Reverse Engineering DREAM THEATER - Metropolis Pt 1 Analysis/Breakdown [Progressive Rock]

[@SignalsMusicStudio]

GUYS! On Reddit, atalkingfish informed me how wrong I was about the bass part for the second section. It IS 13/4 polymeter like I said, but it ain't just 8th notes and rests, its actually way more complicated than that. Although it's nearly impossible to hear in the mix on the original album, you can see/hear him play it live or hear it on isolated stems. SORRY!

[@xencage]

Signals Music Studio very cool vid, anyway! I’d like to see more of this kind of thing. Creative ways to work interesting things into ones own compositions.

[@joaomatheus6222]

I was about to comment about the bass being actually different lmao

[@Cuzjudd]

Not good enough. Thumbs down from me

[@mmblaake]

First, name the song right. If you check the beginning of the video it says “The Sleeper and the Miracle” #UNLIKE

[@jasoncavitt2043]

That's fine, SMS. The point of the lesson remains the same, and well done.

[@imanalien6461]

Time to reverse engineer Dance Of Eternity. Should be a piece of cake.

[@MrMetalhorse]

You have to grow a big beard in order to unlock the Petrucci powers

[@SignalsMusicStudio]

Another thing Petrucci can do that I can't :(

[@ejRecording]

dont forget to lift

[@carrie7225]

but dont forget to shave your neckbeard or it will absorb your petrucci powers

[@AtomizedSound]

Actually Grizzly arms are required to unlock full achievement

[@SodomySnake]

Get Michelangelo to paint your guitar for you. Not that guitar noob, the Sistine Chapel guy. And you need a preamp that controls how hot the sun is or something like that.

[@salomoncana2202]

It took me 18 years to understand Dream theater musicality. I would need another 18 more to understand the analysis. It's truly amazing. The decoding is phenomenal.

[@martincoons823]

Agreed! On all points ..

[@AtomikSoup]

Did you say Dream Theater? Subscribed!

[@jorggamingcr409]

So...what's easier or harder?, string theory, quantum mechanics or dream theater writting process?

[@gareginasatryan6761]

JorgGamingCR how about animals as leaders

[@bcepni00]

I though animals as leaders just played what came to their minds.

[@alex_rosenblum]

I think String Quantum Mechanics Theory is actually the name of the next DT album

[@psychedelicpain420]

@@bcepni00 That's also Dream Theater for ppl who don't understand their music

[@bcepni00]

@@psychedelicpain420 I guess so. I'm definetly used to DT but not yet to AAL.

[@SRNF]

Do this for every Dream Theater track. I will make a dream theater clone band. *Dream Cinema*

[@Cole-ek7fh]

SRNF black metal version.
nightmare arena.

[@Josh-it6uy]

unfunny

[@joaot8253]

Dream Theater themselves had a band called Nightmare Cinema. The band members played other instruments. Petrucci played drums, Myung played the keyboards, Derek played guitars and Portnoy played bass. LaBrie was the singer
Also they adopted different names, just for the meme: Johnny James, Juice Malouse, Nicky Lemons, Max del Fuvio and Abdul Matahari, in the same order as above

[@Josh-it6uy]

Everyone already knows this. @@joaot8253

[@volderhamer]

@@Josh-it6uy I didn't

[@nathanshervheim4611]

I found your channel this morning, loved your stuff, subscribed, then an hour later, you break down one of my favorite DT songs. This is insane

[@Agentepic25]

I literally found this channel yesterday and subscribed right away

[@ThrawnTheater]

That is awesome, I'm happy you had that experience, something like that happening to me would make me really excited.

[@HollowMan19xx]

Nicely done, plus you have a killer voice for this sorta thing.

[@lxathu]

I have a couple of music teaching YT heroes and I just can't understand how come that I haven't found you to put on their list.
You really deserve it.
Going to fix that right now...

[@sayanmandal2246]

I love the way you explain music theory. Thank you a lot. For someone who doesn't have any knowledge besides basic chords, you've taught me valuable stuff today. I've seen many artists in TH-cam but you're explanations are so easy to understand. Thank you once again.

[@thombakker2835]

Dude please do prog song breakdowns! Gained a sub bro!

