Allan Holdsworth - Practical Uses of Bitonality In Composition

Holdsworthian Bitonalism is a term I use to describe the use of Bitonality in a section of music to create harmonic dissonance that is eventually dissipated through the introduction of a more stable harmonic structure. The song 'Funnels" by Allan Holdsworth and the music of Aydin Esen places to find these type of Bitonal passages.
Links to Follow:
If you are interested in purchasing The Beato Book please email me at [e-mail]
If you would like to donate to my channel to support my video creation you can use my PayPal address [e-mail]
Skype Lessons are available on a limited basis. If you are interested please write me at [e-mail]
KZbin - / rickbeato
Artist Facebook - / rickbeatoproduction
Personal Facebook - / rick.beato.1
Instagram - / rickbeato1
Follow On Twitter - @rickbeato
www.nuryl.com
www.rickbeato.com

[@angusorvid8840]

Chords are what make Holdsworth. His mastery of chords and key changes are what make his solos so interesting. From early on Allan was obsessed with playing over complex chords.

[@sustayne]

I just CANNOT get over your obvious appreciation for my hero A. Holdsworth. You've inspired me to take my playing in directions I've always wanted to. Now, if only I can find other players who are like-minded. I kind of hate playing alone but that's how it may work out. Even though I live in the shadow of a great music school, finding committed players is all but impossible. When I came of age, playing three 50 minute sets was the norm. Now, one 30 minute set is the norm but no one wants to work even that hard. Perhaps the universe will take pity on my plight and deliver me a couple of players who enjoy working. Thank you, Mr. Beato, for all of the hard work you do for us. You inspire and compel.

[@guitarjonn7103]

It's April 2023 and I've gone back again to this wonderful video of Rick's from 5 years ago of one of AH's harmonic concepts. Rick just has the best content for aspiring musicians. From basic to master class. If your really serious about getting to your next level, especially with hearing and understanding melody and harmony, both his vids and The Beato Book has everything you could need and more.

[@emiliog.4432]

Holdsworth also studied sax charts to inform his music. AH is the Miles Davis of guitar. One of kind. A master of scales par excellence.

[@bresettguitars2518]

Hi Rick, Holdsworthian Bitonalism, great! For sounding off...Tim Miller, Mick Goodrick. Thanks for your channel!

[@steelejerome]

Mick Goodrick would be amazing

[@chadrew6]

great lecture Rick! I used to perform "Funnels" in a fusion band. That section you refer to can be improvised over using an F augmented scale for the first 4 bars and an E augmented scale over the second 4 bars. Having a separate scale application over each chord is also possible, but Allan seems to use the first approach I mentioned. I once tried to talk to Allan about this stuff but he wasn't one to discuss harmony while drinking beer at the Irish Pub in NYC!

[@CharlesHarrisonMusicTuition]

Eb/B can suggest B harmonic major at 12:15. Tim Miller for sounding off!

[@lifelongfan07]

There was a scale near the end of the tune “Dodgy Boat” on Wardenclyffe tower, that this reminded me of….sounds similar. Rick, this is so cool! Thank you for sharing

[@chasvox2]

Really enjoyed this one. Of course, (being an actor who played many M.D.'s over the years - the first being an OB/GYN...)...the first thing I thought of was how fun it would have been to tell a fictional patient that, "We have done all the tests that we can, and it looks like you have Holdsworthian Bitonalism. There is no cure, but you will be the envy of your fellow musicians if they are really smart. Embrace your destiny." Of course, the "news" would have to be delivered in the most somber tones, but with a smile.......

[@RickBeato]

+Charles Kahlenberg Haha!!! Best comment of all time Charles!

[@Valvicus]

"Holdsworthian Bitonalism", commonly known as "Big Al's Big Ears"! LOL

[@FGC_Archer]

your knowledge is a wonder of the world. words cant express how thankful i am for what you are doing

[@lewsheen7514]

WOW! This sounds like Eddie Jobson's CS-80 composition "Alaska" off the UK album...

