Maybe 4 Notes Are All You Really Need

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  • Опубліковано 6 лют 2024
  • Get access to Quarter Notes With Aimee Nolte, my 4 Nebula Classes, several pdfs and extended/bonus videos and the ENTIRE Nebula platform when you sign up for Nebula using my link (40% off an annual subscription) go.nebula.tv/aimeenolte
    Watch Quarter Notes (Starring Larry Goldings) here: nebula.tv/quarter-notes-larry...
    4 note motifs are at the heart of some of the greatest compositions in all of music. Why are they so powerful and how can we think about them deeper and start to understand what makes them so impactful?
    Recorded using
    Earthworks SV33
    Earthworks PM40
    Hallet and Davis baby grand piano

КОМЕНТАРІ • 150

  • @barrymiller8137
    @barrymiller8137 3 місяці тому +8

    Have been following you for years. This 4 note motif idea is a whole new level. I have been replaying Goiding’s creation on Nebula over and over-so hauntingly beautiful. Add to that your 4 note motif creation on this video-wow. Thanks Aimee.

    • @AimeeNolte
      @AimeeNolte  3 місяці тому +1

      Isn’t it amazing? I’m so glad that you love it. Thank you for the sweet note.

  • @donschneider7953
    @donschneider7953 4 місяці тому +29

    Yes. Four notes. I earned an M.A. in music composition in the 1970's and wrote mostly classical music (string quartet, etc.) and found "the four note motif" idea to be very helpful. Sort like a classical "hook" as well as a crafted "constraint" to work within. In this popular jazz standards genre, I can think of so many where the tune is identifiable by a short motif: After You've Gone, Alone Together, It's Only a Paper Moon , Let's Fall in Love, Makin' Whoopee, Out of Nowhere, Tea for Two, The Girl from Ipanema, Who Can I Turn To? etc. Love your singing (and your hands and smile). Thanks so much for being you and for what you do.

    • @Apsleyfun
      @Apsleyfun 3 місяці тому

    • @marshwetland3808
      @marshwetland3808 3 місяці тому

      Her singing sounds great, very pleasant to listen to. Inspires me to want to sing more, too.

  • @eltieum
    @eltieum 4 місяці тому +23

    Shine on you crazy diamond, Pink Floyd. Most Iconic 4 notes motif to me. Si bémol Fa Sol Mi (Bb F G E) let ring with a G pedal.

    • @jasonmunley4295
      @jasonmunley4295 3 місяці тому

      What? Way more than four notes. Four notes just in "diamond".

    • @martinmills135
      @martinmills135 3 місяці тому

      @@jasonmunley4295they don’t mean the main motif, obviously, but the very prominent, angular one at 3:55 into the track. Can’t miss it really, if you go and listen again.

  • @redbrown7355
    @redbrown7355 3 місяці тому +6

    WOMAN!!!!!!
    Your talent overwhelms my emotions 😢

  • @achaley4186
    @achaley4186 4 місяці тому +6

    You are such a thoughtful musician 🙂 ..just lovely…as a hymn player who has too many hymnals old to newer..I am constantly stunned at how many melodies have been printed…not sure if I’m putting it clearly but in the context of your video you know what I mean. 🙂❤🙏🏼⭐

  • @Avery_4272
    @Avery_4272 4 місяці тому +11

    Great topic, Aimee. And you've touched on the gist of a "game" I've loved playing the past few years: I quickly play any 4 random notes and challenge myself to see if I can think of and play two or three well-known songs that begin with those same 4 notes. I love being reminded of how different the composers' songs are even though they begin with those same notes. Indeed, you put it so well: "It's amazing what four notes can do," particularly when coupled with different chords/harmonies/rhythms. So I found your video especially fun today -- thanks! (And, as always, your singing is beautiful!)

  • @gorthnahoe
    @gorthnahoe 3 місяці тому +2

    “ So It Goes” such a beautiful melody. Masterful

  • @vincentbuonora9416
    @vincentbuonora9416 3 місяці тому +1

    Absolutely, I am a beginner student but four notes will easily get you to a melody that everyone recognizes. “The autumn leaves, and many other show tunes….Thankyou for this video….”four notes and you are invested in the song:”. Brilliant.

