Reverse Engineering DREAM THEATER - Metropolis Pt 1 Analysis/Breakdown [Progressive Rock]

[@SignalsMusicStudio]

GUYS! On Reddit, atalkingfish informed me how wrong I was about the bass part for the second section. It IS 13/4 polymeter like I said, but it ain't just 8th notes and rests, its actually way more complicated than that. Although it's nearly impossible to hear in the mix on the original album, you can see/hear him play it live or hear it on isolated stems. SORRY!

[@xencage]

Signals Music Studio very cool vid, anyway! I’d like to see more of this kind of thing. Creative ways to work interesting things into ones own compositions.

[@joaomatheus6222]

I was about to comment about the bass being actually different lmao

[@Cuzjudd]

Not good enough. Thumbs down from me

[@mmblaake]

First, name the song right. If you check the beginning of the video it says “The Sleeper and the Miracle” #UNLIKE

[@jasoncavitt2043]

That's fine, SMS. The point of the lesson remains the same, and well done.

[@imanalien6461]

Time to reverse engineer Dance Of Eternity. Should be a piece of cake.

[@MrMetalhorse]

You have to grow a big beard in order to unlock the Petrucci powers

[@SignalsMusicStudio]

Another thing Petrucci can do that I can't :(

[@ejRecording]

dont forget to lift

[@carrie7225]

but dont forget to shave your neckbeard or it will absorb your petrucci powers

[@AtomizedSound]

Actually Grizzly arms are required to unlock full achievement

[@SodomySnake]

Get Michelangelo to paint your guitar for you. Not that guitar noob, the Sistine Chapel guy. And you need a preamp that controls how hot the sun is or something like that.

[@jorggamingcr409]

So...what's easier or harder?, string theory, quantum mechanics or dream theater writting process?

[@gareginasatryan6761]

JorgGamingCR how about animals as leaders

[@bcepni00]

I though animals as leaders just played what came to their minds.

[@alex_rosenblum]

I think String Quantum Mechanics Theory is actually the name of the next DT album

[@psychedelicpain420]

@@bcepni00 That's also Dream Theater for ppl who don't understand their music

[@bcepni00]

@@psychedelicpain420 I guess so. I'm definetly used to DT but not yet to AAL.

[@AtomikSoup]

Did you say Dream Theater? Subscribed!

[@SRNF]

Do this for every Dream Theater track. I will make a dream theater clone band. *Dream Cinema*

[@Cole-ek7fh]

SRNF black metal version. nightmare arena.

[@Josh-it6uy]

unfunny

[@doriangrayest]

Dream Theater themselves had a band called Nightmare Cinema. The band members played other instruments. Petrucci played drums, Myung played the keyboards, Derek played guitars and Portnoy played bass. LaBrie was the singer Also they adopted different names, just for the meme: Johnny James, Juice Malouse, Nicky Lemons, Max del Fuvio and Abdul Matahari, in the same order as above

[@Josh-it6uy]

Everyone already knows this. @@doriangrayest

[@volderhamer]

@@Josh-it6uy I didn't

[@gratusmrke2337]

Reverse engineer Opeth :D

[@26jor]

Grå Tusmørke YES

[@swiggyswagg4292]

Need more thumbs up on this

[@adnanebenaouicha-Drafts]

moore

[@eglathren]

YES PLEASE

[@jonathansefcik473]

Their acoustic stuff is especially interesting.

[@abhushan88]

Great video btw, makes dream theater sound less impossible Edit: a word 😉

[@numetalinkin]

I feel the other way around. Like would be easier to just close my eyes and copy Petrucci (yeah, easier to say than do)

[@ThrawnTheater]

Start by spelling it right :P "Dream Theater"

[@abhushan88]

Shit...

[@Cobalt985]

But keep in mind this is only 16 measures...

[@HollowMan19xx]

Nicely done, plus you have a killer voice for this sorta thing.

[@Rain593]

Okay. You've covered Dream Theater... Time for Symphony X

[@JakobStrand]

I vote for Nickelback! I cant understand their music.

[@theaterofsouls]

hahahaha!!!!

[@cbfedge5593]

@@JakobStrand Nickelback is music????

