Music Professor Deep Dives Allan Holdsworth with John Vullo | Learn to Play Like Allan Holdsworth

[@esmoroglu]

Thank you so much Professor, I was really looking forward to this. I am most grateful that John did this, incredible resource, this is a life long lesson.👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👋🏼

[@IbanezFan550]

The extra added spices that made Allan so untouchable were his vibrato and touch, his instantly identifiable tone, his incredible picking technique (I would consider him a master of sweep picking for instance, just not in the usual up-down arpeggio style) and obviously his legato. He was a monstrous sideman and also wrote extremely emotionally touching music. One of the main things to take from him is to always be an individual. I would say that a lot of his live material features remarkable playing - All Night Wrong and the Live in Japan 1984 being prime examples. Holdsworth live was a different experience, completely improvised solos on every tune and just going for it. I saw him in London in 2007 and it was insane. "Better" is probably not the appropriate term. He was also notoriously "difficult" and dare I say struggled with his mental health, hence the alcohol consumption. I have read things from people like Gary Husband etc saying that Allan would just delete entire albums because he was so impulsive at times and so hard on himself...also the stories of him hiding in wardrobes after gigs etc. The pressure of being Allan Holdsworth was also something he seems to have struggled with. A very complex person all around

[@streetwiseguitar5113]

I really appreciate everything you wrote! I can tell that you not only watch the video but that it moved you! You’re definitely the kind of person I want to be a part of my musical community that I’m trying so hard to build! I hope you subscribed and enjoy all of the insights from the variety of Genres and players players that I post.

[@Breakbeat90s]

why did he hide in wardrobes lol

[@Gregorypeckory]

Dare I say that everyone who has a high level of intelligence and sensitivity struggles with mental health; how in this effed up world could it possibly be otherwise?

[@rigelloar7474]

I was very fortunate to interact with Holdsworth A LOT, over a 3 day period in the 80s during his Road Games tour. My trio opened for him in concert, and he did a clinic the next day at the music store where I was teaching, and we hung out (drinking and talking about music) at a dinner party the third night. I learned a lot from him, he was a great guy. He was (and still is) often very misunderstood by a lot of his biggest fans. Many of his imitators focus on his pattern based and muscle memory stuff. He was SUPER self critical, and DESPISED these aspects of his improvised solos. Correctly, HE DID NOT REGARD SUCH THINGS AS REAL MUSICAL IDEAS (no matter how well executed), this is why he could not bear to listen to his recordings. He told me that even in his best recorded solos, there were AT MOST just a few fleeting moments of REAL IDEA BASED improvisation, the rest being almost entirely made up of facile muscle memory patterns, which he called "bullshit". He was a BRILLIANT musical artist, but very frustrated, and tortured by his own perfectionism. He felt very misunderstood ( by almost everyone, including his fans). He was so miserable in his career, he told me that everyday he felt that maybe he should not have been a musician. Man, I was crushed to hear him say that. I am lucky to have had many meaningful interactions with some of my favorite musicians, including Allan, Robben Ford ( I backed him at a clinic for Fender, and he wanted ME to take solos too, and HE BACKED ME UP !), Pat Martino ( He was so insightful and generous with me, I owe him a debt I could never repay!), Barney Kessel ( I met him under very unusual circumstances, and within moments of meeting him, he was playing AND SINGING just for me!).one of the coolest and most interesting people i have ever met, and Tal Farlow (a sweet old guy) and Frank Gambali. I didn't mean for this to be so long ( much like some of my solos), sorry.

[@62sunburstjazz78]

Not nearly enough.thanks.

[@Apartekarate]

Sometimes guitarplayers are the worst. Sometimes they are like this. Inspiring, generous and humble. Thank you professor, and thank you John Vullo. Playing guitar should make our life better. If it doesn't, you need to play more like Allan Holdsworth :D

[@streetwiseguitar5113]

Such a gracious thing to say! I hope you subscribe to my channel as it would be great to have somebody with such good vibes a part of this community. There is more Allan Holdsworth material to come in the near future!

[@psychoprosthetic]

Marvellous insights and a gentle unravelling of Holdworth mysticism.

[@streetwiseguitar5113]

If you like this interview, you must see the other interview that I did on this topic with Brett Stine!

[@psychoprosthetic]

@@streetwiseguitar5113 Thanks for the tip, great video. This is actually all way over my head, but I'll let it marinate in my head and hopefully some of the concepts will take seed. Great work.

[@paulgibby6932]

9:15 "Any improviser that is interested in growing is constantly trying to inform their ear". Key point. Thank you

[@streetwiseguitar5113]

Thanks for taking the time to view this video, Paul! If you enjoy this video, you should definitely see the video that I did with Brett Stine, who has written the most significant and vital text, figuring out how Allan did what he did! Check my video, cachet for it!

[@finarollerz]

Allan was a master musical parkour artist, all those things in play, patterns, scales, his ear- experience, he had the skill to make the jumps most don’t.

[@streetwiseguitar5113]

💯 Couldn’t agree with you more! Thank you so much for watching the video and… Please subscribe because this is not the end of the Allan Holdsworth expedition! There is another huge video that’s going to drop hopefully in June… Not to mention a bootleg from 1988 that nobody’s heard before!

[@tommartling2473]

This guy is incredible. Thanks

[@streetwiseguitar5113]

Thank you for taking the time to watch this! Please subscribe as I wouldn’t want you to miss anything upcoming.

[@GastonsGarden]

Thank you for this contribution to understanding Holdsworth’s music

[@streetwiseguitar5113]

Yes! Thank you so much for taking the time to watch this video! Do let us know if you have learned anything from it? Please subscribe so you do not miss anything in the near future as there will be more on Allan Holdsworth!

[@JayMatharu]

Great interview! This guy is like the Edward Snowden of Jazz Fusion

[@streetwiseguitar5113]

I guess you have a good point! Thank you so much for your support, J! Please share this… It really does help to channel

[@Gregorypeckory]

Awesome comment; American heroes, all!

