Mikael Akerfeldt Never Plays A Boring Chord

In this week's lesson, we check out some of Opeth's fantastic chord voicings!
#Opeth #MikaelAkerfeldt #AxeOfCreation
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[@mancee]

Looks at guitar: So no head?

[@automaticbog3687]

Smashes phone then jumps on skateboard lol

[@forrestperkins6237]

Lmfao

[@DontJinxItYet]

Imma head out

[@RunsInTheSkinnyJeans]

It’s bianca devin’s guitar

[@franksolleveld2909]

I was looking for a comment like this

[@MustObeyTheRules]

I’m obsessed with his compositions. Benighted, face of Melinda, porcelain heart, harvest and so on ...

[@drewski5150]

Travis Meeks had some lovely chord voicings too. 😉

[@MustObeyTheRules]

drewski5150 for sure, another of my favorites :)

[@abigaillkruss8823]

Black rose immortal!

[@thomaszampino6369]

Forsure Days of the new is great

[@HELLNAWW]

Atonement !!!

[@angrybird32495]

“She told me why!!” Lol I sing that all the time for no reason whatsoever!

[@thevanpeltscream5167]

James Atkinson lol!!

[@alfiesolomon3531]

SHE TOLD ME A LIIIIIIEEEE *screams with desperation*

[@CaesarRollice]

Sammmmme

[@Janzer_]

I always take care of this

[@ToastedCigar]

Mikael is a super intuitive musician. He doesn't know almost any theory, but he makes the most beautiful music in the rock/prog/metal scene. I love his way of using open strings, unusual voicings and non-diatonic chords in-between the diatonic stuff

[@royfinkle974]

I heard there was an Opeth chord That Mikael played and it pleased the lord But you don't really care for Metal do ya?

[@nonholographic]

Hallelujah

[@TheFbiFilesRepeat]

Gold 🤣

[@user-mp7fn4zc9r]

@@nonholographic hellalujah

[@samueljacobson470]

Definitely one of the best Guitarists and Songwriters of all time. The ability to not only write the music and lyrics in accordance to one another but to perform it with such clear themes and all. It's mind blowing to me. Also he can sing/scream and play guitar which is very difficult

[@lukasgraesslin]

And also he doesn't even know much of music theory, at least he says that of himself.

[@nopicks1]

And some HEAVY AF riffs on a six string AND standard tuning (usually)

[@samueljacobson470]

@@nopicks1 Them and Sylosis are proof that E standard can be heavy. Also the only 2 songs with a different tuning I think are Ghost of Perdition (DADFAe) and Sorceress (AADfAe)

[@kristoffertraaen6053]

@@samueljacobson470 I fully agree with everything you've said. BTW, I can name a few more that uses different tunings from the top of my head. For instance Demon of the Fall, The Baying of the Hounds, and Eternal Rains Will Come.

[@samueljacobson470]

@@kristoffertraaen6053 I haven't tried to learn them so I wouldnt know. But Ill listen out for them

[@amjan]

Akerfeldt is THE most underrated guitarist ever! When in fact he's one of the greatest guitarists and composers ever.

[@TheAskald]

I'd composer, but not guitarist. His skills are the usual for a professional guitar player: great. But not exceptional. His composing skills are mindblowing tho

[@DharGez]

@@TheAskald Think about the fact of him not only playing the guitar but also singing and growling, everything at the same time

[@Vukf1]

@@TheAskald its not about how fast you can play... His tone, melody, writing, solos, chords, and most important SOUL... everything is pure art... He and Buckethead are my 2 favs...

[@TheAskald]

@@Vukf1 It depends on what you mean by "guitar player". When I think "greatest guitarist ever", it has to include solos. Gilmour didn't play fast as well, but in term of guitar playing (and this only), he's one dimension above of Akerfeldt to me. Now, where Akerfeldt is the absolute king, it's composing (like you said, melody, writing, chords, soul, and he definitely has a great tone). I've never ever seen a band with so much S tier songs, it's not even funny because for years I've been feeling I'll never find a band that good, ever. It's like if Metallica wrote 9 Master Of Puppets in a row. But better.

[@Vukf1]

@@TheAskald Well said sir.

