Neo Classical Lesson: The Phrygian Major Mode

[@Miskat80]

Very easily one of the best music lessons in the whole youtube you can get in 20 minutes. Learnt so much. Now I know why A-harmonic minor scales on the key of E sounds so good and used to some extent by most famous classical composers.

[@GediSpock]

Plain talking with an enthusiastic delivery. I like it.

[@flyingformation1878]

Man I love you. You're knowledgeable, humble and play like a master.

[@guitarmastery]

I appreciate that!

[@MultiRockability]

Dont know if you'lll read the comment on this old video, but let me tell you this is gold! i significantly improved after this.

[@HeavyInstinct]

That is probably the best explanation I have ever seen of how to apply the modes to actual music . Clause is BY FAR the best teacher I have found in over 30 years of guitar playing. I have several of his programs, and they are all well worth the money. They have helped me make sense of things I've struggled with, and get past sticking points that have held up my progress for years. As I've continued to employ his learning methods, I've had countless moments where I'm shaking my head and laughing out loud saying things like "that makes so much sense!", or "why didn't I see that before?" If you've been shopping around for lessons, all I can say is look no further! If you don't believe what I'm saying, watch the above video again... Enough said!

[@zenncatt]

Claus, You explain things as every teacher should, but, seldom does. You explain the mechanics in a way that the mind can, and NEEDS, to grasp. Very thoughtful. Excellent job!

[@JohnMorganMayBeDangerous]

I've been playing for over 30 years and never really bothered to figure out modes. I may have to come back to this and finally try and understand. Great Job.

[@carguy3460]

"Yea, yea, ya-yea" lol. Great video man, for years I struggled with "How does this make music though?" when learning scales. Your explanation is perfect.

[@vikram.joshi.dirtrider]

Claus Levin is a real master. This is by far the best explanation of modal theory I have come across. I have been watching his videos and they are simply amazing.

[@guitarcello]

Man, it is not just about the phrygian major mode, you simply open up my mind to see what the modes really are. I used to have the same dificulty to understand their meaning. Sincerely thank you.

[@astrosloth0199]

If youre already familiar with modes, he starts talking about phrygian major (aka phrygian dominant) at 17:15

[@rockrep]

Claus, you teach music theory better than anyone I've ever seen. Brilliant stuff! Thanks!

[@LostMyMojo100]

I wanna have a beer with this guy. I love his passion for music. If you're ever in Chicago Claus, ring me up. I'm buying...

[@unbrandedrabbit]

LostMyMojo100 Ill join yas! :D

[@ThrashRoC]

Me too

[@crabdaddy1951]

I'll buy a ticket to chicago and join ya'll.

[@rohadtanyad8908]

how do you know he drinks.

[@sharpy53]

Your passion for what you are teaching is really infectious, fantastic

[@TheWjhoward07]

This guy is funny and very thorough and makes all this jargon easy to grasp. Great vid

[@rajesh9k9]

Your energy and logic and ways of explaining is just bloody awesome......

[@rustycockering9925]

Been playing for over 30 years, and I'm just now getting around to learning theory. I'm starting to get it, thanks to great lessons like this!

[@kevwilliams1]

This is like a documentary on space I'm loving the information and I feel totally enlightened like I now know it... I need to remember it now

[@chrisshollinrake6826]

Brilliant. Ties up a whole lot of loose ends that have been hanging around for ages. Great stuff, well presented.

[@goklie]

How I love those "Ah Ha!" moments. Thank you for this brilliant explanation. I now finally and fully understand resolution in music and how basic these concepts were in the early stages. Truly brilliant explanation.

[@excession444]

Very good lessons tackling complicated subjects, with clarity.

[@58jkm29]

I totally agree with this concept. A lot of jazz players improvise in this manner also. You focus on the chord tones and you find the passing scale and chromatic notes around those chord tones. I really think this way of thinking helps make things easier.

[@Krullmatic]

Im glad to see how passionate are about music!

