Brandon is a gem. His style, phrasing, chops and that goddamn vibrato. I got bored with a lot of shred and playing in modern metal the last decade, but I find Brandon extremely inspiring.
He reminds me of guys I knew in school that went on to Chemical Engineering degrees... they have the mind to deal with lots and lots of information and just naturally know the right thing to deal with among it all just effortlessly. It's a real gift and talent he has.
The first scale they talked about, the major scale with a flat 6, I regognize it as the harmonic major scale. Great, weird and unique sound. Absolutely love mr. Ellis and Grady. Been waiting for this video for ages.
this video had a big impact on the way I play just on account of the top view angle @ 1:29. I copied the way Brandon hold his pick and the results are great. Thanks Troy
Honestly even just messing around with what you know and experimenting will fill in a lot of spaces. You might have to google some shit but you can get a pretty decent understanding of how to work with melodies and not stay in one key etc etc on your own!
I wrote this comment after watching a video of yours then realized it was 3 years old, so after subscribing, found your newest video. Troy for President!! I love it when I see a person who was able to take their passion and make it a thing that they earn a living from. You not only did that, but, you created something totally new in the process, a previously unknown, unexplored section within the realm of, the science of body mechanics. Your research led you to interactions with people who study body mechanics, how freaking cool!!! Very many congratulations to you👍. And then I realized you've gotten many of the legendary living guitar players I've worshipped to join your experiment and allow you to clamp your camera / phone onto the necks of their very valuable instruments, and as you mentioned... risking their eyeballs, to observe and document their wrist/ picking motion. Then, you go further and evaluate their techniques as if they were Josh Allen and there were millions of dollars riding on trying to understand/copy what's going on, why is their motion, their mechanics so much better. I remember you mentioned some Master's thesis you did, just totally amazing. Lastly, I'm a sucker for ebony fretboards, so I love your guitars! You're awesome, thank you for creating something from nothing but curiosity and advancing the guitar world!!
Totally. It's a tricky color to get right on video so we kept going back and forth between the lights and camera until it looked exactly the same on the screen as it did in the room. So this is really what it looks like!
It's a late 80's/early 90's US Jackson Dinky, very rare model, hardly any are out in the wild. Brandon talks about this guitar alot on a video of his Axe Collection here on TH-cam, definitely worth a check out
Wow I am definitely coming back to this channel to see more guitarist picking hand. Amazing camera work from someone who has no idea what that even means but appreciates the angle you were able to capture of his picking hand. Well done sir. Well done.
5:00 thats called chromatic mediant (one of 8 u can find) and his uses can find in 1800s music , nowadays can be on incidental music, score for films videogames, and of course modern metal symphonic music.
im a deeply ignorant guitarist. i dont know any theory at all. just stumble around the neck. so i have no idea what these two are talking about but i really enjoyed this video!!
I can identify with the guitar player theory. Those magazines usually had very good columns and lessons if you took the time to understand and incorporate it into your own playing and really digest the material. John Petrucci’s “Chopin’ up the fingerboard” article is a great example - it discussed the chord changes and chromaticism in guitar-specific exercises. I learned so much theory and so many modes just out of curiosity by the time I hit AP Music Theory, I breezed right through it by just learning a little bit of baroque western harmony part-writing and some ear training. Those magazines and the occasional guitar lesson videos my local video store carried were how learning was done before TH-cam.
One thing I love about his technique - when string tracking from low strings to high strings, he doesn't seem to move his entire hand as much as many players do. It seems like he does more of a rotation, making a pivot point where the butt of his palm meets the guitar. Then, when going from low strings to high, he changes his pick grip instead of moving his entire hand. You can see this really clearly at around 2:35 - when he plays the high E and B strings, it's almost like he's "reaching" out with his thumb and index finger, then bringing them back in as he descends. Compare this to somebody like Martin Miller, who uses his elbow to constantly track the strings, so he can have the same pick angle all the time. Not dissing either style, I just think it's an interesting example of how many different ways you can solve the same problem!
I feel bad asking a tone question when the playing is so interesting and great, but here goes: what is Brandon playing through during the demo with the green guitar? His tone is so thick and rich, it’s awesome!
That's not a lame question. But the interesting thing is. Once you find out the amp. It might not be for you. That happened to me with Marshall's. Loved other players through them but they weren't for me
Cornford Hellcat! Not really a super modern metal amp but he's tuned down to C (edit: only with the Kelly, the green guitar is standard tuning) so everything is fatter. I think the rest is just his guitar - it's a heavy piece of wood that has Les Paul vibes.
