Tim Lerch - The Last Word On Scales and Modes.

[@JensLarsen]

Great discussion on a controversial topic, Tim. Really like your thoughtful approach to this topic

[@TimLerchGuitar]

Thanks Jens, love your work.

[@-Atmos1]

I thought so too .

[@chadrew6]

It's NOT a controversial topic! It's impossible to play without using scales just as it's impossible to paint without paint! All arpeggios, Chords, melodic shapes and melodies are made from scales! It's only controversial to idiots.

[@trevortimoko7512]

@@chadrew6 so r u saying Jens Larsen doesn't know what he's talking about?

[@chadrew6]

@@trevortimoko7512 I’m saying he’s making a false distinction for the sake of attracting attention to his site. He has fairly consistent partial knowledge but he’s by no means the last word on the subject.

[@MrMewsique]

I love Jimmy Bruno's definition of scales. He calls them "pitch collections". That definition alone will change your concept and approach to scales.

[@TimLerchGuitar]

Please SUBSCRIBE and if you can share this video with your musical friends,I can use a little boost to my YT channel. Thanks for all of your support and encouragement. .

[@TimLerchGuitar]

Thank you all for your great support and kind comments. Please share this video with your friends and with your social media crowd. Visit www.timlerch.com for recordings, lessons and TrueFire courses.

[@TimLerchGuitar]

Please consider hitting the *Thanks* button to show your appreciation.

[@jacobskywoker1240]

Every music theory community should have this pinned to the top of their feed.

[@300PercentFlyingV]

More fantastic-ness! Thanks Tim for the reminder of what's important. Love what you do - please keep up the good work!

[@randyhetlage9202]

How you make a tele sound like a fat bodied jazz box is mind blowing... God bless you Tim.

[@m.vonhollen6673]

Tim Lerch is one of the world’s finest musicians. Long may he prosper!

[@biffleonetti5298]

“Live in the world of sound” Now that is some priceless advice. Thank you Tim

[@tyroneshuz]

Spot on Tim! When Miles said about music theory, "Forget that s**t and just play!" He did NOT mean don't learn theory, or how to read, he meant exactly what you spent 17 minutes explaining so beautifully. It's got to come out of you on the gig, so you have to know it so well that you don't think about it.

[@rillloudmother]

Actually, there is video of Miles explaining how disdain for certain journalists who asked him if his ability to play the blues comes from the fact that black people or his forebears were enslaved. Miles responded (I'm paraphrasing), I grew up rich, I play like this because I studied. Then you gave Dizzy taking about Miles asking him, "in this chord, where does this note come from?' talent yes, but learning also.

[@jamespodgurski1285]

Nicely put them as far as I'm concerned you're preaching to the choir here. Thanks so much for your insights.

[@stevenpierce8331]

I think of knowing scales like the alphebet. if you dont know the letters youll never read. if you dont know the order you cant find what your looking for in the library.

[@barflytom3273]

@@rillloudmother it wasn't a journalist, it was his teacher at Juliards.

[@lawrenrich6419]

I keep coming back to this after 2 years. It’s all the right notes and all the right words.

[@mrbendy100]

The internet needs way more of this! Keep posting.

[@belindadrake5487]

BRAVO TIM . REALLY FANTASTIC ADVICE . NOW I have Jens Larson, & you, TIM. THANK YOU. What you have said kinda ‘blew me away!!!! " Born as an embryo listening to CLASSICAL, & WEST COAST ( was the best coast 😆, & Thanks to ‘HOLLYWOOD opening up ‘, East meets WES . ( Met Emily Remler. We talked , & started to set up a jam😍 But she passed away in Sydney. She was a sweetie, & tiny like me!). My DAD💔, took me to my first gig at 3 yrs old; l heard & saw DAVE BRUBECK. !! Eugene was my godfather! I lost my precious DAD 💔 in 2020, Eugene , same year. I never think when l play, it sounds like a jazz player who is over theorised. Up to bloomin George Russell. ( more theory fodder to try to confuse you; but l kinda got it, 🙄, kinda . HOW RIGHT YOU ARE. YOU HAVE FREED ME!!!! ‘Sing a Dorian mode.’ HA! 🥊 You saved me. Sweating over a guitar & piano. All this theory, all this work. I’ve got mountains of theory. But l don’t wanna go 3rd stream - Not into Roland Kirk etc. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I SO NEEDED THIS. Sometimes l think that you have to be brought up or eventually learn about jazz to understand it. AND SOMEONE WHO SWITCHES A HUGE 💡 WENT OFF IN MY BEANO! THANK YOU AGAIN. 😃👏👏🎸🎹👊🏾

[@23coburn]

Sound. Thanks for reminding all of us Mr. Lerch. It's about SOUND. And what we can do with those aural frequncies. The language of the heart.

