Marty Friedman guitar lesson (scales)

Marty explaining about some scale he "made up" and how to practice them, part by part. This clip was taken from Marty Friedman's "Melodic Control" video.

[@adamrspears1981]

He looks like at any moment he's going to yawn, stretch his arms upward, & be like...."Well, I'm gonna take a nap now." & just casually get up, set the guitar down & leave with the camera still rolling. So that we are just left staring at an empty chair & a guitar, slightly humming because he didn't bother to even shut off the amp.

[@howardalien2720]

Great comment 😂

[@commandershepard9749]

I'm dying 🤣🤣🤣

[@leslie8072]

Marty Friedman is the Bob Ross of guitarists.

[@6stringscience505]

so true

[@MegaThrasher95]

Leslie Marrowbone Both Marty and Bob Ross are "human quaaludes".

[@jeremydukes4228]

nah more like paul gilbert is the bob ross of guitar

[@luthiervandros]

6 String Science here’s a happy little harmonic minor

[@leeyandzlim7763]

I so agree!

[@aidanrockstar]

i love how hes full of emotion

[@StephenHarrisJr]

Marty is playing a D harmonic minor scale in this video (D, E, F, G, A, Bb, C#, D) on top of the A major chord that he started with -the A being the fifth of the scale that he started with . If you are playing/writing a song and are desiring this effect then you can think of it in those terms, if that is helpful to the way that you learn/think about things. Hope this helps!

[@SimonJosephStrat]

thank you

[@xeno126]

I guess the moral of the story is: Use your ears!

[@redskullz124]

He was just giving one example of how you can build a run using little patterns. The run doesn't have to necessarily ascend or descend. Instead of playing pattern 1, pattern 2, pattern 3, you can mix it up and build a solo in any direction. That's the beauty and simplicity of this lesson.

[@tombstoneharrystudios584]

Also he’s found a way with his unusual picking technique to play runs, avoiding awkward string changes by adding in variations that he likes To be fair, it’s a good lesson to be learnt & it keeps it from being predictable I won’t name and names but there’s some Shrapnel shredders who have chops for days. I find them too stiff and samey Even Yngwie when he plays descending fours rarely plays them metronomically and it keeps him from sounding dull

[@maritime7776]

He almost sounds like Toby Flenderson from The Office. The man is an absolute beast though

[@harperisme87]

Maritime777 yesss!🤣

[@ThrashRebel]

I still have VHS copies of “Melodic Control” & “Exotic Metal.” I used to practice the lessons EVERY DAY in the early ‘90s. 😁

[@bkpickell]

Man Marty is such a beast. I wish I had a tenth of the talent that he has.

[@MrSubscriber77]

There’s no such thing as talent. Just effort and consistency.

[@ozanmrcan]

@@MrSubscriber77 no there is

[@d3gkryan823]

@@ozanmrcan talent is just an excuse for those that believe skill is born and not made

[@ozanmrcan]

@@d3gkryan823 nope

[@chrisking6695]

@@ozanmrcan Nope there's not. Marty was driven and spent time working on his skills. He wanted to succeed. When others went to the movies he grabbed bis guitar and rocked in his bedroom. That's the difference.

[@lynchenblack5062]

He literally played Phyrigian Dominant while telling us not to learn scales lol. Marty is so talented that if he learned Chordal theory he'd be a monster.

[@dannyrussell1168]

Best case scenario: he's heard that sound and ignorantly thinks he has created a scale. Worst case scenario: he's pretentiously playing down his knowledge music theory down in a bid to appear enigmatic.

[@Hokd_diver]

I’m pretty sure he’s indicating certain patterns he’s made up, as opposed to just running up and down the scale lol.

[@ravenstrange8466]

@@dannyrussell1168 I don't even think he put as much thought into it as you have. Marty is an extremely successful guitar player and is trying to help frustrated people that are learning. I agree with him, most guitar teachers are fucking boring that try to make you a clone of everyone else. Marty works to help you stand a part from other's just like he has. When you hear Marty you know it's him because he isn't interested in being a stock instructor like 99% of guitar teachers out there who bore you to death.