[@masonstanford]

This. This is exactly what I need in my life. Thank you. I'm definitely subscribing and happy to see a (relatively) new face coming up in the burgeoning world of hardcore music science on youtube. A couple of comments:
I love the very concise, practical breakdowns like this. I'll have to watch more of your videos but it seems like you and Adam Nealy share a little bit of space. It's this specific deconstruction and reverse engineering that is unique, special, and exactly what I need to help when the writing doesn't come so easy as it gives a concise, in depth look into how some of my inspos do it. Thank you.
Your recording room, combined with this music, gives me a weird sense of nostalgia for stuff that you're spookily young-seeming to be evoking...
Dude, your voice. You've found your home my friend. Your voice is perfect for this sort of thing.
Now, may I say something not so nice? Feel free not to read on. Ready? Here goes:
Again, I'll have to listen to other stuff of yours since this could be something exclusive to this video... But man, that guitar tone... wow. It reminds me of when the random guy at guitar center plugs in the cheap ESP with active pickups into the Metal Zone pedal at the Boss display... All fizz, all buzz, all cheap, and not nearly up to par with the amazing stuff you're giving us. Now, you didn't ask for this (what I would generously call) "advice," so feel free to completely ignore it, but if I may: I would hope you have a guitar with passive pickups. Let's maybe use that UNLESS we know for sure the guy we're emulating plays active pickups (JP does not). Next, if I may, what are you playing through? Might I suggest a hyper-simple and cheap solution that will get you squared away for a million videos to come: Positive Grid Bias. You'll have all the amp and effects options you need for absolutely anything. Again, this is unsolicited, so ignore it at your leisure. For all I know you've got 23 high end guitars and 12 amazing amps covering Marshall to Mesa and Shaw to Dr Z, and just chose this tone because it's exactly what you felt was appropriate for this video. If so, I get it and I'll see myself out.
Anyway, thanks again for the amazing content, and you've got yourself a subscriber for sure!

[@familyfun4829]

Dude! You’re a genius I have never analyze music to that degree dream theater specially when I seen you do that I know I do you know what you’re talking about so good job dude

[@marcoscastaneda8848]

First time I’ve ever seen one of your videos, first time even hearing a dream theater song, and I fully enjoyed how you presented the breakdown of the music, how smoothly you talked about the elements of the riff and how you didn’t come off as a music snob. Great video! Keep it up brother.

[@cjo2012]

buddy you are such a pleasure the way you break things down that's great and i really appreciate it

[@martincoons823]

Analysis? Indeed! Leaps and Bounds- in short order... I can see this is the beginning of a beautiful student teacher relationship....thanks bro....

[@BiohazardEXTREME]

A lot of people say that understanding things, like special effects, for example., ruins movies for them, but understanding the craftsmanship makes me appreciate it all the more. Thank you for helping me appreciate my favourite band all the more.

[@aleatoriac7356]

I love it
Been a long time since I did this with music.
The "rip off" was awesome! Even though I'm very familiar with the Dream Theater song, I think what you did stands up as its own very well.

[@Rain593]

Okay. You've covered Dream Theater...
Time for Symphony X

[@JakobStrand]

I vote for Nickelback! I cant understand their music.

[@theaterofsouls]

hahahaha!!!!

[@cbfedge5593]

@@JakobStrand Nickelback is music????

[@bm8584]

A Symphony X analysis would be awesome

[@nicholasw996]

Usually I stay away from videos about music because I end up feeling estranged by the way other people talk about music. I saw this video in my suggestions and thought I’d give it a chance.
This is the closest I’ve ever come to feeling like someone perceives music the way I do. Subscribed.

[@joeljaffesd]

Just discovered your channel yesterday. In the words of the late great John Entwistle: “I’m not a bass player, I’m a bass guitar player,” and I constantly am dissatisfied with the theory taught in bass lessons on TH-cam. Your videos however are spectacular in so many ways that I’m sure I’m not even consciously aware of most of them. I really think your teaching methods are excellent and truly appreciate the effort you put into your videos. I look forward to future content from your channel and would really love to see more “Decoded” videos like this one. (Especially if you plan on doing one for Rush!) Thanks for the great videos.

