The Chords of Allan Holdsworth Part 1

The Chords of Allan Holdsworth Part 1
In this episode we explore the impossible chord voicings of guitar legend Allan Holdsworth. I normally don’t teach songs but I am teaching you the chord melody to The Looking Glass of Antavachron. Some of them are very difficult to play so please don’t over overdo it. It takes time to get used to the stretches especially when there is a 2 fret distance between the 2nd and 3rd fingers.
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[@mikemarabeas6575]

My bass player bought Alan's old house in vista that he lost in his divorce. His studio was in the garage which is now our rehearsal space. Alan came to visit before he passed. I was not there but I heard it was very emotional. It's s nice feeling to honor him by playing music in his space

[@dimitryos5254]

Oh, to make music studio is such a proper use of Allan's house.

[@terrypussypower]

Mike Marabeas That’s only second to Zappa’s old house and studio “The Utility Muffin Research Kitchen”! And guess who bought that one? That’s right! You guessed right! .................Lady Gaga!!! Better than some Arab buying it and ripping it down to build some monstrosity in its place, I suppose!

[@bgilley8199]

@@terrypussypower Gaga is a real musician, I don't like much of her music, but she's a real talent.

[@hectorgonzalez9170]

@@bgilley8199 I'm not into Lady gaga either but I do respect her as a musician!?!?

[@Nedwin]

nice one dude

[@BluesLicks101]

Congratulations Rick, you broke my hand with the first chord. Allan Holdsworth was more than a "guitarists guitarist" he was of that rare breed: a "guitarists guitarists guitarist".

[@OrchestrationOnline]

RIP Allan Holdsworth. Thanks for your brilliance and artistic honesty.

[@Kitsurai]

About 5 minutes to explain 4 seconds of gorgeous music. Sounds like Allan Holdsworth.

[@DaveZula]

I can't even express how great I think this channel is.

[@michaelthomas4156]

Agreed!

[@voronOsphere]

Agreed! Free advanced music school that intermediate musicians can benefit highly from, too!

[@davidscott1052]

Yes ....Rick knows his stuff

[@knutnskar6796]

This is my absolute favourite channel about music 👍

[@carnivaltym]

He's not playing to the newbie that's 4 sure, the magic is tho that he remains approachable what ever your level.

[@Convisis]

For anyone interested, look up Allan Holdsworth at the Montreal Jazz Festival from maybe '94, Looking Glass is the first track. You can watch a human man rip apart the fabric of the space time continuum with an improvised guitar solo :)

[@sharkinferno]

Thought I might find you on here somewhere, Convisis!

[@ericiverson3441]

Who repairs the fabric after hes done PLAYING?

[@marcscordato4385]

He never really reached a broad audience you could say he was a guitarist’s guitarist . Never the less he was among the worlds finest. I’m so thankful to have discovered his music .

[@tylerjacobson8012]

Marc Scordato born in the wrong century. He had such a vast musical knowledge that I’m convinced he’d be composing alongside titans like Paganini or Chopin. He’d be hailed in that generation by all as a genius. In our dumbed down cynical society he was merely admired by other musicians. Sad.

[@BluesLicks101]

You might be right, Allan Holdsworth was more of that rare breed: a "guitarists guitarists guitarist".

[@mason4490]

I feel lucky to have found him when the first IOU LP came out and saw that band shortly after. The music rocked/swinged, and while the melodies are memorable, there's nowhere else to compare them in rock or jazz...they reminded me of something that would come out the head of Gesualdo...a dog would be tilting it's head., "huh?"; Good on vocalist Williams too, for being able to pull off that stuff and making it more accessible. Even so- for some reason, it was still way over most people's heads. I won't live long enough to see the world when they finally "get it" 50 years from now.

[@Ataensic]

Putting in a request for fretboard mastery. I know there are thousands of tutorials out there but I enjoy your way of explaining things, Mr. Beato. Thanks for the videos.

[@alalbenben3627]

Ataensic would be great

[@angellara5703]

Ataensic Derryl Gabel has an excellent video on that, you should check it out

[@BillLarkinmusic]

Sure is!!

[@blahdeblah1975]

Yes please do this.

[@99beatmonster]

I am a drummer who loves Holdsworth ... for me this was interesting and great to see your appreciation of his genius. Looking Glass is one of my personal favourites with Tony Williams playing sustained rolls which to me imply accompanying notes under the chords of the guitar. Thanks for the great work you are doing.

[@michaelanthony9068]

Rick Beato doesn’t have whatever it is in my brain that says, “No way can I figure that out. It’s not humanly possible.” God bless you Rick, for showing me it’s possible!

