How I use my classical music training to make metal

[@guero1997]

You're a genius. The algorithm blessed me today

[@andrewboothmusic]

I don’t know about genius but that’s very kind of you to say!

[@PharaohciousX]

AMEN HALLELUJAH!!!!

[@mattwatsonguitar]

Kudos on explaining and demonstrating this in less than a minute and a half. Refreshingly fluff-free. This is smart brevity.

[@andrewboothmusic]

Thank you! I could elaborate on this topic at length but I thought a surface level explanation would be more digestible at first

[@andrewboothmusic]

Disclaimer: this is a composition exercise designed to force the composer to use source material they didn’t write and create something new with it. It allows for a deeper understanding of the music written by the original artist to grow your skills as a musician by engaging with the material on a creative level. I am in no way saying plagiarism is a writing method.

[@heret1c385]

having the notes is one thing, your awesome phrasing another.

[@andrewboothmusic]

Thank you! You get it

[@thecapital-m2983]

That's actually really cool to see your process like that. And the result.

[@andrewboothmusic]

I'm really glad you enjoyed it! This is some nerdy stuff. Knowing some of ya'll are connecting with it is encouraging

[@JacobNates]

I knew from the Inferi shirt that this would be good! Subbed 🤘

[@andrewboothmusic]

Thanks for the sub!

[@adamdriskelldriskellmusic]

This is exactly the same thing I do, but to write vocal melodies and harmonies that always work regardless of the piece of music I am working on. Even before I go into a studio to sing, I already have a very solid idea of what/how I want to sing based of handwritten notes, which is very similar to you. It is cool seeing the songwriting sytle of other artists, expecially when you drop on somebody that does something similar to you.

[@andrewboothmusic]

That’s so cool! I don’t often hear of other musicians nerding out like this. Glad I’m not alone

[@MaxMCMLXXXV]

Awesome dude. Chopin is incredible and the riffs are 🔥

[@LogicalQ]

As a classical pianist, I approve this method

[@KervenAyres]

I liked the idea, I’ll try to apply it

[@andrewboothmusic]

I’d love to hear what you’re able to do with this approach

[@ram---]

Lots of cool sounding arpeggios in the original piece, thanks for sharing part of your routine!

[@andrewboothmusic]

Glad you liked it!

[@Loveiathan]

cool how you can hear the piece even when you're just running through the notes of each chord in a line. epic idea!

[@radbradmusicartist]

Its been so long since I've seen a really cool writing method! I like the alphabet assigned to a scale degree and seeing sequences of numbers method 🥰

[@smallfaucet]

You mean stealing method?

[@sleeper1023]

I started with classical as a kid, but fell in love with metal growing up. This pretty much sums up why. I stopped playing many years ago, though. Wish I never did.

[@StrongBoi765]

Never too late to get back into it!

[@SylwekGrega]

What an awesome idea!

[@marcsee4072]

Fantastic way to make a variation.

[@SeaSquared]

Sick dude!

[@jayc4734]

Ah. Brought back memories of The Human Abstract.

[@andrewboothmusic]

I miss THA so much. A.J. Minette and Digital Veil were core reasons I decided to study classical guitar/music in university

[@jayc4734]

@@andrewboothmusic ah that's ace. I'm in my late thirties now and it was Nocturne that blew me away initially whilst I was at university, but Digital Veil will always be their culmination. Unless... 👀

[@FullMetalDMZ]

Really cool idea, also enjoyed the no BS video! 1:28 of great content

[@andrewboothmusic]

Thank you! Plenty more on the way. A new video may have just dropped 👀

[@brianbergmusic5288]

This is awesome!

[@MichaelLee-jo2yh]

Metal is just modern classical music

[@andrewboothmusic]

Agreed! The two genres do have a lot more in common than people realize

[@troysmithfr]

Honestly I think it just boils down to your influences and how you apply what you know about music. Any genre can be any other

[@Zeagods-CyberShadow]

@@troysmithfrYeeee

[@Oryyyt]

It's classical with distortion lol

[@Eincrou]

Unnecessarily reductive.

[@Left_Hand_Path]

Glad my algorithm suggested this video, saw you do lessons, I’m definitely gonna book some lessons with you in the next month. Been trying to find a guitar teacher that plays actual heavy music instead of the local guitar teachers that have never listened to death metal or anything heavier than Metallica the last 30 years lmao

[@andrewboothmusic]

Awesome!! I’m looking forward to it 🙂

[@THRASHMETALFUNRIFFS]

Of Course! This is the exact same thing SLAYER utilized by composing in the Atonal Chromaticism of Arnold SchoenBerg

[@rogelioybarra4068]

Thats sick dude

[@marshalltuten7882]

This fix. Nice work

[@benjaminsilva6447]

I studied classical music (Chopin its my favorite btw) and i never know how to apply classical theory on mi song writing, but NOW I KNOW HOW TO APPLY

[@andrewboothmusic]

I’m really happy to hear I helped open up that mode of expression for you! If you write anything using this method, send it my way. I’d love to hear it

[@RDbodybuildingreardelt]

All of them sounds so awesome! And when slowed down you can really hear the beauty of each chord

[@agustinmansilla8454]

amazing riff.

