One thing i always say when it comes to learning theory( no matter the subject) is that having great knoeledge doesn't mean beeing able to share it in a comprehensible way, that's what makes you and bea great youtubers in my opinion, the fact that you speak of extremely intricated things in a way that is really comprehensible and, above all, never boring. Knowledge= teacher Skills=musician Knowledge+skills=guitar hero Knowledge+skills+natural sharing ability=the people i try to steal everithig i can from, couse i think i wanna be like you!
Hey Rob, just found out that I got into ACM! Thank you for being a huge inspiration to me and I hope to be working in your industry in the coming years!
Really loved the fact that you use the old video to explain what was on your mind and how the modes are helping you to play a riff. Quite simple if you think that way. Thanks for this lesson. You have just unlocked a lots of new ideas!!!
This is the best guitar theory lesson I have ever heard. I took lessons when I was younger and learned about the modes, but I never understood how I could apply them. Thanks Rob! Please continue to post vids on theory!
I don't understand why if you search for theory on modes on youtube you end up watching something extremely difficult (rick beato style) or something so simple you don't acquire any knowledge from. Then this video randomly appears on my subscription feed and my life changed. Thanks Rob.
Thanks Rob, this was pitched just at the right level for my current understanding. I would be great to see the full video if you ever decide to upload it - I first learned about modes from one of your older tutorials, and it's always nice to absorb some of your deeper knowledge! It certainly helps some of us to avoid blindly flailing in a dark land with no particular misson or direction!
I watched this video, guitar in hand the day you posted it. I gotta say, two and a half years later, nothing has done more to inform and transform how I play than the lesson you gave here. I would love and practice the shit out of some follow up videos just like this one. Thank you for this lesson!
You continue to impress me with your gifts of teaching and playing music Rob. You seem to mesh all theory together in a way that is so much simpler to understand, or at least to approach. Thanks for the help man!
Oddly enough this is my first time watching one of your theory vids. You have a great way of explaining content. While this is way over my head at the moment I was able to grasp where each mode sits on the scale. I feel confident that I can watch your other videos to help with my guitar playing. Thanks!
Rob, please don't ever stop making these videos. I've said this countless times on countless videos already, but I went to college and studied music and every time you post a video like this I have a break through and suddenly understand the theory behind the theory I learned. Thank you for all the videos, and the immeasurable wealth of knowledge contained within!
Hey Rob, I just wanted to say that I really appreciated this video. I have been noodling with guitar learning for many years, and am finally committing to learning how to play well and understand the theory behind what I am playing. I had just started looking at the relationship between scales and modes and they way that you discussed it in this video was clear and intuitive. I need to rewatch it when I can sit down with a guitar in my hand, but I am very much looking forward to it, so thank you so much for deciding to upload this video!
Seriously Rob that was awesome, that was the best TH-cam lesson I've ever seen, I've been playing for 3 years now and this is the first time I've felt fully engaged in theory, thanks for the awesome video! I and I'm sure that many others would love to see this sort on content through the week!
These types of lessons are GREAT. You do a good job Rob please do more they are very helpful for people learning. Modes and the understand of how they relate has opened huge doors for me. Keep it up,
I’ve only been playing for year and I’m blessed with a great teacher who started my lessons with mode theory. I’m so pleased he did and now I can’t understand why guitarists shun basics theory in favour of tab. More of this please Rob and feel free to go deeper.
Rob, I too was a survivor of the 80's, born in 76. Love your content. I always find your instructional videos from the past to the present to be both inspiring and informative. You are one of the main "pushers" to push my playing abilities a little further than I could have on my own. Often times with working a full time job and having a family, I slack on my constant drive and search for MOAR (lol) guitar knowledge and direction, but your videos always give me what I crave. Thank you for all you do, you and Bea are the top TH-cam guitarists that inspire me to stay creative, and give me knowledge I don't have. Even though I have played for 26 years, I never dove into theory hardcore, which I know is a downfall in some of my creativity, but videos like these really bring me to life. You always have my support, and I plan on purchasing my first Chapman guitar really soon!
Trying to learn theory from reading is quite time consuming for me. I feel like your lesson here opened quite a few doors for my playing and I really appreciate it! Love your vids, you ROCK!
Thanks for deciding to post any way. We need more of this. I am a mature learner. I haven't picked up a guitar since 1977. I gave up then because I was frustrated that I didn't understand the theory behind what I was doing. Determined to improve on that this time.
Beautifully done. At the age of 67, I love hearing it stated and shown this way. for the younger folks with a bit of knowledge this will shine a bright light on Modes for them. I admit it opened a couple of key points for me as well. Great job Rob, please do more of these. I've enjoyed listening to your tuition videos, as well as the Anderton's videos. I love it when people finally realize how much knowledge and skill is within all that Shredding by a true musician. I truly enjoy listening to you, Rabea, and Peter Honore. All the differences in styles are amazing. Keep up your contribution to the young and older guitarists sir. All the best to you and yours. Thank you.
