The Iconic Keys Behind “The Dance of Eternity” by Dream Theater 🔥 (Jordan Rudess Breakdown)

[@PianoteOfficial]

Are you ready to learn from the BEST keyboardist? 🔥Sign up for Jordan Rudess' course at Pianote here: www.pianote.com/shop/30-days-to-better-technique

[@bvq330]

We got Mike on Drumeo breaking it down, and now Jordan? This is amazing!

[@renaudharrystelolahy3725]

What a time to be alive 😁

[@bvq330]

@@renaudharrystelolahy3725 Indeed

[@PianoteOfficial]

🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@asimijaz23]

Where do we get to see John Petrucci

[@laaaliiiluuu]

​@@asimijaz23And John Myung but he never speaks so never mind 😂

[@JorgeCanela]

I would like to point out the intelligence behind his arrangement of the keyboard parts, when it comes to polyphony and pitch range. He is playing in a very dense mix, lots of drums and guitars, so he he is very careful not to use too many voices simultaneously and choose which region he is playing in, to avoid frequency conflicts with the other instruments. Not doing this leads to problematic mixes and intelligibility issues (not being able to understand the instrument parts easily). He is truly a master. Now we need John Petrucci and John Myung explaining their own parts too...

[@dpclerks09]

Well said.

[@lupash]

oh yeah if you're a keyboard player you have to face phase cancellation issues daily while playing live specially, and if you're not aware of that, it's gonna be a mess at any stage. Even though we have to say for professional musicians with high end instruments and tools, it's gonna be way easier, specially if they have a good sound engineer with them all the time, and that's the main point of your post by the way, which is a theme way often underlooked.

[@aloysfudanshi]

you'd have to get J.Myung to speak, impossible !

[@jeremythornton433]

I'd really love to check out a video of his sound design. His programs are wonderful. He has just the most amazing sounds.

[@MuhammadAli-vp7qt]

John myung perhaps never will explain and breakdown his bass parts, the guy is to quiet and shy to do so.

[@yggdrasx]

Cant wait for James LaBrie to break this down too

[@PianoteOfficial]

🤣🤣🤣

[@otacon04psn]

Tamburine solo tab

[@billwell9266]

my favorite LaBrie work

[@ayyubadompo6416]

😂

[@genildojunior]

Best Labrie performance

[@nuggnugg8464]

Love the fact that Jordan refers to John Petrucci as "The Guitar Player"

[@sixmillionaccountssilenced6721]

Jordan also refered to Ron Thal as a guitar God. :DD Btw, try Thal's ending solo on Jordan's side project Tarkus. One of the craziest prog guitar solos ever.

[@uraniumcranium2613]

@@sixmillionaccountssilenced6721 Ive Got The Runs Real Bad by the other Ron (Jarzombek) is one of my faves. Its more fusion but Brett Garsed/Shawn Lane solos on Hey T Bone is hard to top for me. Love me some Holdsworth too.

[@kevinmaurer3562]

I mean he’s not wrong

[@mrgrubbage519]

He's talking to keyboard players. They don't know who tf Petrucci is.

[@jessep8281]

@@mrgrubbage519 *gasps*

[@julessimon7665]

This guy is 67 years old. It's so crazy. Coordination, memory everything are impeccable. Mangini and Rudess please share your secrets. Both are older than 60 and still vigorous like a young boys.

[@drury2d8]

Hours of playing instruments daily since they were kids. At that age average kids are still playing with their boogers.

[@DavidOakesMusic]

It's all about being as relaxed and loose as possible. Especially with drumming. If you grip the sticks - you can't play fast efficiently.

[@clarenceoveur9497]

You can tell age is finally starting to catch up, his playing here is not as clean and effortless as once was, BUT, still a solid 9/10 performance, especially considering 6 decades of intense shredding lol That's called technique and taking care of your body!

[@MrLieka]

They practiced A LOT, in a video they were saying they basically had no social life since the band started, no party or time out every week-end, constant work, focus and improvement

[@bassbuffricky]

@@DavidOakesMusic So true! Same goes for the bass guitar parts. Tense up and you lose it...

[@graggogabarchavov]

As difficult as Dance of Eternity is to play on the instruments, it's actually widely considered one of the easiest Dream Theater songs to sing.

