The Three Most Famous Notes In Music

[troubadour]

At the Stranglers gig on Friday, JJ played the first three notes of Peaches and then stopped. Obviously everyone recognised it and cheered.

When the cheering died down he said they are the three most famous notes in music. Cheers again.

Then, perhaps in an attempt not to appear immodest (and showing that maths possibly isn't his strong suit) he said except ta-ta-ta-taaaaa (Beethoven's 5th).

Anyway it got me thinking, what other songs are instantly recognisable from three (plus or minus one) notes?

[CamdenRob]

Three blind mice?

[Hobbayne]

[quote name='CamdenRob' timestamp='1467730256' post='3085692']
Three blind mice?
[/quote]

Is also the intro to Atomic by Blondie.

[Ghost_Bass]

- Smoke Under Water
- Smells Like Teen Spirit
- Highway to Hell

[phil.c60]

[quote name='Ghost_Bass' timestamp='1467730368' post='3085696']
- Smoke Under Water
- Smells Like Teen Spirit
- Highway to Hell
[/quote][

Errrm - "Smoke [i]On The[/i] Water", surely.

[CamdenRob]

[quote name='Hobbayne' timestamp='1467730356' post='3085695']


Is also the intro to Atomic by Blondie.
[/quote]

Yes I remember the lawsuit... Bitter stuff...

[Ghost_Bass]

[quote name='phil.c60' timestamp='1467730558' post='3085701']
[

Errrm - "Smoke [i]On The[/i] Water", surely.
[/quote]

Probably... Don't mind me, i'm not myself today. Cheers

[JimBobTTD]

Rolling Stones and Satisfaction, I would say.

[Number6]

Whole lotta love.....

[stingrayPete1977]

Most people could recognise jaws from the note and note length of the first note, I'll name it in one!

[ColinB]

A Hard Day's Night

[joey1234]

I think it depends on your favourite music, for instance I would hear the first three notes of folsom prison blues and know it was that where as other people who have never even heard the name Johnny Cash wouldn't. So I think it would be really subjective however if I had to choose I would say Twinkle Twinkle (probably need four notes) Most children know that song and it stays with you.

Although f one was to play ace of spades to my kids they would get it easy

[Ghost_Bass]

[quote name='ColinB' timestamp='1467731119' post='3085714']
A Hard Day's Night
[/quote]

I thought about that one but then there's this:

https://youtu.be/09QJt9MBBUY

https://youtu.be/tPgf_btTFlc

Not the same note but enough to need another note after

[SubsonicSimpleton]

Star wars imperial march and the lttle tune that the aliens in close encounters play must be up there, but I'd stake money on the classic Nokia default ringtone being the most ubiquitous and recognisable as it isn't closely tied to cultural references that might include/exclude certain age groups/interests etc.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7kLNJWTDYA

Edited July 5, 2016 by SubsonicSimpleton

[Rich]

The Chain. Specifically, the 'Formula 1 bit'.

[EliasMooseblaster]

I think it's four notes rather than three, but I expect it will instantly evoke pictures of apes breaking bones in front of an unexplained monolith, and that's the opening phrase from [i]Thus Spake Zarathusthra [/i]by Ricard Strauss.

Look it up and imagine the monkeys.

[KiOgon]

[b]
Pink Floyd - The Dark Side of the Moon[/b]

[bigjimmyc]

[quote name='ColinB' timestamp='1467731119' post='3085714']
A Hard Day's Night
[/quote]+1

[joey1234]

Actually that one from War of the worlds, Dur dur duuuuuuuuuur

[The-Ox]

Baba O'Riley is fairly recognizable

[lowdown]

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1467730863' post='3085708']
Most people could recognise jaws from the note and note length of the first note, I'll name it in one!
[/quote]

It's funny how they can recognise it, yet sing it using a tone interval.
Bizarre....

[skychaserhigh]

Black Sabbath

[Dazed]

The Intel advert.

[lowdown]

[quote name='BlackPrecision' timestamp='1467737707' post='3085789']

[b] [url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4IRMYuE1hI"]Beethoven's 5th[/url][/b]
[/quote]

5th Symphony T-Shirt fail.

[url=https://postimg.org/image/ha160xxer/][/url]

[Urban Bassman]

+1 for the Intel Inside Jingle.

Edited July 5, 2016 by Urban Bassman