Sloppy Simple Riffs Hey bud! Of course I will check out your channel, I will do so tonight. Would you mind taking the time to check out mine? That would mean a lot. Thank you!
I really wish there was more content like this. I wan't more information about the theory and a deeper understanding of all of this "stuff", the magic box of songwriting. It's hugely helpful for trying to improvise while jamming. Please gimme the rest of this and make more.
Thank you so much for this video. I’m used to working with this kind of theory but have had trouble transferring my knowledge to my guitar playing. It’s hard to find videos on TH-cam like this!
wow ive been studying theory for damn near 10 years now and this was one of the most comprehensive lessons I've ever had! Thanks for the knowledge Chappers!
As a beginner with a few basic chords and the Aminor and Cmajor scale shapes memorized, this really helped me a ton to expand my understanding! They way you explain is really good man thank you so much.
Dude, this is amazing! I’ve been reading up about this for years and never once has it made sense.....this now sort of fell together like tetris blocks! I’m actually NOW going to dig up my theory books and read it again, now I have a basic clue what I’m looking at. Thanks!!
I want to thank you for this video, been playing guitar seriously for a couple years and would say I'm intermediate, but I've been playing music since I was 8 and had a fairly good knowledge of theory. This has finally made everything make sense and transferable to guitar
I agree with the idea of more info, the better. MODES have always mystified me in the past until I got a better understanding of how to use them & their relationship to major scales. Great Job Rob....
I usually hate TH-cam guitar lessons with a passion. Even the ones by youtubers I love simply don’t help. But there’s something different about your teaching videos. I don’t get bored and they’re always really helpful. I like to think of myself as an upper intermediate player and I have written dozens of song without any theory and a lot of this stuff I kinda figured out without realizing but there’s always something new to learn and it’s nice being able to name these things. Great upload (also that riff at 12:17 was killer and 15:42 made my jaw drop cuz of how brutal it was)
thanks alot chappers I've been playing off and on for 23 years and im just now trying to learn theory so I can right better music as an out let and you have just made that a lot easier making it enjoyable again
that's for uploading a theory vid and talking about the value of theory! I've been on a trippy journey lately where I've been inverting your thinking a bit...instead of a pentatonic having less notes than a full diatonic scale, it has 2 more notes than a triad. So when learning you can start from the minimal notes - start with octave shapes as a basic scale (know the octaves for the chord up the neck) - then you throw in chord tones (135 arpeggios) and make that a scale, then pentatonic (add more notes, but not too many) then blues - add a note..then full 8 note etc. For me, working with 8 notes from the off and their combos always felt daunting but thinking about getting to know the basic core tones and taking an additive approach seems to be helping
Yes! I do remember when I started 10 - ish years ago I was the same way - just put them fingers on the fretboard and do not care how it works. But the more advanced I get, the more theory I learn. So learn the theory mates! ;)
This is a good way of wrapping your head around the modes. Realizing they all live inside the major scale and you just need to pick a place to call "home" at some point in the scale really frees you up to try different modal flavors using the scales you already know. Very cool! (I learned my modes on your channel!)
When you know the theory it makes it easier to explain to someone else. That is a great way to say it and understand why it is important and hopefully other people you jam with have a basic understanding as well. It took me roughly 10 years to really understand that. In my teens until my mid 20s I didn't. But it makes writing sooo much easier. Or jamming.
Honestly, blown away with how simply you managed to explain literally everything I have been confused about. I've listened to many people try to explain these concepts and fail to make any sense to me. Well done Chappers.
Chappers you have no idea how helpful this actually is. Ive been playing guitar for a long time but I don't fully understand theory and all that and I feel like it has been limiting me. This is a good step in the right direction for me.
Thank you Rob, that was really helpful. You've helped clarify a whole bunch of nonsensical theory that's been in my head for ages. Please do some more theory vids, love em :0)
That's pretty much how i understood the whole thing, i haven't read much books on theory, and all i was doing is basically connecting the dots and creating a net that i can apply anywhere on a fretboard depending on the circumstances, the rest is skill and imagination.
I have heard a lot of theory (for example about modes) that I didn’t understand. Still it made this make a lot of sense and this really connected some dots for me. So thanks a lot for showing me how to think of modes and scales in the context of riffs. Will practice and apply this for sure!
I would love to see more stuff like this! I had completely stagnated. Then I went exploring in Rocksmith and stumbled across the Phygrian Dominant scale and started using to to play stuff I never saw myself being able to write on my own. I went from being pretty much locked away in rock and blues to just jamming on some Gypsy-sounding acoustic stuff and these insane metal riffs with an almost Middle Eastern vibe, just because I found one new scale. It was an incredible feeling. Please upload the rest of that original video if you still have it! I appreciate that it takes a lot of work, but please, please do more stuff like this occasionally at least. I loved this video.