[@MrArjen1960]

There are indeed people who can play his solo's , but I still think he was unique, the original always outshines the reproductions. Also he was able of such freedom in his playing and never a performance was the same with him ! With the words of Steve Vai "Allan did not only play with emotion, but played "Connected" It took me years to understand what he was doing, but I will never take years to be able to play like him, I believe you need to find your own voice in the end, no disrespect for people that do make the effort ! Also he was a real funny and humble person when I met him. I thanked him for what he did for music in general and shook the hand of one of the greats :O Jam with the Greats in Heaven Allan :)

[@streetwiseguitar5113]

If you like this, you would like my other interview with Brett Stine. He has done the absolute most important book figuring out exactly what Allan was doing and the interview is excellent. Check in my video cache.

[@thetheoristtranscriptions]

Awesome interview Professor. I've been hip to John's brilliant work for a while too . As a transcriber I completely understand that sentiment of revealing a magicians' tricks and I'm actually hesitant to transcribe some of my favourite solos/improvisations for that very reason . I completely agree with you regarding the importance of guitarists sharing their knowledge . The fear of ' identity theft ' is always a big deterrent but if the legends of yesterday don't teach the students of today we will spend our time trying to replicate instead of evolving .

[@streetwiseguitar5113]

For better and for worse it’s now very common for us to see courses, videos, books and any/all sorts of pedagogy available. Those days of old are just that! They are by gone! Thank you for taking the time to write all of that and I’m sure you’re going to enjoy the upcoming videos. If you haven’t already definitely subscribe as it would be great to have you with us! Good luck on the transcribing! By the way if you are transcribing off of KZbin, you definitely have to check out the Vidami pedal. Look at my video cachet on this channel and check it out. I use it every day and it is freaking amazing! I also have a discount code for that… It’s not like I make any money off of it but I think the amount of time that it would save you to have both hands on the guitar all the time is remarkable!

[@thetheoristtranscriptions]

@@streetwiseguitar5113 Thanks . I'm definitely subscribed .This is a great channel. You've had an impressive repertoire of guests so far . I'm a fan of everyone that's been on here . I will defintely check it out that Vidami pedal , it seems like it potentially could be a useful asset in my arsenal ! Cheers

[@AugmentedTriad]

John’s diligence and hard work on this has been fantastic. It’s a major addition to our understanding of Allan’s playing and really merits a proper book in my view, rather than a download. Perhaps the Professor could be a co-author? I had a couple of thoughts on some of the conclusions coming out of it. Speaking with the benefit of hindsight (ie John’s work), should we really be surprised that a lot of Allan’s lines come the major scale? A lot of his playing is incredibly melodic and the major scale is the foundation of western harmony after all. Of course, it’s the way he plays it that sounds unique, given the way he largely ignores the modes. I also didn’t think the fact he uses patterns was too surprising. Wouldn’t that be common to a lot of players? It’s the way he manipulates these patterns and came up with them in the first place that marks him out. And aren’t the patterns a player falls back on normally an essential element of his or her “style”? On Allan’s use of symmetric scales, he was clearly aware of the Messiaen modes, as his instructional video makes clear (his ten useable scales includes two Messiaen modes). And we know he studied deeply from the Slominsky book (Bill Bruford’s autobiography discusses this briefly). If his outside playing is very guitaristic, there was clearly something in his ear that drew him to these sounds, as the Prof says. Finally, I have to take issue with John’s comment at the end that Allan’s playing in the 70s sounds too much like a traditional guitar player: Gazeuse! (Gong, 1976), Enigmatic Ocean (Jean-Luc Ponty, 1977) and UK (UK, 1978) and Feels Good to Me and One of a Kind (Bruford, 1978 and 1979). Really? These are the albums that got me into Holdworth in the first place. Anyway, I won’t hold this against him! Great work and a great interview.

[@streetwiseguitar5113]

Mike! First of all, thank you so much for the kind words! I sincerely appreciate your astute observations, not to mention the fact that you watch the entire video! Not only does that enrich the community that I’m trying to build, but your brain also gets bigger too :-) Slonimsky book; although he did work with this book, he only work with it for a short period according to what I know. Brace herself… There is going to be another video that I am publishing on Allan Holdsworth that is going to give a considerably different perspective, although equally important! I’ll just leave it at that 😉 So on the topic of Allan Holdsworth, I will be producing two more videos. One will be a bootleg that nobody has heard from 1988 and the other will be… Let’s leave it at TBA 🤪 If you haven’t already, please subscribe as I wouldn’t want you to miss any of this and also the other great stuff that’s going to be coming out.

[@Yuval_L1974]

Thank you. I'm a serious guitar student of 35+ years, and can never foresee a day when I stop learning incredible and valuable lessons from artists with the scope and brilliance of Allan Holdsworth (among many others). After another long day playing this is a treasured tonic. 🖖🏼🇦🇺

[@streetwiseguitar5113]

Thanks Justin! I'm glad you enjoyed the interview. If you enjoy this interview you should check out the last two videos that I did on Allan Holdsworth. I think they will blow your mind!

[@Yuval_L1974]

@@streetwiseguitar5113 thank you Sir. I shall dangle them as carrot rewards for the mule of this weekend's practice regime 😂 I appreciate you touching base - that's an uncommon trait and speaks volumes.

[@masterchain3335]

Great video, and the original longer video that talks about his playing is likewise excellent. One of the big take-aways here applies to not just Holdsworth but pretty much any player's musical language. It's that ultimately playing is a learned skill that's stored in the brain as 'muscle memory' which interacts dynamically with the ear. Learning theory and having that understanding of things is great but I'm dubious of any really great players relying on that in real time as they're playing. Especially with faster technical playing, there's just no way that the brain is really capable of thinking about every single note choice directly before it happens. Most of it is dictated by the 'finger language' you've developed - that is, your musical muscle vocabulary. Like they say in this video, when you start looking at what Allan actually played, you start seeing these patterns and realize it's pretty obvious he was thinking more in terms of fretboard 'symmetry' (as mentioned here, thinks that make sense on the fretboard) than he was thinking about theoretical constructs like scales. This is especially true of his 'outside' playing, where there are these cellular ideas that get moved around on the fretboard. So gain, the conclusion here is really that no matter what you want to play or whose musical vocabulary you want to incorporate into your own, there really is no shortcut and you just have to dive in, play it a lot, and think a little critically about what things you want to imprint into your muscle memory, because that's the stuff you're going to actually end up playing when you improvise.

