Understanding Superstition
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- Опубліковано 22 лис 2024
- Groove is one of the most underrated aspects of modern music, at least from a music theory perspective. The way a good funk groove layers lots of different rhythms with different lengths and different layers of complexity in order to form one towering, cohesive whole is amazing, and few artists understood how to do that half as well as Stevie Wonder. He's put out so many hits it's hard to know where to start, but Superstition is one of the most impressive feats of groove ever recorded, so I wanted to take it apart, piece by piece, and really understand how exactly it all works together!
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Also, thanks to Jareth Arnold for proofreading the script to make sure this all makes sense hopefully!
Some additional thoughts/corrections:
1) One thing I couldn't figure out how to fit in is that, when the horns come in, the bass switches to playing in unison with them. It doesn't really matter to my analysis but it's true.
2) In the clavinet parts, I'm pretty sure the scratching effect is made by very quickly striking and releasing a key, which means there's an underlying note, but it's hard to tell what it is so it becomes more of a percussive effect. I notated my best guess, but really the precise note there isn't all that relevant to your perception of it so if I'm wrong on any of them it's probably not a big deal.
3) One thing I think I may not have been clear about is just how important it is that different parts of the groove operate on different time scales. The kick and snare are a two-beat pattern, the hi-hat is one beat, the right clavinet is one bar, the left is two, as is the horns, the vocals are four, and so on. Those different time scales create different levels of recursion that you can shift your attention between to keep the whole thing feeling fresh.
As i 55 year old autistic musican, I'd like to say thanks for making being an Autistic Music Nerd cool!
In regard to number 2, if anyone wants to see the percussive effect of a clavinet, watch the Vulfpeck tutorial on Superstition where Jack Stratton perfectly demonstrates what happens when you compress a clav and play it percussively
Doctor Mix on UA-cam has a video where he does a really good attempt at getting as close as he can to what Stevie did on the Clavinet then slows it down, might be worth a watch to see if you can get that last underlying note if it's there.
Really cool man! only one thing. 'tresillo' in spanish is a triplet. what you call tresillo is actually a 332 (in argentina is called just that). Maybe in english 'tresillo' refers to something else than a triplet?
Does the scratch have to do with him comping out chords because theres more tones in the scratches.
I had no idea he played all the instruments on that song, I only knew about his piano playing that’s super cool
'piano'
Leavewe you're right, it's the funkiest clavi out there! Such a fun jam
he played all the instruments on a LOT of his tracks.
Apparently his Wikipedia is wrong then since it only credits him for vocals, keyboard, harmonica and drums
Prince before Prince.
“Like Wonder is kinda winking at you through the music” This is why Jazz musicians love Wonder. His harmonies are perfect
Worth noting that the bass is played entirely on a synthesizer, a rarity at the time.
It would have to be, otherwise he’s tuned super low.
jrpipik Stevie did it a lot.
Stevie Wonder used almost every synth in existence at the time - including T.O.N.T.O.!
I think it’s synth bass at perfect unison with the bass guitar. Isn’t it?
@@BassicVIC no bass guitar here
12tone: draws beautiful and illustrative counterpart to vocal explanation stevie wonder: why must you play me like this
This rhythm is DELICIOUS. What a genius Stevie Wonder is.
A masterclass in how to get people to dance while also showcasing some great harmony. Wonder will always be a legend in music
Yes he will!
Apocryphal story: Jeff Beck actually "wrote" this drum part when he and Stevie were jamming after recording "Looking for Another Pure Love". They were conceiving a song for Stevie to contribute to Jeff's next album. Jeff had this groove in his head but he was a sloppy, untrained drummer which created that shuffling, improvised feel (because Jeff just couldn't physically play consistently). After a few minutes Stevie apparently called his management and (with apologies) asked Jeff to leave and schedule another session, because he had a song of his own to build out of that.
"yo, out, that's my drum groove now"
Hang on, Jeff, I'd love to stay and chill, but I feel a masterpiece brewing.
