146. FRANK ZAPPA: Mother People

A detailed analysis of the above Frank Zappa composition, including notated musical examples.

Mother People

LYRICS

Other Official Versions:

Mothermania (1969)
The Lumpy Money Project/Object (2009)

What time is that in, man? a very FAQ! So, man, here's the answer:

TEMPO 1

Bars 1-3: 3/4
Bars 4-5: 3/16
Bar 6: 3/8
Bar 7: 3/4
Bars 8-9: 3/16
Bar 10: 3/8
Bars 11-14: 3/4
Bars 15-16: 3/16
Bar 17: 3/8
Bar 18: 3/4
Bars 19-20: 3/16
Bar 21: 3/8
Bar 22: 3/4

TEMPO 2

Bar 23: 6/8
Bars 24-25: 9/8
Bar 26: 12/8
Bar 27: 7/8
Bar 28: 12/8

TEMPO 3

Bars 29-30: 7/8
Bars 31-32: 4/4

TEMPO 2

Bar 33: 12/8
Bar 34: 7/8
Bar 35: 12/8

TEMPO 3

Bars 36-37: 7/8
Bars 38-39: 4/4

TEMPO 1

Bars 40-42: 3/4
Bars 43-44: 3/16
Bar 45: 3/8
Bar 46: 3/4
Bars 47-48: 3/16
Bar 49: 3/8
Bars 50-53: 3/4
Bars 54-55: 3/16
Bar 56: 3/8
Bar 57: 3/4
Bars 58-59: 3/16
Bar 60: 3/8
Bar 61: 3/4

TEMPO 2

Bar 62: 6/8
Bars 63-64: 9/8
Bar 65: 12/8
Bar 66: 5/8

Notes: Bars 23 and 59 start with two JCB 1/8th-notes.
Bars 31 and 38 are subdivided (3-3-2).
Bar 63 has a short fermata on the fifth beat.
1:40
A shorter section of turntable arm-dragging than before, but extremely effective is followed by a beautiful orchestral excerpt.
First we hear a plaintive English Horn accompanied by low strings; a clarinet adds a tender lick (which will be re-used in Lumpy Gravy!)

2:02

A gorgeous, very typical, FZ phrase follows in Mandolin and Bells and then
Another double bar!
Let me take a minute
Tempo 3 above
Segue to

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