Guitar scales explained like you're 5

[@BrandonDeon]

Probably my nicest intro yet. Did you learn anything about scales from this video tho?! Also, 52 Week Guitar Player officially reopens for enrollment on December 14/2024. We will reopen on Dec 11 for waiting list members. We will only be accepting 100 new students. Sign up to the waiting list to be among the first in line: brandondeon.com/survey-page2

[@facundorichard2589]

Thx so so so MUCH! this was really clear for me. Helped me a LOT.

[@Dorina_Plays_Guitar]

Brandonnnn, are my eyes cheating me or did you fook up the intervallic structure of the pentatonic scales? At 5:35 you count the notes as "1 2 3 5 6" this seems correct to me, but at 6:01 you write "1 2 3 4 5" Sooooo... why it that, please? Is it a mistake from your side? I am a lil confused.

[@GuitarHeroGuy550]

i dont want to learn this, but i have to, so i will, and i bet itl help me later.

[@Lostinfantry868]

If this is for 5 year-olds, then I applaud the 5 year-olds of today. This had me confused 3 minutes in.

[@kalacxxx]

Yeah

[@jasonswitzer1748]

Why is this stuff important? Please explain as though I were a 5 year old. :)

[@spaghettisauce445]

@@jasonswitzer1748it really isn’t just some scales to “spice” up your playing

[@expertarcher8542]

@@jasonswitzer1748if you can identify the scale something is in, it’s easier to improvise. It also helps with making your own solos. That’s my understanding anyways

[@77777771955]

I made it all the way to 3:20. GOODBYE.

[@LMacNeill]

Here's the mnemonic I use to remember the order of the modes: I Don't Play Loud Music At Lunch Ionian, Dorian, Phrigian, Lydian, Mixolydian, Aeolian, Locrian

[@PoPoRybnik]

I Don't Particularly Like Modes And Licks

[@TheBangingBongos]

Thank you! I actually really like that and will now be using it forever!

[@LMacNeill]

@@TheBangingBongos You're welcome. My high-school band director taught me that 35+ years ago. It comes in handy. 🙂

[@forkless]

@@PoPoRybnik or I Don't Particularly Like Modes A Lot

[@ConnorMcInerney-fk8vc]

That's so smart

[@nlnl8787xd]

Need no scales, I got cigarettes.

[@patrickmaline4258]

ciggies are good for avoiding that pesky lingering in the realm of the living thing when you’re seriously past it… in walks keith richards “mumble mumble hold me beer heh heh mumble never gonna happen mate heh heh” ☮️❤️🌏🌍🌎

[@davidgordy9303]

after this video i think i need cigarettes

[@jessejordache1869]

Right? I picked up the guitar just so I Had a place to stick my cigarette so I didn't have to hold it all the time. Got sick of my index and middle finger smelling like a bowling alley from my childhood.

[@madster01]

This is the only channel on KZbin to shit on the audience and they applaud 👏

[@redbloodedamerican2346]

It's not. There are several. He played Am you've been begging for by the way.

[@christopherwitherill7939]

Do I need my fishing license for this?

[@primitiveslow-mo8714]

i have my lifetime fishing... it did NOT in fact, help me with this

[@merc___]

best guitar theory guy out there. Literally all you need to start without useless talking and other bullsht. If only you were there while I was starting out. keep on with those videos

[@Bumbaclartios]

“Playing guitar is a great way to express your creativity, and to learn how to play it here are the most rigid, math-like and creativity-killing set of rules you’ve ever heard” And yes I’m mad because I’m confused

[@andrewfrancis7739]

Yeah, this guy will mislead you not going to lie. Check out Guthrie trapp and his CAGED philosophy. Listen to the dude improvise if you have doubts.

[@dogukandanac7520]

I feel you bro. But think of it this way: to bend and play around the rules, you must first know the rules. They are just meant to be your tools to create w/e you want.

[@jameslifetimelearner]

Ultimately to train your ears and hands.

