I was pondering the fact that much of Joni's music is modal (and, so is what I write, as it turns out.) I also like Pierre Bensusan, and his music is modal with a capital M! I always though the modal nature of Joni's music came from her guitar tunings.
Anyway, I got to thinking about scales, and how Western music uses the chromatic scale. I recall Joni mentioning in an early interview that she listened to Japanese kyoto scales. I don't quite hear that in Joni's early music, although I do hear it in Ellen McIlwaine who grew up in Japan. You can hear that influence in her music, although one would categorize her loosely as blues. Is there a good Web site that compares various scales? Thanks! lots of love Anne
