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Sporting Event Melodies

The biggest sing-alongs on Earth are found at sporting events. Accompanied by a sparse hammond organ, thousands of people sing simple intervals and clap various 4/4 rhythms, albeit in a thousand different keys and at a thousand different tempos. This one’s my favorite. Drag over the black stemmed noteheads.

 

“Asshole” is a minor third interval, meaning there are three steps between the B-flat “Ass” and the G “Hole”. The singing of minor third intervals in mocking fashion, such as Na na na na Poo Poo or Farted On, can ultimately be traced back to the 18th century children’s song “Ring Around the Rosie”.

Another mocking minor third is found in the basketball chant “Defense.”
Drag over them noteheads…

“Defense” is usually followed by a three beat “cha cha cha”. This feel and tempo is also found in the 4/4 beat of the Bay City Roller’s song “Saturday“.

Another popular stomp and clap rhythm is Queen’s “We Will Rock You”. It has a classic 4/4 “boom boom pah” beat.

Baseball features this little call and answer song, arranged for Hammond organ and a thousand screamoes.

The basketball analogue of “Charge” is found in the “Sucks” melody below.

Now, Scotty Pippen in no way sucks. He’s made so many clutch shots and buzzer-beaters that the above widget should be ashamed.

Finally, we have the “Wave.” The audience wave involves thousands of people emulating an oscillating sine wave traveling through a thick fleshy medium, while singing sweet sine waves gliding up and down an octave, known as portamento.

I like Sports.