[@dimitryos5254]

BTW there's a video on youtube called "Allan Holdsworth - Chord Scales" where Allan himself talks on the subject. Just to let you know.

[@Pladderkasse]

Allan Holdsworth was super-human.

[@fisch723]

Yes! as soon as I heard you speak about spread triads, I thought "he must know Holdsworth's stuff". My favorite chords of his (that I can play) are the stacked version of a Dmaj7 (C#F#DA) and Dm9 with stacked 5ths (as AEFC) -but it works sounds different over different bass notes. Keep up the amazing work. This is the music college I never got around to attending.

[@ScottSmithPiano]

Holdsworth clearly doesn't worry about the technical stuff. He just plays it because that's how he thinks on the guitar. Other people are just aghast at how difficult it is. But he's been playing it this way all his life. Genius. It is amazing that Holdsworth doesn't suffer from problems with his hands. It's easy to get shooting pains from the strain of playing this. Carpel tunnel syndrome is a real risk when playing like this.

[@kevinpatrick4670]

The intricacies of this culmination of chord embellishment, registers to the physical coordination, virtual stimuli. The nuances of these permutations, induce the feeling of 3D transparency from a solid source of complimentary voices! I love the fact that outside of the box freezes us up from being contained! It also allows for an extensive exploration of the outskirts over the normal perimeter.! A wonderful place to be! Thank you so much for sharing this eye and ear opening video. It lends itself to allowing us to be injected by a Different Serum which will motivate us to take a turn in another Direction.😳

[@ericgamliel8500]

I just started getting in to Holdsworth. This chord work is fantastic. I can feel myself, my brain chemistry changing after learning this. And that feels exciting.

[@karilamervo5343]

Feel lucky young man, you´re in for a lifetime of pleasant surpises.

[@johndkastel7972]

Pinky chemistry too

[@brettgarsed]

Fantastic lesson Rick! Just subscribed!

[@irena7777777]

Brett Garsed Brett, your definitely Holdsworth level genius. I listen to your songs most days. Brilliant stuff!

[@gtheskater]

when rick starts a video with his guitar on his lap, he means business...

[@Geezer-yf8hv]

Thank you for revealing this to me! I had never heard of this guy before, but now ready to do a deep dive into his work!

[@w3lfar368]

Thank God for Rick Beato! I've been learning so much from these guitar videos! You have a great way of organizing information and delivering it in a clear and concise manner. I have a new inspiration to challenge myself and my students. Kudos Rick!

[@Giaco54]

my new favorite channel - all good stuff..

[@Andreorsel]

Great vid! But, Holdsworth did not grow up playing the viollin as Rick says. He played the guitar for a long time already before picking up the violin. He played the viloin for a short period, more as an experiment. Now we want part 2 and 3!

[@roland1313]

Years go in a different time, I remember being drawn to U.K. (Jobson, Holdsworth) when many friends in high-school were listening to radio tracks..(nothing wrong with that). These were 'mysteriously' crafted chord progressions for a teenager; not easy on the dissonant free ear (which was why none of my friends could relate). But, it was the musical mystery created by these progressions and their harmonic tensions that led me to follow a road less traveled.

[@artrock5741]

I agree. Jobson's harmonic knowledge is so advanced and, as you say, mysterious. Holdsworth's complex chords were more in the jazz realm, whereas Jobson's were more classically advanced and deep. When the two of them worked together there was nothing more harmonically unique and profound in music.

[@freddiemoller3692]

This channel is such an amazing resource; i'm so glad that this video exists

[@combatOracle1]

As a guitar player every explanation of Allan’s playing ends up with me realising how insane his musical vision was. His ease of playing these chordal gymnastic creations are a marvel to behold but are also in my case, a cramp...😊

[@mosesramirez6330]

+Rick Beato This is a great video, but on a rewatch, the beauty of these chords is striking. Hearing them move past you at a brisk pace on the recording is pleasing enough, but hearing you break them down slow enough to savor the sound, they're truly beautiful. Thanks again! BTW, did you ditch your Patreon account?

[@paulcatania1315]

Those chords voicings are unearthly! I saw Holdsworth touring the album Atavachron at the Paradise in Boston in '86. Great show!

[@stephen0793]

Really, as always, love the way you do the videos Rick. Very professional. From the biggest Holdsworth fan -Steve

[@andy-b]

RIP ALLAN HOLDSWORTH - WE LOST ONE OF THE GREATEST - Thank You Rick for your amazing job! Your YT channel really is the best!

