raag Megh, an ancient form fabled for its rain-bringing powers – as well as Madhumad Sarang, a popular afternoon raga which takes a brisker path through the same tones. Also known in the South as Ragam Madhyamavati, often used at the very end of a kutcheri (Carnatic classical recital).

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—Chet Boghassa (Mali)—

Tinariwen (Tuareg-Berber group)

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“Tinariwen (‘Desert’) have put their lives on the line for their heritage. Aged just 4, future bandleader Ibrahim Ag Alhabib witnessed the politically-motivated execution of his own father, and multiple members have taken time out from touring to fight in Northern Mali’s periodic Tuareg uprisings. Guitarist Abdallah Ag Lamida was even hunted down and abducted by Islamist militants for violating their ban on non-Qur’anic music – escaping after ten days of captivity to resume rhythm duties…” (from my West African Grooves article)

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• Suspended Pentatonic: More •

Features, classifiers, quirks, etc…

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[analysis: coming soon]

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—Classifiers & Quirks—

• Modes: Pentatonic set (Major Pent.; Suspended Pent.; Phrygian Pent.; Scottish Pent.; Minor Pent.)
• Quirks: Anhemitonic; Atritonal; Maximal; Palindromic; Reflectional sym. (imperfect: ♮2; detached: none)
• Names: Suspended Pentatonic, ‘Neutral Pentatonic’, ‘Dorian Pentatonic’ (Western); Megh (Hindustani); Madhyamavati (Carnatic)

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n.b. For more detailed geometric and mathematical analysis, refer to this scale’s entry in Ian Ring’s fantastic Exciting Universe of Music Theory project (for which I am an occasional ‘raga consultant’)

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