@Rob Chapman I have to say that you have opened my eyes to the importance of musical/guitar theory. I've been playing guitar since I was 9 years old. I just turned 30 and am nowhere near as good as I know I should be for my experience level and I now have a much better idea of how modes fit into guitar playing. I do a lot of online research of guitar gear and have watched many videos at Anderton's with you playing and thought "if only I could learn to play like that"... I have to say you've given me hope and incentive to get there! If you have more videos about theory and learning intermediate/advanced level guitar techniques that you could point me toward, I would be forever grateful as I find you to be an excellent teacher. Thanks for everything you do!
This video was absolutely useful. No question about that. If we want to be able to write riffs like you do, we have to understand what is going on in your mind to some degree. I would add that the rhythm is also a very important aspect of riff writing and your riffs are always very interesting rhythmically . Thank you!
As somebody with a strong understanding of theory, I'd love to hear you go way deep into how you think when you write, and your thoughts on how certain harmonic concepts move you (like for instance you might choose one minor mode over another, or how you might be inclined to connect key areas that are miles apart) I realize this is super geeky, but i think it would be super cool! Cheers!
I've watched a ton of your solo stuff as well as your work with Anderton's and this is one of my favorite videos. I'm a newish guitar player with a little bit of musical background. You're right in that there is a ton of material out there for beginners that basically boils down to memorization and "do this because I said so", but I picked up a guitar to really dig into theory and understand we do these things. There are just enough nuggets of information here that make sense at my current level of understanding to make the video fun. I'm working through Justin Sandercoe's music theory course, so I keep checking back to this video and picking up new nuggets that click. Its great stuff. Keep up the good work!
More of this please! Hours more of this! I'm that guy in the darkness with no direction. I can do lots of the awesome techniques, but I struggle so hard when I'm playing, to keep in mind which mode I'm sitting in for a particular section. Or how to incorporate a technique that sounds deliberate. But yeah, this was awesome, and in case I didn't say so, DO MORE OF THIS PLEASE! Lol
Wow! Thanks for this video! I actually know almost everything until the part the new part came in at the end, however I never looked at riffs that way. That last bit literally made me go "oohhh now things make sense". I'm definitely watching that part again with a guitar in my hand to make it even clearer. Again, thanks Rob! \m/
Love it Rob - more of this stuff please. A guitarist explaining theory on how you what you feel when noodling and bringing that back to Pentatonic Aeolian Dorian Ionian is really useful. Thx Matt
Rob, this was really well done. I don't think you need to start with the apologies. Though theory comes slow, I find I always benefit from learning more of it. As you said, once it 'clicks', it unlocks so much. I love when I learn theory and then suddenly 'understand' why some things I've noodled with for years sounds good to me.
As someone who has a passion for rock music but is currently in college learning music theory being a percussionist (playing marimba and such), thank you so much for explaining the theory in a world that I understand. I feel very misunderstood being someone with a rock background in a classical setting. Everyone else understands things through comparisons to beethoven and bach, while I am struggling trying to find something to connect my learning to. We haven't reached modes yet but now I feel like I have something that I can connect my learning to in order to aid myself.
I can’t believe you have explained modes to me in terms I can understand. Thank you... I have been playing too long and never got it in reference to the major scale before. WOW 😮
Wow. Just wow. I know pretty close to zero music theory, but I would absolutely love an in depth introduction to the modes, pentatonic scales and how to play within a given chord. Maybe make that a series of videos. I believe your concern about scaring us away with theory is misplaced. Especially since you just told us that - whether we know it or not - understanding the theory is the absolute key to becoming a non-boring composer. Thanks for putting this on my radar!
I'm way glad you uploaded this. I really appreciate the info. Even though its over my head, it gives me a lot of inspiration and topics to learn about. Big thank you
Honestly I enjoy to watch people ramble about theory. I think just hearing different people explain over and over will probably help me understand it. I pick up things here and there and I've started to get a grasp on some parts of theory. Just sitting down and saying I'm going to learn theory now hasn't worked for me so far so this stuff helps
I absolutely HATE it when people dumb things down. Rob Chapman, thank you for being an incredible music teacher and giving the theory to us without compromise. I will rewatch this video many times because it is simply excellent.
Thanks for this video Rob. My first music teacher was big on the modes and taught them to me early. I think the reason so many people try to play guitar and fail is because they didn't get a grasp of music theory first. Playing an instrument before learning theory is like trying to write a novel without learning the alphabet, grammar, and the spelling and meaning of words.
As a self- and youtube taught beginner (noodling by ear), I will consider myself intermediate when I know and understand scales, modes, moving and altering chords and can apply this knowledge. Same time my fingers have to learn to move with dexterity smooth, starting making music. Thank you Rob for this lesson! Have to rewatch it several times
Rob, I just want to say thanks for posting this and your "Warm up with me" vid three days ago. After noodling around on guitar for decades, the idea of modes finally came home. In the Warm Up vid, you used a D scale chord progression that I've long played "by ear", but with me substituting the aeolian and the locrian with other chords. Now I finally get how modes are just the same scale with different roots. Took me long enough! (Danish Pete will eventually figure it out, too.) Love your content, especially your shenanigans with Lee @ Andertons. You seem like a top bloke. If I ever find my way from Japan to the UK, I'll happily buy you a pint and a curry.