I was surprised Jeff Beck never got mentioned when so much attention went to the drum part in this video. Beck recorded a great version of Superstition with Beck Bogert Appice later on
@@wdm2112 Have always loved Carmine, but he overplays on Superstition...ruins the groove. IMHO
According to Jeff....he didn't leave and was in on the entire session.
I must confess, I never thought I'd live to see the day when the _funkiness_ of the _groove_ was analyzed academically. That's just... strange. 😂
It's beautiful isn't it
@@walkerx1813
yes.
thats modern music theory for ya :)
How old are you? Because people have been doing such things since the 1970s
#Education matters
This one means a lot to me. I’m a drummer and learned to read music around 12-13 years old. This was the first song I ever learned by reading the drum part in a drum magazine I got at the time. This song taught me so much about drumming, making a groove dance, not having to repeat the exact same groove for every measure, how to accent vocal parts, etc. thanks for the great video
I thought this said "Understanding Superposition" and I was like "huh, a 12tone video about quantum mechanics? Okay, I guess sound waves are a good start point for understanding the uncertainty principle, I wanna see where this goes!". Still happy with what I got tho : )
There's certainly a lot of "spooky action at a distance" going on in this song. Another secret of this song is that he uses delay on the clavinet, meaning that some of his notes are past/present/future simultaneously... Thus creating the syncopation paradox. Attempting to understand this song without a good knowledge of quantum mechanics is futile.
Sort of played a version of this for years now which never sounded close to right. Thankyou A7flat5, you've made my day.
"It sounds more like a party, than a recital."
boom! 10/10
I'd love to watch you breakdown some Funkadelic
Step one: consume the devil's cabbage
Step two: play whatever keeps you dancing
I'm totally loving Funkadelic
Because the interplay of the two keyboard parts isn't enough, there's another layer in there. The clavinet has a audible 'tick' when you release the key (like a harpsichord) which means that if you release the key at the right time you can do a trick where melodically you're playing straight 8ths (e.g. in the beginning of the right keyboard line) but *rhythmically* you're playing swung 16ths. He doesn't do it all the time, but it's another very cool tool to spice things up!
Moray Macdonald yes! Someone mentioned the thing that I’m hearing that’s not discussed in the video! Having never played a clarinet I suspected that was the case; thank you for noting that.
Stevie wonder is and always will be one of the greatest musicians to walk the earth
Top 2597, no doubt
“So if thats something you’re interested in then you might be interested in it.” Thank u 12tone very cool!
Thanks for the analysis!
12:02 For those who would be wondering, there's a typo here : IV is actually Ab7sus4.
I scrolled down for this, haha.
@@EAdano77 Lol yeah me too ;-)
In all honesty, I didn't search well enough. Someone had posted something about it a little earlier. Oh well… At least now it should be clear for everyone... :-D
Ethan Addison me too! ...then said same as your comment out loud right as I saw it! Hahah
Thank you for this, I lost my mind trying to understand what happened with that chord. Almost quitted on this song.
The way Stevie swings is so damn unique. It's like halfway between straight and the cheesy triplet feel swing you'd hear from a white suburban church drummer. So funky.
Superstition was written during a jam with Jeff Beck on drums and Stevie on keyboard. Beck came up with the hi hat, snare, bass drum part and when Stevie heard it he improvised the Superstition riff over it and a rough demo with just Beck on drums and Stevie on a keyboard was recorded. It was then supposed to be Beck's to record with his new band Beck, Bogart & Appice as part of a deal for Beck to play on a track (Lookin' For Another Pure Love) for what would be Stevie's next album Talking Book. Beck was supposed to release his new band's version first but two things happened. Beck's album got delayed and Berry Gordy after hearing Stevie's version knew it was a hit and insisted on not waiting but released it immediately. To make up for it Stevie wrote another song for Beck called Thelonious (after pianist/composer Thelonious Monk who Stevie and Beck were fans of) that Beck recorded for his solo album Blow By Blow. Contrary to what some people think Stevie did not write 'Cause We've Ended As Lovers for Beck. He wrote that for his ex wife Syreeta Wright's second album "Stevie Wonder Presents: Syreeta and Beck heard it and also used it on Blow By Blow. The melody he plays is based on Syreeta's vocal on the song.
