I ask Frank Gambale about how he teaches Modes

[@khantatat]

It's crazy how Gambale toying around with modes (sorry, moods) sounds 100 times more interesting than a random song on the radio, God bless him

[@mccloysong]

This is where Rick also shines. He knows ALL about everything Frank is saying, yet doesn't interrupt or try to chip in. He lets him completely finish his thoughts. A GREAT interviewer.

[@MikeNevill3]

I'd love to meet Rick .

[@guslakis]

Thank you Rick for not interrupting Frank as he was going through his explanation, some interviews have too many interruptions, but you are good at letting the other party speak.

[@mikepettengill2706]

so true I was going to comment saying, "You sure know when to shut up Rick." But that makes sense, you don't get a smart and knowledgeable as Rick is without knowing the power of listening, or as wise.

[@milesparker3263]

@@mikepettengill2706 All the people I most respect intellectually and as artists are like Rick in that way -- they always seem more interested in what the other person has to say then what they have to say.

[@DontLetTheOldManIn]

Rick is among the best interviewers out there. Me belief is it’s because he is not only an expert himself but is humble enough to still be a fan and geek out like the rest of us when listening to masters of their craft; respectful enough to the subject and smart enough to not interrupt them as they go deep where the pearls of wisdom & knowledge lie. The opposite of Rick would be Howard Stern. Ha!!

[@DontLetTheOldManIn]

Takes humility to ask someone else a question to which you’ve known the answer for decades, knowing we sometimes need to hear the same message but from another voice actually to hear it.

[@Bruce87W]

Great point and another great video from Rick

[@CHlEFFIN]

He’s almost like a bard… telling a story. What an incredible level of mastery.

[@angusorvid8840]

Because he knows it like the back of his hand. There's not sleight of hand, no witchcraft. He's one of the best communicators not just through the guitar but on the subject of guitar. I went through a number of lousy teachers in the 80s till I discovered Frank's lesson vids on VHS. Mods, No More Mystery really helped me. His understanding of music is intrinsic, deep, and total.

[@kukumuniu5658]

Bard Gambler Frank Gambale

[@thomasnorelli8763]

Hes the most creative musician that I've ever seen. Change just sound that exotic tuning of Is his

[@Peyote1312]

Get a grip, Bilbo.

[@Peyote1312]

Really? A bard? Get a grip, Bilbo.

[@chrisggoodwin777]

I love how he kept the low E droning for reference through the moods...modes; it really helped show how each one colors the note differently

[@jamessbca]

Eye opening for me. Keep that note prominent as a frame of reference.

[@carsgunsandguitars]

That was really cool for me a well

[@Aurich55]

If you got right what he said, you should be learning about triads and voicing. Lets supose you play a E major triad, than you slide it a whole tone, it should make this E sound like Lydian. You can just take any progression and make it a modal progression. Making a pedal tone is a good choice, but its only a basic exercise.

[@Heaven-dy9lj]

Thought that also.

[@justinbean3694]

Look up Joe Satriani Mode lesson....

[@deadmire1976]

Dudes gotta be in the top 10 of all time, he's up there with Becker, Holdsworth, Lane in my books... His knowledge and execution is absolutely sickening. That album on the wall behind him is no joke... The fact we get this lesson in hd on KZbin with no interruptions is badass. Thank you Rick. Thank you Frank.

[@davelouis4004]

Such an incredible player , so much knowledge !

[@Stelly669]

Best Aussie player ever

[@fredrikdegaard8277]

​@@Stelly669bretts pretty good too

[@Stelly669]

@@fredrikdegaard8277 Brett Garsett ? Yes very good

[@mesabman]

Frank is phenomenal! He's definitely in the Top 10, and don't forget about Guthrie Govan who is on a level above 99.9% of players of all time!

[@guitarmemoir]

"Modes No More Mystery" took me from being a crappy guitar player to being a decent musician. Many thanks Frank.

[@kjpetrucci]

I don’t even know the reason why he is not as known as Steve Vai, et al!