[@jessejordache1869]

"Creativity-killing". Tell me you only know two scales without telling me you only know two scales. "Math-like" describes all music, or is it the "counting to seven" part that specifically annoys you? Only playing in two scales sounds rigid to me.

[@michaelistoma8356]

​@@jessejordache1869u literally made up the whole "two scales thing".

[@geludduk2407]

Because of brandon now I don't smoke cigarettes anymore and start to use cocaiinnaa ❤

[@jrlikesmetal]

Bro is definitely the nicest guitar player and guy in the world 😊💀

[@Kam-p-bell516]

How fucking dare you? I happen to be a very nice person you ass 😠 (this is satire don’t murder me)

[@jrlikesmetal]

@@Kam-p-bell516 ❤️😌

[@NinjaGasher13]

Keep it up with these concise few minute videos! Super helpful to learn, reference, and share with others.

[@james_d_eaton]

This is one of the best, and simplest breakdowns of scales/modes that I have seen. Well done sir.

[@Isaacunderscore]

Honestly, I think the approach of starting modes from each note from a major scale is really useless in a practical way. Things like “if you wanna play F lydian, think about the C major scale but start on F”, and not only this is confusing, imagine wanting to play B lydian, you would have to figure out a scale in which B is the 4th note and then play that scale from it. It seems simple in paper, but imagine you’re improvising over a song a it has 2 borrowed chords from let’s say phrygian, it’s too complicated to use this approach in an improvising scenario. Me personally, think “formulas” are way easier to grasp. I.g. Lydian has a #4, so if you want to play C Lydian, just play C major and raise the fourth, makes so much more sense. Another interesting way of looking at modes, is to relate the minor modes to the minor pentatonic scale, since for example, Mixolydian si just adding the major third to the pentatonic. Hope this helps someone struggling to learn modes (just like I did)

[@itscaptainterry]

I learned piano at a music school. Getting into guitar a couple years after on my own now. I was so confused on why the guy needlessly overcomplicated it like this, +1 to your comment.

[@Mrs.Foster1719]

👍👍

[@ralfspecht827]

👍

[@R_Euphrates]

He literally explains it exactly the way you did in the section about intervallic structure...

[@elifas1952]

THANK YOU SO MUCH

[@reincarne]

I watch these everytime they come up but I have been struggling with a way to understand modes and this is a great simplification. Thank you, now to practice

[@jessejordache1869]

Here's my easy guide to modal music: Sorted from "brightest" to "darkest". Compared to the major scale, the first has a sharp, the third has one flat, the fourth, two flats, and so on. Read below to find how they're _actually_ used. *Lydian* : just don't. *Ionian* : also known as the major scale. *Mixolydian* : if the song sounds okay in major, but you want to add a little something-something. This one gets used a LOT. The vocal line of "You Really Got Me" is in the mixolydian mode. Did I mention it gets used a lot? Which is ironic because it has the most exotic name. *Dorian* : The Pink Floyd scale. That kind of dreary, halfway between major and minor scale that David Gilmour loves. Most of the songs on _Dark Side_ are in the Dorian Mode -- "Time" specifically. Also appears in the "...and I find it kind of FUNny, I FIND it kind of sad" part of "Mad World" -- all caps is wherever the natural sixth occurs, which distinguishes the Dorian Mode from the... *Aeolian* : also known as the minor scale. *Phrygian* : for metalheads, or when you want something to sound Arabic. The bass run in the beginning of "Killing an Arab" is literally just the descending Phrygian scale. Take the minor key, and flat the second, and Ahab's yer uncle. *Locrian* : Remember what I said about the Lydian? That goes double for the Locrian. The only reason to ever write a song in the Locrian mode is to say "I wrote a song in the Locrian mode", and you'll cheat, anyway, by using the flat fifth as a percussive element, leaving all the melodic elements in the Phrygian mode. That's how both Bjork and Bartok pulled it off. Lastly: Minor Pentatonic: The standard blues/rock-n-roll scale. Malcolm Young already discovered every possible way you can play open minor Pentatonic chords, so the rest of us don't have to. Just listen to a lot of AC/DC (and who doesn't like AC/DC? They must be on cigarettes.) Major Pentatonic: If you want to sound like Skynyrd. Also some decent old-school country music. Just like all modes, this one can be used for both good and evil. If you want to be lazy, or you're on cigarettes, other than the major/minor/major-minor pentatonic, the modes that see heavy usage are the Mixolydian and the Dorian. But feel free to stretch your creativity and use others. Or none -- chromatic music is also a thing. I like me some Sonic Youth sometimes.

