Understanding Scales & Modes Made EASY

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  • เผยแพร่เมื่อ 22 พ.ค. 2019
  • I explain the core of all scales, modes, and improvisation in a unique, quick, and easy to understand way.
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    / niknocturnal
    SCALE CHART LINKS:
    / scales-modes-27076995
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    Tuning: Drop D
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    #Guitar #Scales #Lesson
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ความคิดเห็น • 2.4K

  • @NikNocturnal
    @NikNocturnal  5 ปีที่แล้ว +644

    *EDIT* I forgot to add a few notes to the charts segregated positions, here is a FIXED link to the chart: www.patreon.com/posts/scales-modes-27076995
    *UPDATE!: PART 2 is now live, click here to check it out: **th-cam.com/video/31u-0lnLGXQ/w-d-xo.html*

    • @steel3454
      @steel3454 5 ปีที่แล้ว +18

      Nik Nocturnal part 2!!!! This video was awesome!!!!!

    • @asherbraden
      @asherbraden 5 ปีที่แล้ว +10

      A part 2 would be great for sure!

    • @arkavagoswami3068
      @arkavagoswami3068 5 ปีที่แล้ว

      thanks nick,loved the lesson.kindly share some soloing lesson by how to use this scales

    • @hwLUke
      @hwLUke 5 ปีที่แล้ว +8

      part 2 or riot

    • @Puzzleheaded_
      @Puzzleheaded_ 5 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Yes, continue this, very helpful

  • @megaloblabber2948
    @megaloblabber2948 4 ปีที่แล้ว +3082

    Does anyone else run into the problem in music theory that when you learn something it just raises more questions than it answers and you just fall into a deep rabbit hole

    • @MartianDust415
      @MartianDust415 3 ปีที่แล้ว +149

      Thats healthy

    • @noblentnt4217
      @noblentnt4217 3 ปีที่แล้ว +29

      @Cameron probably because he is starting it on the 5th string. Normally it would start on the 10th fret of the 6th string and go from there

    • @Thomas-er9uf
      @Thomas-er9uf 3 ปีที่แล้ว +16

      It makes it easier to communicate knowing the lingo. Like building houses. You can understand it, basically, from looking at a house, but if you can't understand the blueprints, you're probably going to have unwanted problems. Or at least less things to fix on the punch-list.

    • @zvenarschficker6663
      @zvenarschficker6663 2 ปีที่แล้ว +61

      It's the Dunning-Kruger effect. The more you learn, the more you realize how little you actually know. Learning something new, can make you feel completely lost sometimes because you realize how much more there is to it than you thought.

    • @alexbaribeault
      @alexbaribeault 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Always

  • @riccardoc9552
    @riccardoc9552 5 ปีที่แล้ว +2495

    Nik: Talking about all this complicated stuff
    Me: *0-3-5*

    • @javierolvera4190
      @javierolvera4190 5 ปีที่แล้ว +176

      *Rudy has joined the chat*

    • @industrialfansettolow8313
      @industrialfansettolow8313 5 ปีที่แล้ว +78

      Who's the guy who wrote that again? Rufus Adobe?

    • @testicleetus5298
      @testicleetus5298 5 ปีที่แล้ว +39

      @@industrialfansettolow8313 I believe it was Roman AyeLmao

    • @lysergicaciddiethylamide6127
      @lysergicaciddiethylamide6127 5 ปีที่แล้ว +33

      Is this Richard Benson???? Richard Benson, Richard Benson, Richard Benson(boots and pants beat) Richard Benson, Richard Benson.... etc

    • @earthpart3
      @earthpart3 5 ปีที่แล้ว +40

      0-3-5-6-5-3-0

  • @erikaw7767
    @erikaw7767 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2699

    You can tell he has dealt with people who don't understand things lol.

    • @shredbacca
      @shredbacca 3 ปีที่แล้ว +132

      like myself ive watched thus about 5 times now and its still somewhat confusing i think i understand the part how u learn one scale and u can basically play it everywhere but shits still confuses the fuck out of me

    • @erikaw7767
      @erikaw7767 3 ปีที่แล้ว +88

      @@shredbacca just learn one scale really well. Then move onto another.. it will all click. And you will realize that each mode has it's own chord shape... and just sing the intervals when playing. Ones you get all the modes of whatever scale you chose (c major I suggest) keep playing then until you see the repeating patterns all over the neck.. and just realized that you're playing the same notes everywhere you're just starting a different scale with each different note you start Dorian that's next .. D Dorian is the second mode of C in the end on the you're just playing C major but emphasizing d if you were to play e phrygian you're still playing the c major scale but you're emphasizing that ye as your main tone it'll all click one day LOL just know when you have the whole scale up and down the neck you've learned a lot and it'll seem getting overtime but you'll always know how to play in those seven different mode and the overall shape repeats and different key good luck

    • @erikaw7767
      @erikaw7767 3 ปีที่แล้ว +18

      @@shredbacca inshort just don't overcomplicate it that's modes are pretty much telling you what notes will sound good over the chords in the scale if you play a lot and you use your ear it'll all click

    • @daoyang223
      @daoyang223 3 ปีที่แล้ว +62

      I was teaching my cousin how to play guitar over the internet.
      He is 5 years younger than me. I was 17 and in high school at the time.
      I told him "pluck the low E string" and he was like "wait which number string is that?!" and I was like "it's the 6th string, the one closest to you" and he was like "what?!"
      I never taught music over the internet again.

    • @KimKim-mt2bb
      @KimKim-mt2bb 3 ปีที่แล้ว +14

      i know right....at the first, i don't have any fucking idea how this thing works, thanks to nik, he's really a good teacher

  • @teadealer2093
    @teadealer2093 3 ปีที่แล้ว +677

    No wonder this dude is a guitar teacher, he explained literally everything perfectly and I wasn’t confused for even a second.

