Slonimsky thesaurus of scales and melodic patterns for. This book is dedicated to all of the fans who have made the last 20 years of largescale absurdities possible. He became a friend of avantgarde composer and rock guitarist frank zappa, and performed some of his. This is probably not the best written book on all things zappa, but what we get here is shades of the brand of humor and philosophical thought that is familiar to fans of zappa. Frank zappa is one of the most notable guitarist fans of slonimskys original book, who used the immense knowledge and variety of its contents. Vai, steve editor and a great selection of related books, art.
Nicolas slonimskythesaurus of scales and melodic patterns. But slonimskys most enduring achievement is the lexicon, his encyclopedia of umbrage. Nicolas slonimskys thesaurus of scales and melodic patterns is a legendary book that has influenced musicians as diverse as john coltrane, jaco pastorius, frank zappa and buckethead. Nicolas slonimsky on frank zappa in these recorded comments nicolas slonimsky describes how his musical world classicalavant garde and that of frank zappa popularavant garde came together primarily due to the publication of a book by slonimsky on scales and harmonies that attracted zappas attention. Vai, steve editor and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at.
Frank zappas musical language is a wonderful source. In 1981, frank zappa called slonimsky on the phone, having discovered his number listed, and a meeting was arranged. April 15 1894 december 25, 1995, born nikolai leonidovich slonimskiy russian. In a career spanning more than 30 years, zappa composed rock, pop, jazz. The 60s produced many creative new musicians, but none was more inspirational, controversial, scatological, or creative than frank zappa. Zappa once featured slonimsky as a performer at a mothers of. Kill ugly radio is a great source for facts, trivia, recording dates, you name it. Transcribed by and featuring an introduction by steve vai by zappa, frank. Best known for his writing and musical reference work, he wrote the thesaurus of scales and melodic patterns and the lexicon of. Very methodical mathhead or librarian methodology for considering intervals and melodic motioninterpolation. Frank zappa was the last person who, to my mind, could be interested in my theoreticomusical inventions. The real frank zappa book by frank zappa with peter occhiogrosso eversion 3. If youre a serious musician you should get this book.
Slonimsky, who was born in petersburg in 1894, is a pianist, composer, musicologist, and conductor. Zappa once featured slonimsky as a performer at a mothers. Still active at age 100, nicolas slonimsky is probably best known for his writing. In fact, after zappa sought him out in the early 1980s, slonimsky performed one of his own compositions at a zappa concert and enlisted the progressive rockers daughter, moon zappa, to teach him valleyspeak. An interactive guide to conceptual continuity detailing all the injokes, references, and themes within the fz canon. Books by frank zappa author of the real frank zappa book. In 1981, frank zappa called slonimsky on the telephone, having found his number listed, and a meeting was arranged. The late musicologist nicolas slonimsky mentions zappa in his autobiography, perfect pitch. Crossfire aired on cnn from 1982 to 2005, famously pitting liberal pundits and special guests against their conservative counterparts. Aug 18, 2019 slonimsky s daughter, electra yourke, revised and expanded perfect pitch in 2002. Through the writings of contemporaries like bill milkowski, ben watson, and elaine warren and through zappas own words his complete testimony in front of the parents music regulatory committee, for example this entry in. Nicolas slonimsky born nikolai leonidovich slonimskiy russian. The short answer is nearly everything, but i think it could be said that zappa had some very specific musical influences, which he liked to talk about. Two books for children followed, the road to music and a thing or two about music, with jokes, anecdotes and puzzles.
Beginning with his band, the mothers of invention, zappa created music in a wide range of styles, from tape montage to light jazz to heavy metal rock to lovingly recreated doowop to satirical operas. Slonimskys daughter, electra yourke, revised and expanded perfect pitch in 2002. The inclusion of such items as slonimskys timeline of 20thcentury opera libretti and his infamous censorship lecture, sex and the music librarian, gives some idea of the allinclusive. Slonimsky outlived virtually all his contemporaries, and, sadly, many of his juniors, including his dear friend and admirer frank zappa. Inspiring essays by the diverse talents of nicolas slonimsky, vaclav havel, and bob guccione, jr. Zappa had read slonimskys book thesaurus of scales and melodic patterns and called it the bible of improvization. Zappa had read slonimsky s book thesaurus of scales and melodic patterns and called it the bible of improvization. His work is characterized by nonconformity, freeform improvisation, sound experiments, musical virtuosity, and satire of american culture. But, maybe coming in a close second was frank zappa s memorable appearance in 1986. This book definitely isnt for the faint of heart, that said there are a nearly an infinite number ideas to be taken from this text. Books best sellers new releases childrens books textbooks australian authors. Many guitarists and others own a copy, but few have got much advantage. Through the writings of contemporaries like bill milkowski, ben watson, and elaine warren and through zappas own words his. See all books authored by frank zappa, including the real frank zappa book, and frank zappa in eigenen worten, and more on.