[@risiblecomestible3319]

James LaBrie's best performance for them!

[@flaflu82]

"A measure of seven to confuse the listener and, you know, make it progressive"

[@bilbomcbaggins]

Prog metal summed up in a sentence

[@bassbuffricky]

That sneaky measure of 7/8 is actually one of the easier parts. Once you feel it, you can't unfeel it, lol

[@garylayton5719]

What’s funny is that’s the part that stumped several of the drummers when they auditioned for the band back in 2011. 😂😂

[@BrunodeSouzaLino]

Once you're used to hearing the sound of 7/8 (which everyone always accents 4+3), you can easily spot when someone is playing in that signature.

[@Kumquat_Lord]

I remember seeing mike portnoy's cheat sheet and they called that section the "rush cadence" which is absolutely perfect

[@Scherzo-mk4ih]

It’s ridiculous how this song is top tier for all 4 instruments… And they even play it waay faster live because they get carried away

[@jacobthatcher385]

It's what makes it a truly amazing song!

[@147pablox]

Only with Portnoy. He is the one who gets carried away

[@DanielVerberne]

I don't think they play it much faster to be honest, at least from all the live versions I've heard. However, you're right that a bit of extra live energy does boost the tempo a bit.

[@AustinBlairDrums]

It's funny when he was going through the parts in the first half of the video you'll notice that he kept playing them faster than the recording LOL

[@UnclePhil1112]

Not to mention the pure level of focus, stamina and adrenaline they all need, to perform a song that has over 108 time signature changes.

[@martinkrajc472]

I am not musician, so the name of the chapter ,,the weird section" describes 90% of their discography, but I love them. The best band ever.

[@bidibum]

Very relatable 😄

[@Vourligan2]

Could also be the Super Mario section.

[@seangardner4968]

Jordan Rudess Breaks Down "Stream of Consciousness" please! Thanks for this!!

[@gusata]

please

[@hudsonmedeiros1152]

That would be awesome

[@gabrielbraga98]

Yes!

[@gabrielbraga98]

I would also love a Breaks down by John Petrucci from stream of consciousness. one of my favorite instrumentals

[@aakashmondal789]

yessss

[@RandyLott]

Not only is Jordan a masterful technician, his sound design and arrangement skills are incredible. This is not normal!

[@mrnobody1231]

The intro of "One Last Time" always plays in my head whenever "The Dance Of Eternity" Ends

[@scorpiusbalthazar4327]

I love the One Last Time reprise in Finally Free.

[@weefek]

Same.

[@themaun]

I cannot listen to the songs separately. One Last Time was the first song I heard from DT by accident (I was looking for a song with the same name) and until today is one of my favourite songs from them.

[@Swedish_Drummer]

@@scorpiusbalthazar4327Ooh, that's just mesmerising! And right before the brutal ending of the song and the story, I love it. ❤️

[@diegosolis9681]

5:39 Gotta love how he tried to show an example of something sounding horrible and still made it sound decent. I love this guy.

[@Starkiller5121]

I like to think he is at such a high level of musicality, that he just accidentally creates good sounding passages when he's trying to mess up.

[@saahassarithabala2630]

Was actually searching for this comment!

[@elyssa.c90]

No matter how many times I listen to this song, it just never gets boring.

[@ryan8608]

His hands are insanely fast! It doesn’t even look humanly possible at times.

[@PianoteOfficial]

I know! He's incredibly fast🔥

[@opethvarium418]

Love Jordan! Such a classy guy and he's just so talented!! Blows my mind every time

[@abbyzahir8215]

This dude had Usain bolt leg on his finger 😂.. that's why

[@estudiotamboril6025]

So fast for a human eyes

[@dvortex668]

the best metal keyboardist ever!

[@Doug.Helvering]

Wonderful video. Awesome playing Jordan!

[@pauloppold3468]

Glad you saw this! Right up your alley!

[@joelzaloummusic]

It’s the daily Doug!

[@ytsejam7]

4:52 Juilliard! Of course! Genius!

[@StefanoBorini]

That ragtime is pure genius. It propels you in a different time and musical dimension. It's fantastic.