  • @gregoryhaddock5395
    @gregoryhaddock5395 4 місяці тому +8

    You're an outstanding teacher. Thank you 🙏

  • @lancecahill5486
    @lancecahill5486 4 місяці тому +9

    Thank you Professor Nolte. 👍🎶

  • @poochieAZ
    @poochieAZ 4 місяці тому +10

    Beautiful voice! Thank you.

  • @Howeverwhatabout
    @Howeverwhatabout 3 місяці тому +3

    Thank you for remembering John Barry, John Williams is mentioned often (and justifiably so) but John Barry wrote so many timeless ‘ear worms’!

  • @donaldbutcher1260
    @donaldbutcher1260 3 місяці тому +9

    This is by far one of your most informative and interesting videos.
    Thanks Aimee 😊

  • @drewjacobs2076
    @drewjacobs2076 3 місяці тому +5

    Sleepwalk was the first thing that came to my mind.
    So glad you included that example!

  • @joeldcanfield_spinhead
    @joeldcanfield_spinhead Місяць тому +1

    I forget "And So It Goes"; brilliant piece. In my favorite version of "What'll I Do?" Harry Nilsson and Gordon Jenkins flattened one note of the melody compared to how you're singing it (I don't know how Irv wrote it.) It's magnificent, and reminds me how four notes are not only enough, but sometimes, plenty. I've been watching @RyanLeach teach orchstration, and he, perhaps unintentionally, led me to thinking of melody as 4-note segments.

  • @siciliostudios
    @siciliostudios 3 місяці тому +2

    …man, this is gold to a neophytes ear. ❤ Thank you for a great lesson!

  • @amberyooper
    @amberyooper 3 місяці тому +2

    This is really fascinating! Having no music theory background or education, this is something that I've never noticed before now.

  • @carlmagnussen7773
    @carlmagnussen7773 3 місяці тому +3

    Hi Aimee, your attitude towards music is beautiful.

  • @jerrytaliercio9087
    @jerrytaliercio9087 3 місяці тому +3

    Hi everyone! I love making songs up. I’m self taught and this is so nice, thank you. And you’re manner is very inviting ❣️🎶❣️

    • @SherwinGooch
      @SherwinGooch 3 місяці тому

      Merry go, merry go, merry go 'round - boop boop boop. --"Larry" Wild Man Fisher.

  • @luvpants2012
    @luvpants2012 3 місяці тому +3

    Best lesson I've seen in a looong time.

  • @karls.623
    @karls.623 3 місяці тому +5

    You are the best!

  • @Marijnzor
    @Marijnzor 3 місяці тому +2

    What a coincidence! I'm currently reading "harmony from melody" and had just finished their chapter on motives. So your video came as a perfectly timed conclusion to that chapter.
    One thing that I always like in motives, is when the motive seems to have words to it even when the words are never spoken. Like how we can all agree that the "superman" motive is saying "superman"

  • @dessiplaer
    @dessiplaer 3 місяці тому +3

    I appreciate your most analytical and musical intellect. This was a great video.

  • @JDkeyzz
    @JDkeyzz 4 місяці тому +4

    Wow ! I do that in my writing and I didn’t realize it, your so awesome Aimee!

  • @leeclarke8993
    @leeclarke8993 3 місяці тому +1

    First time I watched you on smart tv. Looks and sounds great. Thank You

  • @RokhartMusic
    @RokhartMusic 3 місяці тому +2

    Thank you Aimee! 🎶😎

  • @Richard-wz7bu
    @Richard-wz7bu 4 місяці тому +9

    "So It Goes" is such a haunting song from Billy Joel who is a master of the key change.

    • @Sujowi
      @Sujowi 3 місяці тому

      I love the Kings Singers version arranged by Bob Chilcott…it kept me company during Covid lockdowns.

