Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Entertainment/2008 June 10

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June 10

"Unequal"

It is now well-accepted that of the two primary tuning systems in gamelan music, slendro and pelog, only slendro somewhat resembles five-tone equal temperament while pelog is highly unequal; however, Surjodiningrat et al. (1972) has analyzed pelog as a seven-note subset of nine-tone equal temperament.

— http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Equal_temperament#5_and_7_tone_temperaments_in_ethnomusicology

What does "unequal" mean?68.148.164.166 (talk) 11:03, 3 June 2008 (UTC)

As equal temperament is "...a system of tuning in which every pair of adjacent notes has an identical frequency ratio.", I would expect unequal to not include identical ratios between notes. I am not clear on whether this "unequal" refers to the tuning of the notes or simply the way the modes are constructed (using only 5 of the seven possible notes). Since the tuning of gamelans is so variable, I suspect the unequal may refer to the mode construction. Rmhermen (talk) 13:59, 3 June 2008 (UTC)

Then what does "tuning systems" mean

It is now well-accepted that of the two primary tuning systems in gamelan music, slendro and pelog, only slendro somewhat resembles five-tone equal temperament while pelog is highly unequal; however, Surjodiningrat et al. (1972) has analyzed pelog as a seven-note subset of nine-tone equal temperament.

— http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Equal_temperament#5_and_7_tone_temperaments_in_ethnomusicology

?68.148.164.166 (talk) 20:27, 9 June 2008 (UTC)68.148.164.166 (talk) 20:28, 9 June 2008 (UTC)

Please stop cutting and pasting the reference desk and archives. --LarryMac | Talk 20:29, 9 June 2008 (UTC)

68.148, how familiar are you with standard western music? If you think of a keyboard instrument, like a piano, the modern tuning system used for it (an equal temperament) means that all intervals between adjacent notes (like between B and C, or between C and C#) are semitones and are equal to each other. You can play a variety of different modes and scales on these notes, such as C major or F minor. These modes and scales will not tend to use all the available notes on the keyboard. There are tuning systems different from the normal western system used on keyboards you've probably encountered, where the intervals between adjacent notes are not equal; these tend to sound weird and 'out-of-tune' to someone used to equal temperament. There are also modes that can be played in which the notes in the scale are all the same interval apart, and others in which the intervals vary (like in major and minor scales). This is what I believe Rmhermen was referring to. 79.74.56.70 (talk) 18:06, 10 June 2008 (UTC)

What Article?

I once found an article on the "defining(?)" songs from artists, like "Teen Spirit" from Nirvana, does anyone know which article this is? I would like to find it. Thank you. 71.125.123.95 (talk) —Preceding comment was added at 04:41, 10 June 2008 (UTC)

Signature song, perhaps? Deor (talk) 13:11, 10 June 2008 (UTC)

Science-fiction story Penicillin

Where can I find the science-fiction story Penicillin? I read it some years back, but I don't remember the name of the author :-( --Masatran (talk) 07:33, 10 June 2008 (UTC)

This may be of help. --Endless Dan 14:41, 10 June 2008 (UTC)

There's also this story: "They’ve Got Bread Mold, So Why Can’t They Make Penicillin?" by Robert Gottlief. ···日本穣^{? · Talk to Nihonjoe} 15:20, 10 June 2008 (UTC)

I immediately thought of Isaac Asimov. Could you be referring to "Breeds There a Man...?" Clarityfiend (talk) 19:32, 10 June 2008 (UTC)

Didn't you ask the same question last year? [1] Exxolon (talk) 21:16, 14 June 2008 (UTC)

Italian scripts for Star Trek: TNG and DS9

I am currently using the DVD boxes of Star Trek: Next Generation and Deep Space 9 to practice my Italian (yeah, I know...there are lots of wonderful Italian movies out there which I could watch instead, but I have those DVD boxes anyway, and the Italian translations are reasonably well done). While watching the episodes, I have often wished I had the scripts of the Italian versions to check some words and phrases I don't understand, but I have only been able to find the original English-language scripts. Does anyone know if the Italian scripts are available somewhere? A website which had all the scripts for free would be preferred, of course, but I'd also be willing to pay a reasonable amount for a book or CD-ROM version. -- Ferkelparade π 08:14, 10 June 2008 (UTC)