[@victoza9232]

@@kjpetrucci Real musicians know who he is.

[@arthurmee]

Ditto.

[@arthurmee]

@@kjpetrucci but Frank was chosen by Chick Corea . . .

[@kjpetrucci]

@@victoza9232 touché! 👍🏽

[@kickinit333]

I saw Frank in San Diego at a guitar shop in Pacific Beach in the 1980's. He had a handout that described modes and I didn't understand it. Flash forward to my late 40's and I watched his modes video again and I finally got it. There's a saying, when the student is ready, the teacher appears. Thanks Frank!

[@Tgisgreat123]

Smart, down to earth talented, could listen to him for hours

[@ChuckMarteau]

I used to be obsessed with Modes and learned a lot from Frank. I once wrote to him asking him to sign my CD cover ("Thunder From Down Under") which he did. He also kindly answered my question about what was the best way to improvise. He answered that he will simply strum over an E-flat (a scale he had a hard time with himself as he said, if I recall), and just play over it until it sounds good to him. Years later, I saw Frank in Paris, playing with Return To Forever....

[@RM-gm7lu]

Summed it up "Moods"! The man is a MASTER!!! Thanks Rick.

[@deangoritz9625]

Awe man, using that IV to V concept in each mode using same root is very helpful! Dont remember seeing in original interview, thanks again Rick for the nuggets of knowledge

[@tel5690]

After 20 years of listening to Frank. I always learn something new. Modes are very important to understand. Frank breaks it down simply

[@Chord_The_Seeker]

In this short video, playing simple things, Frank shows his mastery of the guitar, and theory, in how smoothly and confidently he flows through everything. There is a saying in Japanese that basically goes a true master shows it in his every move. Frank is the perfect embodiment of that.

[@JohnHenrySoto]

Rick's face is priceless! He's in heaven seeing this up close!! We're in heaven seeing it on KZbin so I can't imagine what's he feeling. :) Love this channel!

[@noenduringcity]

Ok, so Frank explaining about taking the IV and V chords from each mode's parent scale was the beginning of a life changing moment. I checked out "Modes: No More Mystery" for more info. Amazing!

[@curtisprice9806]

FRANK IS EXCELLENT AT TEACHING AND HIS ULTIMATE GUITAR WORKOUT VIDEO WILL TAKE YOU TO YNGWIE LEVEL....OUTSTANDING VIDEO!!! ❤ ❤

[@tylerboley1786]

If i was sitting next to Frank like that while he happily lays it down I wouldn’t be able to stop smiling either. Wow. And what a great guitar sound

[@jasonshermandds6034]

Wow, this was a lifetime of lessons in just a few minutes. Amazing. Thank you Rick! Thank you, Frank!

[@KraussEMUS1]

I was lucky enough to take some lessons from Frank and from Paul Gilbert at GIT in the 80s. People were completely blown away by Frank's speed picking and by Paul's pull off abilities!

[@Samurai78420]

Just absolutely incredible. And that tone.

[@johngatta]

There is another way of seeing modes that I find fascinating. Start with the Lydian (E, for example) - E F# G# A# B C# D# E (every time I say lower a note, it's half step down) - lower the 4th, you get the major scale (Ionic) - lower the 7th, you get Mixolydian - lower the 3rd, you get Doric - lower the 6th, you get Eolian - lower the 2nd, you get Frigian - lower the 5th, you get the infamous Locrian (then lower the 1st and you get D# Lydian, ehehehehehehhe, and you can go on as much as you can :D :D :D ) Since you have to change only one note to move from one mode (or mood) to another, it's easier to appreciate the subtle differences between some of the modes. Using the low E as a base it's very useful. There is also a nice pattern to know which is the next note to lower to move from a mode to another. If you want to know it, ask for it! :D

[@JoseGarcia-eadgbe]

🪄🎸🦅🎶

[@ValirAmaril]

sweet! what's that nice pattern?