  • @jeanpierrecarpentier
    @jeanpierrecarpentier 3 місяці тому +3

    What a lovely voice you have (Very nice video here) :)

  • @RasiRon
    @RasiRon 3 місяці тому +3

    Yes I totally agree. Very perceptive.

  • @joesauvage1165
    @joesauvage1165 20 днів тому +1

    Deepest thanks for this and every heart full thing you do! And your Nebula content and subscription is so worth it! Deepest thanks always!

  • @streetlegal008
    @streetlegal008 3 місяці тому +2

    I could hear the beautiful chime from your piano harmonies on this one. Compliments to the tuner!

  • @WilliamSaadGuitar
    @WilliamSaadGuitar 3 місяці тому +2

    Amazing, as usual. Thank you Aimee.

  • @TonyThomas10000
    @TonyThomas10000 3 місяці тому +1

    Awesome as usual, Aimee!

  • @crystalplanet09
    @crystalplanet09 4 місяці тому +3

    Had never heard somewhere in time and the billy joel piece.. just soul wrenchingly beautiful.. thankyou!

    • @crystalplanet09
      @crystalplanet09 4 місяці тому +1

      I take it back on the billy joel piece.. i had heard that melody in ken burn’s documentaries i think.. just didnt know it was a billy joel piece

  • @LApianoplace
    @LApianoplace 3 місяці тому +1

    Thank you for your cover of *And So it Goes* I love notes about it. Four notes go a long way ❤

  • @brucesstreet8204
    @brucesstreet8204 4 місяці тому +4

    Beautiful & inspiring. Loved the gorgeous harmonic flavours you made with 'Beethoven 5th' idea.

    • @SherwinGooch
      @SherwinGooch 3 місяці тому

      On the first listening, I couldn't recognize where any of it came from except for the single fast quote near the end. Amazing!

  • @miketaylor1783
    @miketaylor1783 3 місяці тому +1

    I love your channel and all the investigation into how music works. I have played Bass in bands in the UK since 1978 and I'm proud of the fact that so many amazing ideas, songs, tunes, melodies etc came from a group of slightly sedated young lads, a bit like, me with little knowledge of the technical terminology they were dealing with. It sounded good and that was all we needed to know.

  • @donlawsonmusic
    @donlawsonmusic 4 місяці тому +4

    Excellent! Thank you ✨✨

  • @russellwiitala9733
    @russellwiitala9733 3 місяці тому +3

    Awesome! Thank you.

  • @jesusislukeskywalker4294
    @jesusislukeskywalker4294 3 місяці тому +3

    ❤ great video , wasn’t there a line in Amadeus the movie, the guy said: “too many notes”

  • @kencory2476
    @kencory2476 3 місяці тому +1

    You made me cry.

    • @kencory2476
      @kencory2476 3 місяці тому

      Those are my four notes.

  • @anled.composition
    @anled.composition 3 місяці тому +3

    Thanks for sharing !

  • @mariojosepr
    @mariojosepr 3 місяці тому +2

    I really enjoyed watching this video!

  • @extremadrummer
    @extremadrummer 4 місяці тому +1

    A Horse With No Name, by America: four notes and two chords (the bass line plays the base of three). It's probably the most simple hit in pop music.

  • @zazoomatt
    @zazoomatt 4 місяці тому +3

    Just starting and been a FAN of you & Adam Nealy since I chose music to help me recover, as I have no premonition of what will come out. Nebula will be SO Fun.

    • @AimeeNolte
      @AimeeNolte  4 місяці тому +2

      Wishing you a quick recovery and I’m glad to make it a bit easier 💙

    • @jesusislukeskywalker4294
      @jesusislukeskywalker4294 3 місяці тому

      🙏❤️☝️ music is the best medicine

  • @s.webbsentell1411
    @s.webbsentell1411 3 місяці тому +2

    ...and yes you are magic! (going to the piano now ;-)

  • @michelmottet6083
    @michelmottet6083 3 місяці тому +3

    Magifique et avec lartition you are the BEST ❤ merci

  • @Joel_Powell
    @Joel_Powell 4 місяці тому +1

    Gosh this is good -
    Now I miss our lessons more than ever....
    Hope you are well Aimee!