If you only need the subtitles, can't you just rip the Italian subtitles from the DVDs? --Wirbelwindヴィルヴェルヴィント (talk) 18:34, 10 June 2008 (UTC)

The problem is that the Italian subtitles do not really match the Italian dialogue - they are often shortened quite a bit and in some cases are quite a bit different from what the actors actually say. I haven't tested that theory, but I suspect that the subtitles were created separately and more closely match the English dialogue than the Italian spoken text. So no, the subtitles won't help me with understanding what the actors are actually saying word by word, which is what I want to achieve (but thanks for the idea) -- Ferkelparade π 18:48, 10 June 2008 (UTC)

Ah, I know what you mean. It's similar to the situation in most anime DVDs I see where you get two spoken languages, but often the subtitles are just closed captioning of the English spoken track instead of a translation of the Japanese track. In that case, I wonder if sites with subtitle files would have Italian subs translated maybe before it was released in Italy, but the legality is questionable. --Wirbelwindヴィルヴェルヴィント (talk) 21:16, 10 June 2008 (UTC)

TV Show involving time travel in order to find crystals/orbs

I remember this show from the 90's and it was about some teenage boy who found a fairly large crystal, somwhere between a cricket and soccer/football ball in size, and he was then chased by a black man in a red robotic suit. He was then saved by a oldish white guy, late 40's early 50's, and whisked away through time in his spaceship on a quest for more of these crystals. I remember that they travelled to past, i think, and met up with a teenage girl with dark hair who had two knives and a skirt similar to Xena only longer.

I think those were the main reoccuring characters; the boy, the old guy, the knife girl and the black guy in a robot suit.

I also remember a major plot twist where the old man turned out to be the villian and the black guy to be the hero and the girl and boy ally with him to fight the old man through time for the crystals.

I also believe that the show was British, although this may not be true, as the black man looked british in my memory, not american. Ytokes (talk) 11:53, 10 June 2008 (UTC)

Land of the Lost? — PhilHibbs | talk 19:42, 10 June 2008 (UTC)

Roman Numerals at the end of programmes

Why do the end of programmes use roman numerals instead of traditional numbering? --88.104.168.149 (talk) 15:54, 10 June 2008 (UTC)

According to our article on Roman numerals, it has to do with tradition from 17th century publishing. Not sure how accurate it is, since it's not sourced. --Wirbelwindヴィルヴェルヴィント (talk) 18:26, 10 June 2008 (UTC)

Thanks. --88.104.168.149 (talk) 18:29, 10 June 2008 (UTC)

And it's harder to know how old the program is at first glance. Julia Rossi (talk) 07:56, 11 June 2008 (UTC)

I've noticed this practice is giving way to normal (Arabic) numerals, and none-to-soon for me. StuRat (talk) 13:58, 13 June 2008 (UTC)

South Park

I recall an episode of South Park where Eric Cartman sings I Don't Want to Wait by Paula Cole throughout the episode. Which episode was this? --Endless Dan 17:38, 10 June 2008 (UTC)

He's sang or hummed the song in I'm a Little Bit Country and Trapper Keeper, but I would guess you were looking for the latter. --Wirbelwindヴィルヴェルヴィント (talk) 18:27, 10 June 2008 (UTC)

Thanks! --Endless Dan 19:07, 10 June 2008 (UTC)

Symphonic ORCHESTRA rock

Hi, I've been snooping around for a while looking for Rock/Metal bands and albums which feature performances with real, full symphony orchestras. I have found a few of these, and I'm wondering if there are more. Sadly, Symphonic metal bands most usually use synthesizers for orchestra instruments, so I wouldn't be asking for things like that (but hopefully some do use real orchestras?). I also checked out the Symphonic rock albums category, but after browsing the albums, I found out most of them only include a few classical instruments or orchestras only as brief acts or interludes (if I'm wrong about this, please tell me). Anyways, here's the list I've gotten so far (in no particular order):