[@streetwiseguitar5113]

You should DEFO check out my interview with Brett Stine . He wrote the most important book figuring out exactly what Allan did. It's an amazing interview please check it out! Thanks for taking the time to view this!

[@attuneu]

Wonderful conversation. Appreciate this thankyou both

[@dimitri2576]

Another great interview and thanks for your great work John Vullo

[@streetwiseguitar5113]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@JazzStrat781]

Awesome interview 🎸👍 thanks so much! Best to you Professor!

[@streetwiseguitar5113]

And all the very best to you my friend! Thank you for your support

[@stuartmarks8844]

Really cool episode....cause like there's a mystery to solve somewhere .....thx professor... .......

[@streetwiseguitar5113]

Stuart! The mystery is going to be solved in July!!! Just wait… Please subscribe so you do not miss this and I think you once again for taking the time to support this community!

[@stuartmarks8844]

@@streetwiseguitar5113 july¿

[@KUPEBIKE]

Thanks for very interesting interview! Good pace and questions, and nice to see you`re letting John Vullo to take his time to answer and open up his ideas how he has thought out Allan`s soloing. This chat gave me very much information. Can`t wait for the next video. Keep up the good work, cheers!

[@streetwiseguitar5113]

There are going to be some absolutely awesome videos coming, Ari! I am very pleased to have you a part of this community I’m trying so hard to build! Definitely hit the notification bell so you don’t miss anything upcoming (and the subscription button :-)

[@manjay49]

Thanks for the due diligence keeping AH in the picture. The greatest electric guitarist ever, imo. I saw AH in early 1976 at a very small club with The New Tony Williams Lifetime. Even then with his white SG Custom, he was literally unbelievable. By then I had seen Clapton with Cream in 1967, Jimmy Page 8x, Jimi 5x, The original TWL with JM and Jack Bruce 3x and Mahavishnu Orchestra once in July of 1972. But even then, before he had more fully developed his sound and style, he was on a very different level. Regarding his note choices and approach. That is knowable. We can identify the notes. There is the physiology of his hands and fingers. They are what they are. For me the subliminal and exquisite elements to his playing are his beautiful and ultra sensitive finger vibrato, which apparently he can do with any of his left hand digits, and his unique use of the whammy bar. These two subtle and unique elements really help to define AH's tone and emotional impact. I should think that trying to adapt these two elements into the incredible technical virtuosity would be quite challenging. Thanks again.

[@streetwiseguitar5113]

Thank you for taking the time to watch this! If you enjoy this you should definitely see my interview with Brett Stine. He just recently released the most important text ever written about Allan Holdsworth. Just look at my video cachet and you'll find it! Let me know how you like it!

[@jorgeleyton1474]

Fascinating.. Thanks guys....

[@streetwiseguitar5113]

If you liked this, you will definitely like the other two most recent Allan Holdsworth videos that I’ve done! They are very provocative. Look at my video cachet when you can easily find them.

[@dannycottar3737]

VERY AWESOME !!! Great Allan insights !!

[@streetwiseguitar5113]

Danny! Thanks a million! 🙏 please subscribe and if you know anyone Who could learn anything from this video please forward it!

[@gitarmats]

Very interesting!

[@streetwiseguitar5113]

Wasn’t that just fascinating? If you like that, you will definitely like to upcoming stuff! Please subscribe… I won’t want you to miss any of it!!!! +more AH stuff

[@stefanhall3219]

I was amazed when I stood outside in an alley and listen to Allen rehearse.I am a longtime fan and know his major tunes by heart! Allen would play the head of these tunes,but all the development were completely different! And the tune was Transformed!

[@Gregorypeckory]

This is an incredibly valuable conversation for all of us Holdsworth freaks; thanks a million to both of you! I absolutely love the mission you're pursuing! 😍🎵👋👋👋

[@streetwiseguitar5113]

Hey Greg! Thanks 1 million! There are two more videos that you’re not going to want to miss at all! One is a concert that has a couple of tunes on it that hasn’t even been posted… From Fort Lauderdale 1988. And the other video is…… Well you’re just going to have to wait. It will be well worth your while!

[@Gregorypeckory]

@@streetwiseguitar5113I can't wait, even though I guess I have to! ;)

[@winstonsmith8240]

I think your man here has hit the nail on the head, imo. Intelligence is about finding the easiest way to do something, not the most complicated. People try to make themselves look smart by over intellectualising things. That wasn't Allan. (I asked the music college I attended once to get Allan to do a seminar. I was told they already had. When Allan was asked about practising, he said "I just have a cup of tea and play." That was about it.

[@streetwiseguitar5113]

Winston, there's something that you are not understanding about Allan Holdsworth. Allan was NOT going to give away ANY of his trade secrets, but before I continue, you need to watch the interview with Brett Stine I just did. AH practiced his ass off and this is supported by his own words. Everything is supported by written quotes and/or video of AH himself explaining what he did. Until you take the time to watch that video, you're in the dark. Simultaneously, thank you for watching this video I sincerely appreciate your support!

[@johnstowell6240]

Enjoying your interviews, Padraig, and I was happy to subscribe to your channel. Hope to meet you online or in person in the future. All the best, John Stowell

[@streetwiseguitar5113]

Hey there, John! We actually did meet decades ago. We met at the University of Miami. I was quite unmemorable, so I wouldn’t be surprised if the name/face doesn’t seem familiar. I hope you’re keeping well and my good friend Juan Dhas thinks the world of you! By the way, did you see my interview with Brett Stine? This video here with John was my first video coursing the subject of Allan Holdsworth. The next one was with Brett and then the one after that is with a guy named Thomas Dawson. I think he would enjoy all of them!

[@johnstowell6240]

@@streetwiseguitar5113 Hi Padraig, Thanks for reminding me that we met in Miami, and I’ll definitely check out your interviews with Brett and Thomas. If you send me your email, I’ll send you links for some recent recordings of mine. If you’d like to do an interview in the future for your channel, I’d be happy to talk to you. Just a thought. Let’s keep in touch in any case. Hope that you’re well. Glad that Juan Dhas is a mutual friend.

[@jb-ro4ow]

Really great and awesome content here!

[@streetwiseguitar5113]

Thank you so much! I hope you subscribe to the channel so you don’t miss any upcoming Allan Holdsworth and other content!