There are only 3 musicians on Stevie's recording of Superstition. Stevie on a Hohner C clavinet which he first began using in 1968, a Moog bass synth, drums and vocals. Trevor Lawrence on tenor sax and Steve Madaio on trumpet. That's it. It was recoded at Electric Lady as part of two albums Wonder did there which are credited with saving the studio in the aftermath of the death of Jimi Hendrix. It's a 16 track recording with 2 tracks for the 2 horn parts, 1 track for kick drum, 2 tracks for left and right drum overheads, 2 vocal tracks and 8 clavinet tracks. That's 8 different interlocking clavinet tracks which break down into what can be called rhythm, lead and a couple of effects tracks which are clavinet with an Auto Wah and heavy reverb treatment all panned around the soundstage.
More stevie wonder breakdown please. He had tons of complex bangers in his catalogue. Literally greatest of all time
They always say you can’t reharmonize Stevie Wonder because the perfect harmonization can’t be improved and this is such an incredible example. He does so much with so little, just something as simple as putting it in Dorian instead of minor, a one tone change, makes so much difference. The man is truly incredible
YOUR NAILS MAKE MY EYES BLEED T-T
Thank you for this! I sang the lead vocal and played drums on this in a band I was in years ago. It was one of the songs I looked forward to playing in a night. Needless to say, I was nowhere near the singer or the drummer that Stevie Wonder was, but it was still a fun song from the aspect of playing it and singing it. Thanks for taking the time to dismember the drum part, because lots of people don't really understand what any decent drummer knows in their own body. Your analysis also helps explain why I liked the song, and your attention to detail makes me grin often.
Nice. I've always thought this song was a subtle master class in funk groove. Over the years, every time I revisit this song to create a similar backing track to noodle over, I learn something new.
Man, after watching this, listening to the full song will be so satisfying.
I mean, that song is always nice to listen to, but it'll be even better now that you've teased all the different parts.
I am very ignorant of music theory, but I have always loved this song and many of the things you discuss are things I have noticed and reasons why I enjoy this song so much. I may not have really understood all aspects of what I was hearing, but I could tell it was unique.
i always watch these to learn more about the song but in the end all i get is a huge desire to stop what i'm doing and listen to the song
Stevie really fills the sonic canvas top to bottom, leaving little room. Drums set it up, bass fills the bottom, keyboards really occupy a wide section. Almost filled up already, but no, Stevie says, "Let's put something on top." Those fantastic horns...I've seen studio footage of those guys doing that part...and let me tell you, they are absolutely *rolling* those valves on the abbreviated "trill" parts, amazing to see.
One small example why Stevie was truly a genius/savant/master of music
I’m a kid who wanna write music but know nothing about theories. I tried to learn it, watching videos, reading books and still don’t understand a thing. Seeing examples of it helped me understand bit by bit. Thank you for these.
I'm too tired to comprehend everything you're saying but like it's still so fun to watch
Switching between modes is a classic way of improvising in Jazz and soul music, mainly because it allow you to express a huge range of feelings without changing too much your finger pattern and yet providing originality and diversity.
Stevie Wonder, in this track, turn around the Eb scale. As you stated, most of the part is in Eb min. I remember someone stating that this scale is quite often used by blind persons wanting to jam, as it's mainly based on the black keys, which can easily be picked by blind person. Indeed, the Eb min scale is composed of Eb, F, Gb, Ab, Bb, B and Db.
From this minor scale, therefore somewhat "sad mood", you can easily switch to a major scale (happier mood?) using the Dorian mode in just moving one finger to the right (Eb Dorian scale is formed with Eb, F, Gb, Ab,Bb,C,Db. The only difference is the C instead of the B).
In using only the black keys you than go to Eb min pentatonic (Eb, Gb, Ab, Bb, Db). Minor pentatonic scale are quite common in jazz and soul music.