[@Nickball97]

That Coil singing tho lmao

[@u.v.s.5583]

She told me Lies!!!!

[@HypnoticHat]

"not to diminish the idea" idea starts with a tritone

[@ryanrizner845]

To be fair, it was more of a augmented 4 than a diminished 5

[@blacklotus3205]

Haha this deserves my like

[@LukeZuniga]

So glad you're covering one of the greatest guitarists of all time!

[@SterlingSimmons22]

Windowpane definitely takes the cake for me, such a cool little riff

[@Syck589]

That American version of Mikael Akerfedlt was spot on, lol!

[@kurtkish6970]

Opeth is my favorite band and I have been alive since 1957. And its all because of Mikael Akerfeldt. Dog Bless M.A.!

[@Ymiraku]

akerfeldt is a true musical genius, he makes the most simple stuff sound so complex and unique. I always thought he was playing some crazy jazz voicings with insane finger positioning lol/

[@javiermorales5936]

And he make stuff complex and unique!!!

[@PyroShredder982]

Hours of Wealth has some dope chords, as does To Bid You Farewell

[@svartsjokolade]

This channel is a pot of gold. Thanks for all your hard work!

[@mohitrahaman]

Watching since 2013

[@irti_pk]

Dude I love his songwriting. He's a genius. So glad you covered him.

[@MetalDoraemon6]

Akerfelt knows little theory. i have the idea that steven wilson is the one that writes almost everythig for opeth

[@OzkerOpethFreak]

@@MetalDoraemon6 I really hope you're joking. 😂😂😂 Steven Wilson help produce and record 3 Opeth albums I believe, 🤔🤔🤔 but Opeth has proggy as fuck way before Steven worked on any of the albums...lol

[@kicoDbz]

@@MetalDoraemon6 I think thats why he is a little genius the guy know a little theory and listen opeth... it's perfect.

[@MustObeyTheRules]

MetalDoraemon6 ummm what?! Steven literally said himself that mikael is probably the greatest song writer alive.

[@evanstensland611]

MetalDoraemon6 my man, Steven has like 4 writing credits🤦‍♂️. It’s common knowledge Mikael writes almost everything. Steven said himself that Mikael might be the best songwriter ever.

[@Firedownunder26]

You should definitely do a "Steven Wilson never plays a boring chord." I've yet to see a video where someone breaks down his stuff!

[@axeofcreation]

Yes!!! Amazing idea

[@Firedownunder26]

Axe of Creation You’re the best ❤️

[@twosnakse]

He did it!

[@Firedownunder26]

whenuaboynton YESSSSS

[@VOYAGEUR-YT]

Opeth, music lesson, and BTBAM shirt. Subscribed

[@axeofcreation]

Welcome!

[@tappistrt]

Yeah I think I'll be in the same boat here, hahah!

[@chadams6242]

Does btbam still make their queen shirt? I wore the gray one to pieces and can’t find a replacement.

[@rickfeith6372]

I'm a sucker for add9 chords. That Kiesel sounds great too, PERFECT intonation.

[@hazardeur]

not really perfect dude but as good as it gets, if combined with an evertune bridge

[@rickfeith6372]

Lol...yeah, fretted instrument paradox. That guitar is stupid close, and sounds as good as any TT fretted instruments. I've heard though...in my own opinion of course.

[@rickfeith6372]

No Evertune's for decapitated guitars...yet

[@mindgoblin7068]

this tone is extremely stale and digital 😂

[@truedarklander]

@@mindgoblin7068 ??

[@endtyme1345]

Great video! Love Opeth's chords...with that strange mix of melancholy/joy & a hint of mysterious/sinister edge.

[@endtyme1345]

@@fearinoculum7181 Excellent yes! Until "Deliverance" I was really into the band...don't like too much their newest era...I find it too much similar Steven Wilson/Porcupine Tree kind of sound, wich is awesome but I miss their old (and more raw) style of composition.

[@henrique88t]

I've just tried a few of these and it's amazing how it sounds like I'm 20x a better guitarist I actually am.

[@THEONLYGARTH]

Next Video: Greg never makes a boring video

[@vhollund]

Sounds boring though

[@vincedead]

Make more videos like this about Alcest, Agalloch, Emperor and Katatonia please!!!