    • @Loctorak
      @Loctorak ปีที่แล้ว +12

      Almost like he's had prior experience at doing it or something...

    • @UnbeatableAndy
      @UnbeatableAndy ปีที่แล้ว +1

      ​@@Loctorak shut up

    • @anonym9175
      @anonym9175 ปีที่แล้ว +7

      I think he simplified some stuff about the modes and thats perfect. I always got confused. He just says „its about playing them everywhere on the fretboard“ and i take it. No more wasted time on trying to understand stuff. I love him

    • @Corg__
      @Corg__ 11 หลายเดือนก่อน

      2 years later lol but i was bc i was fiddling on my guitar half the time and had to rewatch it, but that isn't his fault lol.

    • @SeeJayPlayGames
      @SeeJayPlayGames 8 หลายเดือนก่อน

      except, instead of starting with major (Ionian) as the first mode, Nik started with minor (Aeolian) which is the sixth mode and then the first "mode" Nik taught was the Locrian mode, the hardest to use and thus least popular mode in music. I get that he does metal and that Aeolian is very important but every once in a while you wanna be happy so you use the Ionian and maybe even Lydian modes (if you want to get movie-grade happy). I'm just used to seeing them taught in this order: Ionian, Dorian, Phrygian, Lydian, Mixolydian, Aeolian, Locrian.
      He's doin' it wrong. A little. Teaching minor scales (Aeolian) is great but it should be made known to us that it's actually the sixth mode ov the relative major scale. Maybe tune to drop C and teach us C major (all the white keys) if you have to, Nik...
      Edit:
      But he's right, in order to teach us all of the modes (in whatever order) would take a separate hour-long video, which I'd be all for. In this video he taught us modifications of the minor scale - harmonic minor and blues - not the actual modes... more like "mods". But he prepared us for moving through the scales in modal fashion. There's also melodic minor, both ascending and descending (which can get confusing) and double harmonic major (think Misirlou) and Nik didn't even touch upon those. But that's some Rick Beato level shit.

  • @rurrug9022
    @rurrug9022 4 ปีที่แล้ว +2045

    Nik: "Drop whatever you like."
    Me: "Drops a guitar."

  • @lemonadestandgaming6725
    @lemonadestandgaming6725 5 ปีที่แล้ว +488

    Nik: Its blues it's sounds like blues, continues to shred it in a metal tone.

    • @cephalicwasteland3504
      @cephalicwasteland3504 3 ปีที่แล้ว +7

      I mean, actually he didn't played the blues scale, he played minor with an extra #4, the blues scale is the minor pentatonic with a #4 (so just 6 notes)
      still good explanation from a practical point of view

    • @andyglamrock
      @andyglamrock 3 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      sounds like Dimebag Darrell

    • @TheDopery
      @TheDopery 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      Bro I died

    • @baglyfe2877
      @baglyfe2877 3 หลายเดือนก่อน

      @@TheDoperyrest in peace

  • @johnsmith3085
    @johnsmith3085 3 ปีที่แล้ว +377

    Sorry I'm late for class. After 20 years of playing, this is essential information for a guy who finally is in a place to learn theory and wants to advance his playing. Thank you, Nik.

    • @Darkmatter321
      @Darkmatter321 ปีที่แล้ว +7

      Exactly where I am at 60

    • @doktormoney
      @doktormoney ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Same. 😂😂

    • @luckyjay778
      @luckyjay778 8 หลายเดือนก่อน +4

      Exactly where I am at 40. Tired of being a hack. Wanting to be excellent at guitar without theory is like wanting to be an engineer without math.

  • @ayusharipirala3121
    @ayusharipirala3121 4 ปีที่แล้ว +134

    "Drop whatever you want"
    Drops my standards

    • @adamtopher3633
      @adamtopher3633 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      I literally keep my main guitar in drop B so I was happy about this. 😂😂

    • @enriquemathew3316
      @enriquemathew3316 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Same Energy

  • @alteredendeavor
    @alteredendeavor 5 ปีที่แล้ว +938

    Massive help Nik. You broke it down better than anyone.

    • @NikNocturnal
      @NikNocturnal  5 ปีที่แล้ว +100

      Thanks Will, glad it helped!

    • @OnionMilk420
      @OnionMilk420 5 ปีที่แล้ว +24

      @@NikNocturnal same here. I have been playing for 7 years now and I have never seen it broken down in such a simply worded way. Thank you so much man. Also, more videos like this would be super appreciated.

    • @bartvanrompaey3631
      @bartvanrompaey3631 5 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      Yeah man, explained very well and clear. Thx

    • @Stringprodigy
      @Stringprodigy 4 ปีที่แล้ว +9

      Are you kidding? This is brutally bad

    • @JTisOneCrazyMan20
      @JTisOneCrazyMan20 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      @@Stringprodigy for real

  • @westin1
    @westin1 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1305

    No Russian accent? Nik is getting serious for us!!

