Pretty Ballerina - The Left Banke (1967) - Performance by Mike Evans

Download Free Sheet Music from my website at https://classicsongspianobar.com/sheet-music-downloads/ All sheet music is free This is a unique song. I remember hearing it on the local AM radio station in early 1967, at the age of seven and finding it to have an unusual sound. During formal music studies in music graudate school 20 years later that the melody (both voice and piano) employs a lydian dominant mode (or scale), which I have never heard another song using as it's melodic motive. The term "lydian dominant mode" is not complicated when compared to a major scale. Many, many songs are based on a major scale. An example of a major scale melody is the Christmas Carol, "Joy to the World," which is descending (or backwards). A lydian dominant mode is simply a major scale with the fourth note sharped and the seventh note flatted. What is an uncommon feature of the lydian dominant mode is the fact that once can hold any note and the music still sounds good (consonant). This is not true of a major acale or any other scale in common use. To my ears, the use of the lydian domant mode in "Pretty Ballerina" is haunting, mesmerizing and wistful. Michael Brown created something unique in the history of popular music. I welcome anyone who can identify another song that uses this mode as its melody. "Pretty Ballerina" which I have heard since the age of seven is one of my all time favorite songs. It is out of both respect and mystique for Michael Brown's artisttry that this is among the most memorable songs I have ever known, and for this reason I have sought to apply every detail possible on piano. Finally, it is sobering that now every member of the Left Banke has left this planet. It is also wonderful that recorded music keeps each of them alive in the minds and hearts of their fans and admirers. I highly recommend listening to a compilation of their most well known songs: "There's Gonna be a Storm." My gratitude to each and every member of the Left Banke.

Added 7 Oct 2026