[@gratusmrke2337]

Reverse engineer Opeth :D

[@26jor]

Grå Tusmørke YES

[@swiggyswagg4292]

Need more thumbs up on this

[@adnanebenaouicha-Drafts]

moore

[@eglathren]

YES PLEASE

[@jonathansefcik473]

Their acoustic stuff is especially interesting.

[@afronprime51]

Oh Jack you are my musical hero. I know there are a lot of really great music teachers on the TH-cams, but this man is the one I watch the most. Aside from the fact that he has "THE VOICE OF GOD" he is just so clear and concise in his explanations. Rock on my brother Jack. If you have not subscribed to this channel do so, you will not regret it.

[@angelssanchezluna2179]

I've always hated Dream Theater for their lack of "soul", but after seeing your video I think would be fun to play that kind of music, not so fun to listen to or to non-musicians. Thank you, you changed my perspective!

[@dylanstevens2410]

Just thought I'd point out the bass part in the last 8 measures is missing the 16th note tapping between the roots. Plus he's also doing 16th notes of the root and octave.
At least I'm pretty sure

[@FreddyMolina-jinhound]

Thank you! I knew there was something off with the bass.

[@diegorivas5632]

yeah, he completely missed that, he definitely does tap octave notes

[@Lithuania8634]

0:48 Oh no bass player not play right part
For those unaware, the bass also plays the part at 4:43.

[@muhammadgharibaldy8064]

Yesssss, just listen to john myung isolated bass track. And he also play that part like that time stamp lol

[@thiagoteixeira5816]

I can see this channel growing up to at least 500.000 subscribers real soon! keep crushing it!

[@nicholasbrodersen8491]

This was fantastic! I love this! Subbed!

[@abhushan88]

Great video btw, makes dream theater sound less impossible
Edit: a word 😉

[@numetalinkin]

I feel the other way around. Like would be easier to just close my eyes and copy Petrucci (yeah, easier to say than do)

[@ThrawnTheater]

Start by spelling it right :P "Dream Theater"

[@abhushan88]

Shit...

[@Cobalt985]

But keep in mind this is only 16 measures...

[@keepitheavymetalm1088]

Now, you need to do one from both Fates Warning & Queensryche, and you'll have completed the ProgMetal trifecta!

[@gabrielredwine9955]

What are you talking about??? That two bands cant even come close to Symphony X. Smh

[@eddies8502]

Dude. What an incredibly helpful video. I can see how an exercise like this would get creative juices flowing! This could be super helpful when 4/4 riffs seem boring or too predictable or simple writers block pays a visit. Thanks!

[@legvalmont]

It's videos like this one that makes me "pick up my guitar and play (again) just like yesteryear". Good job, Jake! Thanks!

[@tommyboyuruguay]

Simply brilliant, my friend. The whole thing, the video, you diction, your tone of voice, how clear you are in explaining yourself, how well you express yourself, absolutely brilliant work. I've already subscribed and looking forward to hearing more from you.

[@glennkoch5173]

Brilliant! This is real Jedi level stuff to me but now I appreciate Dream Theater even more.

[@StringBanger]

Reverse engineering is a great way to build up a better foundation and understanding of theory and practical approaches. This was a great video and thank you for putting in the time to make it. Now time to reverse engineer some Blotted Science

[@mankneequesadilla7969]

I just discovered your channel yesterday and I fell in love with your videos! gosh, these are AMAZING VIDEOS! I subscribed instantly!! also you have a intervals series and that's something I have been looking for recently so that was a coincidence lol, keep up the great work!

[@Matt-bz3qk]

Such a clean voice for broadcasting .

[@Frst2nxt]

Yeah, i need that pie recipe: cherry, molasses, salt...what else?

[@SignalsMusicStudio]

thats it. its a disgusting pie, not recommended

[@Cuzjudd]

Signals Music Studio lmao

[@themathhatter5290]

@@SignalsMusicStudio Thanks, I'm now titling one of my songs "Salted Molasses and Cherries" because of this.

[@jables3377]

Don't forget the balls and chunk!

[@Deech72]

Great work! I transcribed the drums on this album and some other DT songs, so have really appreciated the detail they purposely went through with layering polymeters between different instruments and making it-work. Kudos again!