    • @hsjdjjcjfdheuxyh5282
      @hsjdjjcjfdheuxyh5282 5 ปีที่แล้ว +40

      Translating the comment upper
      Bro. You never heard russian speach, if you think he do our accent))

    • @lktamitrader7040
      @lktamitrader7040 5 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      @@hsjdjjcjfdheuxyh5282 напоминает но надо жить в России что бы определить есть ли у него русский акцент ли нет б ответ = не русский акцент )

    • @hsjdjjcjfdheuxyh5282
      @hsjdjjcjfdheuxyh5282 5 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      @@lktamitrader7040
      Мне его акцинт больше напоминает арабский, нежели русский, у русских другой акцент)

    • @Al6ert6
      @Al6ert6 5 ปีที่แล้ว +26

      Русское лингво-гитарное комьюнити на месте, я спокоен)

    • @hsjdjjcjfdheuxyh5282
      @hsjdjjcjfdheuxyh5282 5 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      ахаха, давайте кто-нибудь субтитры русские заебоште, скока можно))

  • @brandonmolina7603
    @brandonmolina7603 3 ปีที่แล้ว +194

    “You can’t play notes out of key or it’ll sound weird”
    Jazz: ‘Hold my beer’

    • @SirBelmerD
      @SirBelmerD 3 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      yeah, that doesn't make much sense considering he's talking about modes, which are meant to facilitate in doing just that hahahahha

    • @darthbanana7
      @darthbanana7 3 ปีที่แล้ว +7

      jazz sounds weird

  • @spikethrowaway
    @spikethrowaway ปีที่แล้ว +41

    Dude lemme tell you, as a kid who learned to play through metal core. You teaching the Dstring separately was exactly how i learned to write just without any of the note names involved. So you choosing to teach it this way really resonates with me and is much more compatible to my playing style when learning scales. Feel seen af rn thank you.

  • @Cosmonaut_Neko
    @Cosmonaut_Neko 5 ปีที่แล้ว +547

    I learned more from one Nik video than a full year of guitar class in highschool.

    • @tsbdgaming69s96
      @tsbdgaming69s96 5 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      +HyperMotard Jared you’re so right

    • @ravioliknight8941
      @ravioliknight8941 4 ปีที่แล้ว +14

      For real i took a year of guitar class in high school and the teacher had barely gotten past cords and not actually teaching the theory just how to do them

    • @rickt9569
      @rickt9569 4 ปีที่แล้ว +7

      @Lee McDonald mayne if they taught with passion and properly more people would continue

    • @AngelWingrc
      @AngelWingrc 4 ปีที่แล้ว +8

      Ha i wish we even had guitar lessons at school

    • @robertmartin8986
      @robertmartin8986 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      HyperMotard Jared that goes for every subject

  • @TriggerFingerRC
    @TriggerFingerRC 4 ปีที่แล้ว +421

    Bought my first guitar and amp 2 days ago. Definitly will be grinding out for years to come. Always wanted to learn since i was about 7 years old. I'm now 34, better late than never.🤘 thanks Nik!

    • @Gtedesco29
      @Gtedesco29 4 ปีที่แล้ว +29

      Yeah I didn’t start play my guitar until I was 33 and I’ve been playing nonstop for the past 5 years, it is really exiting to learn to play songs that seem way out of reach, it just takes time and patience.

    • @waterproof4403
      @waterproof4403 4 ปีที่แล้ว +7

      Amazing profile pic!
      As I Lay Dying are the kings 🤘
      I bought my first guitar and amp last week. I'm trying to learn

    • @deeznuts-dm7qz
      @deeznuts-dm7qz 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@waterproof4403 how you doing?

    • @waterproof4403
      @waterproof4403 4 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      @@deeznuts-dm7qz hey man. Learning is a lot harder than it seems. But I'm making progress everyday. I can play a few Linkin park songs that's about it. I have an extremely long way to go

    • @deeznuts-dm7qz
      @deeznuts-dm7qz 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@waterproof4403 me too man it seems like I'm getting no where

  • @SureGibson777
    @SureGibson777 2 ปีที่แล้ว +30

    Dude, I’ve seen so many videos on this subject and none of them have ever explained this as well as you have. You’ve made it so simple and easy to grasp. Seriously, thank you.

  • @TinyBallOfHate
    @TinyBallOfHate 3 ปีที่แล้ว +53

    This, is absolute gold for a beginner. I’ve been playing for about a month or so, just really learning songs and chords without feeling like I’ve learned much. This has basically condensed so much theory for me into the space of less than half an hour. Thanks so much!

    • @jayballz2226
      @jayballz2226 9 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Same here this is so helpful

    • @Kevinschart
      @Kevinschart 3 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Are you still playing? It's 2 years later

  • @robbiehope4963
    @robbiehope4963 5 ปีที่แล้ว +501

    As someone who has struggled with understanding music theory, I appreciate you explaining it logically, most music teachers jump ahead and start using terms that make things more confusing than it needs to be. I've never understood how to write or perform in key but I had a huge smile on my face even just playing a basic riff in D Minor, could you possibly do a video explaining time signatures too, I feel that topic is very similar to this, easy to understand but explained poorly usually.
    Thanks Nik, much love.

    • @NikNocturnal
      @NikNocturnal  5 ปีที่แล้ว +73

      Glad I could help Robbie! Will try to do a vid on that one day :)

    • @Stringprodigy
      @Stringprodigy 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      Robbie Hope almost everything he said was wrong.

    • @jakel7213
      @jakel7213 4 ปีที่แล้ว +9

      @@Stringprodigy nope

    • @Stringprodigy
      @Stringprodigy 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      Jake L yeah it was. I’ve been playing 25 years and he has no idea what he’s talking about here

    • @jakel7213
      @jakel7213 4 ปีที่แล้ว +14

      @@Stringprodigy So you're telling me that you have played for a quarter century, and you think modes and scales are something different?

  • @iron_tyson
    @iron_tyson 5 ปีที่แล้ว +422

    5:25 I know Nik is fast but the Tool album isn't out for a couple of months and he's already dropping riffs from it.

    • @christopherevasin4142
      @christopherevasin4142 3 ปีที่แล้ว +13

      hahaha that was my first thought too!!!

    • @matt3477
      @matt3477 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      @@christopherevasin4142 This comment is so much better since Nik dropped a cover with tabs of BFMV song as it was premiering.