[@luckeclips53]

I wish there were videos like this 20 years ago!

[@dirtbaguette]

Thank you for your tough love. It keeps us entertained.

[@Vibrationofawesome]

This dude is a cross between POWER THIRST ENERGY FOR MEN and a guitar teacher

[@Mr-qt4xr]

The best way to learn scales is to learn them as route notes + octaves. The shaping is exactly the same all over the fretboard. Then you learn corresponding open/bar chords and arpeggios and you basically know a good chunk of guitar theory. This is what really helps you understand songs/riffs/licks you are learning. You still need to learn the shapes, but the route + octave shaping and the key is what is most important.

[@Mr-qt4xr]

And its important to realise modes are just the arpeggio of that chord in the root scale + the filler notes of the root scale. You don't have to learn all these scales and modes just the root note chord shapes/arpeggio + the minor and major scales they are based on. Thats why teachers will always teach you pentatonic then major/minor scale first. It sets you up to learn everything else, its a great reference point.

[@grantberke5704]

At 1:03 the term "accidental" is being used incorrectly. Accidentals refer to a sharp or flat that is placed to the immediate left of a note. The sharps or flats within the key signature itself are not considered accidentals.

[@ljub0]

yeah idk why he said that

[@RyanS493]

I was thinking the same thing, as a bass player I’m hanging on the right side of accidentals 🤓

[@Aidenatorx99]

The F# is on the left of the G in the higher octave 😉😂

[@GuillermoSmyser]

Seems like things are going better and better for you. You deserve the success. I hope it continues.

[@aleonyohan6745]

Great video. I was taught the five minor boxes and to play them in all 12 keys. Then I was taught to find the relative majors. From there I was taught to find the relative modes. LOL to me everything is a minor box. For example in the key of A, F# minor is A major, B minor is A mixolydian, E minor is A Dorian, D Minor is A phrygian, and G minor is A lydian. Phrygian Dominant is just the relative harmonic minor. I learned this from a jazz player. Now I can change between all my keys and modes like a beast. LOL except I suck at pentatonic scale.

[@davep5647]

If its all the same notes why call it different modes...just because yoyre starting it at a different note??

[@geroldy4546]

Thank you for clearly explaining everything. Many guitar teachers don’t take the time to go over the smallest fundamentals.

[@jmcbeady8210]

Well done . Your method of teaching opened my old brain up and I learned a lot in 7 minutes.

[@getintheoven]

lol, you're the guy that keeps pooping up on my facebook ads. you've helped me a lot! thank you for this.

[@adriandelacroix]

Great stuff. I’d definitely be interested to see the harmonic minor and melodic minor videos if you decide to make them.

