A Breakdown Of Frank Zappa's "Montana" Interlude
Рет қаралды 82,520
Күн бұрынExamining the bridge of Frank Zappa's "Montana". You know, the high vocal interlude that Tina Turner & The Ikettes sing? Let's take a look at the compositional techniques.
Follow me on Instagram: / tylerbartram
Stuff I talk about in this vid:
0:00 Intro
0:37 The Band
2:01 FZ's Recording Techniques
4:45 The Harmony
10:25 The Melody
17:24 Word Painting
22:05 The Melody (Repeated Notes)
24:40 The Melody (Three Note Groups)
28:31 The Melody (Last Cycle)
33:04 The Melody (Unique Rhythmic Language)
38:48 The Form
39:10 Unsung Contributions
41:08 Outro
Stuff I reference in this vid:
Montana (Sydney 1973, this is legitimately one of the best FZ solos I've ever heard) - • Frank Zappa - Montana ...
Ike & Tina Turner Hits à gogo (1973) - • Ike & Tina Turner Revu...
Frank Zappa: Apostrophe(') and Over-Nite Sensation (Classic Albums) - rb.gy/fxvyjm
Frank Zappa: Dub Room Special - rb.gy/we6bma
Frank Zappa: Roxy the Movie - rb.gy/qac05d
FZ & MOI in Sweden - • Frank Zappa & Mothers ...
Tina Turner & The Ikettes (I Want To Take You Higher) - • Video
FZ 1975 Lecture - • Frank Zappa Lecture 4/...
Bob Ross Theme Song - • Video
Montana (unknown venue 1973) - • Frank Zappa - 1973/05/...
Montana (Switzerland 1974) - • Video
Sperl Galopp (Strauss) - • Johann Strauss - Sperl...
Monty Python Gallop - • Best horse-back riding...
Montana (Roxy 1973) - • Frank Zappa ~ MONTANA
The Torture Never Stops (London 1978) - • Frank Zappa - The Tort...
Dickie (Austin 1973) - • Video
Dumb All Over (Santa Monica 1981) - • Frank Zappa 1981 12 11...
Montana (Denmark 1977) - Get this one on Zappateers!
Montana (Manchester 1979) - • Video
Montana (San Antonio 1984) - • Video
Montana (LA 1984) - • 1984 07 21-22 Los Angeles
Mr. Bean Hiccup - • Mr. Bean - WORST Time ...
Charlie Brown Football - • Lucy & Charlie Brown K...
If you want to listen to the outro song in full - • Video
I'm available for zoom/skype lessons. Feel free to shoot me a message if you want to learn guitar, bass, or theory stuff either on Instagram or at tbar818@gmail.com.
If you want to donate to help me make better vids: paypal.me/TylerBartram556
@dweezilzappaworld 3 жыл бұрын
Love it!
@montanajoe4636 3 жыл бұрын
the dweeze!!!
@vinceleonberger5362 3 жыл бұрын
So do I ...
@thaistabem 3 жыл бұрын
Me too!
@claytunes 3 жыл бұрын
One of the best albums ever.
@eliesiegal 3 жыл бұрын
dweezil ❤️
@paulinebutcherbird 3 жыл бұрын
Brilliant. I lived and worked with Frank Zappa and saw him compose, but I've never heard any of his songs dissected in such a fascinating way.
@jjj8035 2 жыл бұрын
I listened to your book as an audiobook. I had such a great time listening to all of it on my drives and absolutely loved it!
@paulinebutcherbird 2 жыл бұрын
@@jjj8035 How lovely of you to let me know. I think Emma makes a very good job of Frank Zappa's voice which is not easy for a woman to do. And I'm glad it came alive in audio as the written version is not available until late April.
@theproblembelief7549 Жыл бұрын
When you see this kind of analysis, it is no wonder his stature as a composer is still growing. Also interesting that this is an analysis which is much more appealing in a video format than in a written format (say, a musicology journal article).
@paulinebutcherbird Жыл бұрын
@@theproblembelief7549 I agree with you about this analysis but, is it true that Zappa's stature as a composer is growing? I don't see it happening.