[@duke4902]

Extremely simple explanation of important subjects !! Easy to understand, motivating, charizmatic mode of speech!! Bravo MAESTRO !!! 👏 👏 👏 👏 👏

[@localpm]

Spot on Tim. Jimmy Bruno’s approach is spot on too. All makes so much more sense. I just love using my ears🎵👌

[@NUJAKKCITIE]

fantastic!! this is the only video you need to watch in your life about this subject.... period ;-) greetz from austria

[@PowMusic]

This is great Tim! I've been sharing it with students!

[@motoputz3201]

10:20 this concept completely changed how I approach guitar. The pattern, scale, fingering method "does not" teach you music. the "sound" is where it's at!

[@patrickdoyle1575]

Probably the best advice I have heard.

[@englishmanbo]

Very helpful advice. The experience of a novice facing a silent space and an attentive ear can be daunting. I hope I can find my sound and communicate a sense of shared humanity.

[@Franchoancho]

I think this is the most accurate description on what music is. Music is an art, that means the pursue on the beauty of the sound. Math approach is not neccesarily a beautiful approach. The simplest way for me is the difference between music theory, instrument technique and music itself. Music itself is what All Composers and players played all along the history, and each style has its own language to reach that beauty ideal. Theory to understand, technique to be able, listen and transcribe to learn the deepest things on each style

[@randyhetlage9202]

Joe Diorio should be proud of you Tim. You honestly get it , and that makes you a blessing to the world.

[@JazzgutsVGvanKampen]

With great interest I watched this video, the philosophy is great and true, it boils down to what Miles once said: learn your theory and then just play. Live in the world of sound and bring out your own individuality , that's what it's all about, a very good video I can relate to, Greetings Vic.

[@kw9172]

This is great advice. The longer I play, the more I realize that finding the balance between technique/knowledge and "feeling" is one of the hardest thing to get right. Spending too much time on scales, patterns, etc will result in boring and robotic playing. But "going for the feeling" is not an excuse not to invest the time to build a solid foundation. Few get this right, actually.

[@coastercook]

Live in the world of sound. Good advice, thanks. More videos like this, please.

[@barrieglenn8353]

I discovered you when searching for pickups, you were doing a demo, just a 4-5 second riff was enough to know you were a great guitar player.

[@TexasGreenCows]

Great video! I like the magic words Be Creative! Or CREATE. That is what the fretboard is about.

[@jorgetenamusic]

Not just a master guitar player but a master teacher and human being, love your channel and courses Tim. Thanks so much for sharing your knowledge and inspire us!

[@analogblues9606]

Awesome food for non-Melodic brains. I tend to go back and forth. It’s when I think about being melodic as I’m playing is when it happens. Being in the zone it whet its all about! Tim, your an inspiration! Thanks so much!

[@fabriziopacifici5404]

Totally agree. The only hard topic for me is modulating while I am composing.

[@frankwyatt627]

t, you and paul stafford cook are my twin north stars. my approach is very similar to youse two and we seem to play more with our fingers as we age due to the fact we only use our picks when we need to emphasize a particular line or note and rhe sound of fingers on strings is so damned sweet and satisfying. what i didn't realize when starting out is that there is SO much to learn. it is a life long journey and those of us who keep it up actually love the instrument. there are so many axes and styles to try that it is never boring. someone once said that if you're bored, it's not the instrument ...it's you. so, thanks so much for your wisdom and your gift..god bless. frank

[@rstuartcpa]

Wisest lesson I've had in ages. Music is sound and feel and not fingerings. We practice to learn the sounds. Then we learn to speak with the sounds. "We want to hear a real person, playing real music that they hear in their mind and that they feel in their hearts." Singing along with your playing. "Close your eyes and look away."

[@danhope77]

What a smart man !! I will start singing everything I like , all the scales and phrases. Should not play by eye

[@SyntagmaStation]

A displaced major scale. Best description I have heard yet.

[@aleksandardojcinovic1002]

Awesome lesson! Thanks! Especially the "can you hum the mode" triggered an aha effect.

