Ska:Major or Minor?

[Johny-Comes-Lately]

for those who enjoy ska.what type do u actually like listening to?the dark sounds of minor scales ska or the major scales. Im sorry but i rarely see a good ska band that can kick it with minor scales.n most bands now like to take the easy way out by playing catchy poppish tunes.wut do u guys think?

[Skibz McCullock]

Odd question, but for me, at least, it depends on the time period. Most of my favorite Skatalites instrumentals and 2Tone songs are done in minor, but third wave and ska-punk tends to work better in majors.

[King Duncan]

Skibz McCullock said:

Odd question, but for me, at least, it depends on the time period. Most of my favorite Skatalites instrumentals and 2Tone songs are done in minor, but third wave and ska-punk tends to work better in majors.

Beat me to it. Most of my favorite 60s instrumentals are done in minor and/or really odd modes; songs like China Clipper, Inez, etc. Don Drummond mostly wrote minor keyed instrumentals and I typically find these to be the best. So I'm definitely a fan of the minors.

I theorize, at least in my head, minor melodic songs work well with a traditional Ska tempo and arrangement. Of which doesn't translate into later styles of Ska. The above examples I sited have a somber cadence, even if played upbeat and fast. Third Wave, especially the more punkier sounds, just can't cut it. If you're slamming on the snare on 2 and 4 and thrashing around on the cymbals, it sounds like crap. I often find this is why when bands attempt to change up from the typical poppy-major-key-generic-third-wave-sounds-like-every-other-band Ska, they usually end up having to draw from other influences like Swing or Rockabilly or whatever. Truth is, a band can be very diverse within this genre if they choose to be without having to look very far for resources.

Just my two cents.

[oneboycircus]

The best songs have both.

ie the Guns of Navarone

[Johny-Comes-Lately]

owh..feel free to download the tracks below..just to share with u guys how we sound like..its free :)

[Johny-Comes-Lately]

owh..feel free to download the tracks below..just to share with u guys how we sound like..the songs are the examples on how we try to bring minor in the 3rd wave.have a listen and tell us wut u tink..tq

[Skibz McCullock]

King Duncan said:

I theorize, at least in my head, minor melodic songs work well with a traditional Ska tempo and arrangement. Of which doesn't translate into later styles of Ska. The above examples I sited have a somber cadence, even if played upbeat and fast. Third Wave, especially the more punkier sounds, just can't cut it. If you're slamming on the snare on 2 and 4 and thrashing around on the cymbals, it sounds like crap. I often find this is why when bands attempt to change up from the typical poppy-major-key-generic-third-wave-sounds-like-every-other-band Ska, they usually end up having to draw from other influences like Swing or Rockabilly or whatever. Truth is, a band can be very diverse within this genre if they choose to be without having to look very far for resources.

It can be pulled off in third wave, of course...mostly when it's done in a steady 2Tone rhythm, but it can be done, and it sometimes works in ska punk...one song that instantly comes to mind is the Cherry Poppin' Daddies' "Don Quixote", which is entirely in minors but it's one of the most kick-ass ska-core songs I've ever heard.

I don't really think about such things, though...whenever a ska song comes on, I don't automatically think "oh, that's in minor keys" or "I wish they'd play something in majors!". I guess it's a legitimate question, but my concern usually lies with the basic tempo and rhythm.

[Simon]

i to be honest dont actualy know the difference. all i know is if a tune makes me tap my feet, then i like it. and if it dont, then its going out the window!

[Owen Sikes]

I'd have to agree with that :)

Simon said:

i to be honest dont actualy know the difference. all i know is if a tune makes me tap my feet, then i like it. and if it dont, then its going out the window!

[Skibz McCullock]

I guess such a thing is only discernible by musicians?

As a reference, here are a few Skatalites songs done in...
Minor keys - "Silver Dollar"
and
Major keys - "Ball of Fire"

You may not even notice a difference...it's subtle, and, like I said earlier, the tempo and rhythm usually have dominance over such matters.

[Johny-Comes-Lately]

i think the difference is definitely noticable in form of the feel of the song.in general, the use are just to express the mood of the songs.minor keyed songs gives more impact for us in terms of song writing.it gives you that dark feeling which gives more impact on the songs. skatalites definitely have used both major and minor keys in their songs.try listening to ska boss and guns of navarone.u'll notice the mood of the songs changes drastically and that gives it a great sound.

[Simon]

yeh i think your right about the musician thing skibz. although i hear a diference in the two songs, i couldnt actualy tell you what it is im hearing different.
by the way, great choices with the examples!

[Daniel Runyan]

Skibz McCullock said:

Odd question, but for me, at least, it depends on the time period. Most of my favorite Skatalites instrumentals and 2Tone songs are done in minor, but third wave and ska-punk tends to work better in majors.

I'm a big fan of the minor sounds of older instrumental ska of the 60's. I want to cover some old 50's Japanese SGI marches that are all in minor keys. They would work seamlessly with the old 60's "rim shot" traditional ska rhythms.

Cheers,
Daniel