• Moment of Glory by Scorpions (LOVE this one)
• S&M by Metallica
• Time and a Word by Yes
• Magnification by Yes
• All albums by Trans-Siberian Orchestra
• Lingua Mortis by Rage
• Dies Irae by Devil Doll (not so sure about this one)
• Concerto for Group and Orchestra by Jon Lord (and maybe some others by him but I don't know which ones)

I'd appreciate it if someone could tell me of other bands or albums of this nature. Thanks in advance, Kreachure (talk) 18:31, 10 June 2008 (UTC)

Journey to the Center of the Earth and Return to the Centre of the Earth. Someoneinmyheadbutit'snotme (talk) 19:46, 10 June 2008 (UTC)

Octavarium by Dream Theater and the DVD from its tour, Score. --Russoc4 (talk) 23:45, 10 June 2008 (UTC)

How about S&M by Metallica (recorded with the San Francisco Symphony]], and Procol Harum Live with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra? Adam Bishop (talk) 04:19, 11 June 2008 (UTC) —Preceding unsigned comment added by 205.210.170.49 (talk)

Most of No Quarter: Jimmy Page and Robert Plant Unledded was performed with a full orchestra. Matt Deres (talk) 15:11, 11 June 2008 (UTC)

Thanks all. I also found several other albums by Rage which were recorded with Symphony orchestras: Speak of the Dead, Metal meets Classic (DVD/live), In Vain I-III, and XIII. Keep them coming if you know of more bands/albums, please! Kreachure (talk) 16:17, 11 June 2008 (UTC)

just off the top of my head, I remember Silverchair did a song (or possibly songs) with an orchestra live and recorded. I believe it was during their 3 or 4 album. Also, Sigur Ros records and tours with a string quartet (who also records and tours on their own).

12.155.80.115 (talk) 17:09, 11 June 2008 (UTC)

Wasn't there a Beatles song that qualifies ? StuRat (talk) 13:54, 13 June 2008 (UTC)

How do I find Lester Novros' textbook?

From what I can tell Lester Novros (former animator and USC Cinema professor) wrote a textbook called "Filmic Expression" based on his lectures at USC. I am extremely intrigued by this book. It is referenced in both his bio and the Pure Cinema article. However, I have been unable to find it. If anyone out there knows where it might be, I would appreciate your help. Thank you for your time. Joseph J. Rutchik 19:41, 10 June 2008 (UTC)

Songs aimed at a female audience

According to Alice Cooper on the Planet Rock breakfast shows, there's a term in the music industry for songs that specifically appeal to a female audience, as that significantly increases the market for the song, but couldn't broadcast the term on national radio. It's clearly a rude term and probably disrespectful to women, but I'm curious what it is. Does anyone know? Feel free to provide a link in order to keep this forum family-friendly, and please don't just post speculation. — PhilHibbs | talk 19:49, 10 June 2008 (UTC)

I've heard the terms "chick rock" or "chick metal", but I can't verify that those are music industry terms. --Endless Dan 12:47, 12 June 2008 (UTC)

I would guess it's a good deal more rude than those. StuRat (talk) 13:51, 13 June 2008 (UTC)

name of an album by Enrique Iglesias

Somebody knows the name of a album by Enrique Iglesias that features the songs "Quizás", "Mentiroso", "Para Qué La Vida" and "La Chica de Ayer"? David Pro (talk) 21:43, 10 June 2008 (UTC)

Quizás --Deor (talk) 21:53, 10 June 2008 (UTC)

Chayanne

Somebody knows where can I find the music video for the Chayanne song "Volver a Nacer"? David Pro (talk) 22:14, 10 June 2008 (UTC)

Here. David Pro (talk) 22:28, 10 June 2008 (UTC)