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!
For the first time in the 13 years that I've been playing guitar, theory made sense for me. You have no idea how much I thank you for that. I remember Paul Gilbert saying something in the lines of... "scales and theory are important, but if something isn't in a scale and it sounds good to your ears, then it's good"
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.
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!
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!
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!
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,
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!
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!
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.
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!
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!
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!
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.
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!
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!)
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.
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!
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.
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.
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
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!!
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.
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!
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)
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
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.
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!
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!
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....
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!
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! ;)
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.
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!
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 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 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 😮
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!
@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!
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
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
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)
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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
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!
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.
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/
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
What I gathered was: Here's why theory is beneficial -> Here's a scale -> here's how modes work -> we can use notes outside of the scale for effect -> we can build chords from the notes of the (now altered) scale, all over the neck -> when you find cool sounding things with the modal notes, you can combine with the chords to make riffs. I appreciated it and I found it helpful, so thank you for making this video (and if I missed a point from the video, please point it out). I'm not sure I see why you almost didn't upload it. It's obviously not bottom shelf but it's not crazy advanced songwriting stuff. Those who didn't understand just don't have a strong enough foundation yet, which I don't think you need to cater to in every theory video. Honestly, I would *LOVE* really advanced theory on your channel to challenge myself. Like, a tier and many tiers above this video. I would love to dig deep into it. I haven't quite found something on TH-cam that satiates that... I'm open to suggestions for other channels but I would really love to, and benefit from, seeing more advanced content here. anyway... Cheers! I hope your family is doing really well :)
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.
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
18:56 this is refreshing, I'm 18 and can write riffs but a lot of this is stuff i haven't even thought about or learned, i usually use the harmonic minor but this had helped me.
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 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"
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..
For the first time in the 13 years that I've been playing guitar, theory made sense for me. You have no idea how much I thank you for that.
I remember Paul Gilbert saying something in the lines of... "scales and theory are important, but if something isn't in a scale and it sounds good to your ears, then it's good"
Rob is creating his own new mode I guess :-)
BUMP YES
I recently discovered that if you play Bb lydian with a G bass you'll find the riff from Live and Let Die.
Laserwrx Audition Nope
Good to hear! :-)
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! 🤔😱
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.
i really appreciate how comprehensive yet comprehensible your theory/songwriting lessons are. thanks man.
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.
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!
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!
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 think the theory videos are really helpful, you should do more seriously!!!
This has been saved to my folder of dark secret stuff to watch over and over again.
Hahaha, same here. Theory requires multiple viewings for me at my level But, it is beginning to make a bit more sense. 🎸😱🦇
Upload any content that you put your best into, fans will like it.
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!
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,
That was brilliant - could we have more please? The theory and reasons why things happen like they do is fascinating. Thanks for that.
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!
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!
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.
Really appreciate this sort of content from you. I need someone to go deep and then help me zoom out and simplify. Thank you!!
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!
Holy shit please continue and finish this lesson. I’m finally progressing again.
More of this please. Honestly amazing. I want a whole series of this.
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!
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!
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’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.
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!
the pictures for that guitar dont do it justice. that finish is awesome!
TambourineBoi69 I like the blue one in the background
Rob, this easily has to be one your best videos. Please do more of these! Great stuff!
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!!!
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!)
This might just be one of the best theory lessons I've had! Really unlocked some part of my brain!
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.
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!
LOVE your concise and simple approach! Thank you so much. Easily my favorite video I've ever seen of yorn. Danka!
Please more theory lessons like this. It’s so hard to find this kind of stuff explained well in layman’s terms. 👍🏻
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.
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.
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
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!!
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.
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!
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)
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
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.
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!
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!
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....
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!
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! ;)
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.
This is the EXACT video I've been looking for right now and I really want to see the cut content!!!
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!
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 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 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 😮
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!
@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!
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
I found this quite useful. Thanks. I think more posts like this would be widely appreciated.
I had a breakthrough about modes while watching this video. Thank you Chappers, this was awesome!
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
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)
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.
Thanks Rob. This video came at the right time for me. The figurative cobwebs have been cleared. I definitely owe you for this.
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.
Wow! Thanks Rob. Opened up a lot of things for me in terms of approaching modes!
Great stuff - I keep watching vids on modes and each time a little more sinks in.
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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
Yeah man. You need to keep these theories coming because they are great! You are an excellent teacher!
Glad you uploaded this, i always learn something every-time you upload a video with some theory in it :)
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!
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!
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.
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/
been trying to make sense of these modes for a while now and this video helped. thanks
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
I learned piano before I tried to teach myself guitar, and this video opened up grand new possibilities thank you!
Happy Halloween season to you Rob!
Hah! The SikTh degree...I see what you did there sir.
That's one of the best explanations I have ever heard for noodling - thanks!
What I gathered was:
Here's why theory is beneficial -> Here's a scale -> here's how modes work -> we can use notes outside of the scale for effect -> we can build chords from the notes of the (now altered) scale, all over the neck -> when you find cool sounding things with the modal notes, you can combine with the chords to make riffs.
I appreciated it and I found it helpful, so thank you for making this video (and if I missed a point from the video, please point it out).
I'm not sure I see why you almost didn't upload it. It's obviously not bottom shelf but it's not crazy advanced songwriting stuff. Those who didn't understand just don't have a strong enough foundation yet, which I don't think you need to cater to in every theory video.
Honestly, I would *LOVE* really advanced theory on your channel to challenge myself. Like, a tier and many tiers above this video. I would love to dig deep into it. I haven't quite found something on TH-cam that satiates that... I'm open to suggestions for other channels but I would really love to, and benefit from, seeing more advanced content here.
anyway... Cheers! I hope your family is doing really well :)
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 great way to present the modes... I haven't thought of it that way.. I really like your presentation.
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
Great talk man. This is like right in the middle of theory knowledge.
We need this!!
More videos like this, 👍🏽
18:56 this is refreshing, I'm 18 and can write riffs but a lot of this is stuff i haven't even thought about or learned, i usually use the harmonic minor but this had helped me.
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.
A great inspiration and a great human, thanks for the knowledge to dwell upon the frets, cheers from Italy