[@erikpaterson1404]

fantastic content, thank you Professor

[@streetwiseguitar5113]

Thank YOU! It’s your ego makes this possible! Thank you for the support! Please share this video to anyone you think you may benefit from it!

[@erikpaterson1404]

@@streetwiseguitar5113 aah, the ego. 🙈 I was and, maybe still am a little directionless/disillusioned with playing the guitar, as John Vullo alluded to in the interview. But after taking a wee break from the classic blues tunes, I've felt a rekindling with jazz, although still very challenging. I think I can thank the gods for providing the books of Mimi Fox and Corey Christiansen. Anyway, cannae wait for what you have in store...

[@grahama2193]

Interesting interview. Allan once said 'They can analyse and copy my stuff, and they will only ever see the flower but never the roots'. Also, remember Allan was a proficient violinist in the same league as Jean Luc Ponty. When you say at approx 20'.00 " onwards that some sections of his solos were sequenced, you might consider that he could tune his Synthax (or Guitar) to 5th' s 'a la violin' tuning, therefore being able to expand his vocabulary of 'scales'.

[@streetwiseguitar5113]

Graham! First off thanks for supporting the channel by watching the video! Did you see the follow up video I did on Allan Holdsworth with Brett Stein? If you have not seen that, look at my video cachet and absolutely make some time to sit down and watch. Your analogy about the flower and roots? Well the roots have been discovered… In detail!

[@jimmyc5498]

Awesome as usual. I think our better selves strive to be different than our heroes. Eddie and Shawn Lane loved Allan’s playing and made it their own( understatement). John did incredible work and when you dig you find good and bad. My take away( John mentions it with jellybeans in a jar comment) is when Allan compares a major scale to a family sitting at a table. You ask Mary, Peter and Robert to stand up randomly. You can make any combination. You know all the great jazz players say this, Pat Martino, etc. I never bought into the avoid note. The 4th is a passing note or leading note into a chord tone, or a chord tone like he said. If I hang on an F note while everybody plays a C triad, yeah I get that. But that’s a confusing message to send out. Ranting, sorry.

[@jonasbylund8802]

That was just such a great thing to share, thanks a lot !

[@streetwiseguitar5113]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@gitaaa7740]

I was introduced to Allan back in 1978 from his time with UK, Tony williams and Bruford. To me that is his best stuff. Oh and Jean Luc Ponty. Incredible! I read in an old guitar magazine that Allan loved the saxophone. Some of his lines to me sound like sax lines.

[@streetwiseguitar5113]

100%, Guitas! Isn’t Allan Holdsworth just amazing and inspiring!? I’m so glad you enjoyed this and you are definitely going to like some of the upcoming videos which will feature another very very deep dive into Allan Holdsworth! Please subscribe so you don’t miss anything… And hit the notification bell :-)

[@emucat1]

Was lucky enough to be taken along to catch Allan at Band on the Wall in 90 or 91 by Gary Boyle amongst his college students, We met him in the pub next-door first, the fact that he'd had half a skin-full first ? - was a complete wizard, those 5 and 6 fret spreads (seemingly) effortless were so smooth, he cast an etheric spell in the place, so that's the only live i can comment on.

[@streetwiseguitar5113]

If you like this interview, you definitely need to see my interview with Brett Stine who has written the most important book on how allan did what he did.

[@alienfretboy]

Baker’s Treat from Soft Works album Abracadabra is one of my favorite Holdsworth solos. Beautifully melodic in that oddly strange Holdsworthian way.

[@MetalheadNation]

Yes! I never hear people talk about it, but that solo is incredible! One of the few times Allan recorded a solo over a track with a tempo that slow, and it really allowed him to explore some incredible ideas. The live version from their Live In Osaka album is equally as incredible 😁

[@ethanwransom]

Hard, fortifying truth. Preach on, Prof. 🍻

[@streetwiseguitar5113]

Ethan, jusssssssst WAIT. I have a holdsworth video coming up in the near future that is going to absolutely blow you away… Way beyond away!!!!!!

[@ethanwransom]

@@streetwiseguitar5113 I look forward to it. Now, back to practicing… 😎

[@satchice9102]

John Vullo's brilliant analysis of Holdsworth's playing really helps to de-mystify it, and makes you think, for a brief moment, that playing something like Allan is attainable - that is until you pick up a guitar again and actually try to do it.

[@streetwiseguitar5113]

Hey, Satch! Thank you so much for supporting my channel and also taking the time to watch this video! If you enjoyed this video, you would definitely enjoy the other Allan Holdsworth video I just recently made. Both people give different perspectives and it’s really enjoyable to be exposed to both. Simply look for my most recent video.

[@theruzz]

Really insightful and very interesting way to get inside Holdsworth's approach. I was certainly one of those people who very much appreciate his style but it was so completely foreign to my own approach and playing. Totally opened up a new way to look at the instrument. Thanks to you both for this video!

[@streetwiseguitar5113]

Hi there,Russ! Very pleased that you enjoyed the interview! I really like what John brings to this perspective. Stay tuned and I hope you subscribe because this isn’t the end of the Holdsworth journey! There is another video and also a live concert from 1988 that nobody has heard before. In addition of course there will be a plethora of other great tutorial material. Great to have you onboard!

[@rockstarjazzcat]

John’s provided us with a virtual secret decoder ring that’s likely closer to Holdsworth’s own approach than what most of us fussy pedantic folk have been able to achieve coming at it from other directions. Thanks for hosting him here. Kind regards, Daniel 😎🤙🏼

[@streetwiseguitar5113]

Hey there Daniel! Hope everything is going well with you and I wanted to say thanks for taking the time to watch video! This video is the first of a few that I will be putting out regarding Allan Holdsworth. I hope you subscribe so you don’t miss out on what’s upcoming! Thank you for taking the time to write!

[@rockstarjazzcat]

@@streetwiseguitar5113 Subbed! Thanks.

[@tonygonzalez958]

instant sub love johns work and his band is incredible.