[@FuraFaolox]

Alcest and Agalloch are underrated af

[@jbasti227]

I would LOVE to see a video on Alcest! Neige is a fantastic songwriter

[@rupe82]

Alcest for sure. Ihsahn has a made a few lessons called left hand path on KZbin, he explains some of the chords he used in Emperor.

[@ZaidPhyre]

All underrated bands. You got good taste

[@aeksinsang932]

Especially Agalloch!

[@ryanteacher8134]

I bet Akerfeldt played Diablo 2 a lot and that's where he subconsciously got a lot of these sounds from lol

[@olleackerud3852]

Ryan Teacher Mikael has stated in many interviews that he barely uses a computer for anything. But you never know, you can definitly hear the resemblence.

[@7th-Son-Of-A-7th-Son]

I was thinking the exact same.

[@RyanAlexanderBloom]

Opeth has been a band since 89. I bet Diablo 2 composer listened to a lot of Åkerfeldt.

[@neuropathy5164]

He definitely plays Magic the Gathering

[@jordanlynch4011]

Diablo 1 too brah

[@orlandosantoro7835]

Thanks so much, man! Opeth is my favourite band

[@shrimpyasaad]

Lol at the "She told me why" I did the exact same thing after playing it hahaha. Keep up the good work! I learned a lot, truly.

[@exscape]

He plays plenty of simple chords, but they are never boring. For example, in The Drapery Falls at 7:48 as far as I can tell it's just a basic open Dm and an open C, and it's just so damn beautiful. Face of Melinda has simple bar chords in the climax (Abm, G, Gbm, F) but the progression is really cool.

[@francescodomenichetti3787]

Mikael is the reason why i decided to study more the acoustic guitar. N 1 Influence!

[@abhinavguitar]

3:04 thats also used in Lazarus by Porcupine Tree.. love those chords

[@davidfjelstad2495]

Wilson and Åkerfeldt #friendshipgoals 😆

[@chewyburrito858]

Ahh yes the Alex Lifeson chord. Gotta love it

[@diabeticmonkey]

Not to mention every major key Dream Theater song

[@eduardofrancotorres3303]

That was the album the make it with mikael no?

[@gojiralives3698]

Man coil reminds me of the intro to Call of Cthulhu. Wild I would of never pieced that together without this vid

[@jbasti227]

Thanks for the upload, I always enjoy this kind of stuff. Can you please do a video on Mastodon's chord progressions?

[@MaxStone289]

Windowpane is played with a capo or however its spelled so that's why it sounds different. Opeth is amazing though.

[@leerv.]

Yeah, capo @ second fret!

[@electricmeatpuppet]

Yes! Love exploring some more Opeth, so good!

[@temporarymomentary]

She told me why She told me lies I always take care of this I told her how I've always stayed Always waited for nothing

[@euph0rix]

Mikael really is the master of the guitar doodle. I've been playing his stuff for 10 years and there's just so many cool progressions and pickings.

[@hyalinamusic18]

I only know Mikael from The Human Equation by Ayreon. I clicked cause I thought I'd learn something. Yep, these are some really cool chords, and now I have to go listen to some Opeth. Edit: about a year later and Opeth is now one of my favorite bands, partly thanks to this video. Thanks Greg!

[@u.v.s.5583]

Have fun! Opeth are somewhat important.

[@Dubngrub]

One of the best bands you'll ever find. Literally orgasmic.

[@StealthPig42]

Beautiful sounds, I'm off to investigate Opeth

[@nopicks1]

Check out the Roundhouse Tapes and then Devils Orchard. Those albums cover a WIDE selection of their discography

[@MustObeyTheRules]

Check out damnation first if you like the acoustic type songs

[@grabber_blu_angel]

Fantastic band. Very strange though because their songs range from death metal to fusion jazz and everything in between. Lol

[@grabber_blu_angel]

If you're not into growls, check out the Damnation, Sorceress, and Pale Communion albums.

[@StealthPig42]

Thanks all , loving most aspects of opeth, digging deeper

[@pupperman75]

As I recall, Rush used open chord voicings in their album Hemispheres as well.

[@GMHG777]

The “Alex Lifeson Chord” for sure !!!