[@trenken]

What hes saying is you become a player with your own unique style it you dont sit around like bedroom nobodies playing scales all day. Hes saying figure it out for yourself without a scale book or by wasteful music classes and develop your own style. And in the process youll get a deeper understanding of why these notes work together and how to use them in original ways. My favorite musicians ever never took lessons. Geddy Lee being a good example. Hes my favorite bassist of all time. Dude doesnt even know what scales he happens to be playing are. But he knows the notes sound good and sure plays them better than anyone.

[@ryanford5387]

I relate to how he's explained this. Just sticking some notes together descending in pitch, picking each one for a certain sound or feeling that you want. Since I've started trying to learn solos a few months ago I've been doing this. This way it's fun, and it doesn't seem like slaving away for hours on learning patterns that you might never use. This is fuelled by curiosity and where there is curiousity there is interest and where there is interest there is excitement. When it feels like I've discovered something it sticks more because it feels like my own, even though someone has probably already given a name to and used whatever I've just worked out.

[@patrickshannon4516]

I like how he explains things it makes it easier for the not so technically advanced guitarist.

[@matthughesrocks]

This was the first guitar instructional video I ever bought back in the late 90s and I still apply it today I learned so much from it.

[@Kpalmost]

i love how he can make metal sound so like eastern

[@apostleslayer1567]

Marty looks like he's staring of into space.

[@133starscream]

he's high

[@superclaw900]

Apostle Slayer kinda late, but he has a lazy eye and he compensates for it but ends up looking like he's staring into space

[@NewGamer101]

3:19, Love how his mood changes so fast.

[@DLTA64]

3:22 he's so fucking high lol

[@danieldepedro6452]

Joker ir

[@detectivevermin2469]

No no. High is him. Marty knows what is going on!

[@swaggypanda1808]

Haha, didn't notice him spacing out, but he said that he usually gets really bored in lessons which is why he looks high or stoned.

[@DeadPoolTheMan11]

J O K E R / ジョーカ / yo what the hell? How did I find you here? Lol I suppose you are a big fan of Marty judging that you have his guitar

[@RageAgainstTheDisco]

Marty is one of the greatest guitarists ever

[@indrajithak47]

Wow, this is a good video to develop oneself as a player. Blew my mind with simple ideas.

[@AntonioGazzaneo91]

i love friedman,this is THE MOST INTELLIGENT lesson for improvising and using scales i've ever seen

[@brotherskeeper7]

Its good to hear from someone that is successful as a Guitarist, that can speak intelligently on a subject that we are interested in. Great Video.

[@DropdaLTDtoB]

This lesson...... THIS Lesson..... THIS FUCKING LESSON, ALL HAIL MARTY \m/

[@tierankarb]

1:01 literally how i've been learning guitar

[@tiituspykalainen5300]

put 2 time and you've got Marty Friedman high on cocaine telling u how to make your own scale patterns

[@festushaggen2563]

It's funny how the pro's always say don't waste your time on scales and yet they all know them. Learning scales isn't about memorizing the scale as much as it's about understanding the fretboard and where notes fit together. Then you can try soloing by experimenting with what you've learned. Scales do have benefits.

[@oddjrgen7457]

P.G. K They are correct,I believe though that you don't understand what they're trying to tell you. When it comes to theory it's more like "Learn the theory behind the music,but leave the theory behind you when you play"...

[@redaa195]

I was lookin for this comment

[@justaS33ker]

There are literally dozens of scales that cover every possible combination and permutation of the 12-tone-chromatic scale. For every beginning guitarist that shouts "Eurika! A New Scale!" there's literally a hundred other guitarists that shouted the same thing while hundreds of years of musical literature collect dust. Knowing the scales that already exist will not limit you unless you LET them. It's like a cookbook -- the recipes are there for STARTING POINTS.