  • @ManuelAriasTV
    @ManuelAriasTV 4 ปีที่แล้ว +37

    I found this video around the time it came out and it truly jump started my music theory journey. You explained the fundamentals in a way that feels so deliberately limited, but the subjects and emphasis you leave in are the perfect level technically for mass instruction. You've shaped the foundation of where I'm taking my life. Thank you.

    • @coryarmbrecht
      @coryarmbrecht 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      ^ Solid compliment. ✌️

  • @narrowaimed
    @narrowaimed ปีที่แล้ว +7

    Been 3 years and this video is still helping people all around. This has helped me a lot more than anything else on the internet. Thank you Nik, you make great content and tutorials such as these should be recommended to everyone’s front page. You’re a king
    🤘😎🎸

  • @twisstedriffs
    @twisstedriffs 5 ปีที่แล้ว +211

    Anyone else feel like they learning more just cuz nik is awesome

  • @JeremyBoxerman
    @JeremyBoxerman 5 ปีที่แล้ว +189

    You have no idea how stoked I am about this video, even before watching it haha thank you so much for making this my dude!

    • @NikNocturnal
      @NikNocturnal  5 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      Thank YOU for watching!

  • @prabowonegoro3693
    @prabowonegoro3693 4 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Been playing from my elementary school days yet still cannot find easiest way to understand scales and pattern easily. Now u just broke it down for us and i couldn't be more grateful. TH-cam is awesome place to learn thing, especially when we have a gud trustworthy guy like you teaching 👍

  • @starksbeard9506
    @starksbeard9506 4 ปีที่แล้ว +38

    Nick! Dude, after 25 years I finally get it! Hit me like a ton of bricks after this. Bravo on your teaching skills man. Seriously, Wow! Damn glad I clicked, and you should definitely give yourself a pat on the back bro!

  • @AlternateNik
    @AlternateNik 5 ปีที่แล้ว +20

    Mate, this is so unbelievably helpful. I've been bullshiting my way through "lead" stuff for years now and just done it by what sounds right, turns out I was playing the minor scale all along. This has opened me up to understanding the entire fretboard and how to access different things in different keys.
    More of these types of videos would be amazing!

    • @NikNocturnal
      @NikNocturnal  5 ปีที่แล้ว +8

      Thanks Nik! A lot of musicians are playing these scales without knowing it. Understanding the scales just helps you not play the "guessing game" :)

    • @Stringprodigy
      @Stringprodigy 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      Bullshit

    • @Stringprodigy
      @Stringprodigy 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      Lee McDonald wrong. Tell me how you know the modes of harmonic minor “intuitively”

  • @khonekt
    @khonekt 4 ปีที่แล้ว +31

    this is probably the best intermediate guitar lesson I've ever seen, thank you so much Nik

  • @eliasmsv3156
    @eliasmsv3156 3 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    This is honestly one of the best tutorials on this subject i've seen. You break down the very fundamentals like how a pattern can be moved anywhere and be used in different keys.

  • @NirfeDrums
    @NirfeDrums 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Can we just appreciate that he even not put ads on this video?

  • @zpedraMMO
    @zpedraMMO 5 ปีที่แล้ว +42

    OMG it's easily to understanding... thank you so much! I've been playing guitar for 10 years, I was just reading the tabs and trying to figure out those patterns, but I'm starting to studying this kind of stuff now! ty again

  • @SkiffyYT
    @SkiffyYT 5 ปีที่แล้ว +102

    5:20 that already sounded like a tool song

    • @davidneuman1391
      @davidneuman1391 4 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Glad its not just me

    • @arthurpires6178
      @arthurpires6178 3 ปีที่แล้ว +7

      Intro for Vicarious

    • @johnathanmclane1468
      @johnathanmclane1468 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Think he might have not noticed? Lol

    • @RC-hv1yx
      @RC-hv1yx 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@johnathanmclane1468 Lol it's just that Tool almost exclusively plays in Drop D and in the key of Dm, so he happened to nail their sound while demonstrating.

    • @TheLowest
      @TheLowest 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@arthurpires6178 thought it sounded way more like pneuma

  • @roccokeilen6177
    @roccokeilen6177 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I love you so much dude I’m about to cry like not even joking. How have I seen every video on TH-cam about scales and theory but the one that makes the most sense. You put this in such simple easy to understand terms. You are the best!!!

  • @Earth-Worm-Tim
    @Earth-Worm-Tim 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    I'm telling you people if you haven't subscribed I strongly recommend doing so. I spent months putting together what he's describing with respect to the modes in this video. You can find information about the modes ALL OVER the internet. However, if you're a metal guitarist, then what you need to know is what Nik begins explaining @ 12:08 in this video. The modes give you patterns that allow you to play THE EXACT SAME NOTES (this means you stay in key) relative to a scale degree (note 1-7 of a diatonic scale). This 💩took me FOREVER to really figure out, and had I been a subscriber I'd of probably seen this video long ago, and not wasted months of my lilfe watching countless hours of videos trying to figure it out lol. I think it's awesome you do this @Nik for beginning guitarists, and/or self-taught bedrom rockstars (like myself) who lack the musical theory knowledge which you have to have a fundamental understanding of to create music that doesn't sound like cats fighting lol.

  • @still6511
    @still6511 5 ปีที่แล้ว +74

    Nik thank you so much. We need more educational videos. Not only from you sir but from all of musician youtubers.
    It helps to understand important theory just within few minutes which people learn for years. And It also encourages people pick up the guitar and play.

    • @EpiphoneShredzzzzz
      @EpiphoneShredzzzzz 5 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      Music is Win is an excellent channel and Tyler is a great teacher, but even his lesson on Scales & Modes isn't nearly as clear, simple, and easy to understand as Nik's. Probably, because like Nik said, it's taught from a music theory perspective rather than explaining it in a way that anyone can understand. Great lesson Nik, this crap finally makes sense to me after 10+ years lol

    • @Stringprodigy
      @Stringprodigy 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      Justin McShane he has no idea what he’s talking about here.