[@jeremybourque7482]

Whats super cool is how humble he is. One of the best on the planet at what he does but still feels like he needs to prove himself and show off to his new band mates. Anyone can relate to those security feelings. He could be arrogant and back it all up but he chooses to be confident, sure of his abilities, but humble.

[@silverqumera]

I have mixed feelings about this. Man cant stop raising Juilliard or Perfect Pitch every 5 minutes. Like we get it man, all of us know you went there and have that ability, no need to raising that every damn second

[@sickofyou4408]

​@@silverqumera he mentions juliard like one time in this vid 😂 don't be bitter

[@adrowd40]

I'm really proud to be friend of this Legend!! Great play Jordan!!!!

[@rick9943]

As a kid I played piano for several years before hearing this song but I never wanted to practice until I heard this. This just made me want to play constantly all of a sudden.

[@erikofc.9547]

It would be super nice if they make John Myung breaks down the bass part of this majestic song.. Who's with me?

[@AtomizedSound]

Yes!

[@Mattseak]

Me!

[@bassbuffricky]

Moi. 🙂 Although I have already figured out a lot by myself...

[@jeremythornton433]

Count me in too!

[@pedrovianna2917]

We need to ask Scott Bass lessons for it! That would be awesome!

[@capyxx04]

Most of you might already know "The Dance of Eternity" is from the album "Metrospolis Pt. 2: Scenes From a Memory", and that this is a concept album. If you like the song but have never listened to the whole album from start to finish, I sugest you do. It's a great listening experience, I just love it.

[@kronedog]

I second this. It’s a fantastic listen.

[@Aramatheis]

Thirded. Probably my favourite DT album as a whole

[@nicholasvinen]

Fourthed. And my with my name, it was especially weird listening to it the first few times (if you've heard it, you'll know why).

[@wormangel]

There's no other way of listening to it other than from start to finish, in my humble opinion. Masterpiece!

[@uraniumcranium2613]

I love it, this is the sort of basic stuff that got me into crazier stuff like Ron Jarzombek. If you havent heard it, this song is a good primer for Solitarily Speaking Of Theoretical Confinement. If JP is the grand daddy of tech prog, RJ is the mad evil genius.

[@bassimprovjams3772]

Never clicked on a video so fast! I couldn’t imagine this song without the ragtime section it fit so well with the 1920s theme and the black and white I remember the day scenes came out and I heard Dance my jaw was dropped then Myungs bass solo!

[@SwedeOfEnbound]

When I listen to the entire album, which is my #1, my soul feels whole. And I do it rarely because that is a feeling I do *not* want to dilute.

[@KsatriaBatangHitam-dq4tg]

my first DT album. #1 album in my heart. 🔥🔥🔥

[@SwedeOfEnbound]

Go get a real job.

[@FitzMastaflex]

Soo many amazing parts to this epic tune but that transition into ragtime and back out always has me in awe.

[@ronchiles399]

This would make a great piano study in place of any repertoire.

[@PianoteOfficial]

100% agree.You need solid piano/keyboard technique to play something like this!🔥

[@wingcap1448]

Maybe for rhythm, but technically any Chopin or Liszt etude is much more difficult. Most classical musicians would probably struggle to get it really rhythmically precise to be together with the the drums, but in terms of technical difficulty this is nothing compared to classical repertoire.

[@gabrielwalker4411]

@@wingcap1448No it isn’t nothing This and The Chopin and stuff are both hard Some maybe be harder then this for different reasons but it still is Extremely hard!!!

[@wingcap1448]

@@gabrielwalker4411 It‘s not nothing, mainly because of its rhythmical complexity and required precision. In classical music normally you don‘t have to be that mathematically exact. But in terms of sheer technical difficulty, sorry but it just doesn‘t seem that challenging. One hand rarely has to play more than 1 voice, and there is close to no polyphony except a baseline going on at the same time. No tricky jumps, no awkward hand positions required for anything. Tempo not that fast. The only technically somewhat challenging parts are the octaves during the ragtime solo and the thirds around the 15 minute mark, but the latter also shouldn‘t be that hard at that tempo. Arpeggios and scales don‘t count as difficult unless they are extremely unusual or awkward for some reason, those are standard for any professional pianist/keyboardist.