[@nomadenview]

Thanks for the information

[@ValirAmaril]

oh right, circle of fourths

[@ValirAmaril]

...and the parent keys are also moving through the circle of fourths. you're right, this IS fascinating!

[@ronedee]

Frank is a brilliant teacher! If I were his student, I would just sit there mesmerized listening to him noodle! A creative genius, who can actually describe his technical process.

[@straycat7247]

Especially "who can actually describe his technical process". So many can do it and at heart it just came naturally to them but they cannot communicate it!

[@bniwa]

Rick, you look giddy as a kid listening to this guy. I'm right there with ya bud. What an eye opening and entertaining episode. Thanks!

[@basslobster]

Two wise men who knows how to lead the way. And Gambale man, he's soooo good ❤

[@UnderCoverBeWater]

Rick is coolest dude … I know he feels great interviewing many of the greats.

[@hamacaboy]

Rick is such an amazing interviewer, he really gets the gold

[@richardhunt809]

I bought a copy of Modes No More Mystery back in the 90s and it really helped to clarify the different moods of the modes for me. I used to make little 2-chord backing tracks on my old 4-track cassette recorder and just noodle about up and down the fretboard over them. I used to play in awkward keys like Eb Dorian or C# locrian or whatever unfamiliar stuff I could think of. It was great fun and it taught me loads. Thank you, Frank.

[@neilgoldberg2132]

so well demonstrated using modes starting on E, brilliantly demonstrates the "moods" and frank is not from this planet! so incredible!

[@tonyqunta32]

Frank is without doubt one of the world's greatest musicians and has humility too! Of course his soloing is phenomenal but what beutiful exquisite chordal work too!

[@mgogo6921]

This is the best video I have ever seen! Rick and Frank, TY!

[@Abu_ZzZ]

I love Frank's quote at the end. "It's 3 chords but check out the chords"

[@milesparker3263]

This is one of the best musical explanations I've heard, and definetely the best on explaning modes/moods. Frank's stuedents are very lucky to have him.

[@alessandromartorelli3929]

My attention got distracted a bit by the right hand of Frank in handling/hiding the pick...he's like a magician!

[@latexgeneration]

These types of lessons where you get to hear different perspectives makes things so much easier to understand. Amazing content.

[@localbod]

What a really enjoyable interview. Frank Gambale's playing and knowledge are inspirational. What a musician.

[@johndcoffee632]

Frank really has a way of bringing the colours of the modes to life and how to practice them. Amazing stuff from the master himself

[@bilanggoboy]

THANK YOU RICK AND FRANK! This parent IV V over the mode bass lesson was a eureka moment for me! Wow!

[@lanesblitz]

I learned modes with Frank Modes no more mistery at the time it s been one of the most joyous discoveries in my 36 years musical journey! And unbelievably fundamental. Frank s great teacher and music legend of course!

[@RickydeCamargo]

This is a video that worths 1M dollars !!! What amazing musicians Frank is

[@jimmyc5498]

Easily one of the most requested, misunderstood and important topics out there. You and Gambale do a great job with it as always. My humble two cents before I watch this one. Most guitar players don’t get that all the notes of a C major scale are chord tone or extensions of all the chords of the key ( Dm7, G7, FM7#11, etc) even diatonic 4th chords are all extensions or chord tones over all chords of the key. Bass root notes, tempo, all factor into deciding chord tones and passing tones, beginning and ending notes of phrases. Modes can simply be alternate fingerings of a C scale or other applications. Thanks for what you do every day.

[@JiriPrajzner]

am glad i figured this out myself, bc i wanted to hear the actual moods of modes, not just the typical "it's the same, but starting on different note"

[@procyon6445]

They way Rick's looking at Frank reminds me a lot of me and my guitar teacher. Whenever he starts playing some incredible shit i've never heard before in my life i can't help but just smile.

[@orpheus1340]

Rick looking like a child with stars in his eyes is a sight to see! Thanks both of you for that wonderful insight.