  • @ConsideratelyKillingMe
    @ConsideratelyKillingMe 5 ปีที่แล้ว +47

    Thank you so much! Been waiting for this video

  • @mattmcilwhan
    @mattmcilwhan ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Nik I've been watching your memey boy videos for close to 2 years, I had no idea you had lessons in your catalogue, this just popped up on my homepage - as a player of 15 or so years, self taught with tabs and noodling, never bothered with theory as it never made sense; this taught me more than any music class or any other online resource I've used before, and I now understand how the riffs I like actually work - I feel like I'm going to have a much better time breaking riffs down by ear now, which is my preferred way of learning songs these days. You are a fantastic teacher.

  • @vince7906
    @vince7906 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    This video is good shit. I’ve watched dozens of videos and not understood a bit of it. I still don’t understand what makes modes sound different if it’s all in the same key and scale. But this at least helped me understand that modes aren’t separate from scales.

  • @JassyPabst
    @JassyPabst 5 ปีที่แล้ว +32

    Thank. You. So. Much.!!!!

    • @primedisappointment9741
      @primedisappointment9741 5 ปีที่แล้ว +7

      Aren't you already a guitar goddess?

    • @VISCAYAOFFICIAL
      @VISCAYAOFFICIAL 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      🖤🖤🖤

    • @JassyPabst
      @JassyPabst 5 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      @@primedisappointment9741 No, I suck at improvising and solos. So this disqualifies me ;)

  • @s12music68
    @s12music68 4 ปีที่แล้ว +9

    You'll never know how grateful I am for this video. I've been self teaching myself to play since I was 14 (6 years ago) and I've never been able to understand scales until now. I've watched countless tutorials on it and spent hours on TH-cam videos that just talk about exact notes and numbers and it was always too complicated for me, not having a single guitar lesson in my life. I got taught tabs by a school friends older brother and that's what allowed me to learn all of the songs I can play to this day. Finally!! This is so easy and simple to understand and I'm finally progressing for the first time in a couple of years. I'll forever be grateful nik! 🤟❤

  • @nuke1upgames913
    @nuke1upgames913 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    holy smokes bro this is some of the best videos ive seen in a long time of someone teaching not sure how i found your channel but i'm so happy right now.
    See my problems is knowing the names and i know lots of chords but im bad with the names of them also.

  • @necrojem6355
    @necrojem6355 8 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Been playing for just over 20yrs, and have known this but theory is one of things you can learn well enough to never think about again, but it's always good to refresh your knowledge!
    This is one of the clearest explanations I've ever heard for a guitarist!!

  • @philmcgovern6518
    @philmcgovern6518 4 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    out of all the theory vids ive watched, this has to be the best. got a better understanding in the 20 minutes of watching this than listening to any other teachers. please keep these kinds of vids up. its great!

  • @oenanohir3302
    @oenanohir3302 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Really clear and understandable. This is what i learned with a guitar teacher in 2 months back in time, and forgot pretty quickly. But condensed in 22 minutes and explained way more efficiently. Gold.

  • @caseyalbiero7004
    @caseyalbiero7004 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    The way your explaining it is literally perfect for me to understand. I've been stuck in that rut that most beginners get stuck in where you wanna just be able to play all over the neck and not need to think about what your playing or where your hands are on the fretboard for over a year now and I wanna get over that bump, but the way your teaching it is just so simple and straight forward. Thank you Nick!

  • @lewismackenzie8400
    @lewismackenzie8400 5 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    This helped sooooo much @Nik Nocturnal. I remember my guitar teacher trying to explain modes to me and not understanding it. This video has helped more than I ever would've imagined. Great video and I'd love to see more like it!!!!

  • @jeremygilman2973
    @jeremygilman2973 5 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    I've played for 16 years and this is by far the best most concise breakdown I have ever heard for comprehensively internalizing scales. This knowledge is gold.

  • @user-rs4ro9lj2y
    @user-rs4ro9lj2y 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    In 20 minutes you just summed up something ive been studying and failing to comprehend for 2 months. Greatly appreciate you.

  • @benjaminhawksleysr6573
    @benjaminhawksleysr6573 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    This has seriously helped me more than any other video. I've been playing guitar off and on for the past 20 years and I've recently started taking it more serious and this helped me improve my playing faster than anything else. Thank you

  • @mrfq_abg
    @mrfq_abg 5 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Thank you Nik,
    I'm not even a metalhead, but thankfully this showed up in my feed.
    This is the first time all of this has actually made any sense to me, you are a great teacher.
    Please, please, PLEASE do more lessons and THANK YOU!

  • @zacht2375
    @zacht2375 5 ปีที่แล้ว +36

    You should like the video before you even start it. It’s clearly gonna be a good one

  • @penumbramusicspokane8304
    @penumbramusicspokane8304 4 ปีที่แล้ว +9

    Dude Nik... I've been following you and your music for sometime.
    1. You're incredibly talented
    2. I've been playing guitar for about 20 years kinda learning on my own here and there but never really picked up music theory. And thanks to this video a lot of things I've learned over the years have clicked thanks for sharing this

  • @iainooooo
    @iainooooo 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    Thank you!!! i've been playing for around 15years and always was terrified about this stuff and never felt like i was really progressing but watching this has given me confidence that I can get better! thanks!

  • @taylanokay6250
    @taylanokay6250 5 ปีที่แล้ว +28

    This is extremely helpful. Thanks a lot for the video dude. You rock

  • @b-metalfreak4911
    @b-metalfreak4911 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Love the way you explained that. I know this is a old video but man your channel always comes in clutch when im trying to get my guitar playing to another level. Always love your work bro

  • @perma9993
    @perma9993 3 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    Harmonic minor is for me the "Egyptian Scale" because it sounds middle eastern and wel Egyptian and makes for very thematic songs!