@theproblembelief7549 Жыл бұрын
@@paulinebutcherbird Well, maybe not in the places where you expect...there is a lot being published in musicology journals, and in certain sections of the (European) improvised music sphere his musical influence is acknowledged. Guys like Raoul Björkenheim and Lukas Ligeti, both on on the edge between jazz and composed music.
@jameschristiansson3137 3 жыл бұрын
This is a bit too in depth. And I want more.
@wjamyers 3 жыл бұрын
ha ha ha... astonishing detail
@paulc5358 3 жыл бұрын
I think we all do
@youmothershouldknow4905 3 жыл бұрын
Usually KZfaq sucks. This is where KZfaq shines! Just this Montana breakdown is worth more than decades of cable TV.
@fawltytenor Жыл бұрын
lol, yeah man
@Bocman1 3 жыл бұрын
I didn't expect to watch the whole thing, now I'm late for work
@hackupboulders 2 жыл бұрын
This is a dissertation Dr. Bartram. Congratulations.
@ejb7969 3 жыл бұрын
Why do I get the feeling that centuries of music theory were all leading up to this moment?
@Flippy 3 жыл бұрын
This video is absolutely brilliant. Thank you so much for putting in the amazing work to pay respects to an amazing song.
@brendan7870 Жыл бұрын
Seeing the channel I watched for saints row shitposting as a young boy is praising the same Zappa analysis I am as a young man, oh how the world spins.
@trevorlindsey580 3 жыл бұрын
This explains a lot of why Zappa's tunes often twisted my mind. Now I understand.
@stephenbouchelle7706 3 жыл бұрын
I’ve always heard and believed FZ was a musical genius. This really helps explain what that means.
@wowwhywow 3 жыл бұрын
"Jumbo, go away" has what Frank Zappa considered one of the hardest middle sections for any of his musicians to play. You could do that. Also, curiously... Frank said that EVERY musician that ever tried to play the middle sax run in Peaches en Regalia... no matter what instrument... EVERYBODY had problems with that run. Every group. Frank Zappa was notorious for writing melodies that broke musicians hands... and brains. Nice job... it was a thrill to watch this.
@TommyWashow 3 жыл бұрын
what about the crazy part in fembot
@wowwhywow 3 жыл бұрын
@@horowizard yes.. but Frank specified that it DIDN'T MATTER what instrument....guitar... flute... sax... keyboard... they ALL had difficulty with that line.
@ceddyharris6340 3 жыл бұрын
I think I have, werrrmmms!
@AndyGrazianoNYC 3 жыл бұрын
Well said about the Peaches sax run - I thought I could handle it easily on guitar (the guitar part is straightforward), and quickly got an education! You can see from Tyler's face at the end there after he plays the lick - you just have to hold on and maybe you can nail it, but to master it is an undertaking.
@paulkeir3642 2 жыл бұрын
Amazing video. Middle section of Jumbo Go Away gets my vote for a future analysis.
@pepaez 3 жыл бұрын
your slide version at the end is absolutely beautiful by the way !!
@TylerBartram 3 жыл бұрын
Thanks! Here is the full version if you’d like to listen kzfaq.info/get/bejne/o99pZdOBuK6sp30.html
@laurengabriel3724 3 жыл бұрын
This analysis is INCREDIBLE. I knew that sus chords were prominent in Zappa's work, but had no idea just how INTEGRAL they were.
@Dweezil1996 3 жыл бұрын
4:34 who noticed the completely fucking genius segue music here with the riffs from each song combined as one mega riff?
@portwain 3 жыл бұрын
You deserve Dweezil Zappa as a subscriber. Brilliant job.
@AndyGrazianoNYC 3 жыл бұрын
My friend, you have it. Thank you for unlocking a small window into his writing process - this a major work. F*ckin A'!
@mu99ins 3 жыл бұрын
What a superb presentation. The reading, audio, graphics, and theory were synchromeshed smooth as lube.
@SKarthikeyan75 Жыл бұрын
Thank you. Thank you. I listen to Montana almost once a week and have been for decades. I love it WITH the detailed thoughtful analysis (as yours) as much as I do without thinking. Frank's music is music for the head and the heart. Thank you.
@solarwave 10 ай бұрын
When you need a musical brain massage, accept no substitutes!