Really cool chappers.. best theory lesson so far man..!!!!! I'm 29 yo and on this "dark land" from so long, but I feel that I'll concentrate now to study and getting better. Thanks to you also for being inspiring whit all your music and cool lessons like this one! Hope we can meet up somewhere once..! Cheers!
This has helped me understand music so much more. I would love for you to teach us more! also I watch some of your videos everyday for months at work.. This video made me hit that magic button. SUBSCRIBED
Absolutely mind blowing. Thank you so much for putting actual value to someone learning that should have known his notes by now... Do more, do more...!! lol
thanks Rob, this help clear my understanding a lot, please do follow up videos on it. maybe how to use multiple modes in one solo/improvisation. much apreciate it
The circle of 5ths is my absolute!!!!!!! best friend and it has allowed me to understand. I am a banjo player and my teacher (very well known who passed) taught me college level theory and helped me with piano . I love this video and it is so helpful.. thank you
Thanks man. Really appreciate the upload. If you could make more detailed theory videos with each of the modes explained very thoroughly from the basics to higher level stuff that would be amazing! I'd love to listen and improve my understanding of guitar.
Thank you so much Rob although I don't have a full understanding little by little when I get it under my fingers it will all pay off I'm just six seven years into it been watching you all that time can't thank you enough looking forward to more tutorials like the one you just did see you next time thanks again Jay
Great vid. I think a lot of us want more than just gear reviews now. Bite sized bits of theory when repeated by yourself, Tom Q, Walliman, Neely & co will gradually start to sink in. Over time, the TH-cam viewers who started off wanting to know about the best drive pedals will find that, somehow, they know when & how to use a diminished scale.... & you guys will have left a musical legacy.
I've been playing for 17 years, written 4 albums over 2 bands and toured Europe. - I've only ever know as much theory as the minor and major sweeps. This video is the first time i have ever A. not been bored out of my mind and B. Actually properly grasped theory and it has had an advantageous effect on my thinking going forward. I'm probably going to spend the next 6 months hammering this video, so if you feel like doing a part 2 that actually is an hour long theory crafting beast, i'm probably not the only dude here that would most certainly appreciate it! - Quality vid Chappers, quality!
It's the second time I've stumbled upon this video; the first time was months ago. In between, I learned some theory (it's fun!). Well, this second playing is starting to make sense. I still don't know where I'm going. I'm still in the dark, but you're telling me there's a light switch nearby. This gives me hope. A few months from now, maybe I'll find this video again. Thanks!
Great video. From my experience (i've been on the planet even longer than you!), videos like this are a great source. Not everyone will get it all, but get as many different angles on the subject as you can until it clicks. I think I already understand this stuff, but it still hasn't clicked into natural, fluid improvisation. Gotta keep trying!
Thank you, Rob, for answering my question, you have just made today one of the happiest days of my life. And I've got a lot of my life ahead of me. And thank you for your generosity. :-)
Excellent video, Rob your guitar skills are inspiring! Thank you, very useful information. Already knew some of the theory but to have simplified down a bit definitely made more sense.
This is a phenomenal video! Thank u thank u thank u thank u. You are a masterfully genuine human being for this! This is finally taught in the way i learn. Ive always understood theory but could never explain it. This is perfect.
I still don’t get it :-)
legendary
Peter Honoré oh fuck off Pete lol. You're a fucking maestro my friend.
Lol :-)
... then there is truly no hope for me. 😁
Peter Honoré its just magic.
I was totally in it when you cut, I could've have listened much longer! Thank you for this, Rob!
Totally agreed!
Me too, us nerds dig the details
One thing i always say when it comes to learning theory( no matter the subject) is that having great knoeledge doesn't mean beeing able to share it in a comprehensible way, that's what makes you and bea great youtubers in my opinion, the fact that you speak of extremely intricated things in a way that is really comprehensible and, above all, never boring.
Knowledge= teacher
Skills=musician
Knowledge+skills=guitar hero
Knowledge+skills+natural sharing ability=the people i try to steal everithig i can from, couse i think i wanna be like you!
Actually it is pretty great to hear you rumble on, you know so much about music and we can all learn from your "going on"
Make a second video including the further stuff! Would be even more helpful once we understand this lesson, thanks for the theory rob!
This. Exactly this
Yeah, that!
Yes! 🤔😱
Advanced stuff isn't a problem man not everyone is a beginner.... Upload whatever you want. Would love to see some more advanced stuff from you tho..
Please release the full hour as well please
Second this.
definitely dont hesitate to put out videos like this, i learned quite a bit about the inner workings of WHY different chords or riffs work together.
Hey Rob, just found out that I got into ACM! Thank you for being a huge inspiration to me and I hope to be working in your industry in the coming years!
Sam Webb Congrats dude :-)
Rob Chapman thank you so much man!
Upload any content that you put your best into, fans will like it.