[@bm8584]

A Symphony X analysis would be awesome

[@thombakker2835]

Dude please do prog song breakdowns! Gained a sub bro!

[@Bat-Georgi]

About the bass in the second half. Myung is not just playing root notes. He is playing a tapping lead which is nothing like what you showed. You can see it on live performances of this song + the isolated bass track which you can find online. It does follow the rhythm you outlined but the notes are all wrong on what you showed.

[@nathanshervheim4611]

I found your channel this morning, loved your stuff, subscribed, then an hour later, you break down one of my favorite DT songs. This is insane

[@Agentepic25]

I literally found this channel yesterday and subscribed right away

[@ThrawnTheater]

That is awesome, I'm happy you had that experience, something like that happening to me would make me really excited.

[@Frst2nxt]

Yeah, i need that pie recipe: cherry, molasses, salt...what else?

[@SignalsMusicStudio]

thats it. its a disgusting pie, not recommended

[@Cuzjudd]

Signals Music Studio lmao

[@themathhatter5290]

@@SignalsMusicStudio Thanks, I'm now titling one of my songs "Salted Molasses and Cherries" because of this.

[@jables3377]

Don't forget the balls and chunk!

[@Lithuania8634]

0:48 Oh no bass player not play right part For those unaware, the bass also plays the part at 4:43.

[@muhammadgharibaldy8064]

Yesssss, just listen to john myung isolated bass track. And he also play that part like that time stamp lol

[@keepitheavymetalm1088]

Now, you need to do one from both Fates Warning & Queensryche, and you'll have completed the ProgMetal trifecta!

[@gabrielredwine9955]

What are you talking about??? That two bands cant even come close to Symphony X. Smh

[@salomoncana2202]

It took me 18 years to understand Dream theater musicality. I would need another 18 more to understand the analysis. It's truly amazing. The decoding is phenomenal.

[@martincoons823]

Agreed! On all points ..

[@dylanstevens2410]

Just thought I'd point out the bass part in the last 8 measures is missing the 16th note tapping between the roots. Plus he's also doing 16th notes of the root and octave. At least I'm pretty sure

[@FreddyMolina-jinhound]

Thank you! I knew there was something off with the bass.

[@diegorivas5632]

yeah, he completely missed that, he definitely does tap octave notes

[@lxathu]

I have a couple of music teaching YT heroes and I just can't understand how come that I haven't found you to put on their list. You really deserve it. Going to fix that right now...

[@nicholasbrodersen8491]

This was fantastic! I love this! Subbed!

[@toasty9670]

The Miracle and the Sleeper, not The Sleeper and the Miracle.

[@JAFOpty]

poor James, always the joke punchline!

[@gareginasatryan6761]

JAFO-PTY most people who don’t like DT do it because of james. I think silver lining is a beautiful album. Except I could barely listen to it without his cringy voice. It’s even worse live.

[@travelingmusicvideos7680]

share this channel!!!..these videos are inspiring and fresh!!

[@angelssanchezluna2179]

I've always hated Dream Theater for their lack of "soul", but after seeing your video I think would be fun to play that kind of music, not so fun to listen to or to non-musicians. Thank you, you changed my perspective!

[@aleatoriac7356]

I love it Been a long time since I did this with music. The "rip off" was awesome! Even though I'm very familiar with the Dream Theater song, I think what you did stands up as its own very well.

[@familyfun4829]

Dude! You’re a genius I have never analyze music to that degree dream theater specially when I seen you do that I know I do you know what you’re talking about so good job dude

[@masonstanford]