Finally, adding the augmented fourth to this scale you find the blues scale , which for Eb means adding a A (Eb,Gb, Ab, A, Bb, D).
So the harmonic structure you describe is basically going through different modes by slightly changing the finger patterns (Eb min => Eb Dorian => Eb min pentatonic => Eb blues). This also make total sense as Stevie Wonder composed the essence of this track in jamming with Jeff Beck. Still, your analyse was great, as always. It helped me realize this trick and conforted me, thanks to some other stuff, in how to create and arrange classical soul funk tunes.
Great job! Analysis, whether it's Bach or Stevie Wonder, mostly comes 'after the fact' - the artists create and the academics analyse. That's all good, but I wonder what Stevie would have to say about this?
Just reading "Stevie Wonder's perfect groove" was enough for me to hear Superstition.
Great job taking something so aurally ubiquitous and explaining details that most people probably don’t notice, similar to a scientist explaining the elements in the air we breathe.
seems everyone forgets Jeff Beck's contribution to this song. He was sitting at a drum set, laying this down. Stevie came in, said "Keep it going", then a better drummer took over, Jeff helped on guitar and it was supposed to be a song for Jeff. Jeff did play it with Bogert and Appice. Tim Bogert sang the heck out of it!
There is something interesting you missed about the keys. He hits the C nat on the 2nd part at the exact moment when he hits he Db on the 1st part, making a 1/2 step cluster. It’s a major reason why nobody hears the Dorian sound.
Also, interesting to note (although it may be urban legend) but supposedly the drum groove was actually created by guitarist Jeff Beck, who was jamming around with Wonder in the studio.
It's not a legend! However, the groove he played was different from what ended up in Stevie's version. Beck was originally going to be the one to put the song out, but Barry Gordy convinced Stevie that he should release his own version. The Beck, Bogart and Appice version of the song is really good, and people should check it out if they want to hear a version of this that's much harder and less funky yet still natural to what the song is, but we're better off with the Wonder version being more well known.
"and finally we have the left keyboard"
NOOOOOO MY LEFT EARBUD WENT OUT YESTERDAY!!!
Most of the rest of us never heard that part before now, 50 years later, so fret not, you will get another earbud and it wont take you 50 more years.
Ok wow the creativity in this video 🙌
This is a truly a unique way to explain this! And a lefty to boot.
Excellent breakdown and analysis. If you haven't seen it, I highly suggest checking out "Superstition" live on Sesame Street back in the 70s. Absolutely dripping with funk.
Man, it really says something that you just analyzed the heck out of this song, way deeper than I ever could, but the video somehow feels clipped? unfinished? There's just a lot more to analyze here if you wanted to but goodness we could be here all day. I'd love a sequel to this someday, though!
12:59 "... so why are you watching this video?" Because even if I don't know the song you're discussing, I still find the analysis interesting, and maybe I'll find a new song or new band to listen to.
If you've never listened to Stevie Wonder you're doing your ears a disservice. He's one of, if not THE most talented musician and songwriter of the 20th century.
I definitely started watching the video like that too, didn't recognize the song until he got to the clavinet parts.
@@xavvi I have listened to Stevie Wonder before, including _Superstition_ - my comment wasn't so much about _this_ particular video, but others 12tone's done featuring songs I'd never heard, by bands, etc., I'd never heard of.
The amount of different layers playing totally different rhythms is insane. So well balanced
Your channel is one of the most impressive, enlightening, uplifting and even occasionally, overwhelming expressions of art I know! Thank you!
Brilliant breakdown and the drawing is hilarious!
Such a great song. I first SRV's version and later discovered it was a cover. Stevie Wonder has the funk.
Holy shit, I closed my eyes when you compared the drums, and it hit me like a brick to the head.
Woo! More funk, soul and disco episodes please!
I really love your content. Thank you for putting so much effort into making your videos. Really fun information!