Holy shit please continue and finish this lesson. I’m finally progressing again.
i really appreciate how comprehensive yet comprehensible your theory/songwriting lessons are. thanks man.
I think the theory videos are really helpful, you should do more seriously!!!
Really loved the fact that you use the old video to explain what was on your mind and how the modes are helping you to play a riff. Quite simple if you think that way. Thanks for this lesson. You have just unlocked a lots of new ideas!!!
This is the best guitar theory lesson I have ever heard. I took lessons when I was younger and learned about the modes, but I never understood how I could apply them. Thanks Rob! Please continue to post vids on theory!
I don't understand why if you search for theory on modes on youtube you end up watching something extremely difficult (rick beato style) or something so simple you don't acquire any knowledge from. Then this video randomly appears on my subscription feed and my life changed.
Thanks Rob.
Thanks Rob, this was pitched just at the right level for my current understanding. I would be great to see the full video if you ever decide to upload it - I first learned about modes from one of your older tutorials, and it's always nice to absorb some of your deeper knowledge! It certainly helps some of us to avoid blindly flailing in a dark land with no particular misson or direction!
I watched this video, guitar in hand the day you posted it. I gotta say, two and a half years later, nothing has done more to inform and transform how I play than the lesson you gave here. I would love and practice the shit out of some follow up videos just like this one. Thank you for this lesson!
You continue to impress me with your gifts of teaching and playing music Rob. You seem to mesh all theory together in a way that is so much simpler to understand, or at least to approach. Thanks for the help man!
Oddly enough this is my first time watching one of your theory vids. You have a great way of explaining content. While this is way over my head at the moment I was able to grasp where each mode sits on the scale. I feel confident that I can watch your other videos to help with my guitar playing. Thanks!
Rob, please don't ever stop making these videos. I've said this countless times on countless videos already, but I went to college and studied music and every time you post a video like this I have a break through and suddenly understand the theory behind the theory I learned.
Thank you for all the videos, and the immeasurable wealth of knowledge contained within!
Hey Rob, I just wanted to say that I really appreciated this video. I have been noodling with guitar learning for many years, and am finally committing to learning how to play well and understand the theory behind what I am playing. I had just started looking at the relationship between scales and modes and they way that you discussed it in this video was clear and intuitive. I need to rewatch it when I can sit down with a guitar in my hand, but I am very much looking forward to it, so thank you so much for deciding to upload this video!
Seriously Rob that was awesome, that was the best TH-cam lesson I've ever seen, I've been playing for 3 years now and this is the first time I've felt fully engaged in theory, thanks for the awesome video! I and I'm sure that many others would love to see this sort on content through the week!
These types of lessons are GREAT. You do a good job Rob please do more they are very helpful for people learning. Modes and the understand of how they relate has opened huge doors for me. Keep it up,
I’ve only been playing for year and I’m blessed with a great teacher who started my lessons with mode theory. I’m so pleased he did and now I can’t understand why guitarists shun basics theory in favour of tab. More of this please Rob and feel free to go deeper.
Rob, I too was a survivor of the 80's, born in 76. Love your content. I always find your instructional videos from the past to the present to be both inspiring and informative. You are one of the main "pushers" to push my playing abilities a little further than I could have on my own. Often times with working a full time job and having a family, I slack on my constant drive and search for MOAR (lol) guitar knowledge and direction, but your videos always give me what I crave. Thank you for all you do, you and Bea are the top TH-cam guitarists that inspire me to stay creative, and give me knowledge I don't have. Even though I have played for 26 years, I never dove into theory hardcore, which I know is a downfall in some of my creativity, but videos like these really bring me to life. You always have my support, and I plan on purchasing my first Chapman guitar really soon!
Trying to learn theory from reading is quite time consuming for me. I feel like your lesson here opened quite a few doors for my playing and I really appreciate it! Love your vids, you ROCK!
Really appreciate this sort of content from you. I need someone to go deep and then help me zoom out and simplify. Thank you!!
Thanks for deciding to post any way. We need more of this. I am a mature learner. I haven't picked up a guitar since 1977. I gave up then because I was frustrated that I didn't understand the theory behind what I was doing. Determined to improve on that this time.
Beautifully done. At the age of 67, I love hearing it stated and shown this way. for the younger folks with a bit of knowledge this will shine a bright light on Modes for them. I admit it opened a couple of key points for me as well. Great job Rob, please do more of these. I've enjoyed listening to your tuition videos, as well as the Anderton's videos. I love it when people finally realize how much knowledge and skill is within all that Shredding by a true musician. I truly enjoy listening to you, Rabea, and Peter Honore. All the differences in styles are amazing. Keep up your contribution to the young and older guitarists sir. All the best to you and yours. Thank you.
Well, the code in the back of your brain as you said, produces killer riffs sir!
Sloppy Simple Riffs Hey bud! Of course I will check out your channel, I will do so tonight. Would you mind taking the time to check out mine? That would mean a lot. Thank you!
