This viral demonstration isn’t just a party trick.
It shows how music is hardwired into all our brains: how music is hardwired into all our brains.
Thanks to creative force Rae Price for demonstrating this to our family!
Watch “Bobby McFerrin Demo the Pentatonic Scale”
You can watch it for free on YouTube by clicking the video embed above.
Or, the Ted Talk people (who seemed to like the video so much they re-released it) have the same video here.
Ratings:
- My Rating: 90/100
- IMDB Rating: na
- Rotten Tomatoes Ratings: na
Release Date: June 12, 2009 (the date he performed); July 23, 2009 (the date the World Science Festival released it).
Highlights
Bobby McFerrin’s viral demonstration of the pentatonic scale isn’t just a party trick—it’s a profound look at how music is hardwired into our brains.
In just minutes, McFerrin uses nothing but his voice, movement, and the audience’s intuition to create an unbroken flow of melody.
This proves that music is universal and instinctual.
The Setup
This moment takes place June 12, 2009 during “Notes & Neurons: In Search of the Common Chorus,” a World Science Festival event blending music and neuroscience.
Bobby McFerrin—best known for his global hit Don’t Worry, Be Happy—leads a packed auditorium in singing the pentatonic scale.
But here’s the kicker: he doesn’t teach them the notes.
Instead, he moves across the stage, jumping between invisible “notes” in the air, and the audience just gets it.
You Can’t Make This Sh*t Up
The audience spontaneously fills in the missing notes, following his cues without hesitation.
Even when McFerrin steps outside the bounds of the tonic, they still instinctively land on the correct pitches.
It’s not rehearsed—it’s raw, subconscious cooperation, as if the scale is encoded in their DNA.
Why It Works
The pentatonic scale is deceptively simple: five notes, no tension, no dissonance.
As neuroscientist Daniel Levitin points out, its structure makes it universally easy to grasp.
McFerrin demos this by interacting with audiences worldwide, who react the same way regardless of culture or background.
It’s a stunning example of how deeply music connects us all.
A (Fun) Genius at Work
What makes this performance extra fun is McFerrin’s charisma and control.
At one point, he playfully does the splits mid-demonstration, earning laughter before seamlessly refocusing the crowd.
His ability to blend humor with profound artistry shows why he’s considered a musical genius.
The clip also highlights how science and art can merge beautifully.
McFerrin’s collaboration with neuroscientists explores the ways music taps into shared human traits, bridging the gap between individuals and cultures.
Wrap Up
I believe McFerrin’s pentatonic scale demo is the best musical experiment captured on video.
Whether you’re a music nerd or a casual listener, this clip will leave you smiling and humming—and marveling at the power of human connection.
Thanks for reading!
Rob Kelly, Chief Maniac, Daily Doc