2:54 That Mb13 (or whatever you want to call it) is cool. Doesn't sound too augmented with the perfect 5th still grounding it but has some of that whole-tonish dreamlike vibe.
@@troygrady What speakers are you using? I'd really like to know. Have you had various speakers over the years with the Hellcat, and which have become your favorite? Thanks. I just got a Hellcat combo a few days ago, but it came with a pair of Neo Creambacks. I used to have the Hellcat head and cab years ago, and it had the original Vintage 30's. Experts say 2003 was a good year for Vintage 30's. Apparently today there are 3 different quality levels of the same speakers. A pair of Scumback M75's could be nice. I'd love to hear from you and those who know the Hellcat, which speakers have you settled with - especially if you want to get the best from both channels. Thanks!
The nice thing about the economy patterns that Brandon uses for seventh arpeggios is that the picking motions simplify the string changes. As long as you're playing patterns that utilize the strengths of those motions, the hit rate can be pretty high even when going fast.
Brandon is that perfect mix of 80's shred, neo-classical and modern metal.. imo one of the best players in the business.
spot on !
You said it!
yea i think dean copys his playing from this guy
This exactly, such a 'custom' flavor right here
agreed
This is awesome.
Do lessons with Brandon video!!!
You ain’t too bad yourself!
Dean please do an interview with Troy.
YOU'RE awesome! - Keanu Reaves
I love you bb
He makes it look so easy. It's not so easy. Brandon is such a great guitarist.
his vibrato is absolutely otherwordly....
Brandon is a gem. His style, phrasing, chops and that goddamn vibrato. I got bored with a lot of shred and playing in modern metal the last decade, but I find Brandon extremely inspiring.
One of the absolute cleanest guitar players. Amazing live player.
He reminds me of guys I knew in school that went on to Chemical Engineering degrees... they have the mind to deal with lots and lots of information and just naturally know the right thing to deal with among it all just effortlessly. It's a real gift and talent he has.
Brandon is such a rad player. I feel like he understand vibrato, feel and attitude in a way few players in his generation truly grasp.
Yes!
Spot on!!
Oh my lord. I'm sure I'm not alone in saying I've been waiting 2 years for this since the initial short was uploaded! What a treat.
This sounds INCREDIBLE. The sound quality it so good. The riffs shine
He's such a great addition to black dahlia. The 80's touch is just the perfect flavour to tbdm sound.
I see Troy Grady I click, I see Brandon Ellis I click. Double click actually coming in handy!!
We thank you doubly!
@@troygrady He means Dolby.
Brandon is one of the best to ever do it. Unbelievable finger tone.
All that theory talk is such a welcomed addition to the technical shred analysis. Haven't been here in a while and happy you do this now 👌🏻
The first scale they talked about, the major scale with a flat 6, I regognize it as the harmonic major scale. Great, weird and unique sound. Absolutely love mr. Ellis and Grady. Been waiting for this video for ages.
hes definitely one of my favorite players and Jeff loomis
Loomis and Michael Romeo.
He’s so good I consider him one of my favorites and I actually hate his band. 😂
@@Jarrodpimental Right there with you, don't like the band that much but he's in my top 5 metal guitarists for sure
@@PLSGuitar Nevermore? I love that one... or was it Arch Enemy? cus not a big fan either
Conquering Dystopia also great
Brandon is the modern age guitar hero. He's an excellent player!!
Brandon is a master. Learned a lot from watching him on various platforms over the years, guitar setup and his music.
Omg , it’s finally here !!!!!!
this video had a big impact on the way I play just on account of the top view angle @ 1:29. I copied the way Brandon hold his pick and the results are great. Thanks Troy
you know you are a great player if Troy straps a camera on the guitar to study your playing, love these videos
Ha, thank you! We're always grateful when players are willing to sit down for a closer look
I envy people who know theory to this degree but also I'm too lazy to learn it this extensively
Honestly even just messing around with what you know and experimenting will fill in a lot of spaces. You might have to google some shit but you can get a pretty decent understanding of how to work with melodies and not stay in one key etc etc on your own!
@@essegotdatheat3310 yea that's the basics tho. I know the basics
One of my fave playerrs and I'm not a huge death metal fan , but his playing is so melodic yet brutal at the same time .
Feels like I have checked for this upload daily for the last two years or so :D
There is no one like Brandon for me. Thanks for the video!
I wrote this comment after watching a video of yours then realized it was 3 years old, so after subscribing, found your newest video. Troy for President!!