[@gabrielwalker4411]

@@wingcap1448 Yeah I’d Agree with ya I’m sorry if I seemed a little rude. Jordan has told me also some of the toughest stuff he’s played is some of the Chopin and List etudes

[@somethingofascientistmyself]

The guitarist he’s referring to must be sick at playing!

[@SheetFiber]

lol

[@muhammadfirdaus2290]

Yeah. I think the guitarist should join a band

[@Liverpool-axeman]

If you don’t know who John petrucci is you have been in a musical cupboard your whole life.

[@shmoese]

​@@Liverpool-axemanHe was joking

[@cinnamonrollypoly]

​@@Liverpool-axemanlol, there's always one person that doesn't get the joke.

[@KeRaySh]

If you told me this song was playing during the final boss fight of a JRPG from the early 90s I wouldn't doubt it for a second.

[@matteo6763]

Mega Yippee. Long live to the king of prog. rock keyboard players of the last decades!! And not only, great solo albums maaaaan, very inspired 🤩

[@DanielSell]

Rudess is in my opinion the GOAT keyboard player in prog rock, PERIOD. They dude is simply impecable, his brilliance goes beyond bounderies and he's a great inspiration. Thanks Pianote for the video.

[@jeffreyscott4997]

Keith Emerson is the GOAT. Rudess is the Worthy Successor.😊

[@dwaterson21]

The fact that he's practicing how he's going to BREATHE during sections of this song shows that he is among the best to ever play a keyboard. Pure musicality.

[@canman87]

Jordan truly stands in a class of his own. I've heard great covers of this song across all the instruments, but covering it and being a part of creating it and playing it on stage in front of thousands are very different things. One of the best keyboardists/pianists of our time, if not of all time.

[@nikospantelis6492]

The ragtime solo sure is a funny break from all the craziness before and after, but it also fits with the 1928 which is the year the concept takes place. I always thought about it this way and i don't know why no one from the band never mentioned this.

[@DanielVerberne]

Hey, I'd never picked up on that aspect either. I doubt Jordan had that in mind, but the fact that it fits and you pointed it out is the very essence of Dream Theater fandom! As a group, we DO tend to like picking out the tidbits, the little details and sometimes those details ARE most definitely intended that way! (Octavarium of course is full of little tidbits)

[@michaelcumming2097]

I always thought that was the whole point of the solo. It never occurred to me that he just did it for a laugh.

[@GillBoldberg]

The insane playing is one thing but the fact he’s usually reading music and changing sounds at a rapid pace is something people forget about.

[@yojimbo301]

Now get John Petrucci on Guitareo and John Myung on Basseo to complete the arrangement. Please! (edited: found out Basseo isn't a thing.)

[@nicholasvinen]

Why isn't it a thing, though?

[@KilroyKilroy-t6e]

Lol

[@jjptech]

Something that I love I when I see this absolute masters, struggling a little bit to get to the parts done. There is when you remember that they are humans too. You see he making a REAAALLY strong effort to make the song clean, focusing, remembering, singing the parts. He is in Maximum Effort Mode

[@theminiscript6595]

Jordan Rudess is a musical and technical freak 🔥🔥🔥

[@OddVenture7]

WOWOWWOOWOWWOOWOW!!!!! This is AMAZING.... THANK YOU FOR THIS PIANOTE TEAM!!!!❤❤❤

[@deadwood21plus]

67 years old, keyboardist of one of the best metal band, featuring in many project, doing music software, and strandberg guitar artist. Legend.

[@PianoteOfficial]

🧙‍♂⚡

[@UPIL.INDONESIA]

other bands: "let's make an easy listening songs!" Dream Theater: 10:06 "let's confuse the listener!"

[@captainzeppos]

"...to just confuse the listener and make it progressive". This is the coolest thing I've heard from a progressive musician in all my years.

[@afronprime51]

I hear ELP, YES, RUSH and KANSAS. All on show off mode. I love it, total prog rock homage.

[@el.teacher.del.liceo01]

What is really great about Jordan is when he is enjoying some piece of music he smiles so hard that it seems he has to laugh. Love it.

[@Vampyre_Media]

Jordan (amd all of DT are just incredible Musicians). One of my favorite Metal bands.