[@LouisL1963]

I remember seeing Frank do this as part of a masterclass for M.I. London sometime between 1988 & 1990 (I think).

[@indirock2008]

Jeez...he made it look so easy. I've never seen anyone explaining modes so beautifully. I'm among those who wondered the actual utility of modes, although I knew everything is there for a reason. And that melodic minor - spy chord -- was so cool the moment he hit it. Just amazing how Frank explains music.

[@rayjr62]

Frank is right. Those three "Police" chords are from "When the World is Running Down, You Make the Best of What's Still Around" and they are (if memory serves me) C9 sus, D9 sus and E minor 7. Basic, yet very melodic and (at the time I first heard that song) quite thought provoking. Thanks for posting this gem of an interview, Rick. Awesome stuff.

[@wadesharp11]

Franks playing is fantastic right from the start! Love u frank ❤

[@timhughes1327]

Thanks for the continuity and lack of interruptions . 😊👍

[@tomrichard2252]

Just watched his old modes video. Thank him for me. It was the first time I got it, and how much work I've got left.

[@NesconProductions]

Saw Frank as a member of RTF2 (replacing Al DiMeola) and also included violist Jean Luc Ponte. Both added their own unique flavor to the Return To Forever material & a stands out in my mind as one of the best shows I ever saw. Can't say enough how Rick has been able to pin down some of my favorite musical artist (that are still living..) for serious musical interviews when most such on mainstream media are fluff & often uncomfortable to watch :-P. The artist Rick interviews all have smiles on their faces for they have the unique opportunity to demonstrate their trade at a much deeper level. From a viewer perspective don't even have to be a musician to appreciate. One of the few 'silver linings' to COVID (& I'm working in ICU this weekend). TYVM Rick & tc all!

[@baladeva777]

Explaining that modes are more of a mood makes entire sense. Just that little expression sinks the understanding a little deeper. The eureka moment is almost near! Ha! It’s also very inspiring to see how focused and concentrated Rick is while listening to Frank even though he already knows his stuff as well. Inspiring…Much Respect and Always Appreciated 🙏🏽🎼💓

[@atquinn1975]

I've been playing for decades and this is the best explanation of this I've ever heard. Not suprising of course. Not all monster players are monster teachers, but Frank certainly is among that group!

[@arthurgoncalveslima4879]

I saw dozens of YT video regarding modes. Failed to understand each one of them. Started classes with a jazz guitarist and friend. He explained the same way, or almost, as Frank does in the video. My guitar life changed. That's very helpful!

[@dustinlaferney3160]

I'm a classically trained pianist. I have learned more music theory from internet guitarists than I did from years of conservatory. This dude is an incredible musician, and a great teacher.

[@Molt408]

I went to GIT in 1987 mostly because of this great man.

[@BenMcrea61]

Thanks Rick for this amazing little reminder of how Frank taught and still teaches the modes.

[@evalex71]

Frank Gambale gave the best lesson on the modes I’ve ever seen in his video from the ‘80s

[@jcsydney4763]

I met Frank at Sydney airport many years ago. Nicest guy you would want to meet. Was strange how I was standing talking to Frank and basically no one around me knew we were in the presence of a living legend. He is the king

[@nathanmantle377]

I am making some worksheets for my students about modes, and in the worksheet I use the example of a painter choosing 7 colours (tones), and depending on which mood they want to express, will mix the various colours accordingly, and then at the end of the passage, I say "think of modes as moods instead"! It was really cool to hear Frank say the same thing!

[@nancydevolder4433]

Apart from being an extraordinary musician Frank is an extraordinary teacher as well. Very rare.

[@HarlanHarvey76]

Frank has been a giant inspiration to my playing and I'm a whole generation away. I started playing in the 90s. I didn't get into Frank until the 2010s and my playing never got so much better since I first started playing. In fact, I feel like there have been 2 main phases in my playing. Pre Gambale influenced and Post Gambale influenced. I just wish I would have been introduced earlier. Thanks Frank!