I love it when I see a person who was able to take their passion and make it a thing that they earn a living from. You not only did that, but, you created something totally new in the process, a previously unknown, unexplored section within the realm of, the science of body mechanics. Your research led you to interactions with people who study body mechanics, how freaking cool!!! Very many congratulations to you👍. And then I realized you've gotten many of the legendary living guitar players I've worshipped to join your experiment and allow you to clamp your camera / phone onto the necks of their very valuable instruments, and as you mentioned... risking their eyeballs, to observe and document their wrist/ picking motion. Then, you go further and evaluate their techniques as if they were Josh Allen and there were millions of dollars riding on trying to understand/copy what's going on, why is their motion, their mechanics so much better. I remember you mentioned some Master's thesis you did, just totally amazing. Lastly, I'm a sucker for ebony fretboards, so I love your guitars! You're awesome, thank you for creating something from nothing but curiosity and advancing the guitar world!!
Frock yea!!! sounds killer!!! always love hearing Brandon Shred and stuff.
Amazing guitarist. Brandon and Ryan both. Been a fan of TBDM and Arsis for a long time
Arsis deserves so much recognition! James Malone is a genius!
I love watching Brandon play guitar.
Such a joy to watch him play!
Modern Day Randy Rhoads, love Brandon!
SUCH AN AWESOME VIDEO with Brandon. Thanks Troy! Love the talking during demonstration between you two.
I can always watch Mr Ellis play
Exactly where I'm at with theory, didn't know who this dude was until now but already like his approach to guitar 🤘
This is what I needed.
wow troy. thanks for this upload. crazy value masterclass with Brandon.
This is awesome! I’d love to see one of these with Brian Eschbach. He’s a beast of a rhythm player and writes most tbdm riffs
That turquoise Jackson is gorgeous!
Totally. It's a tricky color to get right on video so we kept going back and forth between the lights and camera until it looked exactly the same on the screen as it did in the room. So this is really what it looks like!
@@troygradythat’s awesome! Is this an older model or a new CS?
It's a late 80's/early 90's US Jackson Dinky, very rare model, hardly any are out in the wild.
Brandon talks about this guitar alot on a video of his Axe Collection here on TH-cam, definitely worth a check out
Always enjoy an video of Brandon playing🤘🏽
Wow I am definitely coming back to this channel to see more guitarist picking hand. Amazing camera work from someone who has no idea what that even means but appreciates the angle you were able to capture of his picking hand. Well done sir. Well done.
5:00 thats called chromatic mediant (one of 8 u can find) and his uses can find in 1800s music , nowadays can be on incidental music, score for films videogames, and of course modern metal symphonic music.
It’s actually a chromatic mediant of a mediant 🤓
Brandon's vibratto is :chef's kiss:
Agreed - it is swoopy and awesome!
Man that tone is just uffff 🔥🔥🔥🤘
It makes me so happy when heavy bands use a standard tuning instead of drop.
Yes more Brandon!
That tone is amazing 🤘🤘
First song I heard from this insane musician was: No Escape. It's a must for any musician especially guitarists.
I am just blwon away with this dude being on camera and his interviews. Amazing guitarist.
He reminds me so much of Jason Becker. So freaking good 👍🏻
Haha the nervousness about fucking up in the end sounds too familiar 😂
I usually just fuck up in the beginning and get it over with, trick of the trade. LOL
My favoritest of all time ❤ love this guy
I watched the beginning while taking a dump. Absolutely BRUTAL shit!🤩💩🎸
im a deeply ignorant guitarist. i dont know any theory at all. just stumble around the neck. so i have no idea what these two are talking about but i really enjoyed this video!!
Brandon is such a tasteful beast!
I can identify with the guitar player theory. Those magazines usually had very good columns and lessons if you took the time to understand and incorporate it into your own playing and really digest the material. John Petrucci’s “Chopin’ up the fingerboard” article is a great example - it discussed the chord changes and chromaticism in guitar-specific exercises. I learned so much theory and so many modes just out of curiosity by the time I hit AP Music Theory, I breezed right through it by just learning a little bit of baroque western harmony part-writing and some ear training. Those magazines and the occasional guitar lesson videos my local video store carried were how learning was done before TH-cam.
Brandon is a beast!
I definitely heard phrygian in there. Also sounded like something you would find in a Megadeth song.
BRANDON ELLIS MY FAVORITE PLAYER🤘
Have been hoping for this for a long time.