[@birderybirdery]

The bass notes seem to be C harmonic minor. (C,D,Eb, F, G, Ab, B) . until the F# stuff of course. C minor bottom end- WH diminished top end. cool. This channel is a goldmine. Thank you Rick!

[@danielcottar3269]

Your show is a breath of fresh air ! AND beautifully spiced air too !

[@Valvicus]

Allan mentioned somewhere his appreciation for "Cityscape", Claus Ogerman's 1982 collaboration with Michael Brecker, released by Warner Bros. Records. There is considerable common ground between it and the topic at hand.

[@StaulkHolm]

Hey, Rick! I can't thank you enough for these last two videos on bitonality. I've been working on a composition for the last few years and your videos made me realize that the harmony is bitonal. This thing has been my "white whale" for a long time and now I have a new way of approaching the orchestration. I'm really excited for the minor chords installment (half the changes in my "white whale" tune are minor chords). Thanks again!

[@hissinghed]

This seems like a great devise for building tension in film scoring, it really creates a dramatic release when you start resolving the tension.

[@TBX819]

Regarding some questioning here: The Bassline is not symmetric. The bass line´s secret is to omit modal sounds like Eb/Bb (2nd chord) if you would strictly descend in c symmetric. Landing on modal chord? Check the next neighboring (chromatic) bass note and listen. The cool thing here is that along comes some structure looking like c minor material. However, Rick explains the bass line concept later after the video live cam walk ;-)). Try finding some resolutions on the way. I found this one: Bb/F# to C/F. Cool stuff !! THX!!

[@jclcrow2621]

Holdsworth always sounded very cinematic to me. Thanks for demonstrating why. Cheers

[@marconati3132]

Rick! Your channel is a BIG thing!! Thank you and cheers from Italy!!

[@checkca8]

I am stuck in the basement checking the pump for flooding but feeling great because of your great show, how inspiring!

[@andreasfriedli7419]

voiceleading and counterpoint also plays an important role in this music stile....Ilove it so much.

[@Convisis]

Wonderful Rick. Check out Tom Quayle, he's an AMAZING legato player who tunes in 4ths. He would make a great sounding off interviewee.

[@Shinryakugun]

Rick, your videos are always incredibly insightful and helpful! The only problem for me is that you have so much good information that I can't get through all of it...

[@Shinryakugun]

Oh, absolutely. I'd rather have way too much useful information than not enough, anyway.

[@jackdaddyfbomb]

Great lesson here! See also Todd Rundgren's "In and Out the Chakras We Go" from the album "Todd" - similar descending bass, ascending treble bitonalism - but on a rock record. (Some of the piece is noise, I'm referring to the middle part.)

[@angelobranford1029]

A good musician to interview would be a guitarist named Bruce Eisenbeil who lives in NYC. He's studied with Joe Diorio, Joe Pass, and Coltrane's teacher, Dennis Sandole. He also organized a master class with Cecil Taylor in the 90s as well as written works for classical ensembles and rock bands. He has done a lot of great work but is not as well known as he should be.

[@DeDzjang]

Would love seeing you tackle Blue In Green and reharmonize it using bitonality. Wonderful ideas here! Once again.

[@josdurkstraful]

The first UK album with Holdsworth has a lot of these chord stylings.

[@tb-cg6vd]

Ha! Same; my immediate thought was cut to the mustard and put on UK!

[@artrock5741]

Yes, these are Jobson chords

[@eddieburke28]

Berklee’s STEVE HUNT is a genius like ALLAN. Check out his performance vids here on KZbin. From classical music Rachmaninov pieces to deep jazz fusion. His solos were on par with Allan’s. He compised DODGY BOAT (Belle Facia).

[@pedrozappa]

You find these sounds on Wayne Shorter's compositions. Specialy in later works...

[@902Steeler]

Rick you are awsome for sharing this knowledge, I appreciate it so much! Im going to watch it over and over until I have it planted in my brain

[@rwjazz1299]

I had terrible music profs at university. They made the subject of music theory horrible. Rick makes it what it should be. Fantastic.