[@andrewboothmusic]

Thank you 🙂

[@svilens.viktorov485]

God, I love metal riffs with a classical touch!

[@andrewboothmusic]

You and me both!

[@keremgrind]

great ideas

[@covenant157]

Genius bro ❤❤❤

[@metalband]

Glad I found you, your guitar friend -George

[@andrewboothmusic]

Glad to have you here George!

[@cheesist6998]

Congrats on 10k subs!

[@RichLunaMusic]

I used to do this back in the day minus the sheet music with my classical/flamenco/jazz training.

[@Blacktopcowboy]

I think it was Andy Larocque who said he did something similar to this. He has a big classical influence and it shows in his king Diamond riffs

[@rozvik]

Great video

[@andrewboothmusic]

Thanks!

[@TheCyberMantis]

Michael Romeo does this. Also, Miyako from the band Lovebites.

[@andrewboothmusic]

Nice! I haven’t heard of Miyako or Lovebites. I’ll check them out

[@TheCyberMantis]

@@andrewboothmusic Yes, you need to check out Lovebites! You will be amazed.

[@kevinqwen221]

So cool🤘

[@andrewboothmusic]

Thanks! 🙂

[@messierthirtyone777]

Thanks for the video. Here's a challenge for you. Listen to Indian classical music, transcribe the tabla into percussive parts of the riffs, but have the chord progressions and the melody from neo classical metal.

[@andrewboothmusic]

Ooooh that’s a really good idea! I’ll definitely have to give that a try

[@Algilardi]

This was a banger

[@mr.jurassic3612]

Bro looks like the average cool dude who listens to metalcore 😅 this video was helpful man thanks alot!❤

[@andrewboothmusic]

You’re very welcome! Lots more on the way. In fact, a new process video may have just dropped 👀

[@fofopho]

So sick

[@xo_plasm9507]

Sounds like btbam which makes perfect sense

[@aneeshmenon5885]

Sick riff bro and I love the theory you applied to it. Any chance we can get tabs for the final riff? 😅

[@andrewboothmusic]

Yes! I’ve been meaning to get to that. I’ll have the tabs up on my site this week. I’ll come back here and drop a link when I get that done

[@aneeshmenon5885]

@@andrewboothmusic Awesome bro thanks a ton! 🙏

[@steffomca762]

Nice Inferi shirt there hehe

[@danielricciardo7251]

Absolutely based Inferi shirt

[@andrewboothmusic]

absolutely based band

[@stevieboiser2304]

Thanks dude! ​@andrewboothmusic

[@nonenothing4412]

Great stuff man!!! What's the band on your shirt?

[@mattimaranda9638]

If Chopin was our bandmate, we'd call him Freddy Chops.

[@ellocodelbajo2060]

Nice. By the way, you look like one of the guitar players from Harbinger.

[@jackb348]

Doc Holliday approves of this video.

[@materedai4158]

I have always said that classical music is metal af

[@cephalicwasteland3504]

Bro knows his theory

[@andrewboothmusic]

I theory from time to time yes

[@Nickshreds890]

Hey there !! I'm fascinated to learn about your process. I apologise for incoming rant . Also what brand of guitar do you play? It's a majestic beast ! I think a lot of people are against formal music lessons or guitar lessons because they think that music theory kills creativity 😅. Which is ridiculous. When you know about harmony and you are able to make decisions based on the diatonic chords in the key , I think that gives you more options . Of course borrowing chords from other keys is common and modal interchange is fantastic . Anyway , I'll watch your video soon ! Thank you for going to so much effort to provide information which would cost thousands of dollars to learn in private lessons or at university

[@andrewboothmusic]

No need to apologize, I really appreciate this comment! The particular guitar in this video is an Ibanez Jbm27. And you’re very welcome! Bringing these high-level concepts to all guitar players is one of my main goals. I believe there is so much amazing music being missed out on by the world because guitarists don’t have access to the same kind of education that the classical instruments have. I want to offer that in a way that doesn’t require electric or metal guitarists to have to go on a decade-long classical side quest like I had to

[@asimplestranger7670]

Solid

[@JJ-mp7rg]

Chopin!!! Yes!!!!

[@andrewboothmusic]

Yes!!! Chopin!!!

[@edmoreno1671]

What are your thoughts on on that guitar your using?

[@MrMusicopath]

chopin would be proud

[@currentlyvibing9916]

I just go fuck it, and mess around with it until I’m happy with it and until it makes sense to my ears BUT, this is very handy I would like to write in this style and see what I can do

[@andrewboothmusic]

Usually, I do the same. I probably should have mentioned in the video that this is a compositional exercise, not the main way I compose. I use theory and specific musical concepts to restrict myself and then see what I can come up with. I find it helps me express myself more accurately when writing for real

[@HoldMeForever]

What guitar do you have?