[@jaimedominicpanelo7246]

Scales or modes don't sound original music if they are played vertically. The mode pattern of the first 2 or 3 top strings must be joined in sequence with the next mode pattern of the 3rd or fourth strings, and so on to the next mode pattern played on the 5th or 6th strings, thus the phrase appears to be diagonally descending; can be played diagonally ascending or combination. But these are just the filler melody patterns, in between them there must be an original few notes of melody by your own choice. Then to complete the whole phrase, it must be resolved ending in any of the triads of the last chord in the progression. The number of notes played per beat must be about 4 to 6 notes and distributed equally to form 1 bar. On the chord progression, choose the mode pattern (inversion) to be played on all chords throughout the progression. One or more modes based on any of the chords in the progression may be played. How to play the modes are by your own pre-designed lick patterns (with intervals or skipped notes), usually skip the 3rd and 5th degrees, (only 5 out of 7notes are then played all throughout), but retain the root note. In this way, your melody will sound tensional at first, then will sound beautiful when resolved with the triads at the end of the phrase. Often times, arpeggios are played as resolving portion of the phrase. Watch how Matteo Mancuso plays, (only he does it way too fast and uses many kinds of lick patterns in a phrase).

[@AM2PMReviews]

I seem to use Ionian, aeolian, Dorian, Mixolydian most. After pentatonic minor and major. Putting it all together is the hard part over chord changes.

[@Rose-OD]

Your short made me feel bad about myself so i looked for more scales thought this sounded good and come right back in a circle

[@damianrf6309]

Great title, Matt. And those lyrics! I was almost expecting you to mention “WTC 7” and “Event 201”.

[@horiaatanasiu3173]

Great video! Great structure of the information. Please do more of these short but full of information videos!

[@rafaelpagtalunan285]

6:27 I hope this video does well and I would like you to cover the harmonic minor and melodic minor modes RAHHHH

[@ScoobyDoo-kt9pv]

I enjoy that the reason you are attaching the modes to the five Pentatonic positions is to play them with the the natural major scale. I appreciate the nomenclature not literally literally on the intervalic structure. However we also know ... That the pentatonic scale shape can be used in other positions than where those modes would associate ... Which ... Still has five notes but it something completely different. I usually practice the latter shape based knowledge as it sounds good and relates to the instrument Since there is a lot to learn about different signs switching between scales. So I do not think of the Pentatonic that way, as you mentioned because it's possible to play the shape in ways that relate entirely differently ... I usually count there without changing the key. I am trying to learn funked up scales and licks mostly because the basics just almost apply but don't to me really. There a funky one with an M that's not mixo There's all kinds of crazy scales besides harmonic ... And even melodic. I really like the harmonic scale. I just try to sound fresh when I play and nothing does that like a different scale.

[@walterallen4069]

Modes of harmonic minor and melodic minor scales? Yes, please. Burning questions: Are modes of harmonic major used? Why only 26 modes and not a multiple of 7? Would arranging modes of major scale in order of descending 5ths make the Circle of 4ths and 5ths too complicated for 5 year olds? What's your take on Lydian Chromatic scales?

[@tomtoss2463]

So let me get this straight. If you take the Locrian mode in the key of C and then change it into the Locrian scale in the key of C you end up with the Locrian mode in the key of Db.

[@RoseETempest]

The anger in this video is ridiculously helpful 😂

[@peterpursley9852]

All things considered, as much effort you put into making other people better, yeah you may be the nicest dude on the internet!

[@GMByteJavaTM]

I dunno, I just learned the 5 positions of pentatonic scale (both major and minor, they just start off on different positions), then figured you can start that and play that on any string / fret, it's just the relation, the intervals, what matters. Then I found the scale with all the 'missing' notes (aka natural scale) and have been practicing that one same way like the pentatonic scale, 5 positions, starting on any string / fret and figuring out 'oh, that's the position I'm currently in' and going up and down, left and right, just noodling around. To me they're the same, but natural scale just has more notes in it. What note and what position (minor or major) you start the scale off with depends on the key the song is in or on your liking if there's no song or backing track you're playing to. I have no idea what those modes are, it's litterally just start wherever you want and play what's allowed within the shapes you're playing occasionally throwing in notes that for some reason still sound good even though they're not supposed to be there. Experienced musicians, explain what in the freaking world I'm doing wrong here? What is it with the modes and stuff? Am I just preceiving it differently or am I actually missing something yet?