@DaveDurango 3 жыл бұрын
I have been addicted to this interlude since I was a teenager. Ty
@a_missippian 3 жыл бұрын
as if there were ever any doubt before, the floss is definitely with you sir - thanks & cheers from the Delta - yippeeyiyotiyaay
@ornleifs 3 жыл бұрын
Just like your video on Alien Orifice - this is Brilliant.
@TylerBartram 3 жыл бұрын
Thank you!
@mateuszorzi3 3 жыл бұрын
This is by far one of the best videos about Frank i've ever seen in my whole life, big congratulations on you Tyler for making this absolute dream come true!
@mattdowie92 3 жыл бұрын
This deserves waaay more views. There is so much good information and the production values are through the roof.
@Dweezil1996 3 жыл бұрын
Fucking finally. Somebody makes a video (an amazing one about Montana). Great work. Second Zappa solo I learned (by ear) after Peaches. One of my all time favs. Couldn't have said it better -- it showcases EVERYTHING Zappa was great at, recorded by LEGENDS
@jubilman 3 жыл бұрын
Of course yes we wanna see more breakdowns of FZ genius Music ! You're doing such an amazing job Tyler ! Thx soooo much !
@migueldospachangas7716 3 жыл бұрын
Dang, this is swimming in the deep end. At the point where the bamboozlement of my level of theory begins to end. U can understand, but barely grasp. You have'm mighty good ears, for a cowboy. Keep up the good work Kemosabe, The people I hang with swim in the baby pool, and really don't swim, just stand and splash. Controlling the splash, the contour, the glisten in the sun lighty light - that's the quality cheese. Mortals cannot slow the splash down, like the gods
@pablopinto8311 2 жыл бұрын
I finally get to finish the whole video. Fantastic! How about a fast analysis of that little Rite of Spring quote on "Fountain of love"? Time keeps passing by and still cannot find it. All the best!
@derekpavlic 3 жыл бұрын
The melody that got me hooked forever... This is awesome. Love the lap steel rendition!
@TheTralfaz 3 жыл бұрын
One of the best explanations of Franks techniques that I've ever seen You Sir, are a genius....thank you thank you thank you
@TheTralfaz 3 жыл бұрын
This is going to be my daily study practice from now on
@juamachin 3 жыл бұрын
Need more of this
@uncleremus64 3 жыл бұрын
I've been obsessed with Zappa's muisc for 40 years, but Sign me up for your PhD level course on FZ composition and theory analysis.
@jamesward4250 4 күн бұрын
I was raised n weaned on Zappa.
@StewartGartland 3 жыл бұрын
Two things to add before I go. Firstly, I feel sad that someone as talented as you clearly are may have a harder time making the kind of living that Frank made, mainly because of streaming and illegal downloading of music. This, because you really deserve it. Second, I loved that Frank made such unique and fun music, because my friends who weren't interested in a musical education, were just as happy as I was to listen to Frank all the time while I was getting my musical education. I think Frank wanted to play with the idea of having fun, while thinking hard. Thank you so much for this extraordinary breakdown and good luck with music.
@mal2ksc 3 жыл бұрын
As a composer, I find the number of people willing to work for free and release their work on royalty-free sound sites to be far more destructive to the notion of being a composer for a living. Why would anyone want to hire a composer when there's all this free stuff out there, some of which is good (even if a lot of it isn't)? The people who _don't_ need to make a living from it are making it nearly impossible for anyone who wants to.
@paulinebutcherbird Жыл бұрын
What is left out of FZ's success as a composer is that he was willing to go to extremes to get publicity. On his first trip to Europe, he put on a short dress that revealed his hairy legs, shoved in apples to suggest breasts and tied his hair in bunches on either side of his ears. This photo hit front pages of music papers and gave him a jump start. How many composers would be willing to degrade themselves in this way?
@avantagonist 3 жыл бұрын
I love Zappa, music theory, and fast talking explainers and this kicked my brains ass. Super fast, super dense. 10/10
@pepaez 3 жыл бұрын
You're unbelievable !!! Bravissimo Tyler, even though I don't follow everything, I do get your phenomenal expertise. My coolest "Music Is The Best" salutations !
@philcremer4709 3 жыл бұрын
Some things just come naturally to some people. Like trying to break down the math in poetry. Nice video.
@billymercey4654 3 жыл бұрын
Awesome just another reason to hold frank in our hearts ❤️
@michaelturner4755 3 жыл бұрын
I don't know who you are or where you came from but this is incredible and I want more!!