[@westrig180]

LOOKING GLASS ! ! ! Incredible I have been trying to find this explained in total ! Being a bassist this helps me understand the whole structure of it. I had it nearly down all the way but certain mysteries escaped me. The composition is an unspoken dedication to my long departed guitarist, songwriting partner and bandmate who sadly passed suddenly. Long may his notes ring thru the hills.

[@timn5008]

"Atavachron" was a time machine in an episode from the original "Star Trek."

[@jpetes9046]

How completely cool

[@visog]

Bravo! More on Allan please. Watched many of your videos and wondered if Allan had crossed your radar and this appears! Thanks

[@philosoraptor6355]

That song always touched me so much for some strange reason….

[@voronOsphere]

Tendonitis is evil! Avoid pain. Pain is a warning. Stretch little by little over weeks and months. I have small hands. Fretting hand thumb tendon gets me. Play lightly and use shorter scale guitars with low action and lighter guage strings.

[@johnsmith7140]

Yeah, i am cursed with rather small hands. Big stretches aren't really an option for me

[@progrock3214]

What knocked me out in the 70's, was listening for the first time to U.K. , the prog band. And the first tune was in the dead of night and the incredible solo by Holdworth. This was a whole new world opening for me on the guitar. It was and still is so great !! RIP Allan.

[@anthonyjones7609]

the beauty of Holdsworth's progressions never fails to stagger me.

[@wehaveasituation]

Another excellent instructional vid. Really the best by a mile. Always pleasant, efficient, informative, and sounding so damn good--what a rig! And yer advice of avoiding carpal tunnel is completely spot on. Thanks so much.

[@LD-qj2te]

Incredible teaching and technical ! I love these videos! Thanks

[@yummusicpeterjames4797]

Hello Rick, thanks for your insight, will be checking you out more often..I'm here in Oz ..Sydney..I had the pleasure of seeing Alan Holdsworth at The Bridge Hotel in Balmain late 80's or in the early 90's.. I was blown away in awe...It's so sad to hear of his passing, Yes a brilliant player a nice man who I will like to understand more..very grateful of your lesson Rick..Kind Regards from down under..Pete

[@chrisallard1819]

Fabulous - thank you. And it’s Great that you raise awareness of the tendon risks here...

[@GuyWestNorth]

Excellent work, I see/ hear lot's of stacked fifths with notes on the bottom or top. Makes me appreciate Holdsworth even more..... Debussy for a Rock audience.

[@CrowleyRhoads]

RIP Allan Holdsworth 1946 - 2017

[@fudgesauce]

Oh, shit, I missed the news. Damn that is sad.

[@charles95880]

Yess!! I am such a knucklehead. You covered Allen Holdsworth already. Lol. Awesome Rick! Thank you. Amazing voicings, such color!

[@turretstudios9907]

This is a great lesson, thanks! Added it to my playlist.

[@adamsmith4416]

Are you receiving telepathic messages from me? First I think, it would be good if Rick did a vid on Bernard Hermann. Bam that appears. Then I think, some pedagogy on Allan Holdsworth would be good. Then that appears. Wicked stuff mate. Learning lots here and getting some sweet sounds into my tunes. Keep up the good work.

[@glasgowguitarist3636]

I would be even more interested if he could just send me the knowledge via telepathic messages :-)

[@adamsmith4416]

That would be pretty cool. I'd tap into Chic Correa and Herbie Hancock's brain as well if that were possible.

[@mosesramirez6330]

Ooohhh! Bernard Hermann would be awesome to dig into. He has such a distinctive sound.

[@larryknight49]

Thanks for your videos. I know you put a lot of time and effort into these.

[@stefanhoefer]

Great content as always! Thanks. I would love to see a video on Larry Carlton and Guthrie Govan

[@gregholwell8518]

@stefanhoefer Rick did one on Guthrie in 2022.

[@MarcoCastilloWorld]

Great video Rick, when I first heard Allan Holdsworth it was this album it just blew my mind! Thanks for the inspiration!

[@zycos35960]

Great tutorial and a great bunch of advice. Thanks for all that.

[@martinlehfeldt6916]

your vids are awesome for musicians. you go there... we appreciate that! and your a great talent yourself. thx

[@isaacisenorsound]

The album is "Atavachron" - not "Antavicron"! Great video.

[@RickBeato]

That's funny because I spelled it that way originally and then I looked at it in my iTunes and it was spelled with an "i" then I just went back and realized I spelled it wrong in iTunes because I have other tracks from the record where it's spelled correctly. Haha! Well, I fixed it in the description at least :) Thanks!

[@face66613]

still, it's "Atavachron" Rick, not "Antavacron" lol. Looking forward to the next vid!