I really wish there was more content like this. I wan't more information about the theory and a deeper understanding of all of this "stuff", the magic box of songwriting. It's hugely helpful for trying to improvise while jamming. Please gimme the rest of this and make more.
Thank you so much for this video. I’m used to working with this kind of theory but have had trouble transferring my knowledge to my guitar playing. It’s hard to find videos on TH-cam like this!
wow ive been studying theory for damn near 10 years now and this was one of the most comprehensive lessons I've ever had! Thanks for the knowledge Chappers!
As a beginner with a few basic chords and the Aminor and Cmajor scale shapes memorized, this really helped me a ton to expand my understanding! They way you explain is really good man thank you so much.
I really wish that you upload the rest too.. I love Music Theory and love to learn it from you.. You're Teachings are Awesome and so are you!!!
Dude, this is amazing! I’ve been reading up about this for years and never once has it made sense.....this now sort of fell together like tetris blocks! I’m actually NOW going to dig up my theory books and read it again, now I have a basic clue what I’m looking at. Thanks!!
That's a good start to learning. being from a guitarist standpoint it is alot easier than I thought it would be! Great vid
I want to thank you for this video, been playing guitar seriously for a couple years and would say I'm intermediate, but I've been playing music since I was 8 and had a fairly good knowledge of theory. This has finally made everything make sense and transferable to guitar
I agree with the idea of more info, the better. MODES have always mystified me in the past until I got a better understanding of how to use them & their relationship to major scales. Great Job Rob....
I usually hate TH-cam guitar lessons with a passion. Even the ones by youtubers I love simply don’t help. But there’s something different about your teaching videos. I don’t get bored and they’re always really helpful. I like to think of myself as an upper intermediate player and I have written dozens of song without any theory and a lot of this stuff I kinda figured out without realizing but there’s always something new to learn and it’s nice being able to name these things. Great upload (also that riff at 12:17 was killer and 15:42 made my jaw drop cuz of how brutal it was)
thanks alot chappers I've been playing off and on for 23 years and im just now trying to learn theory so I can right better music as an out let and you have just made that a lot easier making it enjoyable again
that's for uploading a theory vid and talking about the value of theory! I've been on a trippy journey lately where I've been inverting your thinking a bit...instead of a pentatonic having less notes than a full diatonic scale, it has 2 more notes than a triad. So when learning you can start from the minimal notes - start with octave shapes as a basic scale (know the octaves for the chord up the neck) - then you throw in chord tones (135 arpeggios) and make that a scale, then pentatonic (add more notes, but not too many) then blues - add a note..then full 8 note etc. For me, working with 8 notes from the off and their combos always felt daunting but thinking about getting to know the basic core tones and taking an additive approach seems to be helping
Yes! I do remember when I started 10 - ish years ago I was the same way - just put them fingers on the fretboard and do not care how it works. But the more advanced I get, the more theory I learn. So learn the theory mates! ;)
Rob, this easily has to be one your best videos. Please do more of these! Great stuff!
This is a good way of wrapping your head around the modes. Realizing they all live inside the major scale and you just need to pick a place to call "home" at some point in the scale really frees you up to try different modal flavors using the scales you already know. Very cool! (I learned my modes on your channel!)
When you know the theory it makes it easier to explain to someone else. That is a great way to say it and understand why it is important and hopefully other people you jam with have a basic understanding as well. It took me roughly 10 years to really understand that. In my teens until my mid 20s I didn't. But it makes writing sooo much easier. Or jamming.
Honestly, blown away with how simply you managed to explain literally everything I have been confused about. I've listened to many people try to explain these concepts and fail to make any sense to me. Well done Chappers.
Chappers you have no idea how helpful this actually is. Ive been playing guitar for a long time but I don't fully understand theory and all that and I feel like it has been limiting me. This is a good step in the right direction for me.
Thank you Rob, that was really helpful. You've helped clarify a whole bunch of nonsensical theory that's been in my head for ages. Please do some more theory vids, love em :0)
That's pretty much how i understood the whole thing, i haven't read much books on theory, and all i was doing is basically connecting the dots and creating a net that i can apply anywhere on a fretboard depending on the circumstances, the rest is skill and imagination.
I have heard a lot of theory (for example about modes) that I didn’t understand. Still it made this make a lot of sense and this really connected some dots for me. So thanks a lot for showing me how to think of modes and scales in the context of riffs. Will practice and apply this for sure!
This might just be one of the best theory lessons I've had! Really unlocked some part of my brain!
I would love to see more stuff like this! I had completely stagnated. Then I went exploring in Rocksmith and stumbled across the Phygrian Dominant scale and started using to to play stuff I never saw myself being able to write on my own. I went from being pretty much locked away in rock and blues to just jamming on some Gypsy-sounding acoustic stuff and these insane metal riffs with an almost Middle Eastern vibe, just because I found one new scale. It was an incredible feeling.
Please upload the rest of that original video if you still have it! I appreciate that it takes a lot of work, but please, please do more stuff like this occasionally at least. I loved this video.