[@TheImpossibleMan]

Marty on Lucretia - still one of the best solos on record.

[@nckhed]

Heard it in my head as soon as I read your comment. 😂😂

[@pavelkostar5202]

I agree. 👍That record has some great solos.

[@cameronognenovski3157]

what happens when you smoke a bong with dave

[@brandon9271]

exactly! I think the end result of Marty's playing speaks for itself! This is why Marty sounds so different than all these other "shredders" he's not just playing it by the book.

[@SantiagoRebella]

put 0.5 time at the begining and start laugh

[@marshallalexander8228]

+Santiago R SCAAAAAAAAALS

[@asiannoodleboy9135]

+Santiago R Sounds like he's high! XD

[@bordecielqc7311]

+Santiago R lol omg xD

[@asiannoodleboy9135]

would be awesome to get high with Friedman though XD

[@Cevenchurches]

vamos bolso!!!

[@B1GMegadeth]

such an amazing guitarist... pure talent right there one of the best of all time.. and his guitars man the jackson kellys i would kill to have one of those

[@sasukek489]

what a gift this man has.

[@aligatorsandwitch72]

He doesn't care about how, he is just getting from point a to point b. its amazing.

[@BigMateo24]

I heard a funny story today from a friend who went to GIT, when Friedman did a clinic there. Apparently, during a session he did, the artist asked him to do a pinch harmonic during a solo. Marty will be the first to tell you that he can't do that at all, so he just plays a sweet lick to make up for it. The artist says,"That was great, but we just really want a pinch harmonic." So Marty asks someone in the room, "Can you do a Pinch Harmonic? Great, here you go" and hands his guitar over.

[@jacasoasheland6815]

guitar GOD. makes it look so easy

[@AnubisXII]

Man that was some beautiful stuff.

[@deadhead42020]

i love this mans style

[@will9113utube]

Lol he's not stoned. What's going on here according to Friedman: "Can you think of anything more boring than explaining music? To a camera?"

[@mgcuniverse9037]

weed is next to impossible to get in Japan

[@nckhed]

@@mgcuniverse9037 Really? Why is that?

[@Mcrapansel]

he doing it like im doing it. or no wait i think im doing it like he is doing it ;) love your marty

[@mrloslos88]

i needed this to clear my mind

[@VLombardi01]

Interesting! Thats what makes his playing so unique!

[@Duke-jo5un]

I think he is the only guitar player who doesnt use his pinky and he is so fucking good player

[@pkj77]

Nikos Papadopoulos look closely he does use his pinky 3:48

[@mostresticator5]

go watch michael keene

[@uptheirons726]

I think it's called "rythmic phrasing". Paul Gilbert, Satch, Malmsteen, Petrucci are masters of this technique. Basically just means altering how many notes are being played between the beat. Like he said, a 5 pattern, then a seven pattern, then a triplet feel.

[@SkrvnHiptR77]

Always loved Marty

[@lolmaomfgtfok]

I saw him at a clinic 2 weeks ago in Melbourne, he was incredible!!!

[@your.excellency]

Marty can always make it like he is playing on a neck with 44 frets (due to his unpredictability).

[@nickmaille5951]

44 frets and 35 stings

[@angelofanella7860]

Marty is hands down the best guitar player in history no doubt. But He says "it's got a name. Harmonic minor OR SOMETHING" He knows it's the harmonic minor he didn't make that one and he knows it.

[@hybris159]

Angelo Fanella He is my favourite player of all times !!

[@Rendall81]

​@Waters - Purple

[@sheilahayne]

awesome. that's creative by definition:)

[@AntonioGazzaneo91]

i love him a lot,he has a lot of originality

[@chezarii]

He is so stoned :D

[@kevinstephens9418]

1:51 at .75 speed

[@tylerbrah4676]

Kevin Stephens 1.25 speed

[@fyessssss]

Chuck shulder 2x speed

[@stavenful]

what is the full name to this scale??