@domenicgalata1470 3 жыл бұрын
He always ripped this up on stage. His solos on Montana are always interesting and mind blowing. The version on the album Road Tapes Venue #2 Helsinki 1973 is one of my faves. The band locks in on the solo section so tightly. Funk grooves and Frank dancing over top with a brain melting solo. Unreal.
@jeremyguitar6425 3 жыл бұрын
glad youre uploading again dude. hearing the slowed down original version of the ikettes singing on montana is a trip
@enggopah 2 жыл бұрын
I hope you do more of these on Frank's music. I am impressed.
@gordonbowyer2365 5 ай бұрын
This song completely changed my ears forever…… what an amazing homage to the Maestro Tyler…. Genius analysis of genius…. Fair play to you you’re doing something really special here
@winstonschwarz1636 Жыл бұрын
Watching this half awake on my first coffee of the day and it's flying past so quick. Thank you again for taking the time to work it all out. Frank would've loved it.
@panplayer Жыл бұрын
I love this so much. I played the Black Page in college, and have always loved Zappa’s harmonic sense.
@gordonsmith33 3 жыл бұрын
I have no idea what you are talking about. But this is all very interesting. Even though I don't understand stand music theory I know understand why I love Zappas music. This is all very inspiring. I'm going to look into some basic music theory lessons now. Thank you for this beautiful breakdown. I have to go floss my teeth now!!!
@TylerBartram 3 жыл бұрын
I love comments like this. Have fun!
@infamousT Жыл бұрын
My favourite Zappa track above all - I think my brain just melted.
@s.e.wagger3888 3 жыл бұрын
I only watched this to see what you had to say about Kin Vassy's vocal contribution to the song. He didn't get a mention, but you provided so much information that it was definitely worth the watch.
@mikehahaha2962 3 жыл бұрын
A-M-A-Z-I-N-G VIDEO thanks for existing !
@michaelledford4751 3 жыл бұрын
This 45 minutes was better spent than practicing ,this is the 2nd FZ breakdown ive watched from this man & i feel hella smarter from it .
@Michael69 3 жыл бұрын
This was an amazingly well made video. Good work Tyler. I hope your channel gains traction and that you receive the recognition you deserve
@stevew2724 3 жыл бұрын
Very insightful! -- FZ fan since late '60s
@stony2494 3 жыл бұрын
Woah, usually after dissecting something it should seem easier to understand. After seeing the results explained wonderfully, I’m still blown away at the complexity of FZ’s music and the explanation 😎👍🙏♥️ thanks
@mathieupe666 3 жыл бұрын
I believe the tape trick is used on st. Alfonso Pancake Breakfast too . 47 seconds in, the trumpet very much sounds like a pitched trombone articulationwise.
@TylerBartram 3 жыл бұрын
Yeah, great example. FZ really liked having Bruce Fowler do that and you can hear it on other tunes like “Echidna’s Arf”/“Don’t You Ever Wash That Thing?”, “Be-Bop Tango” and “Regyptian Strut”.
@Hyperiss Жыл бұрын
This makes me feel so simple and primitive with my approach to music making. Zappa was a genius.
@ewetoo Жыл бұрын
He was such a smart cookie and you showed us how, thank you. I've been trying to understand the middle break chord progression for years as a bassplayer and I finally get it now. Also kudos to Tom for sneaking around it!
@thedearjohns 3 жыл бұрын
excellent
@dougdrazga4461 3 жыл бұрын
Subscribed. My "Eureka" moment with Frank years ago. I was always blown away that there's so much unison playing in the bridge -- side note: Ruth Underwood is from another planet. I had no idea all this other insanity was hiding here. This is a brilliant dive into one of rock's greatest lineups.
@wjamyers 3 жыл бұрын
One minute in and I'm totally hooked, subbed, doing background research... WOW.
@loganperry 3 жыл бұрын
Awesome video, not only a great analysis but also great visuals and editing. Subscribed!
@nairnloon 3 жыл бұрын
Great googly-moogly, fantastic upload, many thanks.