[@u.v.s.5583]

So did Dream Theater in... a lot of songs... A change of seasons is one of them.

[@GMHG777]

Yup !!

[@zachary4670]

Alex Lifeson used them all the time. They’re kind of a signiture of his throughout the years

[@GMHG777]

Yup you can surely hear the chiming of the e and B notes.

[@racewiththefalcons1]

Thank you for pronouncing the Å correctly.

[@osareafallire]

Your enthusiasm is dope as hell.

[@richenjoshi7054]

He can sing, he can growl, write music, play guitar, all at once. He is perfect and well balanced musician

[@leo-yd7cf]

Man do I love Opeth. Great video btw

[@kronosg.3515]

Holy shit! I clicked because of the “Mikael Åkerfeldt," but stayed because of your explanation! You have a new subscriber; now I'll have to binge your videos. Excellent job!

[@axeofcreation]

Thank you 🤘🙏

[@RockBarnRecords]

Have always loved the Dirge for November intro.

[@soakedbearrd]

Underrated song

[@8Shagroth8]

Outstanding stuff, I appreciate any breakdown of Mike's acoustic work.

[@runshittoplay]

The chordal work in Hope Leaves is so serene sounding with dark undertones.

[@axeofcreation]

Does Mikael Akerfeldt ever play a boring chord? No, no he doesn't. Let's explore!!! Need the heavy stuff? Let check out these not so boring riffs! kzbin.info/www/bejne/i4C5faWqbs1md5I

[@Fedethedangerous95]

useful, but also really entertaining video!

[@mysterybotts]

Question Greg, why do you hate the term dyad/diad? Is it just because it’s technically only an interval?

[@axeofcreation]

@@mysterybotts Yes, mainly because you only need two notes to imply harmony. So calling a m3rd anything but a minor chord seems unnecessary to me.

[@13BURYMEINGREENWOOD13]

Windowpane is capo'd at the second fret ;)

[@axeofcreation]

@@13BURYMEINGREENWOOD13 shh!

[@Fedethedangerous95]

I believe he is able to break down the theory behind these chords, but that when he writes he puts the chords together unconsciously, more by "intuition" and ear

[@Meshuggapeth]

Federico Gulotta Mikael doesn’t know anything at all about music theory. He’s ear and gut entirely

[@biga2]

good to know I'm not just lazy for playing chords like this lol.

[@kalebwhite3210o]

Do a full lesson for Blackwater Park! Pls

[@jessepinkeye2339]

He will probably not gonna that. Maybe an analyzation just like this

[@arcturusakerfeels1438]

this would be fucking awesome !!! it is such a great song to play and growl to

[@masonbose9658]

"super expensive chords" good way of putting it

[@lukasgraesslin]

Awesome, I've always loved the way their chords sound but always though it had to be something super fancy special. Now realizing they're pretty basic chords just with non-standard voicings is great.

[@gburns6100]

"Luscious" is the most wonderfully apt description of these chords/voicings. Thanks so much for making this video.🖤🤘

[@SuyashPandeyShubh]

Someone finally talked about his chord progressions with this clarity...you earned a subscriber...bring more of Opeth stuff...also I don't know if Mikeal knows the amount of theory behind his compositions 🙄🙄

[@89s10blazer]

You rock. Dude. I've never heard it slowed down and dissected. I have a new perspective for my favorite band now. Thank you.

[@jarrod4115]

JUST THE VIDEO I WANTED SO MUCH😍😍😍 I LIVE MY LIFE WITH OPETH

[@jrsmoots]

Chris DeGarmo played/plays many of those voicings too.

[@jonnyh2667]

I've not listened to Opeth really, but thought there was some definite Queenryche feels in these chords.

[@hokieham]

Operation Mindcrime.......what an album.

[@joaoalexandre8310]

Love that amp, best metal tone i ever had

[@opethman81]

"What makes this song great" axe of creation style:)

[@CaesarRollice]

Beautiful job of breaking down some voicings and open chord usage by the greatest metal and prog composer of our time. Mikael is a genius. Subscribed!

[@Qjinhow]

that Hessian Peel was amazing 👌🏼

[@davidhoxit4274]

The absence of the headstock and the fanned frets scares me and exited me at the same time. Intense to say the least, and intriguing! Great video sir!