I really enjoy your deep and thoughtful analyses of the works you study. My question is: how much of what you eloquently explained factored into Stevie Wonder making this song? The man is a pure genius. That he had this song kicking around his head before the world had ever heard it is just astounding. That he had the talent to play every instrument and make it happen is a miracle. How much of the song is the and understanding of the underlying theory, and how much is a God-given gift? This is one of my favorite songs of all time; it’s just sublime.
I am fascinated by musical talent in general. I am a musical person with some level of academic accomplishment when I was younger (Grade 8 theory in the UK at age 14 if that means anything to you). I’ve played piano for over 40 years trying to squeeze in study and practice whilst doing a proper job. I was in a tribute band for a year in my 20’s (think Ray Manzarek). UA-cam is fantastic and depressing at the same time - so much exposure to phenomenal talent that can be discouraging. Cory Henry and “Lingus”……need I say more? I suspect that Stevie had no idea what the Dorian mode was when he wrote that song - he’s a natural, a genius. I’ve watched folk break down Radiohead songs and I find myself thinking that they would be saying “Is that what we did? Really?”. My conclusion is that there are different sorts of musical gift and some people are lucky enough to have the whole package and inevitably become famous. It can’t just be a simple combination of having some talent and working hard, otherwise many more people would have made it big. These young guys that can improvise jazz (and musically) to an advanced level - I don’t get it and I want to cry 😢
okay, this could be the most intense episode in this channel, and i knew that before i even clicked. my brain is now pudding, i think this might be THE channel that brought the music interpretation to my wave length
I was just listening to this song ❤️
best riff ever
analyzing Superstition then at the end it says Keep On Rockin' yeah! This video rocks HARD!!!
Imagine getting your hands on all the sheet music @12tone ever used for his videos: THE SACRED TEXTS!
WOW I love your energy with the very creative drawings and your dialog and scripts are like precision lightning. Your vocabulary is really expansive and this was a treat to watch!
MAN, Stevie is such a GENIUS!
my fave version of this... Sesame Street when he was like 23? the mix studio engineer was ON POINT!
Re: comments below re: Jeff Beck's involvement. I've read various accounts, Jeff's included, all of which support this story. Yes, Jeff was working on 'Talking Book'. Wonder stepped out of the studio and when he returned Jeff was on the drums hammering out a straight 4 groove (though likely not with the funky feel of what Wonder later laid down). When Wonder entered the studio he told Jeff to keep the drumming going, and he started riffing on his keys. Beck has said that he and Wonder worked on the lyrics, with Stevie throwing questions at him about what popular superstitions. So, black cat crosses one's path, walking under ladders etc. They recorded a demo with Jeff on guitar. When Motown boss Berry Gordy heard the demo he insisted Wonder rush-record it and beat Beck to getting his version out. Beck, who was peeved by Wonder's early release, didn't do his version until Beck Bogert & Appice the following year, in '73. That version lacked everything that made Wonder's version great.
This version, IMO, is the best of the lot. Jeff and Stevie doing 'Superstition' together. ua-cam.com/video/GDvyCWSP48Q/v-deo.html
I would love to see your analysis of my favorite Stevie Wonder song, Sir Duke.
Jacob Collier did one recently. Well worth looking into!
I think this is my favorite video yet! Thanks man!!!
This vdo is TOP. The song is AMAZING! ❤️
WOOW... Speechless.👾 Awesome doodling next 2 the superb explanation.
Life is gr8. ThXx.🙏🏼🇳🇱
I love that you call him "Wonder". I think that my brain just thought "Stevie Wonder" was his first name
12tone Stevie Ray Vaughn played that song too in Eb Standard Tuning
Hey Guitarists, if you tune to Eb Standard then you can match the Original key. The Bridge pickup will allow you to get that Original Clavinet sound out of your Electric Guitar.
This is damn spooky, I literally was just jamming out to this song on the radio on the drive home and as I open UA-cam to watch some evening TV this pops up top of my recommended
How 12Tone? HOW?!?!
Google is bugging your car radio. But it's OK. They bug everybody's.
Now you're sounding a bit superstitious...