@vineflower 3 жыл бұрын
What a brilliant examination. Bravo man! incredible
@SonnyGreenwichJr 3 жыл бұрын
That was just plain amazing! Thanks! I've smashed all the smashers! Salutations from astonishingly grey, cold & locked down Ireland! ☘️☮️🤘🏽🤠👍🏽☮️☘️
@js_bass_chicago 3 жыл бұрын
Dude, thanks so much for doing this! Amazing… I wish this was a class when I I was in music school!
@TylerBartram 3 жыл бұрын
Ha, me too!
@dkaplowitz 3 жыл бұрын
What a great series of videos. Thanks for doing this! Sinister Footwear II is my favorite piece of FZ's music. There's so much going on in the 3 major movements of that one. I find his re-use of the transition melody in Wild Love/Yo' Mama kind of interesting too.
@dkaplowitz 3 жыл бұрын
The Sinister Footwear guitar solo and subsequent orchestral piece are cool too.
@Matthew-ut6ed 3 жыл бұрын
Tyler, thank you for this. Excellent work, even if it's a bit too much to take in one sitting. I've transcribed so much Zappa music and sometimes get stuck on some little section - you know, the tricky nested tuplets... So thanks for finally clearing up some bits that eluded me!
@alexanderkalinchenko4038 3 жыл бұрын
Mr Tyler Bartram, you are a beast! Kudos and many thanks for the effort!
@princequestly2218 Жыл бұрын
Loved every second of this. Awesome job. This was easily my favorite Frank Zappa lineup out of the bands he played with. I like all the others as well, but this is definitely my favorite
@udomatthiasdrums5322 3 жыл бұрын
still love it!!
@bordersofelmet 3 жыл бұрын
Learning so much from these, and the presentation is so well put together. I especially like how you're recreating the songs using a daw, because it really lets the listener hear clearly what it is you're drawing attention to in the music, and it also makes it easier to hear the harmonic and melodic underpinnings of Frank's music when you compare different tracks. Great channel, hope you keep it up!
@TylerBartram 3 жыл бұрын
Thank you so much! I have plans for many more.
@Wh1ddee Жыл бұрын
@@TylerBartramYes!!!!!
@achiller1424 3 жыл бұрын
Thanks for this fantastic analisys, another dozen of views and I will understand some of it :).....no seriously thanks a lot!
@DrumCorpsClips 3 жыл бұрын
I'm so glad I discovered your channel
@djbabymode Жыл бұрын
How am I only getting around to watching this? *Fantastic fantastic fantastic* work!
@joshwent Жыл бұрын
I understood much less of that than I should have, yet I enjoyed much more of that than I should have. Music is the best.
@linuslauterbach2975 3 жыл бұрын
Wow! Thank you very much for your analysis videos. Looking forward to more!
@csweet207 3 жыл бұрын
Amazing skillfully researched & produced video! You are the FZ of FZ breakdown videos!
@gtown150 3 жыл бұрын
FZ brilliance. He knew exactly what he was doing and now we are all sitting around figuring it out decades later. Wrote every note by hand!
@smorrow 2 жыл бұрын
I mean what else would you write it with in 1972
@POODLEBITES 3 жыл бұрын
EXCELLENT!!!! Well done. Love your graphics too.
@Idogomusic 3 жыл бұрын
This is top-notch content. It must have taken you ages to make. Thank you
@npc2071 3 жыл бұрын
Wow he paid them a fair wage for their work and basically gave a huge middle finger to Ike
@TheUyotube 3 жыл бұрын
Frank Zappa was one of a kind ….there will never be another
@THETOASTYTOASTEROMEGA 3 жыл бұрын
i know talk about a wild mind
@andrewbroughton65 3 жыл бұрын
This is awesome 👌 Thank you so much
@jimmydonlon6762 3 жыл бұрын
The prevalence and permutation of three-note figures in this piece is a good illustration of how FZ liked to use theme to establish continuity. Great video.
@ModernGuitar 3 жыл бұрын
That's great !! Thanks !
@simoncroft 3 жыл бұрын
Superb job! Thank you Tyler. I will be pouring over this for many months to come.