  • @davidpatrick1813
    @davidpatrick1813 4 місяці тому +3

    Wow, I am a new subscriber and really was captivated with the content. I am a near newbie to guitar but man this was really moving... and hearing music ... music to my ears ... ... never it irritating. 🙂 pat

    • @jesusislukeskywalker4294
      @jesusislukeskywalker4294 3 місяці тому

      you’ve found a diamond in a coal mine 🔭🐥 it was meant to be ☝️❤️🙏

  • @garyhillman4993
    @garyhillman4993 3 місяці тому +1

    U got a beautiful jazz singing voice Aimee

  • @mamborickyclassicalmusicac4733
    @mamborickyclassicalmusicac4733 3 місяці тому +1

    Wonderful

  • @SheCallsMeTyrone
    @SheCallsMeTyrone 3 місяці тому +2

    great video... my beats have this same 4 note formula... that piano is sweeeet

  • @skyeblueii6355
    @skyeblueii6355 3 місяці тому +2

    very inspiring - thanks Aimee - off to my keyboard now :)

  • @MrSupersidewinder
    @MrSupersidewinder 3 місяці тому +1

    Thank you🎵🎶

  • @StephenMarkTurner
    @StephenMarkTurner 4 місяці тому

    As a youngster, I loved the heavy guitar playing 1 3 5 6 in Joe Cocker's Beatle cover at Woodstock.

  • @hikerJohn
    @hikerJohn 4 місяці тому +2

    It's the rest of the song that makes the motif memorable . . . It's all it takes to trigger the memory and the emotion the song created. I remember watching a TV pop music program in the 1960's (maybe the Loyd Thaksten Show) and teens could name a song by hearing only two notes . . . and on rare occasion only one note.

    • @marfaxa
      @marfaxa 3 місяці тому +1

      name that tune?

    • @hikerJohn
      @hikerJohn 3 місяці тому

      @@marfaxa That was a separate entire show on both Radio and TV starting in the 1950's with adult contestants but the one I'm thinking of was just a 5 minute segment of either Lloyd Thaxton or Dick Clark's American Bandstand.

  • @DeanGroovy
    @DeanGroovy 4 місяці тому

    Theme to Jaws starts with one or two notes, depending on how you slice it. Also, the William Tell Overture starts with one note played 4 times that’s pretty recognizable, I suppose because of the timbre of the trumpets and the rhythm. Funny what sounds stick in our heads.

  • @johnbrown1851
    @johnbrown1851 3 місяці тому

    I heard a thread of "I remember Clifford in your improvisation on Beethoven's 5th. Very beautiful ❤️

  • @KarlLew
    @KarlLew 3 місяці тому +2

    Came for the notes…stayed for the singing❤

  • @Songwriter376
    @Songwriter376 3 місяці тому +1

    Unrelated, but did anyone notice how unhappy and how much pain was on Judy's face in that short singing clip?

  • @arnolddawson5747
    @arnolddawson5747 4 місяці тому +2

    Cool very interesting. Funny just been learning about period and sentence form and how fragments can form new ideas. So strange I then saw this. I like its about practical things to.

  • @johnjacquard863
    @johnjacquard863 3 місяці тому

    yes!

  • @wyattstevens8574
    @wyattstevens8574 4 місяці тому +2

    My brain at 0:35: "The Mandalorian" is a solid example!

  • @russellsketchley8830
    @russellsketchley8830 3 місяці тому

    I knew the four-note guitar intro was going to be "And I Love Her". What else could it be?
    Some four-note motifs from TV themes: Dragnet (originally on radio, but it still applies), the Addams Family, Star Trek (the four notes before, "Space, the final frontier.")