    • @SeeJayPlayGames
      @SeeJayPlayGames 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      If you think harmonic minor sounds "Egyptian," you should check out Phrygian. Yngwie Malmsteen uses harmonic minor a lot... but I think he uses Phrygian nearly as much... it's the 3rd mode... in the key signature of C Major (no sharps no flats) the scale would be E-F-G-A-B-C-D-E.

  • @SomeJustice19k
    @SomeJustice19k 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    Hands down one of the best videos on TH-cam about this topic. You made it stupid simple, and personally, I needed stupid simple. Too many folks unintentionally rush through things, such as basic definitions, but you broke it all down and made made light bulbs turn on in my head. Thank you!

  • @DeathDelver
    @DeathDelver 5 ปีที่แล้ว +11

    This is like when you finally figure out how firelink shrine is all connected

  • @dulla8469
    @dulla8469 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    i feel like unlike the other youtube videos teaching guitar, you are teaching in an uncut way, the same way a teacher would do to a student in person, definitely gonna check out your channel and watch everything

  • @Schuttmeister
    @Schuttmeister 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I always beat myself up for not listening in music class years ago when I was in school, cause now that I'm trying to teach myself guitar I really want to understand theory, but I never found someone who could explain things exactly the way my brain or rather my process of understanding things works. All my life I wanted to make music but never had enough confidence to try and learn an instrument, because I always thought I could never be good enough to express myself through it exactly the way I want. Now that I finally do, theory always has been a brick wall for me. Thank you for this video, for real. I really think I finally have something to start with now.

  • @chanahasnomana
    @chanahasnomana 4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    this actually helped! Most other tutorials and lessons go over my head when they dwell too deep into music theory while throwing in chord diagrams and scale (charts?). It's not like they aren't helpful, but Nik's way made me understand how to figure out positions without giving up in the middle of a practice session! THANKS MAN! Really appreciate your help! XD

  • @melodiousapollo7307
    @melodiousapollo7307 5 ปีที่แล้ว +11

    Could you do a video for building various chords in a scale/key? Say adding which notes makes it what kind of chord, and why?

  • @GeeksGoGaming
    @GeeksGoGaming 4 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    This video has made me understand soooo much more. I played the intro riff to Unholy confessions and was able to see how it was built from the D minor scale

  • @MylesMowery
    @MylesMowery 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    DUDE. Came by the say THANK YOU. I watched your scale video at the beginning of quarantine in March with no prior experience practicing actually scales (I learned by ear learning to play my fave songs; never dabbled with too much solo stuff.) I've been practicing a bit every day since then & I have come SO FAR since I started.
    For anybody else checking this video out for the first time & feeling discouraged because you're not used to practicing scales, STICK WITH IT, speed will come in time!

  • @palebizkit1267
    @palebizkit1267 ปีที่แล้ว

    Props to a clear and cochise methodology. When I started playing guitar, I realized the same thing after learning scales. Hours of playing along to songs helped me put these scales into context and learning the various techniques from bending strings/notes, hammer-ons, pull-offs, tapping, picking, rhythm etc helped shape my style of playing guitar. Listening to and learning blues helped refine much of these techniques and more importantly, phrasing. I started to listen to other genres to learn what was unique or different about each and learnt that playing in the idiom of that style of music is what made it and in doing so, I got a deeper appreciation for music as a whole and specifically from a guitar standpoint. It enabled me to refine my playing over the years even if it was just for a pass-time activity, it sure did the trick and brought me hours of peace and joy.

  • @ShemiNoam
    @ShemiNoam 5 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    Holy shit Nik, thanks.
    After years without motivation to go into this, finally you motivated my ass in a helpful, understandable and fun way. You're great, really.

  • @thilo9086
    @thilo9086 5 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Pleaso do more Videos like this! Helped me out soooooo much!
    Great Video dude! Love your channel

  • @scotth1360
    @scotth1360 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Thanks for explaining things so well that actually makes sense. I played many instruments for awhile and it's always good to practice and learn new scales to get out of the writers block.

  • @dylanschweitzer7268
    @dylanschweitzer7268 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Can't say I ever comment on TH-cam videos but this is needed. I've been playing guitar for about 6 years now and have taught myself. I have only played through songs or drum tracks and though I'm told I have good technique and can play complicated tunes, I've learned anything about theory until recently because it seemed over my head whenever I tried to learn. You however broke it down so easily for me that I'm playing over JAM tracks with confidence and understanding of WHY the notes work together rather than just hearing it. Honestly man you made a big impact on someones life today and I want you to know that. God bless you.