[@streetwiseguitar5113]

Tony, if you think this is good… Wait until what's coming up next! Thank you for subscribing by the way. I'm going to be helped launching the most important text ever written on Allan Holdsworth It's over 2000 pages. I'm going to be releasing an interview I did with the author hopefully within the month. Time will tell! Hey Siri hit the notification bell so you don't miss it. You know how U2 can be…

[@mattdowie92]

Thanks Professor, and John. I am really enjoying digging into John's big video and your interview gives even more context and background. I have figured out a little bit of this stuff over the years but John has got the master key to the magic kit! It's nice to have some of my hunches about Allan's playing confirmed.

[@streetwiseguitar5113]

This is fantastic, Matthew! I'm so glad you enjoyed this… Playing that first opening line from, "devil take the hindmost" was very challenging, yet approved that I can get something like that done! I will give you a little bit of a teaser right now… There are two master keys. You have seen only one…! Stay tuned for June.

[@mattdowie92]

@@streetwiseguitar5113 you've got me guessing now, Professor!

[@MrArjen1960]

I saw him at 'De Boerderij" in Zoetermeer Holland and he took out his glasses read the transcript of a new song of his, so he did write things down, there is a video of that also !!

[@streetwiseguitar5113]

Check my interview with Brett Stine. You will learn even more about Allan Holdsworth!

[@MrArjen1960]

@@streetwiseguitar5113 Thanx I will ! Allan changed my musical world completely :)

[@croydonmassive]

I'm from Leeds. Him (Allan), and John Mclaughlin are local heroes. Why are two of the best guitarists of all time from my home town?? Spooky!! Leeds, Yorkshire is a tiny place...

[@streetwiseguitar5113]

please check out my other interview about Allan with Bret Stine!!!

[@Udhjfifg5]

When he soloed usually the whole band played to a set of chord changes that would be based on any note in the 12 notes of the chromatic scale. No 2 5 1 or 1 ,4,5 like the functions did. He could go anywhere the had to memorize the changes or read them. Any where from 3 to 20 tonal centers before repeating the cycle. But sometimes I've seen him play where the bass was in one key all the time and Alan would play arpeggio any where he wanted.

[@streetwiseguitar5113]

check out my other Holdsworth vid - the interview with Brett Stine. AMAZING

[@davidscott1052]

Deconstructing the rainbow...very interesting and informative...and I'm sure you guys already know that after this analysis....we are still left with the beautiful rainbow

[@streetwiseguitar5113]

Well, David, you need to put a book end to this interview and look at the interview that I did with Brett Stine, who wrote the most important text on Allan Holdsworth ever. It’s an absolutely fascinating interview. Look at my video cachet you’ll find it easily.

[@davidscott1052]

@@streetwiseguitar5113 thanx will defo do

[@stevejarosz8136]

Great video. Paco thought symmetrical views also.

[@streetwiseguitar5113]

Thanks for watching! I sent you made it through this when you need to watch the one with Brett Stine!!!!

[@bingochoice]

hey mr streetwise, you are one bad ass guitar player..Do you play gigs? or any recording out? thanks

[@streetwiseguitar5113]

That’s very kind of you! It’s all slight of hand LOL. The last gig that I played was a solo guitar gig where I read standards out of the real book! I don’t think you’re gonna want to see that one… Ever! At any rate, thank you so much for your support I hope you watch the entire video because there is great stuff in it from beginning to end! Let me know if you learn anything from it and please subscribe and hit the notification bell as it would be great to have you as a part of the community! Ps my name is, “Professor O’Kane “

[@bingochoice]

@@streetwiseguitar5113 ok professor O'kane, I cant say i learned much from your allen holdsworth video because allen holdsworth is million times beyond anything I could ever play..But I enjoy checking out the monsters of guitar like holdsworth, matteo mancuso, guthrie govan, etc, guthrie govan, aside from being an incredible guitar player is also an amazing teacher, he has some great instructive teaching videos..I'm curious if you've ever heard of barry finnerty, he's an old friend and an amazing guitar player..I think you will be very impressed, he's played with miles, hubert laws, the brecker bros, the crusaders, and on and on..Anyway I love your channel, and I must say your ability to transcribe solos form the above mentioned geniuses is very impressive..thanks

[@williamrobinson7061]

This is a new way of thinking about the guitar, and music. The guitar is finally coming into its own. Diatonic thinking has been de-throned.

[@streetwiseguitar5113]

Defo check out my interview with Brett Stine who has written the most important book about how Allan Holdsworth does what he does.

[@EricRobillard-b4j]

I noticed some cycles in Allan’s music. Coltrane cycle or half step/ minor third cycle. It gives a certain sonority.

[@streetwiseguitar5113]

Great ears!

[@barrysnook6262]

In my own opinion looking up all those scales mentioned in his instructional video,I see it as related to the Major scale.even though Allan think of Minor instead of Major. For example G major jazz scales is like a G Major scale with an added #5 or b6th depending how you look at it. Or even the 3rd messiaen mode the 10th of the scale mentioned in his video. For me its like a Major scale For example in the video he said it was like a Cm or Aeolian mode(C-D-Eb-F-G-Ab-Bb-)(Eb Major scale) if you apply it the 3rd mode you just need to add or alter some notes.lets say its the same as the Eb major by altering notes and adding to it. (Eb-E-F#-G-G#-A#-B-C-D) Thats the 3rd messiaen mode related to the Eb major scale.by flatting the 2nd degree,added the b3rd,and added the #5 or b6th. Thats my opinion.i think thats how Allan sees scales.he related them to the Major scale. Thats why he just grab notes like a normal player that uses the Pentatonic or major scale. Same thing apply to all scales like Exotic scales(Melodic minor,Harmonic major,Harmonic minor).and Symmetrical scales(Messiaen modes 1-3).

[@streetwiseguitar5113]

Hey Barry! Thank you so much for writing all of that and letting me in on the way you think about this! I think that comments like this helped build the community that I’m working so hard to create! I hope you have subscribe to the channel and I can tell you this… This is only the tip of the iceberg when approaching Allan Holdsworth playing from just a scale your perspective. There will be a video dropping in June that’s going to blow your mind! Stay tuned… And thanks once again

[@barrysnook6262]

@@streetwiseguitar5113 thanks sir.i have already subscribe. Thats just my opinion coz im a self- thought musician like Allan. Coz i tried it myself.I applied that to all scales i know.and it works and sounded like Allan.no one can play like him,but it sounded like him.