[@YuvalRon]

If you have chords that don't have same complexity level it doesn't work - very well said! Which is why I really don't think Allan would ever resolve this movement to a simple major chord :) Once this starts using bitonal / polytonal chord, the ear expects that at all times and it sounds disappointing to have less than that. On the other hand, it does mean you can never achieve a real resolution in the sense of tonality. Writing like that pretty much "dooms" the piece to remain a-tonal in a sense. Then again.. we Allan's fans don't mind do we?

[@shaalis]

IT makes me think of Video game music from Nintendo from about 1997-99. I remember so many of these chordal techniques in the STARFOX 64 game. Best part, was when you beat the game on hard mode, you got access to the entire soundtrack for the game!

[@maximyanchenko3780]

great episode, Rick, thank you, please continue your Holdsworthian series!

[@pinemartyn7653]

you can get poly chords by tapping on guitar! give it a shot. i hope this helps rick beato. you should look up josh martin from little tybee and interview him for sounding off.

[@MICKEYISLOWD]

Hi Rick I love your videos. You make a fabulous teacher. Miss Alan so much and was shocked when news came he had passed away. I thought he was just doing fine so we were all horrified.

[@david5184]

Wow - you just both confirmed and explained the embryo of a hypothesis that has been haunting me for years. I sent a friend request on FB with a sentence about the idea. I think I can show Holdsworth’s bitonality stems from Canterbury

[@greatmusic382]

Rick, Rick, Rick, you are super awesome. thanks.

[@Wayne_Robinson]

Very cool concepts that really helped me understand Holdsworth's composition which had eluded me at an earlier age and lower level of musical comprehension. Also, very fancy traveling camera work. Are you trying to outdo Aimee Nolte's skateboard videos? Man, I wish this material had been so accessible when I was previously studying music. Kids today have it so easy, LOL.

[@YuvalRon]

I love this video! Thank you for showing this movement.

[@CarlosYounes]

Thank You very much Mr. Beato Nice! Best regards :)

[@anthonydemitre9392]

Tha bass line forms a C harmonic minor without the second (D) which you didn't mention, I guess it's irrelevant but I thought I'd mention it anyway, Thanks, great video

[@CjBerry]

This is excellent.. really useful and really excellent sound tools.. really interesting and rich

[@whychromosomesmusic5766]

I think Azimuth on ECM did compositions that sounded like that as well. I had their album, "The Touchstone" in 1979. Loved the whole thing. Atmospheric as hell.

[@em-dashman4404]

Rik. Your musical knowledge is astonishing. But your pronunciation of Atavachron as “Antavachron” does my head in 😂😂 I started an MA in Professional Media Composition back in September, and have been a massive Holdsworth fan since the 80s, so some of this analysis is our gold for me. Thank you!!!

[@mal2ksc]

The first recording that came to mind when I heard this chord sequence was actually _The fall of the house of Usher_ (Alan Parsons Project). I had tha *aha!* moment, banged some stuff out on a keyboard, and there it was. I finally understood some neat stuff I'd heard but never analyzed for the last twenty-plus years.

[@JakHorn]

Hi Rick, I think you missed the sharp symbol at 4:30 when writing on the board. (You said Eb/F#) Amazing channel! Learning lots every day!

[@picksalot1]

An easy way to play these types of chords on guitar it to play the 2nd inversion chord, then play a bass note that is "1 octave and a 1/2 step lower" than any of the chord tones. So, a G chord could have a Gb, Bb, or Db in the base. After fooling around with the chords some, I found that the chord inversion didn't seem matter much, and I could play a bass note that is 1 octave and a 1/2 step "higher" than any of the chord tones, instead and it still sounded interesting. I love polychords, and "Bitonality" provides a useful way to expand may palette of chords to achieve a similar sound. Thanks

[@SVATTIMO]

That sounds like Alaska from UK , Eddie Jobson, very nice lesson

[@philip.guitarra]

Egberto Gismonti for Sounding Off!!

[@RickBeato]

+Philip Adie Love Egberto!

