A Breakdown of Frank Zappa's "Alien Orifice"

Taking a look at Frank Zappa's incredible composition, "Alien Orifice" and trying to examine the compositional techniques he uses. I also show how the tune differs between recordings (there are actually a lot more differences than you'd think).

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Stuff I talk about in this vid:

0:00 Intro
0:53 Chords
2:28 Modal Center Switching
3:43 m7/M7 Half-Step Movement
7:10 Constant/Deviation
10:14 Common Tones
11:30 Main Theme Melody
19:28 Nested Tuplets
20:36 How Is The Theme Presented?
21:16 Bass Ostinato
22:35 Main Theme Harmony
24:20 First Solo
27:00 Pre-Guitar Solo Interlude
30:37 Guitar Solo
45:41 Post-Guitar Solo Interlude
57:14 Demystifying FZ's Odd Time Phrases
1:00:17 Post-Guitar Solo Interlude (pt. II)
1:11:57 Section C
1:27:17 Final Main Theme
1:34:05 Outro

I'm also really stupid and misspelled "demystifying"... apologies for that haha. It's also an "F" not a "G" at 1:25:17, rendering my stale observation completely inapplicable. The slide should also say "Bb Whole/Half" instead of "Bb Half/Whole" at 1:32:22. Thanks to Emil for pointing those out!

Stuff I reference in this vid:

Hawaiian Punch Jingle -    • Hawaiian Punch  
The Drummers of Frank Zappa -    • The Drummers of Frank Zappa  
FZ conducting "Integrales" -    • Frank Zappa conducts Edgar Varèse - I...  
FZ interview (how melody works) -    • Frank Zappa - How Melody Works in Music  
"Alien Orifice" (Steve Vai demo) -    • Steve Vai - Alien Orifice (Zappa cove...  
Tempo Mental (Steve Vai article) - https://www.vai.com/tempo-mental/
Stupid Awful Mezzo Jazz Intro Vid -    • Mezzo - Jazz Introduction  
"RDNZL" rehearsal in Australia -    • Frank Zappa (VIDEO) / Mothers / Jean ...  
"Alien Orifice" '84 -    • Zappa Halloween NY '84 - "Alien Orifi...  
"Purple Haze" - Jimi Hendrix    • Jimi Hendrix  Purple Haze  Live  lyrics  
Tommy Mars Interview (minor lydian) -    • Tommy Mars interview, ex Zappa bandme...  
The Frank Zappa Guitar Book - https://amzn.to/377xfKl
"Lady Bird" performance by Dexter Gordon -    • Dexter Gordon -Lady Bird  (Belgium, 1...  
"Pools" by Steps Ahead    • Steps Ahead - Pools (Live at Copenhagen)  
"Magic Fingers" (200 Motels) -    • Frank Zappa Magic Fingers (200 Motels...  
"Octandre" by Edgard Varese    • Edgard Varèse - Octandre  
"Take The A Train" performance by Mingus w/ Eric Dolphy - https://bit.ly/2V20JDL
Brett Clement's writings - https://ballstate.academia.edu/BrettC...
Ruth Underwood on sus2 -    • Third-to-second: Ruth shares a secret...  
Bizarre World of FZ (#2) -    • BIZARRE WORLD OF FRANK ZAPPA - No. 2 ...  
Royal March from L'Histoire du Soldat -    • L'Histoire du Soldat - Suite: The Roy...  
FZ "Musician" Interview - https://www.afka.net/Articles/1979-08...

If you want to listen to the outro song in full -    • Видео  

I'm available for zoom/skype (or in person if you live in Maryland) lessons! Feel free to shoot me a message if you want to learn guitar, bass or how to make really corny midi versions of Zappa tunes either on Instagram or at [email protected].

Thanks to:
Brett Clement because I basically copied what he says
Samuel R. Howard because I basically copied his idea and style of talking about FZ's music
Adam Rooner for helping me with sound
My wife for doing an impression of the elevator in our apartment that says "going up"