[@grahamb.4447]

The symmetrical ideas reminder of Howard Roberts concept of "Sonic Shapes" which he wrote about in Guitar Player magazine in the 70s

[@streetwiseguitar5113]

Nice reference, Graham! Thank you so much for taking the time to watch this and I sincerely appreciate your support! Please subscribe and you’re very welcome to join the community that I’m trying to create here!

[@Tmidiman]

What I learned from watching his clinics is that if you asked him a simple, direct question he would answer it directly. The problem was people asked him 1000 foot questions. Also, if you praised him he would go to "humble mode" saying, "I'm terrible" and he would never answer the question. So when I asked him simple, direct questions he answered him directly. What he said changed my approach for some of my songs.

[@streetwiseguitar5113]

since you enjoyed this you must see the one that I did with Brett Stine. Please look at my video cachet so you could find it!

[@janroberts347]

Later harmonic patterns like yodelling difficult and beautiful and unique andy(bob)yates

[@Varonno]

Watch the 2006 Blue Note vid. He explains his charting is different to other band members. And if you look around there are further clues in his demos

[@streetwiseguitar5113]

If you want to see the absolute definitive video, explaining what Allan Holdsworth did, and the most important book written on Allan Holdsworth, then you will check out my interview with Brett Stine. Brace yourself…!

[@jemubk]

It was very informative🔥

[@streetwiseguitar5113]

You need to check out my interview with Brett Stine! If you like Allan Holdsworth that is the video you need to see!

[@MisterNiles]

"Allan Holdsworth Demystified" Sounds sort of like "High Dose Mushroom Trips Demystified." I used to be able to do a pretty good Holdsworth imitation in the early 90s (for several entire seconds at a time!), but even when Uncommon Chord helped, his music will always be a mystery to me. I think I prefer it that way. That being said: Why you guys are doing is great.

[@davepmolloy]

Fantastic stuff gents x

[@streetwiseguitar5113]

It’s great to have your support, Dave! Thank you so much! Stay tuned because there’s going to be another Allan Holdsworth interview and it is going to be a very very deep dive!

[@attuneu]

And of course thankyou Allan

[@PetraKann]

You don’t need to formally learn music at University to understand or be proficient at what us going on musically. Vulo is a prime example - excellent commentary

[@streetwiseguitar5113]

I am a university professor and I can tell you that what you’re saying is absolutely true. The other side of the coin is there is no skirting around having to do the actual work/educating yourself! Be at at school, or in a music library, or at home transcribing over 180 Allan Holdsworth solos. There’s no bypassing the actual work! So thrilled that you enjoyed the video! I truly hope you subscribe and share the video to somebody who you think might really benefit from it.

[@Samsgarden]

Holdsworth has officially been categorised.

[@streetwiseguitar5113]

This is only the beginning… Stay tuned for the next video in June on this topic! Please subscribe

[@MikkelGrumBovin]

In the Mysterie 😉✨

[@paulrodberg]

Wonderful

[@streetwiseguitar5113]

If you like this one, you should look at my interview of Thomas Dawson. It’s the latest video that I put out.

[@TimMirth]

Thanks for this y'all

[@streetwiseguitar5113]

Thank you so much for your support!!!

[@Gregorypeckory]

I got a little chuckle from when John said Allan didn't like the sound of pulling off, hence he did all hammer-ons instead, just because of the way I recall Allan expressing it; dislike was much too mild a word. Instead he used the word "detest" to describe his response to the sound of the pull-off. I suspect he was fine with other people using them, but detested them in his own playing. He seems to have liked many other guitar players who did use pull-off, like EVH, Jimmy Page, Jeff Beck, etc.

[@streetwiseguitar5113]

I think he loved many guitar players... especially the ones that didn't try and imitate him! But yes, even the man himself would do those sort of pull offs but it was in frequent. I'm really happy that you enjoyed this video! There are two more Allan videos coming up! One is a bootleg concert and another is welll..... you'll see. Please subscribe so you don't miss it and all the other great stuff that's going to be coming out of this channel in the near future!

[@Gregorypeckory]

@@streetwiseguitar5113 I am a grateful subscriber; fantastic stuff you're doing for all of us guitarists still reeling from the loss of our GOAT! The next best thing to Allan living forever is having other advanced players/teachers who fully appreciated what he gave us, trying your best to understand and translate as much of his musical universe as possible to us mere mortals!

[@MrPyroguru]

​@@streetwiseguitar5113 Someone told me he would put other players down after meeting them at NAMM. I hope that isn't true. I loved his humility.

[@pobinr]

I remember him saying he used to hammer on & lift off, not pull off. As he didn't like the squeel that made

[@MikkelGrumBovin]

That was good fun , thankyou Madhatter , And for the love of Allan ! Shutup'nplayyergitar 😘

[@streetwiseguitar5113]

Hey Mike! If you dig this then you must see my interview with Brett Stine. He has written the most important book explaining how Allan Holdsworth did what he did. Man you just gotta go check it out

[@MikkelGrumBovin]

@@streetwiseguitar5113 i Will, for sure ..Not a Day goes by without , at some point , an AH recording findes its way to my ears - I regard Allan Holdsworth as my musical father , guru , mentor and i miss him to bits !!! 😭🥲😉👍

[@ProspectorAl]

Sometimes the genius is in the simplicity....

[@streetwiseguitar5113]

Be sure to check out my other video regarding Allan Holdsworth which is an interview with Brett Stine

[@TVtubeamps]

I think Allan had photografic memory. There’s a story where he went to bar, took one look at the beers and remembered them instantly. And he asked his friend to do the same but he couldn’t do it. That might also explain why some stuff he played were so visually understandable.

[@streetwiseguitar5113]

That could certainly explain how he would see complex eight or nine more scales all across the neck so easily. If you enjoyed this video, you should definitely check out my other two videos about Allan Holdsworth! I think you would enjoy them!

[@TVtubeamps]

@@streetwiseguitar5113 I’ll check!

[@hazenclough4212]

This means that he knew his beer really well. Show me your favorite thing and I'll show you a person with photographic memory.

[@julianchristopher147]

Is it possible that Pat Metheny shares with Alan the habit of sliding phrases/hand positions around the fretboard to create chaotic passages? The note selections in Pat's studio solos also, like Alan, sound more "edited" than the live versions.