[@russwilson2305]

I really like how you are describing the ways to break up a scale for melodic purposes. For me the quickest way to get the "flavor" of a mode, once it has been identified as a scale sequence from a particular node to the octave above it is: Hit the low E string and play Ionian C Major -never mind the starting points of the mode. Hit a F Maj chord, let it ring so it sinks into the brain and rip the C Ionian again. CDEFG in the bass with the Ionian C scale delivers the goodies that the modes provide. Great course, Claus.

[@russwilson2305]

I want to have beers with this dude. I'm buying if you are in Portland Oregon.

[@dyllanusher1379]

wow! so much information, but this "classical" approach is helping me so much! Instead of just getting told what to do, you explain the why and the history behind it. Thank you very much and I look forward to more videos from you:)

[@Free_Falastin2024]

I gravitate heavily to the sound of E Phrygian over Am. It's such a pleasing sound.

[@NeilWall]

Zensational. Especially the Ionian shred! Great way to explain it - as passing notes of an arpeggio!

[@basscover1233]

can you subscribe my channel also? pls?

[@markhurt3279]

Thinking about that piano with all white keys is one of the concepts that finally got me on track thinking about modes! This is a great video. Many great applications to creating interesting song structures. Thanks Claus.

[@Devmasterv]

you just blew my damn mind,

[@MarcoAntonioEnnioRoberto]

I like the informal approach to the lesson. I allready knew these topics but I enjoyed a review anyways. Don't take "informal" as a bad thing, I think that makes you a good teahcer since the lecture is still very informative and competent. Thank you teacher

[@PlayerThe90]

Hello Claus! That was the best guitar lesson + theory that i ever saw! And can beat on that i have saw a lot of videos, but this kind of teaching is what i was lloking foward all my years of guitar! Excelent Job! Cheers from Brazil.

[@dankers12]

Great explanation of the modes with examples.

[@invadercivic2774]

This is the best explanation I've seen on this.

[@ImGonnaShout2000]

Wow, this lesson was awsome. You are really good at teaching this stuff. I like how you're good at getting down to the topic, and you use the guitar pedagogicly. Many other guitar teachers on youtube tend to spend most of their lesson talking at great lenghts about irrelevant stuff, like speculating in what kind of people are watching their video and what benefits they could get from watching the video and so on. Beste hilsener fra Norge!

[@crate718]

That was great lesson I am probably going to watch it countless of times

[@guitarmastery]

crate718 Awesome! Thanks

[@CMM5300]

What really helped me a lot with modes is understanding the scale degree differences. And what intervals give each mode it's flavor. Lydian maj7#4 Lydian triad 1,#4,5 , (Dorian minor7 natural 6) mixolydian Maj b7 phrigian min7 b2 (b9) phrigian triad 1,b2,5 locrian minor7b5 (b2) locrian triad 1,b2,b5 ect...

[@richielek]

i used to hate music theories, but somehow i ended up enjoying your teaching, cool man, keep it up !

[@MrBBaron]

Wow. I feel like I did in my engineering calculus classes decades ago, lost and totally over my head. This is like drinking water from a fire hose. However I have learned much about using pentatonic scales and am making progress. I believe if I try using your concept in thinking about scales in modes I might eventually “get it”. I do thank you for your contributions on KZbin that help us learn about improvising scales and speed along the entire fret board.

[@leslawrenson]

What a fantastic explanation of modes! I never looked at them like that, before.

[@digitalwasting]

Phryggin´ awesome :D ! 10 out of 10 for explaining and debunking the mystery around modes in such a brilliant, funny and entertaining way! Claus, really, your body language and face expressions in this vid are priceless :)

[@livio_morais]

Excellent explanation about modes and importance of the notes on a scale. Awesome playing! Thank you

[@maxstirner8717]

Came to learn the scale: walked away knowing modes were my friend after all. I commend your wisdom, sir.

[@Video101TV]

Excellent explanations all round... really love how you did the back story on where this mode came from, along with why the dominant chord resolves so well to the tonic. Thank you for your instruction!