  • @JoshuaConnorMusic
    @JoshuaConnorMusic 5 ปีที่แล้ว +55

    I love your content Nik, and if this understanding of theory works for you then that's cool, but if you're gonna start teaching this to people (esp if private students are paying money), and I know I've mentioned this before on your channel, but please correct yourself on a few areas as they can be very misleading. For starters, playing in key and playing in a scale are two different things, just because I play a note outside of the D minor scale doesn't necessarily mean I'm leaving the key of D minor, or even entire chords can exist outside the scale but out of key, be it the V7 or +6 or Neapolitan chord etc.
    The blues scale is when you add a "blue" note to the minor pentatonic scale, not the minor scale. It has 6 notes, not 8, the blues scale skips the 2nd and 6th. That's not to say you can't play them, of course you can, but it wouldn't be the blues scale, it's something else. And I know you and (I'm assuming) your students mostly play metal, but learning the minor scale before the major scale is like putting your shoes on before your socks. Music academia isn't perfect but it's figured this one out pretty well. Major is the easiest place to start and is what many other concepts relate to, so not teaching it first will just make it harder for beginners. Almost all books I've read, sites I've seen, and uni teachers I've talked to, all teach these concepts in the same order and for good reason; it works.
    Now for modes, I'm gonna be blunt, almost nothing you said here is accurate. For starters, modes are not shapes on a fretboard, or anything like that, they are when you take a scale and change the tonal center to any of the other degrees, ie making the 2nd degree of the major scale the tonal center gives you Dorian. The whole point is you're changing what "1" is, so when you play a different mode you wouldn't say "we're now starting on 2", because by definition 2 can't be the tonal center, it's 1. What you're demonstrating here is largely just different positions of the minor scale, which is useful to know but is not the same as modes. The best way to teach modes is with parallel modes, eg Phrygian is like the minor scale with a b2, Lydian is like the major scale with a #4 etc. And again, 99% of books, lessons, schools, articles, etc. all use the major scale as the starting point for modes, by arbitrarily going against the grain and using the minor scale and going from there, it'll just be confusing for beginners learning from this video when they go to learn on their own and find that almost nothing you mentioned here is congruent with every other resource.
    Also what note you start and end on has nothing to do with what mode you're in. It depends on the context of the harmony and what are the most prominent notes in the melody, if I play a Dminor scale starting on Bb but my harmony is just Dm - Am, it's never going to sound like Bb Lydian.
    Now I know this is how you think in terms of music, and that's fine, but when you have a large platform like this you have potentially thousands of new guitarists who will take you at your word, and you should at least do some research to make sure you're not going to accidentally mislead and frustrate all those people. Because I learnt these concepts in very similar ways when I was learning, and it took years of frustration before I finally started from scratch and re-learnt everything the right way. I don't want people to have to go through that.

    • @anthonypavlak3527
      @anthonypavlak3527 4 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      Really enjoyed your respectful response here. Modes just very recently "clicked" for me after listening to Steve Stine explain them essentially the same way you did above. I watched through this video today and started getting confused before I realized we might not be speaking the same musical language.
      That's the real challenge of a novice trying to learn from TH-cam videos. Tons of good material out there, but difficult to prioritize and sanity-check everything when you are just starting out.

    • @VicSellsPeace
      @VicSellsPeace 4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Thanks for telling us this. I've been working on theory for a few months, and well, I was confused when I watched this. All sources I saw never use the minor scale as a basis for the blues scale. So I was freaking out thinking I had it all wrong. Nik's videos definitely confused me more than it teached

    • @richardcochrun3869
      @richardcochrun3869 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Glad I saw this comment. I was so confused about what he said about modes because it was counter intuitive to what I already had learned. I thought I was way wrong lol.

    • @JTisOneCrazyMan20
      @JTisOneCrazyMan20 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@anthonypavlak3527 Steve Stine is absolutely excellent. Couldn't recommend his videos enough. Him and ugh I can't think of his name, younger guy, dark hair, eyes pop out his head whenever he emphasises something lmao, I know that doesn't help much but I'll check in a second, he has some excellent videos on modes (and everything else theory related)
      Edit: Jake Lizzio of Signals Music Studio. I can't recommend him and Stine enough to any guitarist in any stage of their musical journey.

    • @johnwardle9667
      @johnwardle9667 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      I've got to agree with this reply. And I think it's done in a respectful and courteous way. Raises an interesting question.. especially within the culture of TH-cam channel music tuition, which is.. where do you draw the line with methods or explanations that are 'shortcuts' or aides to describe music theory to beginners? A method that's simplified to the point where it's just not quite right anymore. I mean, if it helps a student get off the starting blocks, then fine. They can always learn the true meaning in time. This is evident in lots of subjects. Things like physics. The first version of electrical theory you learn isn't the same as the degree level explanation. Either way. Interesting discussion. No offence should be meant or taken. Play more. Learn more. Enjoy. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and ability online.

  • @primedisappointment9741
    @primedisappointment9741 5 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    Finally I can learn this properly now. Thanks Nik

  • @noahmedeiros
    @noahmedeiros 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    You honestly explained this in a way that really just made me understand it so well. Thank you for the informative video!! Love your vids

  • @fifis677
    @fifis677 ปีที่แล้ว

    Just one portion alone helped me more than anything I've seen over the years. Thanks.

  • @sorrowsfromeden
    @sorrowsfromeden 5 ปีที่แล้ว +16

    Amazing cover man! That was crazy quick

  • @farbodkh4858
    @farbodkh4858 5 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    You have no idea how helpful this video is THANKS❤️

    • @NikNocturnal
      @NikNocturnal  5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Thank YOU for watching!

  • @Madchris8828
    @Madchris8828 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    As a beginning guitar player hoping to get into hard rock and metal, this is a great tutorial. I really appreciate how you just get into the info, and don't mess around. Thanks buddy 😎👍

  • @fateslegion8061
    @fateslegion8061 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    @NicNocturnal thank you! This was the first video I could find to help me understand how to learn to play a scale without just reading tab. I hope there is more to this series!

  • @omeniondrawing8209
    @omeniondrawing8209 5 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    easy to understand.. this is what I'm really looking for.. nice job man

  • @mihnea358
    @mihnea358 5 ปีที่แล้ว +56

    Where is the SWEEP PICKING lesson...please do one:)

    • @dev4965
      @dev4965 5 ปีที่แล้ว +63

      Seep picking is pretty hard. Only guitarist like Lars Ulrich and Dwayne The Rock Johnson can do it

    • @2triggered2comment55
      @2triggered2comment55 4 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      @@dev4965 Lars been shredding for slipknot. He just wears a mask. I have his signature guitar. I have some Lars patches and impulse responses from his last album if you want. Look up Larsslipknot420vapekid on tones .com

    • @MiikeyLawless
      @MiikeyLawless 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      How to sweep pick: sweep the notes instead of individually picking them. Theres no big trick, just practice.