This. This is exactly what I need in my life. Thank you. I'm definitely subscribing and happy to see a (relatively) new face coming up in the burgeoning world of hardcore music science on youtube. A couple of comments: I love the very concise, practical breakdowns like this. I'll have to watch more of your videos but it seems like you and Adam Nealy share a little bit of space. It's this specific deconstruction and reverse engineering that is unique, special, and exactly what I need to help when the writing doesn't come so easy as it gives a concise, in depth look into how some of my inspos do it. Thank you. Your recording room, combined with this music, gives me a weird sense of nostalgia for stuff that you're spookily young-seeming to be evoking... Dude, your voice. You've found your home my friend. Your voice is perfect for this sort of thing. Now, may I say something not so nice? Feel free not to read on. Ready? Here goes: Again, I'll have to listen to other stuff of yours since this could be something exclusive to this video... But man, that guitar tone... wow. It reminds me of when the random guy at guitar center plugs in the cheap ESP with active pickups into the Metal Zone pedal at the Boss display... All fizz, all buzz, all cheap, and not nearly up to par with the amazing stuff you're giving us. Now, you didn't ask for this (what I would generously call) "advice," so feel free to completely ignore it, but if I may: I would hope you have a guitar with passive pickups. Let's maybe use that UNLESS we know for sure the guy we're emulating plays active pickups (JP does not). Next, if I may, what are you playing through? Might I suggest a hyper-simple and cheap solution that will get you squared away for a million videos to come: Positive Grid Bias. You'll have all the amp and effects options you need for absolutely anything. Again, this is unsolicited, so ignore it at your leisure. For all I know you've got 23 high end guitars and 12 amazing amps covering Marshall to Mesa and Shaw to Dr Z, and just chose this tone because it's exactly what you felt was appropriate for this video. If so, I get it and I'll see myself out. Anyway, thanks again for the amazing content, and you've got yourself a subscriber for sure!

[@cjo2012]

buddy you are such a pleasure the way you break things down that's great and i really appreciate it

[@Sumarbrander]

Thats a great and interresting videos. I would be interested for sseeing the same with opeth

[@marcoscastaneda8848]

First time I’ve ever seen one of your videos, first time even hearing a dream theater song, and I fully enjoyed how you presented the breakdown of the music, how smoothly you talked about the elements of the riff and how you didn’t come off as a music snob. Great video! Keep it up brother.

[@rarebeeph1783]

Your song at the end sounds like a Sonic Adventure 2 late game song to me haha

[@katoffuture8728]

"...and then I threw in a C major for good luck." This literally made me laugh, idk why.

[@abhushan88]

What do you call that prog sounding chord with a perfect fourth and an eight? How does it differ from a power chord in terms of "color"?

[@SignalsMusicStudio]

A 4th and a Root can be thought of as a powerchord that has been inverted. I love the sound of them, they're very "chunky" but still avoid any context of major or minor.

[@abhushan88]

What if i use them instead of power chords? Because they sound a lot more EPIC lol

[@SignalsMusicStudio]

I'd endorse it! Like if I want to play a D powerchord, instead of doing a 5th fret powerchord on the 5th string, instead, I would smash my finger across the 5th fret on both the 6th AND 5th string. It sounds like a deeper more brutal version of the same 2 notes. With enough distortion and low end, you can almost hear a low D being formed from the harmonics.

[@abhushan88]

Thanks!

[@ze-ce.cra_]

Or just learn inverted power chords

[@danielsmith5848]

That voice does not belong with that body lol. Great vid

[@miguelrojas2453]

sounds like something out of the mario kart 8 soundtrack

[@afonsotopa9164]

@@hc3550 we always knew he was a prog head

[@VanJo]

Okay that it! Im subscribing!

[@GuitarMan3YT]

That’s totally cool, I don’t think you’re song is a rip-off at all, it’s totally different time -sig, and different chords. That’s great how you broke it down like that! 👍

[@king638]

Please do an analysis of Stream of Conciousness by DT!

[@rockparkoure]

Such a well done video.

[@mankneequesadilla7969]

I just discovered your channel yesterday and I fell in love with your videos! gosh, these are AMAZING VIDEOS! I subscribed instantly!! also you have a intervals series and that's something I have been looking for recently so that was a coincidence lol, keep up the great work!

[@sayanmandal2246]

I love the way you explain music theory. Thank you a lot. For someone who doesn't have any knowledge besides basic chords, you've taught me valuable stuff today. I've seen many artists in KZbin but you're explanations are so easy to understand. Thank you once again.

[@andremantovani]

just like liquid tension exp

[@arminc4658]

If Adam Neely was a metalhead...