[@streetwiseguitar5113]

Thank you for your comment! If you like this video, and you learn something from it, you will even learn more from the other Allan Holdsworth video that I did featuring Brett Stine. He has figured out with nobody has figured out about allen and how he improvised.

[@paulbuxton1326]

Alan the master 🎼👌

[@BaroqueBlues]

37:38 38:01 48:40 50:09

[@williamrobinson7061]

Very good. These ideas of symmetry are chromatic rather than diatonic. I found out about symmetry by studying 12-tone and serial music. This is strange for diatonic thinkers. Also, this visual way of thinking is guitar-centric, as the guitar is a chromatic instrument.

[@streetwiseguitar5113]

Defo check out my interview with Brett Stine who has written the most important book about how Allan Holdsworth does what he does.

[@elkeism]

interviewer didn't hear John saying that a lot of what Allan did was shapes and not informed by the ear, to create tension: maybe it was a little of both.

[@streetwiseguitar5113]

I do not believe that Allan did anything at all by chance! There empirical evidence that proves that concept is not accurate. In the not too distant future, I will be releasing a video which will be helping the launch of the most important text ever written on Allan Holdsworth. This book is over 2000 pages and shows exactly how he did what he did and why! This is definitely not something you're gonna wanna miss! Definitely subscribe to the channel and hit the notification bell if you haven't already so you don't miss it!

[@jakefalasca1561]

Please listen to his solo on the mingus tune Goodbye Pork Pie Hat-his best playing ever-jaw dropping-his live playing was just as good in my opinion

[@streetwiseguitar5113]

Hey there Jake! Thank you so much for watching this video! Yes that’s all it was unbelievable! What’s going to be more unbelievable is the upcoming holdsworth video that I will be releasing. It’s the most important information decoding Allan Holdsworth and his approach. Please hit the subscribe button so you don’t miss that and any other cool videos that I will be putting out… Which of course would be all of them😇

[@stefanhall3219]

And I thought that Bach covered all of this ground in his keyboard studies,especially the forgotten "Art of the Fugue.

[@streetwiseguitar5113]

Bach did not have access to the harmonic advances that were made after his death… So nope it wasn't all covered by him! As amazing as he was! By the way, if you like this you will definitely like my other video on Allan Holdsworth. Please check my video cachet and look for the alan hold on video called , " In the Mystery!"

[@stefanhall3219]

@Streetwise Guitar I am not sure about harmonic advances after Bach. Bach had a very acute harmonic sense. Even Beethoven himself was incapable of maintaining sustained counterpoint throughout a lengthy composition. " The Musical Offering" is incredible to play! It too is another forgotten piece of music.

[@fredkrug6127]

not bad on the Devil Hindmost lick!

[@streetwiseguitar5113]

Since you took the time to write it, I’ll consider that as you thought it was pretty damn good! It was hard af to play! 😇💥 if you were into Allan holdsworth which apparently you are, I will be uploading I never before heard concert that I recorded in 1988. Even more important than that, I will unveiling the most important work that has ever been done on Allan Holdsworth that has EVER ever presented. This is huge. That will be happening in July. Please subscribe so you don’t miss anything!

[@williamrobinson7061]

Pat Martino derives 4 chords from each diminished chord. I see it this way: each of these 4 major chords you convert (think of them) as dorian minor. Don't think "scale," think of each chord note by EAR: root, minor third, fifth. Positionally, by visual pattern, there are only 6 positions for major/dorian scales: Root on sixth string, starting on index, middle, or pinky; and Root on 5th string, starting on index, middle, and pinky. Wherever the derived chord puts you, see the chord in the scale position (as a visual /fingering pattern), and play by ear, knowing where root, m3, and 5th are within this pattern. Then you can play by ear.

[@biorythmicshifter]

I disagree strongly on the statement his best playing is on the recorded versions, some of the live stuff is absolutely magical sounding. There are many solos I prefer live to the studio version, it’s all subjective. As this kid says, he is only speaking from his perspective. Allan created a unique musical language and style that no one has really come close to. How he got there technically is not what’s important, the destination is what matters.

[@streetwiseguitar5113]

You’re the second person who said the same thing. What John means is that he’s live playing does not generally have the same melodic content/Iconic recognizable solos.. However what the live playing it does have is fierce, fiery shredding which the studio recordings. don’t fully capture As they were highly edited. That’s not to say they were not incredible! Thank you so much for your input and I hope you subscribe. The next Allan Holdsworth video will be equally as amazing and with more statistical density! In addition I will also be posting a live concert from 1988 that nobody has ever heard. I wouldn’t want you to miss any of it.

[@germanezequielsanchez7214]

Hi! I am the third one that say the same like Biorythmicshifter! I have spoken with John several times during these 4 years. I respect his opinion, but that is something very relative. John says "I've never heard a live solo that sounded better than a recorded one"..... In my personal opinion, it's just the opposite depending on the approach. I agree with John that Allan's studio solos are and always will be amazing, they had an intention and an idea. Regarding his live solo, it is already another dimension, a darker and more magical dimension with many ingredients of fury and spontaneity and above all ..... 3 times longer. Precisely the surprise is the unpredictability of them, their tools and tricks that he has used during those magical moments, which were never performed in a studio solo. In these same solos I have found much more information than I have ever found in his choice of notes or phrases for his studio albums (More precisely when he has played the electric guitar). I quote a phrase from an Argentinian thinker that agrees a lot with Allan Holdsworth's vision regarding his live improvisation......"good improvisation has many rigors.what amazes the public about an excellent improviser is how he creates difficulties and then saves them. This also depends a lot on curiosity and what generates the notes in the personal emotions of each one. Allan Holdsworth's live solos aren't just a one way trip.........it's a round trip again and again. Precisely, I am preparing hundreds of various audio examples of Allan Holdsworth's live solos through each year (1980 to 2001) to have a certainty of that evidence, no matter how it "sounds" showing all the available tools (which he never involved in his studio solos and that he increased year after year of evolution until he was able to reach his highest pinnacle of his career in the early 90's . Greetings!

[@Udhjfifg5]

He changed keys alot and he did it quickly every 1 to 2 measures.

[@numbersabcdefg]

Walk your spider down the neck. You'll get stretches. Do spider walking down from the highest frets you have with whole step, 1+1/2 step.