@Rob Chapman I have to say that you have opened my eyes to the importance of musical/guitar theory. I've been playing guitar since I was 9 years old. I just turned 30 and am nowhere near as good as I know I should be for my experience level and I now have a much better idea of how modes fit into guitar playing. I do a lot of online research of guitar gear and have watched many videos at Anderton's with you playing and thought "if only I could learn to play like that"... I have to say you've given me hope and incentive to get there! If you have more videos about theory and learning intermediate/advanced level guitar techniques that you could point me toward, I would be forever grateful as I find you to be an excellent teacher. Thanks for everything you do!
This video was absolutely useful. No question about that. If we want to be able to write riffs like you do, we have to understand what is going on in your mind to some degree. I would add that the rhythm is also a very important aspect of riff writing and your riffs are always very interesting rhythmically . Thank you!
As somebody with a strong understanding of theory, I'd love to hear you go way deep into how you think when you write, and your thoughts on how certain harmonic concepts move you (like for instance you might choose one minor mode over another, or how you might be inclined to connect key areas that are miles apart) I realize this is super geeky, but i think it would be super cool! Cheers!
That was brilliant - could we have more please? The theory and reasons why things happen like they do is fascinating. Thanks for that.
I've watched a ton of your solo stuff as well as your work with Anderton's and this is one of my favorite videos. I'm a newish guitar player with a little bit of musical background. You're right in that there is a ton of material out there for beginners that basically boils down to memorization and "do this because I said so", but I picked up a guitar to really dig into theory and understand we do these things. There are just enough nuggets of information here that make sense at my current level of understanding to make the video fun.
I'm working through Justin Sandercoe's music theory course, so I keep checking back to this video and picking up new nuggets that click. Its great stuff. Keep up the good work!
we need a part 2. more in-depth for people who already understand what was stated in this video.
More of this please! Hours more of this! I'm that guy in the darkness with no direction. I can do lots of the awesome techniques, but I struggle so hard when I'm playing, to keep in mind which mode I'm sitting in for a particular section. Or how to incorporate a technique that sounds deliberate.
But yeah, this was awesome, and in case I didn't say so, DO MORE OF THIS PLEASE! Lol
Thanks Rob. This video came at the right time for me. The figurative cobwebs have been cleared. I definitely owe you for this.
Wow! Thanks for this video! I actually know almost everything until the part the new part came in at the end, however I never looked at riffs that way. That last bit literally made me go "oohhh now things make sense".
I'm definitely watching that part again with a guitar in my hand to make it even clearer.
Again, thanks Rob! \m/
LOVE your concise and simple approach! Thank you so much. Easily my favorite video I've ever seen of yorn. Danka!
Love it Rob - more of this stuff please. A guitarist explaining theory on how you what you feel when noodling and bringing that back to Pentatonic Aeolian Dorian Ionian is really useful. Thx Matt
More of this please. Honestly amazing. I want a whole series of this.
Rob, this was really well done. I don't think you need to start with the apologies. Though theory comes slow, I find I always benefit from learning more of it. As you said, once it 'clicks', it unlocks so much. I love when I learn theory and then suddenly 'understand' why some things I've noodled with for years sounds good to me.
As someone who has a passion for rock music but is currently in college learning music theory being a percussionist (playing marimba and such), thank you so much for explaining the theory in a world that I understand. I feel very misunderstood being someone with a rock background in a classical setting. Everyone else understands things through comparisons to beethoven and bach, while I am struggling trying to find something to connect my learning to. We haven't reached modes yet but now I feel like I have something that I can connect my learning to in order to aid myself.
I can’t believe you have explained modes to me in terms I can understand. Thank you... I have been playing too long and never got it in reference to the major scale before. WOW 😮
Wow. Just wow. I know pretty close to zero music theory, but I would absolutely love an in depth introduction to the modes, pentatonic scales and how to play within a given chord. Maybe make that a series of videos. I believe your concern about scaring us away with theory is misplaced. Especially since you just told us that - whether we know it or not - understanding the theory is the absolute key to becoming a non-boring composer. Thanks for putting this on my radar!
I'm way glad you uploaded this. I really appreciate the info. Even though its over my head, it gives me a lot of inspiration and topics to learn about. Big thank you
Please more theory lessons like this. It’s so hard to find this kind of stuff explained well in layman’s terms. 👍🏻
Yeah man. You need to keep these theories coming because they are great! You are an excellent teacher!
Honestly I enjoy to watch people ramble about theory. I think just hearing different people explain over and over will probably help me understand it. I pick up things here and there and I've started to get a grasp on some parts of theory. Just sitting down and saying I'm going to learn theory now hasn't worked for me so far so this stuff helps
the pictures for that guitar dont do it justice. that finish is awesome!
TambourineBoi69 I like the blue one in the background
I absolutely HATE it when people dumb things down. Rob Chapman, thank you for being an incredible music teacher and giving the theory to us without compromise. I will rewatch this video many times because it is simply excellent.
This is the EXACT video I've been looking for right now and I really want to see the cut content!!!