[@BillLarkinmusic]

Thank you Rick for your inspiring vids !!!

[@ricksalt6860]

what a great lesson . Thanks Rick . Man , you have a nice space .

[@dariochillemi4772]

sounding off: Ralph Towner!

[@PhilTiongson]

Great work Rick!! Looking forward to Mark Lettieri interview! Just caught Michael League with FORQ recently and would love to see you interview him as well.

[@whychromosomesmusic5766]

That first thing you're playing kind of reminds me of "Mental Medication."

[@jayanderson8563]

Great interviews with Snarky & Victor!!!

[@nazimonurataman]

Hello Rick thank you for the video great as always ... Tomorrow I will watch Aydın Esen in İstanbul AKbank Sanat concert. He will play solo .. I am already exited :)

[@Jon-wm3wp]

Rick Beato es un maestro. Alto crack!

[@TakaraGold]

Hey Rick, did you get to listen to Gary Husband's piano renditions of Allan's music? It's called "The things I see" and it's simply outstanding work. Bitonalism at its best!!! Love your work and videos Rick!

[@artrock5741]

Sounds a lot more like Jobsonian Bitonality. You should try and interview Eddie Jobson - he is the master of this type of writing.

[@christophervaca7116]

ask pat Martino about Emily Remler. love your vids!

[@victorbalogh4706]

please do a show with these three...alain johannes, tom brosseau, aaron embrey

[@Shreddelicious]

I'm not a musician but this reminded me of Eddie Jobson. For sounding off Alex Machacek would be cool

[@jimwinters3986]

Rick, you should look into having Marshall Harrison on at some point. He'll be talking /playing about Holdsworth tonight around (11:00PM) EST. Apologies for the hijack.

[@alenac7269]

This was such a cool video! Thank you for this Mr Beato! :-)

[@mikemorrison281]

Fantastic content, Rick!!

[@JonMulveyGuitar]

Thanks for another awesome clip!! We are all in debt to Allan Holdsworth. RIP!:-( Get Joe Satriani on. He has so much to say about music that rarely gets asked of him in interviews. And when my students ask why I don't post more lessons. I send them to your channel:-) Keep up the great work!!!

[@brianlee5455]

I LOVE your vids!! Helping me be a better teacher at School Of Rock! :)

[@YoussefRbahi]

Can you maybe get Estas Tonne for sounding off? He shrouds himself in mystery so it'd be great to know how he composes his amazing pieces like The Song of The Golden Dragon

[@Athraminaurian]

It would be awesome if you could get Jacob Collier for "Sounding Off". That guy is the future, he is doing some next level shit.

[@JakeRommer87]

Gorgeous chords!

[@DaveZula]

"A term that I just made up..." Haha, love it! 👍

[@jakemf1]

I can't remember which piece perhaps petruschia by Stravinsky where he uses the C triad over an F# triad! Great avenue for composition

[@massimilianofontana]

GREAT VIDEO! Thanks!

[@lvbandmore]

Thanks, man. Stellar.

[@wslleyrisso]

Hey great prof could you talk anything about Michael Brecker one day? His composition or his history..anything..thank you so much to share your experience..bye from south of Brazil

[@Ben_Crido]

Rick, As you play your 12 chord bitonal progression, doesn’t that remind you of ‘Alaska ‘ from the first U.K. album? Sure sounds very close to me. If you had an Atruria CS80 patch on your soft synth, You’d have it nailed. Thanks for lesson!

[@RobertBedwell]

Hi Rick, I was wondering ,if the chords are built on the degrees of the Dim scale, what are the bass notes following?

[@stephenhall11]

One of the times when I was the most stunned in my life was when I was jamming with Duane Allman and I asked him to explain Diatonics to me and he just nonchalantly shrugged his shoulders and mumbled that he didn't know! Go and figure!