[@streetwiseguitar5113]

Make sure you check out my interview with Brett Stine. If you like this one, my interview with Brett will blow you away!

[@Nicors1]

where is that 5 hr video??? :O

[@streetwiseguitar5113]

It ain’t on my channel! It’s on his…

[@elkeism]

he may have had a photographic memory of the fretboard

[@streetwiseguitar5113]

Easily!

[@BoyTsamba]

Is he using a midi guitar?

[@streetwiseguitar5113]

nope

[@BoyTsamba]

@@streetwiseguitar5113 sorry I mean allan holdsworth

[@castormontesquintillan6752]

John McLaughlin has shared his knowledge on his three instructional DVDs, but no one can play like John McLaughlin 😂😂😂‼️

[@streetwiseguitar5113]

People can play “like“ John McLoughlin. People will never be able to play “exactly like“ John McLaughlin!🤣🤣🤣

[@TimMirth]

I will say, I disagree about the live vs. studio. I personally find Allan's live playing to be way better than the records, but in general I find live "jazz" records to be way better. It's not all about the variety of ideas, but the energy created, etc... Imo. But it's all good, we all like what we like.

[@streetwiseguitar5113]

I think what John was trying to say was that essentially live Alan Holsworth was more scattered and shreddy, where as The solos that he put on record have you become timeless superior creations of melodicism and shred. Lots of edits and pricing together

[@germanezequielsanchez7214]

Tim Mirth .....Absolutely right!

[@Ashun1970]

👍

[@RayFerretti]

Back then you had vinyl and live. No KZbin, no transcribe software, etc...

[@streetwiseguitar5113]

Very true Ray! And also, if you’re interested, check my cachet for the latest Allan Holdsworth video! It’s equally as fascinating! Let me know if you can’t find it and thank you so much for your support of this channel! Please subscribe and hit the notification bell, so you don’t miss anything upcoming

[@francescacarcassi116]

Hammering on from 10 to 12 to 17 is really pushing the limit! If you don't want to deal with RSI it's best to practice it at 12 -14-19 with a very relaxed belly...and if you can't reach and really insist you can always tap,I mean ,no one is gonna give us a medal for doing flawlessly.Really cool nevertheless.

[@streetwiseguitar5113]

Francesca! Thank you so much for taking the time to watch this! I really hope you hit the subscribe and notification bell so you don’t miss the next Allan Holdsworth video which is going to be earth shattering. Be patient but it will be well worth it!

[@j.jester7821]

Allan learned the scale patterns across the keyboard that would work with chords, and memorized them. he has ten patterns that he used and does not refer to them like standard music theory.

[@streetwiseguitar5113]

If you want to learn what Allan Holdsworth did, look at my interview with Brett Stine.

[@jamespatagueule4599]

Maybe it's time for you to dicover Sylvain Luc

[@streetwiseguitar5113]

It's time for you to listen to the other holdsworth interview I did with Brett Stine?

[@enzosmith5371]

Did it ever occur to anyone that we DONT WANT Holdsworth demystified

[@streetwiseguitar5113]

Well, then you definitely don’t want to see the interview that I did with Brett Stine💥💥💥

[@stefanthorpenberg887]

Guess Allan didn’t care so much about scales, but wanted to express something.

[@streetwiseguitar5113]

If you enjoyed this interview, you must see the one with Brett Stine that I did. It is the most comprehensive about AH. He actually cared a great deal about scales and derived much of his ideas from scales. Check out the interview in my cachet!

[@rhizomorph-music]

I don't ever want Allan to be demystified. The mystery of Allan's approach and music *is* the best part, for me. I don't want to know too much.

[@streetwiseguitar5113]

Can you definitely don't want to check out my interview with Brett Stine where he reveals everything that a AH does!

[@grahama2193]

mmmm

[@robwarren4425]

Is Allan the most over rated fusion shredder ever?

[@streetwiseguitar5113]

Hardly! It’s impossible to overrate that guy! Unless… You started calling him the greatest country guitarist🤣

[@snowfiresunwind]

No

[@Oenloveslife]

Hunh??? When I listen to Holdsworth, I hear chromatics, minors, diminished, pentatonics, AND major. But predominantly major?? That makes no sense to me at all. Please straighten me out.

[@streetwiseguitar5113]

You my friend are a guy who GETS IT! You are 100% right. I'll set you straight with this! There's even more to it though ... LEARN kzbin.info/www/bejne/mqrcp5l-jdqCmMU and get back to me :-)

[@jsb1181]

Who's going to call Rick Beato and tell him about this? Hahaha

[@streetwiseguitar5113]

Probably me!🤣

[@SteveGouldinSpain]

Controversial opinion: Allan Holdsworth is the reason blowing hundreds of thousands of dollars on an academic musical education is a pretty dumb idea.

[@streetwiseguitar5113]

Steve! Take it from somebody who has been in the Ivory Tower for over 30 years… there are many many other reasons blowing thousands of dollars on music school CAN BE (But not always) a pretty dumb idea “” By the way I hope you enjoyed the video! Thank you for supporting this growing community of ours.

[@SteveGouldinSpain]

@@streetwiseguitar5113 you do great work and I am very appreciative of it. On the down side, I'm nearly 60 years old and cannot yet play like Allan Holdsworth but I' know at the rate I learn I'd rather benefit from half a dozen KZbin channels I can dig into occasiionally than pay top dollar for a musical degree educaton. I'm sure in time with advertising you will win.

[@Samsgarden]

Meh. Why do people do this? Concentrate on your own style

[@streetwiseguitar5113]

People have been doing this for decades. Including some of the most famous saxophonist/improvisers that have ever lived. One’s “own style“ does not come from nowhere.

[@pascaljeanne6520]

man , but who want to play like allan holsworth ? ahaha it's boring ! too many notes ! and this guy speaking , who is it ? to make a livin what is he doin ? man im unknow but im not on you tube explainin shit ! and i play since 45 years ! i can play believe it or not i dont give a shit ! so ! allan was a bigplayer of course i'm conscient of that but i dont want tu play like him ! ok Benson or Brown or johnson ! but allan ...on man in my nightmare , never !

[@streetwiseguitar5113]

Thank you for your insightful comments! Glad you enjoyed the video.