Mkay. Watched it all and it did open few doors in my head. Now rewind, watch again. Till I *GET IT*. All of it. Thanks Rob!
Glad you uploaded this, i always learn something every-time you upload a video with some theory in it :)
I had a breakthrough about modes while watching this video. Thank you Chappers, this was awesome!
Thanks for this video Rob. My first music teacher was big on the modes and taught them to me early. I think the reason so many people try to play guitar and fail is because they didn't get a grasp of music theory first. Playing an instrument before learning theory is like trying to write a novel without learning the alphabet, grammar, and the spelling and meaning of words.
Man. Been watching (and enjoying the hell out of) you on Anderton's stuff with "The Captain" for a while now. Glad I found your channel now.
As a self- and youtube taught beginner (noodling by ear), I will consider myself intermediate when I know and understand scales, modes, moving and altering chords and can apply this knowledge. Same time my fingers have to learn to move with dexterity smooth, starting making music.
Thank you Rob for this lesson! Have to rewatch it several times
Rob, I just want to say thanks for posting this and your "Warm up with me" vid three days ago. After noodling around on guitar for decades, the idea of modes finally came home. In the Warm Up vid, you used a D scale chord progression that I've long played "by ear", but with me substituting the aeolian and the locrian with other chords. Now I finally get how modes are just the same scale with different roots. Took me long enough! (Danish Pete will eventually figure it out, too.) Love your content, especially your shenanigans with Lee @ Andertons. You seem like a top bloke. If I ever find my way from Japan to the UK, I'll happily buy you a pint and a curry.
I found this quite useful. Thanks. I think more posts like this would be widely appreciated.
Really cool chappers.. best theory lesson so far man..!!!!! I'm 29 yo and on this "dark land" from so long, but I feel that I'll concentrate now to study and getting better. Thanks to you also for being inspiring whit all your music and cool lessons like this one! Hope we can meet up somewhere once..!
Cheers!
This has helped me understand music so much more. I would love for you to teach us more!
also I watch some of your videos everyday for months at work.. This video made me hit that magic button. SUBSCRIBED
Absolutely mind blowing. Thank you so much for putting actual value to someone learning that should have known his notes by now... Do more, do more...!! lol
thanks Rob, this help clear my understanding a lot, please do follow up videos on it. maybe how to use multiple modes in one solo/improvisation. much apreciate it
The circle of 5ths is my absolute!!!!!!! best friend and it has allowed me to understand. I am a banjo player and my teacher (very well known who passed) taught me college level theory and helped me with piano . I love this video and it is so helpful.. thank you
Thanks man. Really appreciate the upload. If you could make more detailed theory videos with each of the modes explained very thoroughly from the basics to higher level stuff that would be amazing! I'd love to listen and improve my understanding of guitar.
Thank you so much Rob although I don't have a full understanding little by little when I get it under my fingers it will all pay off I'm just six seven years into it been watching you all that time can't thank you enough looking forward to more tutorials like the one you just did see you next time thanks again Jay
Well; after 10 years of aimlessly noodling around every day and learning cover after cover, I think it's time to finally learn my scale shapes haha!
Great vid. I think a lot of us want more than just gear reviews now. Bite sized bits of theory when repeated by yourself, Tom Q, Walliman, Neely & co will gradually start to sink in. Over time, the TH-cam viewers who started off wanting to know about the best drive pedals will find that, somehow, they know when & how to use a diminished scale.... & you guys will have left a musical legacy.
I've been playing for 17 years, written 4 albums over 2 bands and toured Europe. - I've only ever know as much theory as the minor and major sweeps.
This video is the first time i have ever A. not been bored out of my mind and B. Actually properly grasped theory and it has had an advantageous effect on my thinking going forward.
I'm probably going to spend the next 6 months hammering this video, so if you feel like doing a part 2 that actually is an hour long theory crafting beast, i'm probably not the only dude here that would most certainly appreciate it! - Quality vid Chappers, quality!
It's the second time I've stumbled upon this video; the first time was months ago. In between, I learned some theory (it's fun!). Well, this second playing is starting to make sense. I still don't know where I'm going. I'm still in the dark, but you're telling me there's a light switch nearby. This gives me hope. A few months from now, maybe I'll find this video again. Thanks!
Great video. From my experience (i've been on the planet even longer than you!), videos like this are a great source. Not everyone will get it all, but get as many different angles on the subject as you can until it clicks.
I think I already understand this stuff, but it still hasn't clicked into natural, fluid improvisation. Gotta keep trying!
Thank you, Rob, for answering my question, you have just made today one of the happiest days of my life. And I've got a lot of my life ahead of me. And thank you for your generosity. :-)
Excellent video, Rob your guitar skills are inspiring! Thank you, very useful information. Already knew some of the theory but to have simplified down a bit definitely made more sense.
This is a phenomenal video! Thank u thank u thank u thank u. You are a masterfully genuine human being for this! This is finally taught in the way i learn. Ive always understood theory but could never explain it. This is perfect.