When you think of great music, you usually picture catchy melodies, complex chords, and big dynamic shifts. But what if a song only had one note? Sounds impossible, right?
Well, not really. Check out this video which recently captured my imagination. For the impatient among you it will start playing right where he plays the flute, but I recommend rewinding and listening to the entire short segment.
In the video Francis Bebey—a legendary Cameroonian musician—talks about the n'dehou, a one-note bamboo flute played by Central African Pygmies. Yep, it plays just one note. But somehow, it’s still incredibly expressive and captivating.
As he explains this tradition involves rhythm, breath control, and tone. Instead of changing notes, the player shapes the sound by varying their breathing, adding subtle articulations, and playing around with timing. It’s hypnotic, almost trance-like, and proves that music isn’t just about melody—it’s about feel.
And this idea isn’t unique to the n’dehou. Think about bagpipes, techno beats, and of course many of the blues greats.
I have always loved the ability of great musicians to captivate while playing something seemingly incredibly simple. Seeing John Lee Hooker in The Blues Brothers for the very first time was world changing. I rushed out of the cinema and bought my first of many albums.
Francis Bebey’s explanation of the n'dehou and seeing John Lee Hooker play is a cool reminder that music isn’t just about what notes you play—it’s about how you play them. Sometimes, one note is more than enough.