One thing I love about his technique - when string tracking from low strings to high strings, he doesn't seem to move his entire hand as much as many players do. It seems like he does more of a rotation, making a pivot point where the butt of his palm meets the guitar. Then, when going from low strings to high, he changes his pick grip instead of moving his entire hand. You can see this really clearly at around 2:35 - when he plays the high E and B strings, it's almost like he's "reaching" out with his thumb and index finger, then bringing them back in as he descends. Compare this to somebody like Martin Miller, who uses his elbow to constantly track the strings, so he can have the same pick angle all the time. Not dissing either style, I just think it's an interesting example of how many different ways you can solve the same problem!
Man he’s so knowledgeable. Such a rad guitarist and cool dude as well
Sweet ! Would love a breakdown on Craig Goldy's picking technique please.
I feel bad asking a tone question when the playing is so interesting and great, but here goes: what is Brandon playing through during the demo with the green guitar? His tone is so thick and rich, it’s awesome!
That's not a lame question. But the interesting thing is. Once you find out the amp. It might not be for you. That happened to me with Marshall's. Loved other players through them but they weren't for me
Cornford Hellcat! Not really a super modern metal amp but he's tuned down to C (edit: only with the Kelly, the green guitar is standard tuning) so everything is fatter. I think the rest is just his guitar - it's a heavy piece of wood that has Les Paul vibes.
@@troygradyHe was playing the same setup with both guitars? Sounds so different!?!
@@CEB7832 Different pickups = different sound.
@@hon8177 His personal guitars are from the Jackson custom shop. That's the best of the best.
2.02 in - the best discussion of Red Light Fever I can remember hearing 😂
Finally it’s here!
Saw him with Black Dahlia and his golden scepter in June, phenomenal player, gives me motivation to keep playing guitar!
Such a fantastic video to learn from 🤘🏻
Just as good live. Dude is incredible
in a few years Brandon will be the worlds best metal player Awesome playing 🙂
5:01 yes exactly sounds like a movie score. Kinda reminded me of MIB
So impressed by this young guitarist( he is still young and he masters so luch).
i love the six-string action packed melodies
If I wasn't watching I would swear your bends were a tremolo! Real nice bends.
Young legend, best guitarist for the coming decades
Thanks Troy ❤
That outro solo was so good! 😍
"Thought is the enemy of flow" - thinking about mistakes can be one way to help create them!
Insanely good chops, fair play.
I'm not into the vocal style at all but I still listen to BDM because Brandon's riffs and solos are just absolutely incredible works.
This is how I got into death metal - "Well, the vocals aren't great, but the riffs are killer!" And within a month or two I was screaming along.
Same, have tried a lot but the vocals are just not for me.
Simply incredible. Hot damn!
Love this!!!
Troy should get Ryan knight on here he's killer as well
Great player!
If this video was in another language it would make exactly as much sense as it does to me now
Oh, this is sick af KEEP IT METAL 🤘
2:54 That Mb13 (or whatever you want to call it) is cool. Doesn't sound too augmented with the perfect 5th still grounding it but has some of that whole-tonish dreamlike vibe.
Yep awesome sound!
More more more!
1:58 is sooo relatable 🙂
brandon is such an inspiration , and i want his guitar so bad haha
Amazing Sounds. Big like 👍🏿
Troy Grady super thanks so much. отличное исполнение хорошего хеви-метал. Brandon super.
Thanks for watching!
This guy is the best modern guitarist in my opinion.
Beautiful Playing
Incredible
That is the sickest guitar every made.
Is he using the Cornford Hellcat throughout the video? Thanks
Yes!
@@troygrady What speakers are you using? I'd really like to know. Have you had various speakers over the years with the Hellcat, and which have become your favorite? Thanks.
I just got a Hellcat combo a few days ago, but it came with a pair of Neo Creambacks. I used to have the Hellcat head and cab years ago, and it had the original Vintage 30's. Experts say 2003 was a good year for Vintage 30's. Apparently today there are 3 different quality levels of the same speakers. A pair of Scumback M75's could be nice. I'd love to hear from you and those who know the Hellcat, which speakers have you settled with - especially if you want to get the best from both channels. Thanks!
Awesome Kelly!
it seems at 9:55 there was basically incredible luck happening ascending and descending triads but the speed with which he played it omg 😮
The nice thing about the economy patterns that Brandon uses for seventh arpeggios is that the picking motions simplify the string changes. As long as you're playing patterns that utilize the strengths of those motions, the hit rate can be pretty high even when going fast.
Like it! Bit like Blues Saraceno!! At my age get bored of same old same old....! My Kids do similarly inspired by movies etc. Bang on!!
This is
just
sick
One of my favorite guitarists of all time, so glad he ended up on here!
TROY WHY DID YOU GATE KEEP THIS EPISODE FOR SO LONG 😭
What kind of pick is Brandon using?