[@matthewbelyeu5045]

It would be awesome to have Troy Grady on the podcast

[@A7XBT]

That chord progression kinda sounded like something John Mclaughlin would write. Thinking of Mahavishnu - Hope

[@parkerthibault2871]

Hey Rick, loving these videos (tons of juicy info)! Could you do a video on how to become better at songwriting? As a musician my strengths are in theory and technique (especially in guitar) but my composition and arranging elements could use some work. Thanks

[@whycantiremainanonymous8091]

BTW, "God Only Knows", the Beach Boys classic, uses lots of bitonalism, in sequence too.

[@MICKEYISLOWD]

One of my fav songs of all time. Just a beautiful track and after the odd da da da dada part the vocals all slot in back together so seemlessly . The wrecking crew who played the parts didn't have a clue how it would sound until it played on the radio and went away confused after each recording session.

[@jayanderson8563]

Spud Murphy has a book on polytonality that builds nicely.

[@WBUSCH49]

We could see this as counter point so both the triads "melodie"" and the / bass tone should be making sense in respect to sense making when we wanna make sense musically...

[@СеменБлэкморбаев]

Hello Rick! 1)Please tell me: Does the bassline in your bitonalism example progression go with some regualitions? As i realized - it must provide certain tension level in sounding. (So you put in the bass flat 2,flat 3,flat 5,flat 6,7 degrees of the major triad) Am I right? After examining the notes from the bass line of your eample (from it's slash chords part) i found that all it's notes are came from C harmonic minor- was that purposely concieved feature of that tune? 2) Have you heard Allan's solo tune Sundays from the album "With a heart in my song" - i think the same things are happening there in terms of bitonalism. 3) How about interviewing of Alan Pasqua for your channel - he is also an outstanding musician an maybe quite underrated stylist too (as John Taylor)?

[@Mk61960]

That first chord Dflat over c , wouldn't it need a g natural to make it Phrygian? As in sus b2 . C ,Dflat ,f,g,bflat.... Love the videos! Very well presented

[@luke125]

A lot of those chords can be thought of as Major 7 (#5) such as E/C.

[@algreaves4515]

Fckng incredible.

[@urmero67]

I think I've heard bitonal harmony in some Zawinul solo segments with WR and Zawinul syndicate and his duo stuff with W Shorter on WR concerts.. Lyle Mays probably? Some Miroslav Vitous solo ECM albums, pianist John Taylor...Carla Bley, Kenny Kirkland? that off the top of my head.

[@RickBeato]

Definitely Wayne and WR but not in the same way as Holdsworth. Some of the Brecker Brothers is more along these lines.

[@andrewsharkey9937]

Rick Beato Chick Corea used a lot of bitonal chords with his elektric band. One of my favourite progressions is the coda on "99 Flavors", which follows an idea similar idea to yours.

[@mattdowie92]

Hi Rick, your youtube channel is quickly becoming my favourite for music theory and the Sounding Off series is a real source of inspiration! I can hear certain similarities in harmonic approach between Allan Holdsworth and Aydin Esen (as you've mentioned a few times), I was wondering if you might know if they were aware of each other? Regards Matt

[@ricardofranciszayas]

Maestro, Quick question. Is the chord following Db/G an Eb/F or an Eb/F#? When you wrote it, you said “Eb/F#”. Thank you for the excellent presentation.

[@TomasMikaX]

Eb/B is not a diminished sound. Neither is G/Eb. Correct me if I'm wrong.

[@KingTabor]

It remind me some stuff by Genesis, maybe Watcher of The Skyes

[@GPWalsh]

Hey Allan. What camera and network set up are you using. The quality is superb and you just picked it up and moved it. It's obviously wireless. Really interested in your broadcast set up

[@mosesramirez6330]

Also, PLEASE do a Sounding Off with Mike Keneally!

[@TommyBrothers75]

There a lot of these chords in piece "Death of Johnathan Kent" by John Williams from Superman the Movie

[@andreasfriedli7419]

Art Lande Paul Mc Candless Dave Samuels Clare Fischer Hancock Beirach. Many use Slash Chords.

[@WBUSCH49]

Maybe next week a nice Feature could be Bitonialistic Holdworthianism maybe????

[@nicoagrusta7526]

Hi Rick,very good video ,why did'nt you use guitar for this