All other books attempting to trade on my name are unauthorized and full of misinformation. This sparkling biography brings the zappa the musician and composer, zappa the controversialist and zappa the family man despite his love of groupies, he was married for more than 30 years together for the first time. Of course, slonimsky was a character, and he may have been joking when he said that. The inside stories of zappas other people is compiled from over 40 interviews greenaway has conducted during the past three decades, with the people who knew and worked with the legendary composer and musician. Many guitarists and others own a copy, but few have got much advantage from it. Frank vincent zappa december 21, 1940 december 4, 1993 was an american multiinstrumentalist musician, composer, and bandleader. Kostelanetz has edited this, one of the more entertaining books on music. On that march day, zappa jumped into the fray and fought the culture wars of the 1980s. John coltrane used this book as his bible and although im not certain about it ive heard frank zappa did too. One late saturday evening in the spring of 1981, i received a telephone call. One of the most influential books on music theory to come out of the 20th century is the thesaurus of scales and melodic patterns, written by the russian born music theorist and conductor nicolas slonimsky. Zappa had admired slonimskys books of scales, and invited the classical musician to appear onstage with the mothers a few days later at a concert in santa. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Barry miles knew frank zappa intimately and was present at the recording of some of his most important albums.
He read books about himself and decided he needed to set the record straight. Frank actually took the time to pen his own work mainly because he was so annoyed with all the other efforts. Nicolas slonimsky guests frank zappa onstage for some piano improvisation on a pound for a brown, in santa monica, l. Zappa had read slonimskys book thesaurus of scales and melodic. Modinha russobrasileira, performed by laurindo almeida, guitars. Critics got into full cry in the middle of the 19 th century.
Recently ive read that a multitude of other great musicians such as freddie hubbard, frank zappa and allan holdsworth i always felt he was coltrane on guitar have also used it extensively. In these recorded comments by slonimsky, his musical world classicalavant garde and that of frank zappa popularavant garde came together primarily due to the publication of a book by. Beginning with his band, the mothers of invention, zappa. Slonimsky recounts his acceptance of an invitation by zappa to play with his rock band. Dec 01, 2017 i would definitely recommend the real frank zappa book. Special guest nicholas slonimsky, a russian composer and author whose books on improvising were very influential to frank. He has the sort of ear, he says, that can identify the. Frank zappa debates censorship on cnns crossfire 1986. In 1981, frank zappa called slonimsky on the telephone, having found. As slonimsky approached his 100th birthday, in april, 1994, he took to upping the ante. His main opponent wasnt the often prickly conservative commentator robert novack.
Nicolas slonimsky s thesaurus of scales and melodic patterns is a legendary book that has influenced musicians as diverse as john coltrane, jaco pastorius, frank zappa and buckethead. Various this book is a condensed, madeforguitar version of nicolas slonimskys publication thesaurus of scales and melodic patterns the book that musicians as diverse as john coltrane and frank zappa used for ideas and inspiration. Even advanced players claim its difficult to use, dry and dauntingly long. Slonimskys famous sense of humor emerges in full force, especially in biographical pieces on popular musicians like frank zappa and frank sinatra. Perhaps you will remember the most famous episode the day in 2004 when jon stewart paid a visit and demolished the whole premise of the show its hard to top that moment. The real frank zappa book by frank zappa goodreads.
I would definitely recommend the real frank zappa book. Kpfa in these recorded comments nicolas slonimsky describes how his musical world classicalavant garde and that of frank zappa popularavant garde came together primarily due to the publication of a book by slonimsky on scales and harmonies that. Slonimsky recounts his acceptance of an invitation by zappa to play with. Antheils house slonimsky shares roast duck with charles amirkhanian, carol law and the widow of composer george antheil, 1971. Buy the real frank zappa book picador books new edition by zappa, frank, occhiogrosso, peter isbn. Kind of an abrupt cut at the end, this song leads directly into lisas life story as featured on you cant do that on stage anymore vol.
His name was familiar to me from a promotional record jacket showing him seated on the john with his denuded left thigh in view, and a legend in large letters. Frank zappa books list of books by author frank zappa. Slonimsky takes joseph schillingers theory of pitch scales and lays them out in a form of enctclopedia of pitch scales. In these recorded comments by slonimsky, his musical world classicalavant garde and that of frank zappa popularavant garde came together primarily due to the publication of a book by slonimsky on scales and harmonies that attracted zappas attention. From the december 11 1981 early show in santa monica ca. Slonimsky said he assembled the thesaurus as a joke. Sep 29, 2008 nicolas slonimsky guests frank zappa onstage for some piano improvisation on a pound for a brown, in santa monica, l. Download the entire book completely free nicolas slonimskys thesaurus of scales and melodic patterns is a legendary book that has influenced musicians as diverse as john coltrane, jaco pastorius, frank zappa and buckethead. On frank zappa slonimsky discusses his relationship with frank zappa, 1983. But, maybe coming in a close second was frank zappas memorable appearance in 1986.
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