[@glenhuman3681]

Very impressive Mr. Levin ! Just had my 1 year anniversary of learning guitar and looking forward to learning more from you.... Wonderful teaching style too !

[@kenlelon369]

THIS, This is what I needed! I get it! This is what all that over-hammered crap means that I've been hearing all my life. You truly have a gift, Sir. Thank You

[@jefferylusk2550]

Cheers buddy thanks for the lesson absolutely answered all of my questions about the scale and when to use it. Perfect lesson.

[@DrTiaJolie]

Well done. I was uncertain as to where you were taking this whole thing--I guess you would say you imputed some level of tension in your actual presentation--but I truly appreciate how you resolved the discussion.

[@goklie]

Nice!

[@showme1493]

Brilliant video. That was a bit of a lightbulb moment for me. I have been playing for quite a while and know my modes and the concept of approaching the tonic chord from the dominant 5th, but I must saying it never dawned on me that that the strength of that resolution lies in the position of the third in the dominant chord in relation to the tonic.

[@quent7561]

This is the single most helpful lesson ive been taught on modes in all of my guitar playing i cant fucking thank u enough

[@vikalpsharma9182]

You are the best teacher on youtube. Id love to meet you man.

[@flagtrap5925]

Finally someone who talks the way i can understand (cuz i lack music theory) this vid was perfect tyvm

[@markostanosevic1998]

Can you please continue this with harmonic minor/ melodic minor excetra key changes best info I’ve heard in 34 yrs fantastic job.

[@DICACIO1]

To make things more SIMPLE for students.... the E Phrygian Mode also has a nice chord progression. Its very own 1-4-5 which is (E minor, G major, B diminished).... Thus, the bridge or change-up chords are (F major, A minor, C major and D minor). The HOME chord being E minor of course. Many musicians also play the E Phrygian minor scale using an E Major chord which gives it a really cool gypsy music or Spanish Flamenco feeling or vibe :) So you can alternate between an E minor chord and E major chord at certain points in your song. All MODES have a 1-4-5 with included bridge or chage-up chords! That's the beauty of learning each MODE to serve a different music purpose or JOB... to get specific music genres. It's a music theory secret and "light bulb" moment type of discovery for many students trying to make sense of the MODES ...hahaha Cheers!

[@GuitarBone78]

You my friend, earned yourself a new subscriber! Well deserved, I might add!! Great theory, mixed with emotional explanations to help emphasize and point out the subjects of the video! Good clear voice! Interesting to learn and watch! I'm eager to check out the rest of your tutorials.. This was as good as the best out there!! Kudos!

[@truthseeker630]

Very Good and practically useful Lessons and tutorial!!

[@hitzaz8]

Good lesson!!! By the way the Phrygian major, called (Sound Second Throw) in Byzantine music because G is sharp! And the nickname of this awesome scale is Hitzaz...

[@karlpet96]

awesome lesson and easy to understand, because your examples sound so good and logical! thanks very much for this video

[@TheLochs]

I'm not trying to be a wise ass btw, the info in the video is spot on. And he's a great player.

[@Marc-e4n]

We need to protect this man!

[@peterinfamilyguy]

Excellent tutor and very thorough

[@Vortigon]

What a truly awesome tutorial!

[@maxwellhutchins8668]

Amazing job explaining everything and great energy

[@onoga25006801]

Just an after thought, if you wish to explain these chords, modes, and intervals, it might be helpful to explain that Major chords are a combination of a major 3rd and a minor 3rd. And of course the opposite of a minor chord( a minor 3rd and a major 3rd). I've found it really interesting to think of modes as extensions of Ionian(major) when soloing in major, and when soloing in Aeolian( minor) , extensions of the minor scale. It of course becomes a little more complicated when applying this concept to Harmonic minor and using Phrygian ( with a raised 6th) and adding the diminished scales to really add more flavor. Fascinating stuff. Thanks again. John A. Mansfield

[@johnsonmbuthia4834]

This guy knows his stuff..Totally makes sense

[@FourKidsNoMoney]

Damn, just watching this video I can tell I'd learn a hell of a lot from this guy in person

[@solidranger]

This is a fantastic lesson! I can't wait for the next video.