[@dreadbull5039]

0:50 Dude that drum kit is about 195 pieces too small...

[@glennkoch5173]

Brilliant! This is real Jedi level stuff to me but now I appreciate Dream Theater even more.

[@bahritkharakor9257]

love it! please analyse/breakdown for the dance of eternity..

[@charlesdrum69]

nice do a full dream theater song like this its sound realy good

[@kawmic7]

Incredible! A guy who looks 15 but sounds 50. 😜😜😜😜😜😜😜

[@cultistsash]

NNNNNNEEEEEEEERRRRRRRRRRRRRDDDDD.

[@AlexDDrummer]

Its a great concept to reverse engeneer songs.

[@jrgilbert]

Dream Theater is on another plane from the rest of the world.

[@ppang]

and chester too

[@mere_illusion]

I see what you did there

[@ISAAKKUSH]

More progressive!!

[@martincoons823]

Analysis? Indeed! Leaps and Bounds- in short order... I can see this is the beginning of a beautiful student teacher relationship....thanks bro....

[@orionsharmony9845]

3:14 WRONG John Myung plays a tapping rhythm there, it's pretty complicated actually

[@totallynuts7595]

I can do better :P 8+5+8+5+8+8+6+5 (8ths). kick drum at the start and end of every measure. El Guit outlining A LOT of sus2 chords. Keyboard playing in 53/8 (I'll find a pattern, don't worry). Sad part is I don't have a bass... (I do the drums in FLStudio)

[@nathanbowman1383]

Did anybody else realize that this guy voices “Pooploser69” from Minecraft n00b adventures? 😂

[@rod-abreu]

Awesome stuff man, really cool. The final composition sounded more like Rush than DT hahahaha, maybe it's because it reminds me Rush's BigMoney. Anyways, it's still really cool stuff :)

[@imjustsaying4807]

This is exactly what I think Avenged Sevenfold did when they wrote songs from HTTK album like Sheperd Of Fire and Heretic. It's like they reverse-engineered Enter Sandman and Symphony of Destruction respectively

[@AtomizedSound]

Wait..did you say Kevin Moore on the keys...dude this is Jordan Rudess..NEVER confuse the two

[@bazabaza7821]

Really enjoyed this! I didn't understand the complexity of this song before, but now I have achieved a much deeper level of ignorance.. 😂

[@ericcindycrowder7482]

The entire A Dramatic Turn of Events album was DT “reverse engineering” Images and Words

[@Cole-li7hq]

ERIC & CINDY Crowder lul

[@LeeBrandt]

Is there a name for the musical technique where one voice walks up or down and another voice stays the same? Two examples I can think of are: The opening of Down Together by The Refreshments. The vocals sing a straight flat opening lyric while the bass walks down. And Metropolis Part I by Dream Theater. At about 1:40 the guitar chugs on a single note while the synth walks up (sounds like in semi tones). Just wondering if there is a term for this technique?

[@tambrotal387]

Check my unfinished demo video Exceed - termite part 1. I was influenced by DT back then in 2001 after listened to scene from a memory album.

[@sethbrundle6506]

LOL! The ride pattern was the first thing I picked out and it was the last thing you mentioned. :D Also I'd like to emphasize that it IS accompanying Myungs bass time-wise (or rather they are forming this pattern that flips on it's head). Nice analysis otherwise!

[@jsebastian9547]

I've written a ton of songs this way, without knowing it was actually a thing... I always just called it ripping off _x lol.... the key is to make it unnoticeable.

[@lennyharp]

The refinement of music is wonderful. Born 1951 I grew up in a wonderful time of creativity in music. It was often rough and ready ( kzbin.info/www/bejne/oJbbapynbNKFbK8 ). Actually This album I linked to released in 1971 by Jeff Beck was a refinement of music for that time. I find change a challenge because music is so often copy cat in style. You are a refreshing study in what makes it all work. Actually I have been stuck in the seventies for too long and I think the greats were saved for this time .

[@joro8604]

I like yours better. (Never liked dream theater, or zappa but love ELP and Genesis, go figure).