[@BigDan85]

Guitar scales explained like Davie504

[@rodox_sk8]

Hell of a gud class buddy

[@TalostheCat]

worth mentioning that at 4:35 C Aeolian has Eb and Ab, not E and A

[@maxduke1943]

Yes, I was going to point out this error.

[@alxndrthree-dh2yl]

commenting to say id love a seperate video on the rest of the scales ans their shapes- im aware of a harmonic minor, but have no idea how exactly it correlates to the rest of the scales except for the fact that its a semitone difference - but i still wouldnt know how to remember it in relation to it all- something uve managed to teach amazingly with ur masterclass videos

[@Wojtek_Sech]

So you expect 5 year old to know what scale is?

[@Mr.HorribleAtMusic]

ok that's it I hated when people say Ghost is not metal. Ghost is METAL, and that is final

[@wckhardt7439]

what are these words

[@ThePigsmasher]

This is a great video, i found it helpful and easy to understand, the only suggestion i would make is ro include a simple glossary of terms for those who don't know what certain terms like natural or accidental mean

[@theme6530]

Great video, really want further knowledge of scales and next video about them!

[@nithinanil1550]

Every 6th scale note of a major scale will be its relative minor scale🤯

[@jameslifetimelearner]

I’m using Harmonic Minor all the time and Locrian , Phrygian on the 5/Dom7. At first Sweet Georgia Brown sounded like she was having a nuclear meltdown. Turns out I don’t play fast enough yet.

[@rbinkoriffic9999]

Bravo !

[@michaeljohnson5648]

More please?

[@rosemadelyn112]

Check out the album Ice, Death, Planets, Lungs, Mushrooms And Lava by King Gizzard and The Lizard Wizard. Each song on the album is in a different mode. (As the title is just a mnemonic for the modes) It's such a cool album that got me interested in learning about music theory, and plus the songs are just awesome (and check out the band, they are music theory geniuses and have soooo many great songs AND albums)

[@wesleythebard]

Everybody gives this same information, but nobody explains when or how to use these modes

[@XselfwillrunriotX]

Ive been playing guitar for 30 years. Mostly self taught. I write and record originals, so coming up with melodies and solos has been such a nightmare since I dont really know any theory or scales.. so Im trying to learn what I shouldve done years ago... I do feel ridiculous for asking this, but why does there seem to be an extra note in these scales?. Im seeing that most scales have 7 notes, as shown in the text for each of the scales...but when hes playing out the scale, theres always one extra note being played...Like... "D DORIAN - D E F G A B C" which has 7 notes, yet 8 were played. what the heck am I missing here?

[@BG-jg4pt]

Hey Brandon can you cover how to get the sound of the modes into your playing? I understand how to find them but they always just sound like a minor or major scale run to me...the only time I can get that cool different sound is when I play something using the harmonic minor to get that "latin sound" kind of like smooth by Santana. Anyways as someone who hasn't taken lessons in a long time I really appreciate your videos and teaching style

[@maxduke1943]

@4:38 there's an error in the graphics: the Aeolian/Minor has Ab and Eb

[@ElectricIguana]

Hmm, maybe you could explain it to me like I'm 4?

[@RotterStudios]

Great video! Very clean, however, after all the years I have tried, I see how it works but I CANNOT incorporate it. It's just too much, too overwhelming. I have always had a mental block with this. I play by ear via shapes.

[@mikehan3130]

Great explanation!

[@pawetopolan6841]

I knew more about scales before watching this video

[@evil_platypus8856]

I finally get it. You fucking electric wizard

[@srijanraghavula]

I understood till the half tho. I'll use it

[@IchokedonPaniPuri]

Plss go through the harmonic and melodic modes too

[@NickWalkenhorst-jz3bn]

I actually think this is very helpful

[@eglesia0]

PLEASE EXPLAIN MELODIC AND HARMONIC MINOR SCALES. Thanks

[@DblakeDeathMetal89]

See it’s like combinations that seem endless and I don’t even know all the notes to even start memorizing the modes. scales seem easier because there’s like a set pattern to each scale, no matter where you play it on the fretboard. But notes and modes are still confusing to me.