@tacos1337 3 жыл бұрын
at 17:15 you mentionned 'maybe it's a guitar thing'. There's definitely some of that in his music. One example is the outro section of 'echidna's arf of you'. The first quintuplet motif moves up a tritone, then up a major third, then up another tritone, but this time, instead of doing '1-5-1-2-m3', it goes '1-b6-1-2-m3', because it is played with the G and B strings, which are, well, a major third apart, as opposed to a fourth apart compared to every other sets of two strings. So that difference only makes sense if you're a guitar player: it's clearly written as a guitar pattern that you repeat on each set of two strings. Anyways, back to watching the rest of the video! Fantastic stuff, much to digest and learn here, props for the editing as well!
@chicojcf 3 жыл бұрын
Montana Live with its ostinato forming a background for which FZ plays a Solo is forever etched in my mind...Sweet.
@johnmanrow2667 Ай бұрын
Over the last 50 years or so of listening to Frank Zappa, I have heard him described many times as a musical genius.... Who would imagine?
@no_notes1229 Жыл бұрын
I love that you make the best breakdowns of the best parts of the best songs of the best composer... imho. Love it!
@Jay87539 3 жыл бұрын
Wow, all these years I never knew that was Tina and the Ikettes. So interesting and cool!
@victotronics 3 жыл бұрын
Great analysis. Thanks for putting that together.
@yagotrillo 3 жыл бұрын
Certainly one the most interesting videos I've ever watched on KZfaq. Thanks!
@rick-ry3kj 3 жыл бұрын
Instant favorite! Outstanding!
@Walking_Ears 3 жыл бұрын
Cool analysis and great visual design of the video. A few ideas for other songs you could discuss: - Sinister Footwear II - The "trilogy" of Pigmy Twilight/Echidna's Arf/Don't You Ever Wash That Thing - Guitar solo harmonic language & rhythms (either in general, or picking a few example solos) - Watermelon in Easter Hay/Black Napkins (not as 'complex' I suppose but still beautiful pieces of music, would be cool to see them broken down and analyzed)
@Broeseler 3 жыл бұрын
@Tyler Bartram - ENDLICH - FINALLY - I waited for years for news about your fantestic world, Tyler! I really appreciate your work so much - all the best and a big hug from Austria high upon the alps
@Broeseler 3 жыл бұрын
i´ve noticed your 2 other uploaded vids since 7 years yet. THANKS - pure JOY
@TylerBartram 3 жыл бұрын
Thank you Martin!
@TheSteelDialga 3 жыл бұрын
Wow. That was incredible! Montana is one of my favorite songs, not to mention *the* song that got me into Zappa. I loved this video. I only have one critique, and it's that sometimes your dialogue is a little awkward, but in my opinion it's completely overshadowed by the academic quality and production value! I can't imagine how long it took to put all of the sheet music and music bits together, what with you using your own sounds. The art was really entertaining and fun as well! Loved all the cowboy/dental floss/Zappa imagery lol. The information here was tremendous as well, yet still easy to understand (coming from someone with alright theory knowledge). It was really cool to see how a lot of Frank's music overlaps with lots of similar harmonies and melodic figures. I seriously learnt a lot from this, and I appreciate how straightforward it was. Thank you for the great video!
@TylerBartram 3 жыл бұрын
I’m an incredibly awkward person so I’m glad I stayed true to myself!
@smorrow 2 жыл бұрын
@@TylerBartram For real though it wouldn't kill you to pre-apply the edit that I used to listen to this video: reduced speed (thankfully KZfaq now provides finer control over that than it used to).
@phideaux3 3 жыл бұрын
Nice choice of slide guitar for one of the Montana quotes!
@andyyouell5037 3 жыл бұрын
Wow. Thank you.
@OverdosedOreos Жыл бұрын
35:41 glad you mention Giant Steps. Thinking the exact same thing.
@yessirshakejunt 3 жыл бұрын
I Truly respect the Creative & Fun way You show and edited this topic/song With so passion, like Frank with so many love and respect for music Real authenticity and knwoledge on what you're Talkin'! ♡
@BlackWhirlies 3 жыл бұрын
Excellent Tyler - very well put together. Thanks!
@schnitzel5124 3 жыл бұрын
I was trying to transcribe this interlude today (Over-Nite Sensation version), and got as far as the second to last bar and couldn't take it anymore. Then I stumbled across this video. Thank you for helping me cheat on the quintuplets hehe.
@SamMcGarrityIsOnYoutube 2 жыл бұрын
Dude, where has this channel been hiding?! So good
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