[@giovannipignato4245]

I still can't get wtf you're saying but I love it.. please do other videos about polyrithm and polymetrics maybe beginning with the noob version:)

[@OlivierSen]

Sooooooo nice. love your work. It's been a long time that i'v been interested that much in a vid. Haken would be lovley :) :) :)

[@_Only_Zuul]

"awake" is the only DT album that i've ever been able to get into.. it was the first and only DT album i've ever bought, something about those songs are so memorable. i've tried listening to other DT music but i can't quite enjoy it as much..

[@sacestar836]

except somehow your riff sounds major while theirs still sounds ambiguous. the magic of johnny p. good post doe!

[@mr.d7429]

Dude, why do you have to complicate this even more?? 😉 great break down bro!

[@Rotor-Sims]

Reverse engineering is a great way to build up a better foundation and understanding of theory and practical approaches. This was a great video and thank you for putting in the time to make it. Now time to reverse engineer some Blotted Science

[@hatecrewsix2]

For so many years people keep misunderstanding and abusing from the term. Sound engineer. In fact. It's sound technician . The real sound engineer create the electronics parts. thats It's in fact an electronic engineer who know about acoustic maths etc. Some dudes moving knots and downloading apps to record a guitar and claims to be sound engineer. It's like say that a DJ is a trained musician. It's a science to do the mixing and an lot of a knowledge And deserve all my respect.

[@billpeart]

The rhythm of your speech reminds me of Barack Obama. Great content too!!!

[@jaidenxiong9996]

By what your are saying, every member in DT is way above the rest of others bands because they can play the more technical and complex keys and rhythm while other bands just play straight forward and steady rhythm and keys.

[@adamkallin5160]

Each instrument is like "Fuck you I'm not playing along!"

[@THEGhost902]

Plz reverse periphery

[@violet_broregarde]

Love the Dream Theater ripoff you made, it's like if Yes made a song from a 3D Sonic.

[@literal_metaphor]

Do cockroach king

[@Booskop.]

Or cockring coach

[@Zacsondy]

"heavy riffs of Metallica and Pantera"... lol. Not even close.

[@TheGW_Channel]

Time to decode Planet X. I know they're dead, but still...

[@d3xtRR]

Same thing with alternating upbeats and downbeats is happening in Leprous - Mirage. Would be cool to see some Leprous' songs taken apart!

[@CanalFirstQuest]

Can you please do something simillar to Pink Floyd's Echoes? This song has a total different feel from any other song I ever heard

[@andreaiachini7517]

Your song was "very Falling into Infinity" 😀 Great video, I really enjoyed it.

[@mvc2arg]

Thanks, this is incredible, great decode.

[@metalfox146]

Actually not what John Myung did in the 2nd half. He kevin moore switched what they were doing and myung was taping it

[@shapshala]

Since when does Robert Plant play drums?

[@Cole-ek7fh]

but will you ever breakdown the real prog known as "symphony x"?

[@jobwladimirrosalesyagual4891]

How would you describe the estructures of the songs? I mean, Are these songs raphsodys?

[@AngelRiveroMusic]

How about reverse engineering 2 bands, and make a short piece resembling both bands?

[@LannyC]

Very cool analysis . the tweak/rip off riff at the end, had a "falling into infinity" feel about it. :)

[@PanchoThompson]

Grow a beard, grow out your hair, get fat: BOOM, you're John Petrucci

[@dankhill6851]

holy crap I didnt know you can use polyrhythms, i've been doing this all along, and because of it i've been trying to train myself not to do that

[@kearnsguitars2236]

I really like these breakdowns. Could you do Diary of a Madman?

[@randomryguy8453]

Right, I'll watch itba few more thousand times and get it lol love your stuff dude!

[@46Laxis]

Reverse engineer Dream Theater, shuffle it, add your own flavor and you get Rush.

[@heavydevy-c5630]

Can you please do another dream theater video! Maybe something a little more modern? This sounds awesome though, I love it!

[@johnrobson1309]

The best way to uncomplicate music and incorporate ideas in your own is to kidnap actual band members from other bands and force them to drink redbull.

[@teutonicknight3471]

This is disgusting to play. For me at least. My ears want to punch in the face beacuse im playing polirythm