  • @kpmaynard
    @kpmaynard 3 місяці тому

    Thank you!! I wonder how many computers you have created today? This definitely reveals a key concept to creating lovely melodies!! Big hugs for you!! too

  • @ZestonN
    @ZestonN Місяць тому

    There are at least 708 songs that use Pachabel's Progression from Canon in D.
    Even Pachabel wasn't the first to use it.
    So, don't worry if someone else has used "these four notes".
    Because there's only 7 notes in an octave, and they've all been used for thousands of years.😊

  • @MichProgNerd
    @MichProgNerd 3 місяці тому

    It’s All Been Done - Bare-Naked Ladies
    Close to the Edge - Yes
    The instrumental intro to Cuts You Up by Peter Murphy

  • @fromchomleystreet
    @fromchomleystreet 3 місяці тому +1

    Those first four notes in the Billy Joel tune are the same as “Jerusalem” by Hubert Parry.

  • @angelthman1659
    @angelthman1659 23 дні тому

    2:58 I cracked up at your version of Somewhere in Time 😂 Not that it was bad. It was kinda cute, but I laughed.

  • @matthewgoldberg1461
    @matthewgoldberg1461 4 місяці тому +1

    My favorite 3 notes- Johnny Mandel’s Em-i-ly

  • @SurferJoe1
    @SurferJoe1 3 місяці тому

    According to.a story I read many years ago- and I hope this is right- George Gershwin was playing with those four Beethoven notes, trying to give them an upturn- >one>two>three-^FOUR- to see what he could get from them as a sort of Beethoven parody, when Ira complained that a couple more notes would make it much easier to put a lyric to. So George added those two notes: "The>way>you>wear>your^HAT..."

  • @TresSeaver
    @TresSeaver 3 місяці тому

    Funny, as you played the opening notes of "And So It Goes," I was hearing the "Jerusalem" hymn tune ("And did those feet [in ancient times]"): the suspended chords that follow fit that vibe, too. Who'd'a thought of BJ as a member of the WI?

  • @seancostello7608
    @seancostello7608 3 місяці тому +1

    You should sing more often, Aimee. Your voice is lovely.

    • @AimeeNolte
      @AimeeNolte  3 місяці тому +2

      I have albums out! Ha much thanks to you!

  • @philmann3476
    @philmann3476 3 місяці тому

    "Well, technically it's a motif used to build a theme." Or so I learned from Professor Peter Schickele's color man so long ago.

  • @nowkentapplegate5315
    @nowkentapplegate5315 3 місяці тому

    Beethoven Concerto 1 in C. One note an octave below the same note repeated 2 times. Total 3 if you count rhythm, 2 if you count the octave. Otherwise 1 note.

  • @scottmoquin
    @scottmoquin 3 місяці тому +1

    I live for major7 chords!!!!!

  • @4thMG
    @4thMG 3 місяці тому

    Sergei Prokofiev’s etude No.1 is basically a 2-note interval motif and quite powerful.

  • @gurshulman3169
    @gurshulman3169 3 місяці тому

    the four notes of "Shine On You Crazy Diamond"!!!!!

  • @TheRealSandleford
    @TheRealSandleford 3 місяці тому

    The shirt reminded me of an album cover I guess it was "Soap Opera" kinks is the closest

  • @nobodyofconsequence9930
    @nobodyofconsequence9930 2 місяці тому

    Hi. Love your teaching. Question. As a sax player ( have a piano just for voicing chords , no ability to play it ) would your chord course ( nebula ) make sense to me ? Keep up the great work.

    • @AimeeNolte
      @AimeeNolte  2 місяці тому

      Yeah for sure. It’s two parts - about an hour each. Here’s my code for a 45% discount go.nebula.tv/aimeenolte

  • @mksounds6326
    @mksounds6326 Місяць тому

    Another great video! My only complaint is that it wasn't 2 hours long. And just you singing "What'll I Do".

  • @coreygarrett9545
    @coreygarrett9545 3 місяці тому

    Hard to do a 2 note motif but I can think of one famous one...JAWS!! DUN-DUN...DUN-DUN...

