Ethan Teaches You Music Podcast Watermelon Man
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May 10, 2025 Explore the rich journey behind the creation of 'Watermelon Man,' a jazz standard that has shaped the landscape of funk and hip-hop. Delve into its rhythmic structure and cultural significance. The discussion also tackles the ethics of music sampling, revealing how traditional influences intersect with modern interpretations. As the internet reshapes musical connections, the episode raises important questions about representation in music and the implications of sharing cultural expressions.
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Herbie Hancock's Early Hit
- Herbie Hancock wrote Watermelon Man early in his career as a catchy tune to draw listeners in.
- Even when motivated by cynicism, Herbie produces historically significant, iconic music.
Inspiration Behind Watermelon Man
- Herbie Hancock was inspired by a watermelon man in Chicago's alleys and the rhythm of a horse-drawn wagon on cobblestones.
- He imagined ladies calling out to the watermelon man, capturing this vibe in the tune.
Structural Ambiguity in Tune
- Watermelon Man is a 12-bar blues with bars 9 and 10 repeated three times, creating formal ambiguity.
- This ambiguity makes it unclear when a phrase ends, exploited in many subsequent recordings.