[@JillandKevin]

I love the way you explained this! Teaching week-lone Swing & Blues Guitar workshops at a music camp (so not much time and needed/expected results), I try to explain and teach not only "Swing chords", but a bit of how to solo, and try to explain what you said here. Your video gave me much more ways of explaining this! Thanks!! Kevin in Port Townsend (met you last year when you played the Vintage on Water Street, the day before our show there) You probably forgot, but we talked about my fully hollow Turbocaster guitars (Turbocaster Electric Guitars on Facebook).

[@martinobrien2765]

As a basic starting guitarist pretty old you have just given me then style of music I will try and learn to play. It sounds beautiful so thank you for inspiring me

[@johnnymurray100]

Great video Tim....though I was often mesmerized by the wood on that neck!

[@tonymagpal6640]

fingers dancing so fast, so smooth, so magical, with amazing harmonies, on the guitar freds, it's amazing, i really appreciate you 🙏🙏

[@SimonMorelguitar]

Another brilliant video, thanks Tim.

[@soundguitar]

Fantastic, Tim! I'm a big fan. Thanks for your wisdom and beautiful playing.

[@TimLerchGuitar]

Thanks for listening

[@soundguitar]

​@@TimLerchGuitar Of course! I went to a workshop you taught almost 15 years ago. It was hosted in Bellevue, I think by the Seattle jazz guitar society. I still have the handout you provided from that class! I've been a fan and a student of yours ever since. In gratitude -Jared

[@tdang9528]

Makes a lot of sense. I was already doing this but not confident that I was on the right path of conceptualising it. It takes a teacher like yoda to give you the wisdom to point you in the right path, and someone who isnt leading you down the garden path of shred.

[@RickGtr271]

I was skeptical when I saw the title of this video, but after watching it I'm convinced this is the best video and the last word on scales and modes. First time watching Tim Lerch and now a subscriber.

[@audioglenngineer]

I’ve had the honor of being around several good music teachers in my life. When I listen to you, I hear them, but I also hear me… thoughts and feelings that have been simmering, trying to materialize and then WHAM, you say them out loud! Thanks for that, it really helps me go where I want to go.

[@mikeault]

Thank you for the video....You sound excellent and it the vein of Ted Greene!! BTW - Nice Tele with two Charlie Christian pickups. I remember the first time I saw those those was back in the 70's when I saw Danny Gatton play.

[@jonstephenson5436]

Love your playing, and your manner of teaching Tim! Couldn’t agree more with your take on this. I don’t know who said it first, but we’ve all heard the “learn it all so you can forget it” refrain about theory. There is one thing I wished a teacher had showed me earlier on about modal sounds. Why not teach it as the sound of one scale played against the harmonic backdrop of another? For instance: the IV chord scale played against the I chord gives you the flat seven, and therefore the mixolydian sound. Or start showing with major/minor. Drone an open E string, and play a D major scale, or melody over it. You get the Dorian sound (minor 3rd, major 6). Modes are all contextual really. That displaced scale, beginning on the second degree explanation never got me anywhere. It wasn’t till I heard, and understood the relationships between the harmony and the mode that I started to get it. That said, there is no time to even think about that when it’s time to make music! 😁

[@jimwarnock1250]

Excellent discussion from a master player. Love the little improv moments between comments! "When you're practicing, you're doing one activity. When you're playing, you're doing another activity." Needed to hear that.

[@chuckbosio2924]

When I practice scales I get distracted because I stumble upon so many melodies, whether it is something from Brahms or jazz, or 60's pop music. Nice advice. It boils down to whether you can squeeze some music out of the instrument or not.

[@rokstar1112]

Great video. To chime in on your assessment of practice vs performance, I am reminded of something an instructor once told me: " When you practice, play only things you don't know how to do. When you perform, Play only the things you do know how to do."

[@hugoarend4743]

“Live in the world of sound, that’s what I recommend”... Master! Best piece of advice I heard in a long time. Thanks!

[@talabaotube]

Hello Tim, I love this people-first approach. Thank you.

[@barflytom3273]

brilliant lesson full of stuff that will save a lot of people a lot of time. thank you.

[@anthonygonzalez8684]

Instantly loved the tone & chops. Great Job. 👍🏻

[@crossbones911]

It's 12am and you've got me way too inspired. Now I gotta jam on my guitar instead of sleeping. Curse you!