[@tripleg9181]

dude it's a gift to mankind. this video came to me in a moment of a lack of creativity and motivation, and i'm a guitarist and i don't dig this kind of stuff anymore. thanks magician, you saved another soul with your talent.

[@PlayPtsr]

Long time ago, I listened to this song by accidents and now I'm a big fan of Dream Theater and this song is the best song I've ever listened and played 🎹🎸🤘🥁

[@petrucci973]

A human being really gotta be in a certain musical headspace to understand and love dream theater. My forever favourite band.

[@ModelMike5150]

Saw them in Houston 1992, and they quickly became my overall favorite band at age 21. SFAM is by far one of the best Prog Albums ever! I’m still blown away 24 years later watching this! Many new Dream Theater and side projects of each of the members thanks to this channel.

[@pricediver]

Jordan is just OUT OF THIS WORLD. He is probably an alien

[@TheCyberMantis]

Nope. He's a wizard.

[@redwinedrummer]

Drumeo has Mike, and Pianote now has Jordan. Let's get them all!

[@Boxxkarr]

This dudes keyboard skills are the best I've ever seen! He can octave jump, pitch bend, add and subtract effects all on the fly, while just crushing amazing riffs, and making it all look easy!!

[@metatron333ascension]

It's the first time for me listening to the song while focusing on the keyboard parts. Usually as a fan you are listening to the song as a whole and not necessarily each individual parts. what i noticed is not only the complexity of the song but how many times he changes the sounds during the song. there were at least 4 different sounds he changed frequently during the song. also didnt notice (until now) in a couple spots where he was doubling the guitar part. Noticing how jordan is complimenting the other players as well was kind of fascinating.

[@LukeSky0]

Jordan Rudess hears "The Dance Of Eternity" for the first time... 😁😁😁

[@interlacedlowtech]

I'm so glad that modern internet gives us that many awesome content I didn't even dream about, it's like reliving my youth in 4K. Rudess is the king of all king, love him, love his character and dedication, I can't even stress how such an out-of-this-world genius he is.

[@HumbertoMoura]

This guy is a legend! Much respect for him.

[@PianoteOfficial]

🧙‍♂⚡

[@davidbalan6571]

Jordan Rudess ( born Jordan Charles Rudes ; November, 4 1956 is an American keyboardist, composer and Software developer best known as a member of the progresive metal band Dream Theater and the progressive metal supergroup Liquid Tension Experiment.

[@obengbunga666]

I’m sorry to say this. But… Dude….. HOLY S***!!!! Such a monster behind the keyboard!

[@Naru085]

That is simply AMAZING ! OMG! Mister Rudess is a genius ! Can't wait for a guitar breakdown of this song with mister Petrucci too on Guitareo !

[@theeardrafter]

Jordan what a pianist !!! Love him and the Gutarist John Petrucci From my hometown Long Island..... Wonderful wonderful talents. God is good

[@vosoryan]

Not only is this perfect final boss music, but its also the final boss OF music itself

[@garylayton5719]

Now let’s see who at Pianote can play it. I smell a challenge. 😬 I absolutely love the ragtime section of this song. So much fun.

[@sporkybutterz]

Jordan is a beast. He makes it sound smooth with the technical elements.

[@edmiddlebrooks1696]

the only thing this is missing is the reaction to the full performance from the booth. In the other videos those were my favorite parts. Jordan is a lunatic of a keyboardist, an absolute genius on another level. He's a nightmare to every other keys player. Sets the bar on a whole other level... then he breaks it down and makes it look possible... until you try it for yourself.

[@progfoxmusic]

Yeah I don't really care about what the randoms in the booth think of it, would ruin the nature of the video

[@MichaelEllisOfTenDeg]

It seems that Jordan really is a wonderful and humble person. I like how he talks about headspace and breathing in between 64th notes.

[@thyagolea0]

Thanks for all Rudess!!! You are amazing!!!

[@DarthRider]

This song is gold, period ! :) I'm an electric guitar guy but the quality of the keyboard writing is out of this world, I have so much respect for Jordan

[@Aka_daka]

Jordan is a monster of a keyboard player. I don't think people understand how difficult it is to come up with this sort of stuff.