[@reelworldmusicproductions2679]

I bought Modes No More Mystery going back 20 years ago and I agree he was the only person to get through to me to understand them correctly and in their proper context. I am forever grateful!!

[@dylankopff5062]

One of the highlights of my life meeting frank at st Charles guitar exchange he's a humble legend.and writes great songs

[@mannijimenezmusic]

I finally got it😮. Mind Blown. 🤯 . Thank You Rick and Frank.

[@brentpreppernau1304]

Love how Frank was thinking about how to make this topic approachable for mere mortals. I - lV - V triads; how simple and useful is that to incorporate modes? Thanks Rick! Never fail to get at least one nugget I can use from your videos.

[@manny75586]

Frank is such a great player. This demonstration just makes the topic of modes all the more clear.

[@shaunmcinnis566]

Frank is the master like no other. He is proof that knowledge is power. What a gift this man is the music.

[@alessiograziani6355]

These 9 minutes are one of the best music course on KZbin

[@pitpride1220]

I was lost on this coming in. Still a bit lost, but I see the light. That's the value of watching it multiple times.

[@2GroundControl]

I think this is an honest and humble comment. I was wondering if Rick ( a much better teacher IMHO) would be willing to do a follow up in his own words and fashion. For example the "soft" concept of moods instead of modes is entertaining but not instructive. It came up in the conversation just as Frank was getting to the "hard" point. De-railed the lesson. I am already comfortable with practicing modes but always interested and curious on how players use modes to guide their own improvisation. I did not get that from this discussion. I enjoyed it immensely though 😉.

[@eduardoallo8786]

That example he tells about the minor and major scale is brilliant...the way that major and relative minor (same notes, different "taste" and feeling) works, is the same in modes...same notes, seven different "tastes"...and as he explains in his instructional, the best way to understand it is playin´standard chord progressions for each mode. Thank you, Mr.Gambale!!

[@peterjohnson4932]

This was great Rick. You looked like you were really enjoying yourself when Frank played. I'm off to watch the whole interview.

[@ultrafree9597]

I had the opportunity to take many a lesson from Mr. Frank Gambale in the 90s at MI. He's so nice and a master of the guitar!

[@MikeS4628]

I don't remember how long I'd been playing when I watched Frank's video on modes back in the day. I kind of understood it all but in a complicated way. That video was the first time it all clicked and it immediately made sense to me. He also explained how to figure out what key a progression was in and how to apply modes. It really took me from learning things off tape, yes, tape to being able to improvise and write in a musically correct way. I knew the scales but until he demonstrated what it all meant as a whole I was just playing scales my teacher had taught me or what I learned from magazines. (internet didn't exist yet) So my thanks to Frank for opening up the world of modes to me.

[@NitroModelsAndComics]

Frank is so musically literate and it comes across. Well. He has very fortunate students.

[@kmanick107]

Franks "Modes" DVD was a game changer for me, should be required watching for all guitarists

[@wesboundmusic]

Thanks a bunch! That's exactly what I did TODAY and PRIOR to seeing this, because that is exactly what had always remained shrouded in mistery for me (like with Frank's students): Where the heck is the difference? So, yes. I figured that these make only sense if you learn them while staying in the SAME key and NOT starting on a different note with each mode. And then the different sound or mood they convey becomes a lot better tangible (not yet all there, but after seeing this much more there than after I finished that lesson today and moved on to other things). In retrospect: I must have intuitively heard the difference, but the theory side of it never made much sense to me. Until this, that is. "It's all about the intervals" - so right he is! Thanks again! Priceless!

[@TheWorldAccordingToArf]

Lovely. I appreciate it. I appreciate you, Rick, very much. Mr. Gambale, thank you for the 4,5 practice (I throw a "thank you" into the well). The benefits of this exercise seem plain and clear. I'm excited. BTW, Rick, I really enjoy the story-time videos on the main channel. Thanks, again.

[@justincoulter4458]

I really enjoyed listening to Frank. Very knowledgeable and a great guy too !