[@rockparkoure]

Such a well done video.

[@daacostan]

I am so glad I discovered this channel 😃
If I may add, I always had this thing in my mind where every time I hear this classic DT "stops" that make you sort of trip over the music you are listening which makes it exciting since it feels unexpected, is, again I think, that the odd time deconstruction starts on an even number and ends on an odd one; so for example you chose 7+8, while to get a feel more like the Metropolis passage you chose I would have gone for 8+7, that I think would have made your interpretation feel less happy and more neutral, complimenting the use of the sus2 chords.
Anyways, I hope I made any sense (english is a 2nd language for me), and please keep up with the great work, it helps us muggles get a better grip of what we are listening to or how to fine tune when we try to compose something and make it less "trivial".
Many thanks for the great video

[@hatecrewsix2]

For so many years people keep misunderstanding and abusing from the term. Sound engineer. In fact. It's sound technician . The real sound engineer create the electronics parts. thats It's in fact an electronic engineer who know about acoustic maths etc. Some dudes moving knots and downloading apps to record a guitar and claims to be sound engineer. It's like say that a DJ is a trained musician.
It's a science to do the mixing and an lot of a knowledge And deserve all my respect.

[@eriknilsson6640]

Thanks man, I'm a keyboard player and Dream Theater was and is a huge influence. Thanks for the breakdown

[@mikemorada6290]

Superb musical content! We look forward for more of your future materials.

[@doncheer]

adding those 3rds on the first half of the "rip off" made it soun more satrianish than DTish... cool and tasty food for thought... and listening

[@jklpelaez]

Wow... Jake you are the best teacher!!!

[@iau]

Awesome voice and pacing, in-depth but accesible explanation mixed in with funny moments, amazing result at the end.
Instant-subscribe/10. I'd love to see you do more of these!

[@buddha12ism]

Outstanding video, great work!

[@LannyC]

Very cool analysis . the tweak/rip off riff at the end, had a "falling into infinity" feel about it. :)

[@PackdHouse]

Fantastic video man! Keep up the great work!

[@Deuterium52]

that riff you made was awesome, ending with the major third completed it and made it very pretty.

[@jables3377]

Loved this video. Thanks for the detailed breakdown!

[@bacidius7375]

Great vid, love the info and insight!! Keep 'em coming man, more people need an easier understanding of complicated rhythms. My kids (musicians in training, or as I call em, MIT's lol) love this. It makes something complicated seem a lot simpler!

[@LukijanoMinic]

Really nice video! Your talking is pleasant to hear also, and the summary at the end of the video was great! 10/10 bro! Keep up the good work!

[@BMessemer]

Fantastic brother. Great analysis of a fantastic passage. Liked and subscribed! I've been out of Dream Theater orbit since about 2005 but know their discography up to Metropolis Pt.2 very well - I look forward to any and all other DT content! Best of luck with your channel.

[@thirteenthandy]

Dude, the reverse engineered riff was really fun. Great job, and food for thought.

[@diegopuppin]

Very well done! Interesting analysis!

[@diaphanoux]

This guy knows what he's talking about, and the fact that he uses the same "description" I use when it comes to certain chords or DT parts, that keeps me way more interested on what he has to say.
Side note: It is 13/4 the second bass part, however, Myung plays it tapping. That's all!

[@TavaresProject]

I have watched a lot of youtube and this was a great example of an excellent lesson. SOOOO well done!

[@GuitarMan3YT]

That’s totally cool, I don’t think you’re song is a rip-off at all, it’s totally different time -sig, and different chords. That’s great how you broke it down like that! 👍

[@diegocerecero]

Great video man!!! But there a 2 main mistakes on the bass part.
1.- On the first measure of the first riff you're missing a 16th note on the 5th 8th note.
2.- When guitar and keyboards play their harmonic lead, bass is doing a cool tapping riff, first the root is played in an 8th note and, where you used to place a silence, 2 16th notes are played with the right hand, playing the root and the 5th 2 octaves higher. He repeats that structure on the first 2 measures of the riff (He adapts this pattern to the chords ). Then, he plays the 3rd measure as the 1st one, but on the 4th measure he plays different notes with the left hand (2 Gs and 2 As) while maintaining the notes on the right hand of the 3rd measure (B and F#)

[@crusheverything4449]

Another great video, Jake. You make it look so easy!