[@need2retire543]

You are so good ... I just can't keep up though. I'm hoping to learn more from you. Thanks for the lessons.

[@bryaneaves]

Love your videos. Always so educational and entertaining.

[@patrick764]

Love the enthusiasm.

[@glenhuman3681]

Watching this again and getting pumped for 2016 ! Thanks for all the inspiration in your lessons !

[@fo0liner1985]

This all became clear to me once i started to "drone" my key on my low base strings and switching between E, A and D respectively while staying in the same scale.. Its all a circle really.. modes 1-7 = notes 1-7.. so if C is 1 and ionian.. then E is 3 and phrygian.. because its the 3rd note and the 3rd mode of C ionian.. if E is 1 and phrygian then A is 4 and Aeolian.. because A is the 4th of E and Aeolian is the 4th mode of phrygian.. I hope that does not sound too confusing.. it really makes perfect sense in my head.. Now on the matter of practical application of knowledge on the "circle of modes" i have to say that it is nice to know that in a C Ionian Chord-Progression.. An E-Chord will be a Minor-Chord because E would be phrygian respectively and that makes it minor.. F would be Major, G would be major, A would be minor, and so on.. So if i know the key, i know that if i want to play a 4th chord of a 7th chord.. weither that chord would have to be major or minor.. just learn the notes in the scale.. and learn the circle of modes (ionían, dorian, phrygian, lydian, mixolydian, aeolian, locrian, and repeat) so that would be C, D, E ,F, G, A, B, OR if E would be ionian it would be E, F#, G#, A, B, C#, D#... for example.. same thing.. C# would be minor for example because its aeolian.. i hope that makes sense..

[@niepertkristofer5788]

Thanks, Claus! I really enjoy your WAY of teaching us, I find it more interesting than other people! Your Brilliant!

[@lou-indigotriagone8661]

I loved your video man seriously hahahaha i had good laughs and many questions answered, thanks for both and cheers from brussels

[@guitarpassion1]

Great video thank you so much, best video I have ever seen on modes 👍👍👍👍

[@gMan1971]

Love your "Its full of tension" arm swinging.... it just looks like you're about to smash the guitar.... with all that tension... :) very nice. Thanks.

[@RoosterStone]

... great delivery, awesome lesson.

[@guitarmastery]

Thank you!

[@miloradstrbacki4248]

Dude you changed the way i look at guitar now... thank you!

[@mikebass3195]

Thank you teacher.i understand how to use this scale effective ly

[@guitarmastery]

Mike Bass Thanks!

[@ryanholio]

Cheers for that! Loving the "rock" face near the end lol

[@guitarmastery]

ryanholio Thanks. Gotta look like that to play like that :)

[@whitescape]

This video is full of answers I've been looking for. Thank you so much

[@denkmaldruebernach]

Didn't know Elon Musk was also a guitar master.

[@willrobinson4089]

Brad Pitt?

[@kine2266]

Hahaaaaa😅😅😅😅😅😅😅

[@SuntiJaroentum]

Hahaha

[@bluenote1412]

@@willrobinson4089 both -brad and elon

[@rajesh9k9]

Claus, im a bass player.....and miles to go......47 years and was totally lost when it just dawned on me that if i just play triads, something ll make sense to me. Your tutorial has taught me a lot....i wanna play egyptian metal and neo classical on bass.........so if u could help me with kick ass progressions to get that dark sound, id be in gratitude forever .Could i email u>???

[@cr2fabrication]

Claus, you're a frickin genius!!! Must be a German!!! Thank you for all your lessons...

[@SketchEtcher]

Okay, so if I’m playing in A Minor I can move to E Phrygian and sharpen its 3rd (G) which moves back to A strongly with the half step. Interesting, but a bit confusing. I’m glad to be introduced to the concept though!