[@elenilsonfialho3113]

Fabulous, The incredible thing I think about this musician is his simplicity and humility for being such a brilliant instrumentalist and at the same time such a gentleman in his way of being as a person! congratulations Mr Jordan Rudess.

[@Telepuzique]

10:03 "and of course there we have a measure of seven because we kind of added a couple of notes to just uh, confuse the listener and make it progressive." :)

[@Gorbyrev]

Wow, that was like the ELP version of Dance of Eternity. I've been listening to that track for years yet there were subtleties in there I had not picked up. Beautiful work everyone and thank God for Mr Rudess!

[@TorSkywalker]

Love the videos with Jordan Rudess!

[@cilibrasi1040]

Witness an absolute master at his craft!! I am so grateful to be alive at a time where I have had several opportunities to see DT, and LTE perform live. Thank you Jordan for all you create and put out into the world for others to experience. Forever grateful.

[@saiteasailo668]

The best keyboardist in the world

[@andriyko1604]

When we listen to this song, it sounds energetic, dynamic, diverse,super-cool, melodic, unpredictable - full of unusual turns and twists, and more. When the song is broken down, we find it bizarre and not easy (for us) to put it back together. This is why we could note make up anything like this, yet we love listen to it again and again.

[@jorgedepeixes]

Many people find the difficulty imposed in Dream Theater annoying. I think it must be jealousy that they don't have the ability that these guys use in their songs, each one is a challenge. You guys are badass!!!

[@everyinchtheanimal]

His point about practicing the headspace you need to be in to play lead parts is a really important lesson to learn towards being an effective live player

[@sazidhasankhan9144]

I needed to see Lisa's live reaction to this :(

[@doubletee9000]

Same!

[@kaspianocz6330]

Jordan you're an absolute legend of all music

[@paulusangreedvra5416]

Thanks Pianote for show us The Wizard playing the most hardest DT's song. Really amazing 🔥🔥🔥

[@theemoghost]

Lovely. Beautiful. Still impresses me after listening to it countless times for so many years

[@Dedos_JH]

The "WEIRD" Section .... u mean the whole song ?

[@NONONFAMILY]

The best ever❤

[@LocrianDorian]

I remember it took me about a full year to really learn this song on guitar, and it's probably the most progress I've ever had on the instrument in a single calendar year. Years later, I decided to also learn the keys parts, but at least to me they are even harder than the guitar parts, and I am nowhere near as good on piano as I am on guitar. Oh well, one day!

[@renanlisboa123]

What a joy to watch this. I remember when I first listened to this, it blew my mind. God bless you Jordan 🙌

[@goblinondrums]

I don’t care what anyone says. NO ONE is better than Jordan Rudess.

[@ToveriJuri]

Keith Emmerson and Rick Wakeman.

[@laldinsanga6392]

The best keyboardist in the world nobody could replace him

[@paramourcat]

it's cool to hear some of his impressions of joining the band and what he was trying to do at the time. he's been in the band so long now that you just think of him as one of the guys and don't often hear these kinds of things.

[@mr198221]

This song is just too incredible. An eternal classic!

[@ronniefranco512]

Try watching this and Mike Portnoy's break down on Drumeo simultaneously on a separate window. It's an experience.

[@DanielVerberne]

While I love Jordan's contributions in Dream Theater, it's in his solo work that you truly see him shine. I implore all listeners to seek out one of Jordan's compositions called "Interstices". A joy to behold.

[@luisdorigon334]

If he says something is "really difficult", what he is really trying to say is "impossible for humans"

[@Djcimofficial]

Absolute legend! Had the honor of meeting him a few times after some DT shows. Such a genuine person.

[@juanaponte9360]

If Portnoy already did this on drums, and Jordan on keyboards, we need Petrucci on guitar and Myung on bass.

[@talibe801]

Thank you guys for never let your fans down,looking forward to November in Lisbon👍🤗

[@silvana2186]

Omg that's insane! How can someone play so fast?

[@DeepMindMeditation]

Thank you for sharing and making this video. Love Jordan Rudess' knowledge, music, personality and mastery. Great videos!

[@ahirunakamura9592]

waiting for a Lord V cover of this song. without any facial expressions, of course.