[@juanvaldez5422]

It's gonna be ok, everything will work out, .. I think

[@Yogurtmeat]

great use of music terminology, makes it more enjoyable to follow

[@TheRodolfoVideos]

Great video! Speaking of Opeth, could you make a guitar lesson for Bleak?

[@krthkh]

Need this for Steve Wilson

[@guitar91esp]

So happy you did a video on Opeth🤘

[@wickedgrey7019]

Nice video man, love the in depth explanations. Listening to some of the chord progressions here I couldn't help but think about a "hidden" gem not so many people mention - "Face in the Snow" ;)

[@lopolik]

I love Coil that chord is awesome.

[@bodhisattwachanda3436]

from your video i become a fan of Opeth and covered Coil in 2020...

[@hivemike2064]

Amazing video, Akerfeldt is one of the best songwriters of all time, a really passionate and true musician. I suggest a video with Voivods' chords, they came as a revolution in metal and influenced Akerfeldt a lot.

[@anthonyreynoso7275]

Playing some Opeth with a BTBAM shirt, nice to see another fellow man and musician of culture.

[@karcarah]

Thank you!

[@patson187]

I don't really like modern day Opeth, but the guitar chords are so superb it almost hurts. How I love playing some of their songs on guitar I don't even really enjoy listening in whole.

[@eyadsultan4899]

You should consider going over every single song by opeth with this analysis and making it a patreon video, I've been commenting for this type of video on other channels for ages and you nailed it man.

[@vineetgundecha7872]

Now make a "Mikael Akerfeldt never plays a boring riff"

[@leoselvaratnam]

Man that guitar tone is beautiful

[@headwinded1948]

IMO one of the best rhythm guitarists working right now.

[@JohnMcGurrell]

Lovely guitar sounds. Opeth

[@vincenzogiannella]

Love this lesson. Thanks.

[@batlin]

Never heard of Opeth before, but now I want more.

[@paulovcg10]

thank you youtube recommendation. love Opeth

[@petkopeet]

Hand stretching here is just too much for me, gonna stay with smoke on the water.

[@RushAss]

Very insightful clip my good man, thanks for this! The 1st think I heard from Opeth was The Moor and those opening chords instantly grabbed me as something special. I've been a fan ever since. And yes, I enjoy their newer material as well. Cheers!

[@ThePortal101]

Thanks for this upload! The Dirge for November segment was awesome. I LOVE that whole album.

[@unstabilizer]

So true man! The guy's composing and arranging is brilliant!

[@TheSunMoon]

You had me at Opeth. Subbed!!

[@johnbazeyan9154]

TheSunMoon nice pfp lmao

[@DiegoINSOMNIA]

amazing video, more explanations on opeth writing please

[@0x44Monad]

Wow you’re the first person that can “speak music” in a way that I understand as a beginner and have really helped me improve. I see all your links to pattern and social media but per chance do you offer any one and one teaching? I’d be happy to pursue such thoughtfulness from you. Thanks.

[@13thAng3l]

I don't even play guitar and I love this. Opeth has always been top tier for me.

[@soakedbearrd]

As an American, I was indeed shocked that that is exactly how I’ve been pronouncing his name incorrectly this whole time. I mean I know about the meek-hail part, but his last name got me 😂

[@luciangbm]

amazing guitar sound

[@che2335]

The God Bless the Children of the Beast chords I learned in 84. Good stuff

[@hmminterestinginterestingi3023]

I love Coil so much, super underrated

[@TalkinTunes]

Cool little tutorial! One of my favorite bands!

[@marioflash-newjerseyshorer3368]

Reminds me of John McLaughlins of Mahavishnu Orchestra chord voicing. If anyone not familiar with his work check out albums Birds of Fire and Inner Mounting Flame! Phenomenal guitar work!!!

[@DanielVerberne]

Great vid! I’ve always loved Opeth’s use of interesting voicings. Many of their guitar rhythm work is quite novel and progressive.

[@Stenfeldt111]

Dirge for november

[@antman2826]

Great video. You should also look into the heavy stuff he does. The chords in the heavy stuff are just as amazing. Never boring.

[@dajecm]

You should do BTBAM never plays a wrong chord