[@angelmmorales4643]

Thank you Mr. Lerch. I did enjoyed your words of wisdom. Common sense with a solid foundation. God bless.

[@TeriScheinzeit]

Practicing versus playing. Brilliant! Thank YOU. I keep losing sight of that.

[@Rynaylorguitar]

Great advice, thanks for sharing.

[@danqodusk8140]

Awesome, Tim! You are as articulate with words as you are with tones. You mentioned at least a dozen things all musicians must consider.

[@mattwoodsrootsmusic]

I love everything about this...especially the "you aint Wes Montgomery" part!! Thank you Tim, you're the greatest!!

[@TimLerchGuitar]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@rasm0225]

Omg, such a great line. You’re on the internet looking for help improvising...

[@DaveBroTube]

"...and you can tell somebody on the Internet what scale to play over what chord..." Classic.

[@zakk1983tdm]

Thank you Tim! I am tired of people blaming the scales and not the poor usage of them. The same thing can happen with triads,arpeggios and everything... it's the way you use everything.... keep being inspiring . Thank you

[@TimLerchGuitar]

Absolutely!

[@jacobrubin5700]

Mr. I really appreciate this I learned so much just from just hearing talk about this 🙏 thanks

[@jacobrubin5700]

Mr Tim I really appreciate this I learned so much just from from hearing you talk about this 🙏 thanks

[@garythorsen2861]

Nothing but great teaching here in my opinion. I don't think sharing information on the process of creating melodies (improv) shoild be controversial in any way. I'm sure that is not the intent here. This is a great lesson! I'm a steel player working on my own teaching method and at the core, or foundation, for lack of better words, my method includes scales, chords, intervals, harmony, modes, arpegios and patterns which are just fundamentals that need to be studied and absorbed (owned) as a prerequisite to create original melodies (music) on the fly - from the players heart and soul. I really appreciate your playing, effort and the sharing of your thought process Tim. Thank you!!

[@Umbasason]

I'm the transcription guy...this hit home for me. Fantastic video! And what a beautiful tele

[@rbloomfield]

“Live in the world of sound” - great advice. I’m still trying to get there, but it’s a great journey. Thanks Tim for your brilliant insight and generous heart in sharing your experience and knowledge.

[@dkwvt13]

Well Said...! We have reached a point culturally where the "possession of information" has been weaponized and not just in music. We need to change this. Thanks for putting up your thoughts They are very important... B-)

[@TimLerchGuitar]

Absolutely

[@gratefulape12]

Beautiful put, Don

[@fgaglione]

just stumbled upon this and appreciated the message, it's the needed slight shift in my perspective to go after what it's really all about.

[@donmilland7606]

I'm digging my Giant Sips mug with the Giant Steps chord changes (and melody) imposed on it

[@jimolbrys5620]

In my experience, you are 100% correct. I would only add that the whole point of improvised music, particularly American jazz music is to be present in the moment when improvising. I often surprise myself while soloing with a melodic or rhythmic idea that then takes on an energy and forward motion that propels me into the next idea...it's fresh to me and the audience shares that sense of spontaneous creation. Of course I need the tools (scales, modes, arpeggios, and let's not forget knowing the actual melody of the tune) to draw on...and one other thing...none of this happens in a vacuum. You're playing with other musicians that are also bringing their rhythmic and melodic ideas to the table...I can't tell you how many times while listening to other soloists I've been inspired by my fellow bandmates! In fact...always! Oh, and another thing...how about comping and responding by supporting other soloists? It's one of the great joys of being a guitar player.

[@Muzikman127]

couldn't agree more with some of the things you've said in this video! This was a balanced and helpful look at how to use theoretical concepts in a useful and musical way. Whereas online guitar in general seems to be dominated by people with a serious case of scale-itis! To be clear, I'm not at all averse to modes, quite the contrary, I like using them in all sorts of musical contexts (as you said, for modal music!). But I do agree that the rigid chord-scale way of looking at things seems to, for quite a lot of people, be a very labour-intensive and unpleasant way to get towards producing something that comes out sounding like bit of a facsimile of music. And I too have never really managed to get the connection between the Dorian mode and a ii in a ii V I. I love the Dorian mode! Use it all the time! I just don't hear it in twinkle twinkle little star lol

[@rasm0225]

Seriously, when this stupid pandemic is over, I’m going to go to Seattle and hear Tim play a gig. Greetings from St. Paul and thanks for all you do.