[@RickBeato]

I screwed it up again!

[@face66613]

np Rick :P

[@face66613]

lol

[@farmer5001]

Tony Williams is drumming on that track I think; another incredible innovator. Sweet video!

[@marcthornhill2870]

Thanks for breaking those chords down and making it seem like they don't come from another planet. you are very talented.

[@vonalxao1]

FANTASTIC LESSON!!! Thank you so much.

[@terrypussypower]

Allan Holdsworth is one of those people, like Frank Zappa, John McLaughlin, Miles and Coltrane, whose talent seems to come from another dimension! People like that should never die.

[@KrystofDreamJourney]

They only die biologically. I the body. Remember : we continue forever in another dimmension :-)

[@mrcatfishjohnson]

Excellent job! Rick

[@rmcfee]

Outstanding! Is there any aspect of music you are not a master of? Thanks.

[@pleximanic]

Looking forward to part 2 I am currently studying Non Brewed condiment myself stunning melody

[@musicalexcursions]

Hi Rick. I've been watching your channel off and on for a while. I think what you're doing is wonderful. It's hard to find other musicians to have these kinds of discussions with. I wish we could talk sometime. Either way, thank you for your great work.

[@THREE-WISE-MONKEYS]

Magic lesson Rick, thanx for the inspiration!

[@adammarshall978]

Working through this now, and weirdly the hardest part by far for me is the right hand picking. I'm so used to grouping my index, middle and ring fingers together! Love the voicings though. I have huge hands so I'm really enjoying these stretches. Thanks.

[@radkon67]

Hi Rick. Like so many, AH is my desert island music. I saw him one time in Perth, West Australia and actually asked him for a gig??!! LOL Couldn't help myself. I spoke to Chad about this and he said how many drummers want that gig because of how Allan writes so colourfully. Anyhoo, as a stick player, I sat at the airport yesterday and transcribed this. Atavachron is probably my favourite album of his. Thank you thank you thank you !!

[@columbostuntdouble1391]

This reminds me of the best article I ever read in my entire life on music about Allan Holdsworth. In Search Of The Uncommon chord

[@fluxoff]

Kudos to Rick for being able to learn Allan Holdsworth songs by ear.

[@nogoogleplus]

Allan’s chord work was truly other worldly ✨

[@alonsomiranda2598]

Youre videos are so useful thank you for the information.

[@BritProgJazz]

This is great. Fantastic work Rick! I'm currently editing the first book on Allan, out by the summer hopefully. This video is a great examination of Allan's unique and beautiful Debussy inspired chord voicings!

[@9ckr716]

Any updates on the book?

[@voronOsphere]

Thanks, Rick. I'm always game for learning ANYTHING Holdsworth!!!

[@kermheat]

I remember when I started guitar, maybe one or two year in the beginning .. a friend give me the book fom the video.. I try the two first chords... and then I return to the G major and pentatonic run. But I never forget this two chords !

[@leewilson7896]

Excellent video, it inspired a chord sequence/song structure for me within 7 minutes. Subbed

[@YuriRadavchuk]

My joints start aching only by looking at how it's played. This is an amazing lesson

[@Bronco541]

Holdsworth songs are one of the few when I listen to my ears can't even comprehend what is going on.

[@TheBoondoggler]

Wow Rick. Mad Respect

[@Aristotelezz]

Although I don't think that I will do much with this lessen I've seen it a few times. It's inspiring!

[@stelisklados]

Are you going to release a part 2 ? Thanks for these videos btw :D

[@Hamppzah]

wow, great lesson, and your guitar sounds wonderful

[@GuilherB]

Great video! Thank you for share!

[@FabrizioPeretti]

Make me mad how gorgeous those voicings are on piano. That's not fair!!!

[@GuyWestNorth]

I'm back to this video after a few weeks, I have been playing the note G on the 12th fret for the first chord and note F# on the 11th fret for the 2nd chord, it's a much easier stretch using that fret approach for mere mortals. Excellent analysis, great channel.

[@GuyWestNorth]

Interestingly, the "hardest chords" mentioned (G# E B F#) and (F# D# G# E), are not a big problem IMHO, so we are all different.

[@GuyWestNorth]

Playing the chords slowly in isolation is just about manageable for me, but trying to play along with the Holdsworth record is impossible. Very enjoyable adventure nonetheless. Thanks.

[@Razsteroid]

I must have pretty big hands or something because I can play those hardest chords without a sweat. Neat. Thanks for the explanation!