[@mulianainsan8359]

@@stavenful Phrygian Dominant (the 5th mode of the Harmonic Minor)

[@FreakKitchen94]

Even tho he is boring as hell in this vid, this is one of the best scale lessons i've ever seen..find the notes that you like!

[@sunnys5150]

This guy owned my senior year of HS...1991 those were the days boy!

[@SammyBones]

If you are practicing scales, remember that a guitar that has the action set up good is easier to play. Also, light gauge guitar strings can make you a bit faster too. #guitarlessons #guitartips #guitarsetup #guitaraction #guitartechtips

[@jadeowenhamblyn4405]

Light gauge strings sound like shit and low action for a really great buzzy tone huh?

[@TheSaintberzerker]

Marty isn't playing just random notes...as he'd lead you to believe. He's playing scales whether he realizes it or not.

[@merabalaraq45]

i think Marty's lie simililar to the lie mustaine says "i don't practise"

[@TheWarningRockBand]

@@merabalaraq45 I think they just don't count "that" as practice or such, for an example, playing the guitar itself is basically also counted as practice, but most people wouldn't count it as practice, yet the guitarist does improve bit by bit everytime they play the guitar.

[@blunderless]

1. Yeah no shit, there's a label for everything on the guitar in music theory, he knows this, and he explains how he uses his own scales. Any sequence of notes that fit together is probably a scale. 2. There are many guitarist who don't practice (Dimebag too), bc they know that when they play for fun, they get their best material. They may warmup before a show, but they don't need practice 3. I see no problem with the 2nd reply, just needed a 3. To finalize the rant

[@shaitanxul6]

I like his approach to playing scales the way you want them to sound as oppose to the way you're supposed to.

[@StephenHarrisJr]

You are correct. Though Marty is playing the same notes as the D harmonic minor scale (D, E, F, G, A, Bb, C#, D), he is playing from the fifth of the scale to harmonize with his starting chord, A major. This scale, A phrygian dominant (A, Bb, C#, D, E, F, G, A), also known as the Jewish Ahaba Rabba or Freygish, the harmonic minor perfect fifth below (in jazz) or hijaz (in Arabic music), Spanish Phrygian or Spanish Gypsy Scales begins with A. Thank you for pointing out my error, bfiorvante.

[@1234Sebster]

His playing always reminds me of the middle east for some reason

[@dobby240]

Ha no way im holding a jackson Kelly right now. nice jam

[@kevin_powell]

if the vid make you think, then you have benefited. Thanks Marty for sharing your knowledge and perspective!

[@BangDoMusic]

Marty and Jackson are so awesome !!!

[@arysnijder]

He's right it's not like you need all the theorie or that learning theory at some advanced school makes you a better guitarist. Theory are just names for every move you make on the guitar that is "namable". I had a discussion once with a bassguitarist and he said, you need theory or at least know more then 5 scales by name. So i challenged him, gradually lowering the tremelo bar and raising it and ask him to name me every note per 1 mn, he couldn't. There nothing wrong with some theory but not knowing what you do seems to be allot more exiting the all just read the same book with the phrygians modes and stuff. And besides, he can keep up with all the theory, i lost the knowledge after 3 lessons and asked my teacher to just learn me how to play instead of giving me those big math scales and wouldn't remember anyhow.

[@Billbill80s]

+Arjan Snijder Pretty much. Also, any thing you play on a guitar - or any instrument for that matter - can be pretty much anything at all theoretically -- depending on what the progression you are playing over is. Just changing the underlying chords or melody can change everything. In that respect theory is fairly well useless. Look at all the greatest guitarists for example - they dont have the time to stand up and play to an audience and explain what they are doing. And when they are playing they cant think about what they are doing because it would take too long. Composition wise it is useful for mapping out an interesting song. But practically its nearly useless really. Mostly theoretical ramblings are just there to show off understanding of theoretical ramblings. Also, some of those big name guitarists are fairly well useless when it comes to a live improvisation on the spot. That's really where being a player matters.