[@soofitnsexy]

pandemic so called has been over for me 10 months ago

[@tobaccorich]

I ll go too I think

[@matthewdelaney3466]

Dude thanks. Humbleness went a long way to making me stay and listen to what you had to say.

[@markburk2888]

As good as your videos are re. the material you discuss, your calm demeanor and tone of voice add an extra reason for watching.

[@DaveElke]

Great points and very inspirational. Thank you.

[@binface9]

Fascinating Tim. Great to hear your approach.

[@088Noir]

Tim I needed to hear this: PLAY WHAT YOU OWN. Thank you I love you.!

[@PracticeMore]

Just discovered you today and... you are a straight up BEAST bro. Appreciate you :)

[@sherpa59]

Thanks, Tim, for this wonderful video.

[@ganttmann]

Right on! I tell my students that scales are just bags full of notes. You articulate it so well!

[@dougtraub2951]

I think Tim's presentation here emphasizes creating good original music but I think it also applies to people, like me, who just want to cover music without sounding like a robot. My interpretation of this video is "Listening to the music you play is a vital part of playing melodically or passionately". In other words, "While playing, you should think about what you want to hear, not the technical reason why it should sound good." Here is another one, "Just because it should sound good theoretically, doesn't mean it sounds good they way you play it." A different subject but I think, "Some people have it and some don't and most people are in the middle."

[@EddieSlowhands]

VERY INFORMATIVE AND HELPFUL TIM. MANY THANKS FOR THE VIDEO.

[@Joshua-sp1kd]

Not even 2 minutes in and you have my attention I know this is gonna be a good one

[@Fr3etd4nc3r]

I needed to hear this today, Thank you Tim, thismight be the most important of lessons. Bless you! Listen, learn, get inspired, play...

[@timfarney4770]

The best guitar KZbin yet. I’m retired, a singer using all this time to push beyond the guitar accompaniment I’ve played all my life. I’ve been learning some great tools that have opened up the fretboard for me and helped me find the notes I’m looking for, but I get quickly distracted from all of them, as soon as I start hearing melody in them, I start writing songs. I thought I was being undisciplined. You just set me free. Scales, triads, arpeggios, CAGED…you said these were just learning tools. I get that. I think I’ll get them all to teach me new songs!

[@0ptimus]

in your heart . in your mind. love you man.

[@renegade1283]

Pure Gold. Thanks Tim.

[@ariefdsesprit3409]

.so great inspiring video.. beautiful music indeed..

[@jaredforthmusic]

"Live in the world of sound". This is great!

[@davisdsmurf]

Thanks... I needed that tim...good to hear your wisdom and common sense insight...nice.

[@jkeane22]

Tim thank you for this great gift!

[@crispyexperience7782]

I believe this words should be put in the introduction section on every music books, thankyou so much, it help me a lot

[@summerbreezebandnz]

Thank you for yet another fabulous video, full of insight, deeply real ad honest

[@jeremyhickersonsalem]

You're fired up on this one. Alright! And your point is good. I've noticed that however skillful the player, the strongest solo is one that is built from melodies.

[@matthewdowns9507]

i have watched a few vids now, this is the first vid of yours that spoke to me. thank you. im gonna watch more now.

[@2010njdevil]

I find the magic in crafting the improv feel within the partnership of scales, the melody shaped by the chords and then the "information" around those chords and variations to lift the melody to something very satisfying. I build the song and craft with what I feel works best. The process is very fun and Tim's influence has been great in expanding this creative freedom.

[@MorningCarnival]

A very wise musician. Thanks that has given me plenty of things to think about and to work on.

[@40791]

Simply, Brilliant. Thank you.

[@DwightMS1]

Charlie Parker said, "At some point, you have to forget about the scales, modes, and arpeggios and just play music. Great lesson Tim. Thank you.

[@zaqintosh]

Yes although totally unhelpful for a beginner to hear. These kinds of platitudes serve as inspiration fuel but literally do nothing to help beginners in their process from transforming from imitation into language fluency. Even worse, people think they are educating others when they say this kind of thing, but ultimately they are not… it’s just another form of “gatekeeping”

[@DwightMS1]

@@zaqintosh Yes, and your platitudes serve as inspiration fuel for budding pseudo-intellectuals.

[@frazierriver]

So so we’ll said Tim. Thanks brother.