[@radjet]

Thanks for the excellent analysis of the chord voicings of the late great Allan Holdsworth Rick:) It breaks my heart because there was once a time I could play fusion, and was an advanced player. Then in 2010, I woke up and couldn't play the strings the same way. I was diagnosed with focal hand dystonia. After seeing over 20 specialists over 10 years (and a few top ones), I was still never able to recover to consistently play with the same high technical ability again. There were brief periods of encouraging results, but then I would fall back to baseline. I continued to perform at gigs, but lost interest. I would love to have that feeling of playing fluid fast lines and some of these chord stretches again.

[@laneadamson5686]

I have an inflammatory issue that causes pain and stiffness in the fingers (and toes) that I first noticed when playing guitar, some years gone. Stretches that used to be second nature were hurting. Umpteen tests and exams by rheumatologists later, no clear diagnosis - the official description seems to be, "this thing which is kind of like arthritis, but different." So sorry you have lost your hard-earned skills. Many times in my life, the ability to pick up a guitar and let out some emotion has been all that kept me sane. Best of luck to you.

[@radjet]

@@laneadamson5686 That's heartbreaking, sorry to hear that, I know your pain.:(

[@laneadamson5686]

@@radjet I'm lucky enough to still have the same mediocre ability I've always had, just have to push through the ouches sometimes.

[@radjet]

@@laneadamson5686 Mine is different. I have no pain, but my left pinky involuntarily "flys out" and simultaneously my left middle finger "curls inward". So to play a simple C major jazz scale, I have to overcompensate - which is taxing. I can still play gigs, and simpler stuff, but I cannot use my pinky or middle fingers the same way. So practicing isn't enjoyable anymore. Ironically, I can play these Holdsworth chord stretches, but cannot even play the simpler solos anymore without "missing."

[@mostresticator5]

great breakdown, thanks

[@MehulPandit]

U are amazing. Holdsworth is the master!

[@noobsauce]

Excellent video. I'd say the most difficult chords I've ever seen are in his song Home. I still have no idea how he wraps his fingers around some of the chords in that song. Would be cool to see a video on that tune.

[@jclcrow2621]

Nice videos, man. Thanks.

[@koenstrobbe8101]

very nice video, thank you for explaining.

[@naiyalexic]

Excellent explanations. Thanks... :-) Next level here we come. ;)

[@ObsidianLife]

Didn’t know you did this!!! 😍

[@DangerousPOSSE]

more holdsworth PLEASE sir !! this video helped so much

[@Nedwin]

Thanks for the nice lesson Rick

[@karilamervo5343]

Rick Beato, I LOVE your comment on Allan Holdsworth not included into Jann Wenner´s ever-forgettable list of no contents.

[@michaelhaller1762]

fantastic video. thanks

[@aghoriguitarist]

After all these years of being mind boggled by Holdsworth's mystical magic today i just saw Mr. Joe Satriani and Mr. Steve Vai talking about the maestro on your channel. And I was like okay, that means i was always in the right direction. One humble request to you, Rick. Please do a video on Shawn Lane. I personally feel like Shawn is like one of the all time best and deserve a lot more recognition from the new age guitar lads.

[@dennisbrowder6316]

Thanks Rick your the best for doing this is big stuff .

[@normanquednau]

„I feel harmony should be mobile, so as chord sequences go by, try to hear these as whole „sound families“ moving, instead of the four or five notes of a particular chord“ -Allan Holdsworth- It is from the booklet from his 1992 REH instructional video, which I still hold very dear. To me it is as if he is moving the sound from harmony to tension and back. You have top notes and voices chromatically moving around it. Fascinating! Good video! Playing „Looking glass“ was a huge challenge for me in these times. Well, ditch all this II V I stuff and reduce music to expression of harmonies moving and dancing together... This music is a treasure you can explore all your life and never be finished. Its like Skriabin on the piano, who created a whole harmonic system from just one chord, the so called mytical chord, equally incomprehensible to me.

[@jameswilhite8522]

Great Video. I learned A Lot

[@paulnortheast]

hey rick, great video on Allan holdsworth thanks, how about doing a video on Steve Howe? i think he is one of the UK`s great guitar players but sadly not given the credit where it is due, i dont know of any other guitar player that tries to copy his unique playing style & he is also an excellent acoustic player............ a big thank you for creating your many videos, i seen your rant about getting blocked & it must really piss you off after putting all of that time & effort in. keep up the good work, i learn something new every video you do.

[@andipeking2476]

thank you rick..reaaly helpfull

[@Bobobo-bo-bo-bobobo]

I love Allan Holdsworth, in all his hand-breaking genius

[@ronaldo.araujo]

WHAT ABOUT PART2, GREAT PIECE OF WORK, THANKS RICK!