  • @FelipeDeLaTorreMusic
    @FelipeDeLaTorreMusic ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I've avoided music theory for guitar and played by ear because of this. I even went to an academy and couldn't follow.
    Your one video has made me understand and say, "oh, yeah... music makes sense."
    Which is funny, because I was in band and drumline... but guitar was just different. Idk.
    Regardless, thanks for this!

  • @lukemac94
    @lukemac94 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    I must say man, you're an incredible teacher! Thank you for putting this video up, ive only watched it once and you've already helped me understand things a lot better because even though there's a million letters and numbers flying at you like any other guitar lesson, I actually understood this one. Good work dude!

  • @loganknapp3345
    @loganknapp3345 5 ปีที่แล้ว +80

    Me: I need to go to bed for school
    Me at 3am: watching a Nik video
    Ps. Love your videos nik

  • @Maitland-76
    @Maitland-76 4 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    I've been handed the keys to the Ferrari, now I just have to learn to drive it!! Bros... you have no idea how much this helped me. Thx so much!!!

  • @ashleyseamark2079
    @ashleyseamark2079 4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    I am in the exact position you described at the end of this video, this really has helped me to understand clearly and it all makes complete sense, thank god you did this video, this is going to help me more than ever before, thankyou

  • @thechisensei
    @thechisensei ปีที่แล้ว +2

    definitely the fastest way to learn modes so far in youtube. this is gold. thanks bro. 👌

  • @johnmiller1354
    @johnmiller1354 3 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    Literally after 15 year of trying to play and teach myself I finally understand modes and how to build the scales out.. Your an awesome teacher thank you!

  • @Hayden-qj1lo
    @Hayden-qj1lo 4 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    Maybe it’s due to my crippling ADHD but imma have to hear ALL that again

  • @gatoenfuego8734
    @gatoenfuego8734 ปีที่แล้ว

    I know this is an old video, and kind of disconcerting to see Nik so serious with his instructor voice... however it's a huge help when trying to push into that "intermediate" level of metal guitar. The 0-3-5 chugs are fun, but get kind of boring. This has inspired new knowledge and am super grateful. Thanks man.

  • @scottrichgolf
    @scottrichgolf 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    A year later and I still come back to this video for reference. Thanks again for doing this Nik.

  • @samprowell8946
    @samprowell8946 3 ปีที่แล้ว +29

    not gonna lie ive been playing for 10 years or more and i never understood this shit completelye but i think you just made it all click

    • @DylanB89
      @DylanB89 3 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      Same here.
      I've been playing for like 15 years and it's been so hard to learn this stuff because I can never find someone who will talk to me like I'm a complete idiot, which is what I need when it comes to anything theory related.

  • @MonteTristoGuitarRips
    @MonteTristoGuitarRips 2 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Thanks for getting me over this 15 year slump of not knowing anything but by ear. Been giving it some practice and can feel it unlocking a part of my brain. I also have a better understanding of whats going on in songs I already know how to play well. Thanks bud.

  • @jordanmas1299
    @jordanmas1299 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    This is absolutly , FOR SURE the best explanation of the modes on the internet . this is the 5th video I've watched and so much has clicked . I've been playing for 10 years but never UNDERSTOOD scales and modes, as I learned by ear and self taught. but this cleared everything up . I've had it , I just haven't understood what I'm playing if that makes sense . thank you

  • @blackcoffeemetaltunes7513
    @blackcoffeemetaltunes7513 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    This just changed my life, thanks for the straight forward breakdown here. Stoked for part 2 🙌

  • @DhimaS.G.Satona
    @DhimaS.G.Satona 4 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Nik: ".....It'll never sound wrong. That is really the 'key'."

  • @unstabilizer
    @unstabilizer 4 ปีที่แล้ว +13

    Hey Nik, appreciate the effort however, the blues scale can be major as well as minor and they're six note scales. Pentatonic Major with a minor 3rd and Pentatonic minor with a flat 5.
    About modes - they need to be explained as different scales to understand and feel the difference. With the explanation you gave they all sound too similar because you were in the same key. Modes need to be learnt in parallel. For example - C Ionian, C Dorian, C Phrygian etc.
    Satriani,Rick Beato, Creativeguitar studio, Signals Music Studio all have videos on modes which are the best explained because they all sound and feel different.
    No disrespect, I can understand how much effort you put it into this; but I'm just explaining as a fellow musician who was very confused about this stuff earlier.

  • @DaveKore
    @DaveKore 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Finally someone is capable of explaining this damn subject carefully and so easy to understand 🤘🤘🤘
    Thanks a million Nik!!!

  • @zerosum789
    @zerosum789 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Great synchronicity with what I am working on and realizing right now working through the e tuned major key modes in f. Forgetting the 6th string to be in drop d and learning the other minor forms seems really good advice for any drop d and drop c metal. Love it

  • @bryceolsen3527
    @bryceolsen3527 3 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    how to recognize a fellow Avenged fan: plays in drop D + "Bases all theory" on d minor scale.

  • @gregmoreau693
    @gregmoreau693 4 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    NN: We've all heard the blues, right? [Riffs Metal "blues"]
    Blues Player: O , O

  • @MegaStealthKill
    @MegaStealthKill 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Your a dope teacher dude.
    You can tell you started at the bottom and understand how confusing it is at the early stages and know how to get the message across to beginners.

  • @paulshuler7598
    @paulshuler7598 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    thank you so much. this has really made my playing more concise and yet more opened up. i started out really young playing, but not really practicing. this is really helping me understand why some of my playing has worked by just using my ears alone.