[@dubmastergee8184]

there is an error in the diagram at 4:44: the aeolian scale should display Eb and Ab instead of E and A

[@nithinanil1550]

So relative minor of a major scale is just a mode of major scale. ( Cmajor, A minor)

[@petergibson7287]

I love music theory, but it doesn't love me.

[@CottidaeSEA]

My main problem with scales is not really understanding, it's remembering.

[@123SuperBeast]

>be me, clearly a 5yo >"YOU'RE STUPID AF AND I HATE YOU" >"dad?"

[@Commonsenseprevails23]

Im 10 years in and still on minor pentatonic

[@benuchie]

You had me at “You’re all stupid as fuck!…” 😳😂😂🙌🙌🙌

[@guitarandotherthings6090]

How does the formula not contradict the mode? For instance, D Dorian is D E F G A B C D, but the formula says to flatten the 3rd and 7th, which would make it D E Fb G A B Cb D. Yet it is supposed to be the exact same notes as C major, so it shouldnt have any flats in it. Thanks for clarifying! I also dont get the point of modes because if you play D dorian (D E F G A B C D) to a C major chord progression, it doesnt sound any different.

[@ikergg2516]

I don’t get it either

[@sickgixxer7869]

Thanks you just fucked me up thanks

[@StevenSmolak]

Got a kick out of this Brando; no use dragging dead horses to water and all of that business...

[@BoogieBoyBrown]

Great video!

[@stevieboi61]

thankyou bro. make some more plz. new sub

[@skatepark02]

This started out helpful but I’m still confused as hell! I have had this explained to me so many times but it still doesn’t make any sense.

[@LordChevonlier]

I would like if you covered the 2 minor scales. I already understand basically where all the modes come from but I haven't heard anyone cover the 2 minor modes

[@spencerkagan1860]

my head hurts now but thank you this was helpful i think

[@bubbles3161]

I just look that way!

[@douglaspate9314]

Brandon is good! No two ways about it

[@886014]

Ok. Could we have another version for 4 1/2 year olds?

[@pawanagarwal4513]

Excellent performance 👍

[@guu356]

Same mistake again. How do you use them? How do they sound in relation to chords and chord progressions.

[@narrowonflow]

man that a sick tele... i really like how it doesn't have those skinny tall frets... what kind of tele is that?

[@Sm0kn]

would of been helpful if the fret numbers were there also in diagrams

[@EaglebeakGaming]

Good good... Now explain it to me like I'm 3

[@Rectitude4U]

Liked and Subscribed.

[@justin_smith556]

Whats with the names of these scales? Sounds like characters from a role playing game.

[@aaronjaehutcheson]

please give us harmonic and melodic minor coverage

[@EduFirenze]

Intervals, intervals but how I use this crap to make my solos sound cooler?

[@AlexSaheli]

С lydian is a forth degree of G Which means that if I play G major scale, I also play C lydian. Why 4rth degree? Maj scale -> Dorian -> Phrygian -> Lydian (№4) Which means that if you know all the Maj scales, you can play any mode. Bonus: every Maj scale has it's relative minor a.i. Alien mode or some SH, which is 6th degree. For example. If you play G maj scale you actually play E minor scale/mode. But nobody of you would use that, cuz you gonna go play you penta I know you c*nts Supergame? Nah I would take the money.

[@satvikgupta1215]

Please explain harmonic minor and melodic minor

[@kaushikmohanraj2276]

Wtf does b3 b2 #4 in intervellic structure mean?

[@azertyqwerty1317]

I don t need scales, my old guitarist instinct sharpened by cigarettes and acdc will gide me through every impros

[@8Phoenix8]

Go for it harmonic minor and melodic is worth it :)

[@MauroNigro]

i'm 47 and i confirm i'm like in the picture at the start