[@andrewboothmusic]

The guitar in this video is an Ibanez jbm27

[@TheKyros79]

This is great. Also, Inferi \m/

[@Ssek16]

Step 1: Learn music theory Step 2: give up on step 1

[@Im_JustAFish]

pretty much

[@andrewboothmusic]

If you’re serious about step 1, I do teach 1-on-1 lessons. I promise you that I can get you far far away from step 2

[@Im_JustAFish]

@@andrewboothmusic W plug

[@grandarchon6969]

Good artists borrow. Great artists steal.

[@LNVACVAC]

Most 80's and 90's power metal bands follow this same process.

[@Mettle_DAD]

Harmonic minor ftw 🤘 JK I don't know crap about music theory enough to know if that scale is relevant here

[@andrewboothmusic]

It's actually very relevant here! The vast majority of minor-key compositions from any of the main classical music eras utilize harmonic minor to some degree

[@tomjefferson1334]

Awesome riff and idea, however seems like to much work for some metal riffs haha Cheers

[@andrewboothmusic]

I legitimately do this for fun 😅

[@tomjefferson1334]

Haha nothing wrong with that!!! Rock on!

[@THRASHMETALFUNRIFFS]

Whoa, you guys say you like Fun Metal Riffs?!

[@satysixx]

Same but Rachmaninov!

[@andrewboothmusic]

I definitely have to test this method out with some Rachmaninov! Will post if I end up writing anything cool

[@campfireeverything]

“Before I write my riff” -- *Before he plays Chopin’s riff

[@zimsabeast6968]

add distortion bam

[@zachw2538]

lol, shhhhh, stop giving away the secrets lol. i used to do this (or something really similar) and it never failed. switch the key, substitute some chords, play the chord tones differently, maybe change the time sig and tempo and you have a brand new banger.

[@TheCyberMantis]

Classical music is heavy metal before electricity.

[@MetalSharpensMetal]

I see you too are a Human of Abstraction

[@andrewboothmusic]

Indubitably

[@516mao]

Okay so you take the chord progression and write a riff using it. It's a cool method but I mean, you don't have to be classically trained to do that, specially nowadays

[@zantrex4]

Ah yes, painting by numbers.

[@theinversion4269]

Was watching thinking "it will be one more of that annoying generic metal riffs with 380 notes and with a generic melody". Glad i was wrong.

[@Buckleupbucko]

Step 1: Shostakovich.

[@andrewboothmusic]

I’m actually not too familiar with Shostakovich. Any pieces you’d recommend I try this method with?

[@Buckleupbucko]

@@andrewboothmusic I recommend Olli Mustonens recording of Shostakovichs 24 preludes, op 34. You’ll find some great ideas from there. Alkans preludes are on there too, so I’m sure you’ll have a good time!

[@juanarkantos]

so you just stole a chopin progression and applied generic tech death riffs, and this is supposed to be interesting? man just master theory and expression, the riffs will come to you. i can half ass riffs like these improving with my eyes closed.

[@cam-inf-4w5]

Exactly. All that training to have to steal a riff anyway and then do work to make it work instead of just randomly picking on a scale. The training has paralyzed his creative side. The old composers djdnt write from technicality clearly they started with an emotional idea then used their training to bring the idea into a full piece and refine it and bring it to its full potential. What he is doing is like the opposite. Making a technicality with no emotional context and honesty reducing the technicality and assuming an emotional context. When there really isnt one anymore.

[@andrewboothmusic]

@@cam-inf-4w5 @juanarkantos Alright, I know better than to engage with this but I can’t resist. This is a compositional exercise, not my primary writing process, something I now realize I should have included in the video. I humbly ask the two of you to listen to my released music, any of it, before reducing me to a 90 second video. Here are two places to start: open.spotify.com/album/7BngEzVOBFoLO0HfYtHo1J?si=JDW2Ro8DSJuOVp75JQYfYQ open.spotify.com/track/2nVpPQ4CoecQYQZgMTkYMp?si=b18c82402e5a4c33 Best of luck to the two of you with your music making.

[@cam-inf-4w5]

@@andrewboothmusic i respect that lol bc it totally seemed like thats the primary thing you do. With zero hint otherwise lol. I dont have Spotify but i may check your channel out more later. Only do cds and youtube.

[@shredx81]

Should start a new metal band called ‘Plagiarist’ (jk)

[@nguyennam892k8]

ok

[@kinglord5163]

So you just steal roight?

[@kouham420]

It's not stealing. More like an inspiration. If he stole the music he would have done it piece by piece and claim Chopin's music as his own. Here he acknowledged the existence of Chopin in his creativity of making riffs.

[@johndo9648]

Dumb ass 🚨

[@smallfaucet]

How is this a writing method? You're just copying/plagiarizing and totally biting that Chopin composure.

[@pglove9554]

How to make metal when you aren't creative and pre AI 😅

[@JediCrackSmoke]

..and the secret is Plagiarism!

[@spagetimayo]

Ur using the same letters I am to write comments, u plagiarist

[@JediCrackSmoke]

@@spagetimayo Find a sarco pod to crawl into, mouth-breather.

[@sonofamachinegun8568]

Boring. Absolutely nothing creative about this.

[@NKN82]

Boooooring.