[@TruthSurge]

Actually, it's the opposite. Having more knowledge and more to draw from INCREASES your creativity. It's a myth to think that if you learn the scales/modes you somehow will lose your creativity. Go watch any Paul Gilbert vid. He knows all the modes/scales/arps and yet he's playing a 3 string guitar with another guy using his hand as a capo! haha 5 and 7 refer to the notes of the scale (1 = root note, 2, 3, 4 etc and their corresponding modes).

[@chandlerrife282]

this guy is great at explaining

[@duncandistortion]

+Chandler Rife,and even better at playing!.

[@annettedillon7]

Fun ideas to create interest on scale runs!

[@Nino.ElectricSoul]

It sounds Egyptian

[@shubhadeepx]

The phrygian dominant mode it is. Check it out

[@GanjaPharmzor]

My friend, I just said something and apparently I need to say it again, THEORY IS NOT USED AS A TOOL FOR SONGWRITING PURPOSES. IT IS USED TO UNDERSTAND MUSIC. I'd even go that far and say that one needs to comprehend a certain amount of theory in order to understand, play and/or write certain types of music. In this case, ofcourse, we're talking about very complex stuff, but still. Try to play some proggy stuff and you won't get far without any knowledge on time sigs and (poly)rhythm. (example

[@WarWithin1992]

My #1 favorite guitarist...!

[@GrumpyOldMan9]

If you have to "invent" scales yourself, that's gonna take an awful lot of time. Reading a book about them goes much faster.

[@donaldbollinger2407]

Yeah the book might be faster.but you'll prolly just be another average guitar player and never a guitar god.

[@larsbreedveld7869]

+Foo Rankoo But almost every possible scale has been invented and is already in some book, you will just be reinventing them, it just seems a bit clueless...

[@The_Nitefly]

His method is great, but I dislike how he implies that his approach isn't based in learning theory - it is. 'Limiting yourself' isn't a case of learning scales vs making them up yourself (any scale you can 'make up' already exists anyway) but how you use them in your playing, like with the phrasing techniques in the video. The fact that Marty can come up with runs like that has virtually nothing to do with him 'making up' the scales, as if you just learn them you'd have the same starting point. Not to mention you'd have made your life a whole lot easier by not feeling your way through the dark trying to find what does and doesn't work.

[@juanmanuelcorrea7673]

Sam Todd there’s your mistake. In music, there’s no such a thing as “it doesn’t work.” If you think otherwise, if that wasn’t the case, we would be still be playing boring classical music.

[@familyguyisfunnyyes]

Juan Correa Exactly Heavy metal rhythm playing wouldn't even exist because they're mostly parallel fifths- power chords. And in classical music theory, that is forbidden. So yeah, exactly. That's why jazz music theory is different too.

[@christafario]

goood thanks man for upload the video

[@Elintasokas]

The scale he is playing is called "Phrygian dominant", and it is the fifth mode of harmonic minor. Btw, I suggest not listening to him here. The irony is that he basically reinvented the wheel (or phrygian dominant) with this method of trial & error. Learn the scales, learn the applications, learn everything. By actually knowing the theory, you can reliably use the tools in situations they are known to work well in. There's no good reason not to know the names and applications. Everything that sounds good in tonal music already has a name. Google this stuff. It's like a big web that starts making more and more sense the more you learn, and you see how everything is connected. If you stay in the dark and just trial & error by yourself, you will never make sense of it and can't properly utilize it in your playing to enhance your musicianship. The advice he gave here is terrible and counterproductive. The only benefit to not learning theory is that you will be impressed by music more easily because you can't explain/understand what's happening in a piece. I'd say that's nothing compared to being a better musician overall. The good news is that there's always music that will impress you; it's just that the bar is raised higher.

[@7546andr]

Multishape Thanks :D

[@interestingthings8598]

Multishape I think you can hear that scale in Teo Toriate by Queen. I don't know how much they knew about scales. Geniuses think and do things differently from the rest.