[@williamcompitello9493]

Let's also not forget that this is, with certainty, a super scale. Remember, there's a sus. chord in there. (1,4,b7) I like that because it makes it sound more mystical. Another chord is the augmented chord, which pulls you to the minor sound. It's great by itself, and it also holds a lot of Altered tensions in there. Use a dominant b9 with the b13. In my opinion, it's the coolest scale in music!

[@jamesjames2070]

Thankyou can you go over chord progression theory?

[@ivanherrera8788]

I appreciate these videos from Claus. However, everyone looks at things differently. Here is my simplified version of what Claus just said. First thing to note: (I ii iii IV V vi vii) Where the capital roman numeral signify Major chords, lowercase roman numerals designate minor chords. e.g C maj d minor e minor ect. I look at the modes as patterns(Ionian, Dorian,Phrygian,Lydian,MixoLydian, Aolian, Locian) In that order. So in Key of C the notes are in the following order (C,d,e,F,G,a,b) Therefor C Ionian, d Dorian, e Phrygian ect. Learn the Patterns. C Ionian pattern would be (C,d,e,F,G,a,b) d Dorian pattern would be (d,e,F,G,a,b,C) e Phrygian pattern would be (e,F,G,a,b,C,d) ect. No matter what pattern you play, the notes are always the same. The mode concept comes into play based on what chord u r playing in the background. Ex) C major chord. Regardless of what mode pattern you play it will sound Ionian(Happy). now play an e minor chord in the background, again using whatever pattern you just used the sound will be phrygian(egyptian sounding) To me the Phrygian Major Mode is the same thing as A Harmonic minor scale, In both instances you are sharpening the G to G# Easy Rule on how to create these new scales Phrygian Major Mode= Raise the 3rd note(G) ex) e,F,G,a,b,C,d A Harmonic minor Mode= Raise the 7th note(G) ex) a,b,C,d,e,F,G So now you have these notes (C,d,e,F,G#,a,b) Regardless on what mode pattern you use it the modal tonality will shine through based on whether you play an E Maj chord or a minor

[@DenTietze]

Hi Man I came across your channel purely by accident and I'm pleased I did! I have watch a lot of your lessons of the last couple of days and superb teaching and I love the way you explain things and your passion. Thank you . Do you do private 1 on 1 lessons? Take care and all the best \m/

[@DVBreen]

Wow......nice and simple. Thank you !

[@vincenttuckwood]

Great stuff, Claus.

[@Geetarist4life2000]

Genius way of explaining this, so good!

[@manahaas]

what a master. great

[@MrBudpimpster]

Great stuff ez way to look at it u made this simple thanks

[@alicelondon7555]

this actually made sence, made props

[@niemamatury]

Lesson is great and this guitar stand is hilarious. Looked a bit creepy first when the guitar bounced here ant there in front. Almost wanted to catch it.. This could possibly solve my girly problem of lifting really heavy guitars - does anyone knows what is it ? Is it '1 of' or can I buy it somewhere? Never seen something like this before. Made me happy. I also enjoyed the whole theoretical part of the lesson of course, thanks, very precise explanation of how to apply it

[@JoyzerDk]

Hold nu kæft det var godt Claus! Bedste forklaring jeg har set/hørt til nu!

[@guitarmastery]

Joyzer Taaak!

[@easheese1]

Hey could you do a video on the lydian mode

[@NIGHTRAINIZATION]

VERY INTERESTING, MAYBE YOUR VIDEOS CAN HELP ME CORRECT MY POOR PLAYING HABITS. WHAT ARE THOSE PICKUPS?

[@brunnoteixeira9400]

3 years later, I'm here to say: Perfect explanation about modes. The big mistake of students (like me) is thinking that modes are shapes instead of sonorities.

[@bjorndunderbeck2875]

I had to try really hard to understand,my fault not yours, then at 19 minutes it clicked! Thanks very much!