[@AJPMUSIC_OFFICIAL]

Your little section at the end was awesome, felt like a lost Dream Theater demo!

[@beatsdddx]

Thanks for the analyzing this track, it helps to understand why it feels odd but
in a good way.

[@travelingmusicvideos7680]

share this channel!!!..these videos are inspiring and fresh!!

[@Bat-Georgi]

About the bass in the second half. Myung is not just playing root notes. He is playing a tapping lead which is nothing like what you showed. You can see it on live performances of this song + the isolated bass track which you can find online. It does follow the rhythm you outlined but the notes are all wrong on what you showed.

[@jesseascriven]

Sweet video! Especially liked the tab!

[@caioaquino5958]

You sr. are a hell of a teacher!
Awesome video

[@ErikSchierboom]

This is a fantastic video!. Very informative and extremely well presented. Thanks!

[@pedraumbass]

This is some top content! subbed

[@TooSlamToGiveADamn]

I have wanted a video like this for a long time. It is so educational to apply music theory to my favorite music. I would love if you could break down and analyze more prog metal. If you made a video on Between the Buried and Me, that would be incredible!! Keep up the great work!

[@GuardianAngel1032]

Sounds like it could be in a Saturn era Sega game, so I guess you nailed it.

I don't know how I came across your channel. Well, here I'm liking and subscribing! Nice video!

[@RiccardoPala]

WOW, what a cool format!!!

[@_Only_Zuul]

"awake" is the only DT album that i've ever been able to get into.. it was the first and only DT album i've ever bought, something about those songs are so memorable. i've tried listening to other DT music but i can't quite enjoy it as much..

[@Spraygett]

This is top notch content, would love more content like this.

[@flavy1000]

As a DT fan, I love this stuff , not much of this to be seen here on YT..Great analisis and ideas...Though I ´ve been listening to them for a lot of time, there´s always some more to learn about...They are one of the best bands ever!
I´ll be watching more of your videos, there is a lot of cool stuff I see!

[@peanut71968]

Jake, Dude? You have some kind of special talent! No apologies necessary. Thanks

[@FraktalPriest]

Wow, thanks so much. This video just explained to me heaps of cool music theory stuff that I wanted to know at just the right time, and by decoding Dream Theater no less! ;D

[@fraproxy]

Amazing as usual.

[@Zweihander11]

Awesome video pal!

[@simontron98]

I remember the first time I’ve heard that song, it was almost a year ago, I was playing RockBand4 and there it was as the most difficult song in the game so I played it and in the moment it started my mind blew, the heavy riffs, the Drum beats and the way they played with the tempos during the song is just fu... brilliant and beautiful

[@teunsegersofficial]

I've seen countless of your videos, never knew you had a video about Dream Theater, the band that got me into Progressive Metal/Rock to begin with. Your 'rip-off' sounds awesome, I wish it was an actual song!

[@klec21]

Awesome video! Really enjoy this kind of stuff!

[@randomryguy8453]

Right, I'll watch itba few more thousand times and get it lol love your stuff dude!

[@bahritkharakor9257]

love it! please analyse/breakdown for the dance of eternity..

[@lawrenceterwilliger6787]

You have a great voice! Keep making video's!

[@juholaaksonen7455]

This is an awesome video!

[@jankafka7330]

'it becomes very simple...if you are good at this process'

[@DC11music]

Awesome work!

[@andreaiachini7517]

Your song was "very Falling into Infinity" 😀 Great video, I really enjoyed it.

[@amaz404]

Very well explained!

[@riddhimanmedhi99]

Superbbbbb! Need more dream theater analysis videos.

[@mr198221]

Major DT fan. This video is mind blowing

[@timeforachange12]

This guy is a real musician.

[@1967mdavis]

Loved the riff Jake! You should completely write an entire song with that Riff... I'd pay for it

[@ThabetG]

thank you for such an amazing video!! it's really informative and helpful

[@jonassholmberg8071]

This was awesome from start to finish, subbed!

[@Lancasthor]

I think you managed to create a perfect soundtrack sound for a bright toned video game where glitching is a key mechanic.