[@billklement2492]

Rick, Is this a release or an re-edit? No matter! Frank's the MAN! Great interview! Thanks for the video!

[@Imokyourok440]

I had a Guitar Player magazine in the 80’s that came with a floppy record that had Frank demonstrating modes on it. My first mode lesson!

[@TheRealHucasys]

When he was younger with Chick Corea and all that era, I used to not like him so much, not his playing, but felt he had like an attitude or something, just prejudice of course since I never really met him. Anyways, in all the interviews I've seen from the last few years he seems so chill and wise, and his playing has gotten even more awesome, his dynamics, just great. And a great interview, of course, as usual from Rick.

[@Tmidiman]

A great lesson with the master. I wouldn’t know anything without Frank’s teaching and musical examples.

[@ianmiddleton9143]

Great interview and lesson - thanks! Frank wouldn't remember me but I produced a show with Chick's Elektric Band in Scotland way back in 1992. What a great band and the audience loved it, of course!

[@ManfredElsingBielefeld]

Frank is the master;he did spectaculat things in the past,realy;thank you both!

[@geedubb-q1u]

Frank makes it look so easy, and he’s so smooth.

[@tonytone5856]

I'm so glad he played "when the world is running down"love that song.

[@garfield4108]

Frank is amazing. And Rick, as mentioned many times here is a great interviewer.

[@skittlesstarburst4532]

Really cool how Rick gets to hang out and keep learning from these masters. I know my modes , and have for years... but there is always more to soak up.

[@davidvandegaer750]

Good stuff. I’ll have to look closer at that I, IV, V of the modes. Sounds interesting!

[@claudiozanvettor7535]

Thank you Rick for inviting Frank Gambale who 's such a big luminary on teaching music for the guitar.

[@catherinemacleod4985]

Priceless, Rick. Thank you so much.

[@jasonkesser]

Woooooooooooooow. So many take aways. Practice vamps that express modes. And also playing triads and or 3rds/6ths reveal the skeleton of everything - super nice, can’t wait to play around this way. What a great way to express the ‘moods’

[@theIpatix]

OMG YES, I remember this was the way I finally understood modes. I get that modes are explained as a simple major scale with all the different root notes (I mean, that's how they are related), but I found the differences only really becoming audible once you use the same root note since your "short time pitch memory thingy" actually notices which tones are different and make up the different moods.

[@duanewilson3941]

I'm always blown away by Frank, I just shake my head when I hear him. And that tune by Sting (Police), there's pretty much only one guy in the world that can sing that tune.

[@Metalfreak327]

What's the name of that sting/police tune ?

[@duanewilson3941]

@@Metalfreak327 When the world is running down by the Police.

[@edzielinski]

"I couldn't play anything if I didn't understand modes." Clearly Frank is using that line to make a point, but it's an essential one. Over a couple years of watching Rick and others and studying, I am *starting* get what he means. I'll bet he can sing any mode or play it backwards, in any key, and pick out any chords from that mode at will, and probably do all sorts of insane things with them that I can't even comprehend. What it means to me is that if Frank says modes are that central to his playing, then I need to double down on understanding them better. Many thanks to Frank and Rick for putting this out there and the great teaching advice. 👍👍

[@andsalomoni]

"I couldn't play anything if I didn't understand modes." It's true for me too, since from my very beginning I based my instrumental practice and musical analysis on the use of modes.

[@emilong]

I'm loving this channel, Rick - thanks for bringing it to us!

[@dougbooth3161]

I have had a DVD copy of Frank's "Modes: No More Mystery" for a long time. I have watched all kinds of people try and explain the modes... read books and articles. Finally watched the DVD again recently and had the "AHA!!" moment. He really does explain it in a way that made me understand the whole concept of the modes. Thank you Frank, and thank you Rick!

[@noone-t8y]

The mind melting modal madness of Frank Gambale!

[@MrTkeddo]

I had the honour of seeing him play live with the late great Chick Corea and the Elektic band ,what a amazing player he is.