  • @BrunoWiebelt
    @BrunoWiebelt 4 місяці тому +1

    fantastic that you did not come up with smoke on the water like your teaching

  • @carljacobs1287
    @carljacobs1287 3 місяці тому +1

    Jaws! 2 notes!

  • @brassmagic
    @brassmagic 4 місяці тому

    Also amazing what people can do with the same four notes. Billy Joel's "And So It Goes" is so similar to Cyndi Lauper's "True Colors" and yet totally different.

    • @brassmagic
      @brassmagic 4 місяці тому

      (Actually, not sure who wrote "True Colors" --- always assumed it was Lauper.

    • @fromchomleystreet
      @fromchomleystreet 3 місяці тому

      It’s also the same as the hymn “Jerusalem”

  • @mcwulf25
    @mcwulf25 3 місяці тому

    Layla and Smoke on the Water both play around with 4 notes in their intro riffs

  • @reneperrin1628
    @reneperrin1628 4 місяці тому +1

    What is C jam blues? 2 notes. Or 8?

  • @carlosgaspar8447
    @carlosgaspar8447 3 місяці тому +1

    what about the one note samba.

  • @dj_instruments937
    @dj_instruments937 3 місяці тому

    Thought we would get an actual demonstration inside of a DAW of how to apply such a method instead of just rambling. Great gem though!

  • @codetech5598
    @codetech5598 3 місяці тому

    The opening four notes that proceeds "Space the final frontier ..."

  • @SherwinGooch
    @SherwinGooch 3 місяці тому

    12^4 = 20,736 different sequences, and that is without introducing any changes in rhythm.

  • @connshawnery6489
    @connshawnery6489 3 місяці тому +1

    I prefer Arnold Schwarzenegger’s definition of a motif, which is the interval required for someone fleeing successfully into a helicopter.

    • @nickrails
      @nickrails 3 місяці тому +1

      GET.
      TO.
      THE.
      CHOPPA

  • @ernie5229
    @ernie5229 3 місяці тому

    You should really feature your voice more. It is so beautiful and unique.

    • @AimeeNolte
      @AimeeNolte  3 місяці тому

      I have several albums on Spotify. :-) Thanks for your nice comment.

  • @spirosmoutsatsos4590
    @spirosmoutsatsos4590 3 місяці тому

    Very nice thanks
    Do you Do lessons?

    • @AimeeNolte
      @AimeeNolte  3 місяці тому +1

      No I’m afraid not. But I’ve made hundreds of videos on so many topics! :)

    • @spirosmoutsatsos4590
      @spirosmoutsatsos4590 3 місяці тому

      @@AimeeNolte thanks for responding
      God bless you
      Keep the good work going
      Thanks again

  • @johnwebb4499
    @johnwebb4499 3 місяці тому

    I invented a Progression I've never seen used before. It's in Phryg Dom.
    It goes. III, iii, ii, I.
    I call it the Descending Sus.

    • @johnwebb4499
      @johnwebb4499 3 місяці тому

      I was plugging notes into a Midi. Until I created something I liked. I didn't want Fives because they rush you to Resolve. When you play in Phrygian Dominant, you have access to the minor third AND major third at the same time.

    • @johnwebb4499
      @johnwebb4499 3 місяці тому

      You can use Fives ofcourse. But make sure it's inside a Chord.

  • @davidporter7535
    @davidporter7535 3 місяці тому

    Mahler 5 opening?

  • @frabis1
    @frabis1 3 місяці тому

    Yesterday. Three notes, two pitches.

  • @maclayyc
    @maclayyc 3 місяці тому

    Ligeti showed that one note is enough

  • @fromchomleystreet
    @fromchomleystreet 3 місяці тому

    I give you… the “Law and Order” theme music. Two notes. One pitch. No intervals. Does it qualify as a motif? Enough for people to know exactly what cultural reference you’re making when you go “dun-dun”

  • @sieteocho
    @sieteocho 4 місяці тому +1

    Be my baby. Not even notes, mere drumbeats.