[@JT_Grogan]

Multishape He's trying to teach you to use your creativity rather than playing boring scales and getting stuck in boxes. I think the point he's trying to make is that "creating" your "own" scales and patterns and licks will help you develop your own unique style. Plus, Marty is extremely modest, he definitely knows more theory than he wants us to think.

[@PokeABrain]

right on Jake. Marty relies on Pentatonics a lot like most guitarists but it's the stuff he adds during his shuffling what it's exquisite.. he tends to end in same root note but his minor/Hungarian scales (gypsie or Egyptian) or whatever notes he plays and connects and adds soul is really what makes him special.. Yea, anyone can understand music theory and study but it is hard to teach 'Feel' or 'Soul' as these are subjective in nature : )

[@bojackhorseman3995]

lol, he's 10x the musician you'll ever be bro. He simply learned using his ear, rather than theory. I'm still an advocate of theory though.

[@chrismfoster14]

love your guitar!

[@MisterFuzzyHead]

we need more musicians like this :)

[@robertosalvatore7610]

Number one Marty Friedman!!...

[@clowncorpse7230]

I remember having this a long time ago it is awesome😀

[@worldwiderob]

Good tips and examples....nice vid. And I dig the Matthew Broderick comparison.

[@Lespaul09MKN]

Marty is the man

[@krayter]

i love his tone

[@FeedThemCake]

the king of harmonic minor.

[@Mynameisfukingtaken]

Gaah his right hand position is so awesome!

[@TheManwithafan]

That was a hilarious video! :D

[@Mrfatparakeet1]

you can see how hes filled with emotion

[@aleksandarpotocnjak9219]

Bravo 👍👌Marti🎸 for your guitar playing🎸🎸 in a phenomenal way, mixed with the various styles that music Power guitar soung 👍🎸Megadeth......

[@GORDITO1000]

Awesome.....thanks Marty!

[@Shiraz157]

he still is one of the best guitarist hes very unique and plays amazing

[@Ch1psahoy]

God Damnit... His voice is so relaxing....

[@zoommair]

OMG! You just blew my mind! New guitarist here trying to learn scales, but your method makes soooooo much more sense to me than all this music theory.

[@metakatana]

He's Marty Friedman of the thrash metal band Megadeth... This video was made in the 90's

[@metakatana]

You are SO late. He's FAMOUS

[@zoommair]

Yeah, so? Like I said, just started guitar, makes no difference when this video was made.

[@RUKIDDINGME666]

this lesson was very helpful, thanks for posting. And people...don't be hating Marty for playing pop music. If someone asked you to play pop music and make MILLIONS of dollars wouldn't you?

[@wadesharp11]

So cool!!! Great lesson il steal this and the idea thanks

[@MRCALIfornyay]

such emotion

[@vanessav4894]

he makes the shit sound siccccccc i love it he shreds beautifully

[@tonyteachesguitar]

@Motopsycho96 that is g harmonic minor sequenced in decending tripolets starting from the Bb on the high e string

[@TooLooseLeTrek]

Wow, that is some really cool jaw action at 1:56. I'll have to try that, to spice up my scales.

[@Francesco_Marras]

Great guitarist!!!

[@krustenhund]

this man says the truth

[@rebelman75kells]

i wasnt tired before i watched this.... good night

[@MarkDally]

That's by far the coolest guitar lesson I've found on KZbin. So sick of hearing wankers talk intervals, numbers, scales, and phrygian in the dorigian minor without any understanding of creativity at all. It really comes down to what sounds different and cool

[@dzjeezeskraist]

love the hammer-on on 0.43

[@lablueguy2000]

watched this tutorial just in time, i'm in the process of learning the solos for Ashes in your Mouth, and man the length of the scale is similar in this video.

[@xxczerxx]

If you guys were wondering what he's playing (funny, he doesn't know himself, he had an amazing natural talent), it sounds like a Phrygian lick. If you are trying to go for a marty-like sound in your solo's then this is perfect, it has that egyptian/exotic sound to it and really stands apart from standard blues/pentatonic fare.