The Chords of Allan Holdsworth Part 1

[@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".

[@youngandrew66]

Yes but just to piss us off more he starts one of his destructional videos with 'I always wanted t'be a trumpet player'

[@petergrohmuller1372]

Don´t get angry. Allan could play these crazy chords easily because he had fingers as long as a ghost crab's legs. 😊

[@OrchestrationOnline]

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

[@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.

[@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.

[@flamingmanure]

@@tylerjacobson8012 "In our dumbed down cynical society he was merely admired by other musicians. Sad." thats just delusional and self gratifying at best.just so you know, u arent any smarter musically or intellectually for listening to holdsworth or whoever.

[@Kitsurai]

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

[@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.

[@brettgarsed]

Fantastic lesson Rick! Just subscribed!

[@irena7777777]

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

[@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

[@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.

[@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!

[@SymbolicHealing]

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.

[@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!

[@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.

[@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...😊

[@anthonyjones7609]

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

[@freddiemoller3692]

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

[@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.

[@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!

[@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?

[@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.

[@paulcatania1315]

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

[@Giaco54]

my new favorite channel - all good stuff..

[@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.

[@stephen0793]

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

[@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

[@gtheskater]

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

[@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!

[@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.

[@kathowed]

I'm a ham-fisted piano player and can't play guitar for toffee! But Allan Holdsworth caught my ear in the late '70s - with Bruford and UK - and I was hooked. I was lucky enough to meet the man and see him perform live, once. This video opened my eyes to what my ears had been enjoying all this time, and I'm so very grateful to you for that. If there was a Nobel prize awarded for services to the understanding and appreciation of music, you'd be a shoo-in!

[@nogoogleplus]

Allan’s chord work was truly other worldly ✨

[@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."

[@marcthornhill2870]

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

[@philosoraptor6355]

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

[@FabrizioPeretti]

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

[@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!

[@chrisallard1819]

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

[@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

[@fluxoff]

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

[@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.

[@charles95880]

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

[@farmer5001]

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

[@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 !!

[@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 !

[@YuriRadavchuk]

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

[@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.

[@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.

[@visog]

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

[@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.

[@Razsteroid]

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

[@karilamervo5343]

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

[@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.

[@KrisVComm]

Very seldom in the musical world can someone leave an impression which is so unique, so technical, so musical and so beautiful and indelible as the man who became Allan Holdsworth. The loss is tremendous for anyone who missed the opportunity to see him. The more I study music, the more I’m convinced his gift was from God and as my good friend says, pretty sure he was part Vulcan. If you want to experience a taste of what a true genius is, listen to his music and try with some amount of intention to apprehend what he is doing and how the flow of ideas comes out with lightning speed and otherworldly creativity. All great music makes some demand of the listener. It is no different here. The rewards are rich for the curiously attentive. God bless the Holdsworths and we are better for having had him in our world

[@anthem7777]

saw him live in Melbourne at the corner hotel outstanding

[@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.

[@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

[@Bronco541]

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

[@voronOsphere]

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

[@DangerousPOSSE]

more holdsworth PLEASE sir !! this video helped so much

[@MuyGordito]

What is the etymology of the experts describing Allan Holdsworth? The first thing I saw was Steve Vai transcribing Devil take the Hindmost in Guitar Player magazine SEVERAL years ago. Rick Bravo. You are the best at demystifying Holdsworth to date. You pick good battles and you are the best by leaps and bounds. West Coast Offense version of unlocking Holdsworth. I have a large collection of magazines with lessons and tabs. Every article I have seen on Holdsworth is practically worthless. We won't see another like him in our lifetime. I spend a lot of time trying to find his spirit and mindset. We all became really close to being the best guitarist on earth when he passed.

[@Pladderkasse]

Allan Holdsworth was super-human.

[@pleximanic]

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

[@LD-qj2te]

Incredible teaching and technical ! I love these videos! Thanks

[@MarcoCastilloWorld]

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

[@leewilson7896]

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

[@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.

[@Aristotelezz]

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

[@MehulPandit]

U are amazing. Holdsworth is the master!

[@larryknight49]

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

[@Bobobo-bo-bo-bobobo]

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

[@CrowleyRhoads]

RIP Allan Holdsworth 1946 - 2017

[@fudgesauce]

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

[@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

[@turretstudios9907]

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

[@timn5008]

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

[@jpetes9046]

How completely cool

[@martinlehfeldt6916]

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

[@zycos35960]

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

[@colbywilliams296]

I consider myself a good guitar player....Allan holdsworth is untouchable!! great job!!

[@THREE-WISE-MONKEYS]

Magic lesson Rick, thanx for the inspiration!

[@vonalxao1]

FANTASTIC LESSON!!! Thank you so much.

[@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.

[@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.

[@guitarforall]

this song is amazing, but it definitely is hard to learn on my 21 fret fender stratocaster. i will use my other 24 fret guitar that has the frets a little bit closer so it’s easier to pull of those first intro chords. amazing lesson. thank you

[@rmcfee]

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

[@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?

[@danfuerthgillis4483]

Allen Holdsworth is the Andres Segovia of the Electric guitar and will never be duplicated just like the way Segovia played.

[@alonsomiranda2598]

Youre videos are so useful thank you for the information.

[@TheBoondoggler]

Wow Rick. Mad Respect

[@Nedwin]

Thanks for the nice lesson Rick

[@mrcatfishjohnson]

Excellent job! Rick

[@nishadnadkarni7874]

Most of these voicings sound amazing on their own as well

[@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.😳

[@diamondd2778]

Wow is definitely not easy. Well done Rick!

[@alandalaku719]

You're doing a better job than I ever could.

[@alandalaku719]

If you can dissect Holdsworth, you're qualified to work at Area 51.

[@fluxoff]

You, sir, are a witch! You have decoded the music of the spheres and made me wonder what muses bewitched mr holdsworth.

[@ronaldo.araujo]

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

[@imulchapeach]

Not to nitpick, but this piece was from an album entitled "Atavachron," which was a time travel device from "All Our Yesterdays," an episode from the final season of the original Star Trek series. The Holdsworth album cover clearly shows him clad in a Star Trek"-ish" uniform, so he was not only a guitar god, but a sci-fi geek as well!

[@UnitedEffect]

Atavachron is the fourth studio album by guitarist Allan Holdsworth, released in 1986 through Enigma Records (United States) and JMS-Cream Records (Europe). It features Holdsworth's first recorded use of the SynthAxe, an instrument which would be featured prominently on his future albums. The album's title and seventh track, as well as the cover art, are references to the Atavachron alien time travel device from the Star Trek episode "All Our Yesterdays". "Funnels" refers to the three funnels of the RMS Queen Mary.

[@thetinker398]

5yrs later still waiting rick 😢

[@parkerthibault2871]

Would love to see part 2!

[@citizzencain]

WOW...Alan was so ahead of his time...that is such a cool Les Paul. I had that Les Paul (copy) when I was a kid in the 70s...wish I would have kept it. It was probably Japanese made back then.

[@GuilhermeBezerr]

Great video! Thank you for share!