You and I on that same album will always be his best song and the greatest love ballad ever written
Maybe...but then you got songs like "overjoyed", "lately", or "if it's magic" by the same artist. He might be just the greatest musician to ever exist
I could listen to a 90min documentary breakdown on Stevie's rhythmic abilities alone...
Written almost 50 years ago and the song still sounds very much fresh, current and relevant.. What a genius Stevie is. Let's see how many of today's "hits" will even be remembered in 2070 ... Superstition will still be played and danced to by then I am sure though..
I want to know what you think of Knights of Cydonia by Muse
12tone should seriously create a video on consonance. It's a much more nuanced subject that many, myself included, could use some clarification on.
Pop music makes you tap yor feet and snap your fingers.
Rock makes your head go up and down.
Blues makes your head go side to side.
But Funk....moves *everything.*
I had no idea the "keyboard" part of this song was a keyboard! I would have sworn it was a guitar! It wasn't until I looked up the clavinet and what it sounds like that I realised! My goodness.
Not to take anything away from Wonder at all here, but Jeff Beck wrote the main riff of this song. As a thank you gesture, Stevie Wonder contributed a song to Jeff’s Blow By Blow album in return.
This song is a result of two geniuses at work.
What a great video on one of my favorite songs. Have another sub, good sir
The fun part about the horn line is that theres some little hidden grace notes, fourishes and a bit of a wavering on the held D of the first bar. (Think a trill, but not sure.) But it adds some nice color to the line, without making it muddy ajd gross, but keeping it funkier than it already was. And, on top of that (as someone who played trumpet in a school jazz band), it just sounds like theyre having fun with it, and enjoying themselves. Which just adds to the feel
Oh, that's cool! Never thought about that :)
I think the Clavinet part can be played on the Guitar in Eb Standard with the bridge pickup.
13:00 tbh, I was originally just gonna use this as bg noise, but then I got really into the breakdown and realized how much I miss your videos
Just want to add that for me when the song starts...I cannot help but tap/stomp my feet. It's impossible not to. Even when I'm driving I stomp with my left foot!
Stevie Wonder is unique, no one like him!
1. Right on, lefty. 2. Really fun video. 3. Those nails unnerving.
I always felt that the chorus was more of a turnaround. Thanks.
wow! great breakdown of this song. also cool that you have a discord server.
Sees 12tone title SW perfect groove thinks which one?
Yeah that's the most perfect!
Great topic and great breakdown.
I get the long nails on the one hand for finger picking guitar. Why long nails on both hands? Totally don’t care if he just loves having long nails. I’m more so wondering he plays guitar both right and left handed.
(They, not he.)
@Aidan Trujillo They prefer they.
Cocaines a hell of a drug
Cocaines a hell of a drug
@@nataliethistime new here, is the host nonbinary?
Excellent topic, love Stevie Wonder!
Will you discuss about ending a song tips, that include picardy third, Mario bros cadence, and other stuff like the ending of Marry Poppin Returns - where the lost things go. Maybe that is called Common tone modulation Cadence, I don't know.
Another great video
This analysis made my day
I had to watch this twice...Damn..your good...really good !
If ever there was a video to have a 20 second cameo from Adam Neely, this was it.
Now please excuse me while I go and listen to Talking Book for the first time in far too long
You might give some of Sting's solo music a close listen. He crafts his songs with great care and his use of modulation and interesting key changes might make for some fun analysis.
One of your best yet. Maybe Sir Duke next, haha.
Amazing video, man
Songs I would love for you to cover:
Kanye West - runaway
Bjork- literally any song (something with microbeats would be really cool)
Death Grips - the fever
Clavinet is so underrated nowadays
Thank you so much for explaining this song to me. There’s no possible way I could understand it otherwise. Music is very complex and theoretical so you definitely need to study a lot and read etc before delving into music. Ok... now to go listen to it! I hope it’s as good as you say...
Excellent
Awesome video and explanation! Not to stick to close to Stevie Wonder, but I'd love to see your take on Sir Duke.
One of those songs you can name just hearing the first snare beat.