Classical Composer Reacts to Firth of Fifth (Genesis) | The Daily Doug (Episode 151)

#Genesis #FirthOfFifth #GenesisReaction #FirthOfFifthReaction

In this episode of #TheDailyDoug, I'm reacting to Firth of Fifth by Genesis. This is one of the more profound pieces of popular music that I've ever come across. Awesome stuff! Come along for the ride with lots of music theory breakdown!

[ElektrikHob]

That's my video transcription! (or "little piano version" as you quaintly put it) 🙂 Thanks for linking to me in the above info 👍
Being a classically trained piano player, I thoroughly enjoyed your analysis, though I wish you wouldn't keep saying 'A' in front of "Firth of Fifth" 😂

[nicksundby]

Back in the 70's we thought it was normal for music to be this good

[CARambolagen]

Not just this song, the whole album is a masterpiece...

[thejma]

Firth of Fifth is a masterpiece, the keyboard part and the guitar solo are sublime, touching the soul

[robertl]

The genius of Anthony Banks, the master of melody, the soundtrack of my life. I am so grateful to have lived in the same era as Genesis.

[philmacari]

I was born and bred on the Firth of Forth and am a Fifer (a firth is a Scottish word for a Fjord/Estuary). I discovered the joys of Genesis and Firth of Fifth a time ago as a wee teenage Fifer. And now I am a Firth of Fifth Fifer Lifer.

[steeleye]

One of the greatest songs ever written. Simple as that.

[Nikioko]

Always keep in mind: They were 23 when this was released.

[jean-francoisrobitaille]

I was playing guitar in this band and we were looking for a keyboard player. This 16 years old kid arrived with this awesome synth rig. We asked him what he could play... He turned around and played the keyboard solo of Firth of Fifth with such precision... he got the gig. Thanks to him, we got to a 27 minutes Genesis medley that is today still of one of my most satisfying musical experience more than 25 years later.

[cafinario]

Nobody will mention Steve Hackett here??!! He is huge, the Melody, the pace and the sound come together to produce pure beauty. One of the best guitars ever.

[espojespo]

This song is pure goosebumps. A true masterwork!

[spanishpeaches]

Steve Hackett's control on the guitar solo is quite brilliant and sublime.

[ianbenhamou]

Great harmonic analysis of this. I’ve been performing this song with The Musical Box for the past few years and I’m constantly amazed at all the seamless transitions and modulations to seemingly far away key areas. One thing to note with the history of this song is that it started as 3 separate song ideas from Banks. He had the piano intro in Bb, he had the flute solo in Em, and he had that chord progression from the verse in B. When he presented them to the band someone suggested to combine them into one song. Banks then proceeded to modifiy the ending of the intro and write new transitional ideas to modulate between the sections. To me it’s absolutely brilliant to be able to navigate unrelated key areas so seamlessly and naturally. Every arrival to a new key feels completely natural and musical.

[rkgator]

LOVE the way Phil Collins plays and augments the melodies. So subtle and nuanced, just as the whole piece is. The percussion elevates the entire band. Genius ensemble.

[marcoscamargo]

For me, this is the best piano intro in a song ever achieved by any other musical group. I consider it perfect and unsurpassed. Every time, it brings inexplicable breadth and satisfaction. A wonderful masterpiece composed by keyboard genius Anthony Banks. Thank you! 👋🏻🇧🇷👍🏻

[maddog]

I love seeing an expert from a different musical discipline so engrossed and absorbed by one of my favourite pieces of music. Educational and enlightening

[JoriDiculous]

Selling England by the Pounds is a brilliant album. Thanks for doing this number :)

[TheTilepile]

“Cinema Show” by Genesis is a must. You do have to chase it with “Aisle of Plenty” as well. I’ve seen The Musical Box perform it and they always play it to perfection. I saw Steve Hackett’s band perform it and it might have been the greatest thing I’ve ever seen.

[russellcraft]

I love hearing someone say a Genesis epic is too short. :-)

[gordongraham]

I first heard this piece at the age of 17 when I bought the album Selling England by the Pound. I am now 62!
I was also speechless having discovered that a whole new approach to writing music existed within the context of a rock band format. I remember have a profound moment listening to the album and then coming out of my bedroom and explaining to my parents that "I have just discovered this 'new band' and its like nothing I have ever heard before"!

Although there were several other emerging prog bands Genesis as an ensemble were able to merge the power of 'rock, the mysticism of medieval English folk-music within a classical structure. Tony Banks is a genius along with the rest of the original lineup. It their collect strength and vision which made them stand out from many others.
I am forever grateful for having stumbled upon this band as my life would have shallow without them.
It opened my compositional skills and gave me a great appreciation of what we create with this incredible thing we call 'music'!