This is why you don't Understand Modes (part 1)

[@kevingriffin1854]

You sir are the hidden gem of guitar content creators.

[@tinamichelsnelson1563]

OMG! WHERE could I be now if I had learned this years ago! 40 years of frustration, confusion and $1,000's spent on lessons, tapes books, memberships, 💿s and DVDs cleared up in 15:25 by Brian who I just happened to stumble upon on KZbin! THANK YOU, BRIAN!!

[@gnrslash1987]

Brian is the man!

[@Indianajoe47]

We in the guitar community are so fortunate to have discovered a guy with the gift of teaching. You make the complicated simple. Thank you, Brian.

[@martynspooner5822]

And that's why you are the bestest guy on the Web, at explaining theory stuff. Years of confusion cleared up while having my tea. It is like knowing how a magic trick works when you are shown. Nice one as ever. Thanks Brian.

[@AnnemieM]

I can say exactly what you have said martyn, wow. The only difference is that I am sitting here having my morning coffee. So thank you Brian. What I don't understand is that even though I went to jazz school for two years, they still failed to explain this and even though I took piano lessons from a few different teachers, they failed me on this and even though I was hanging out with a lot of musicians, that were also teaching music, no one ever explained this to me. My question is: " how on earth can that bee? " again : " how can that be? Why? Is it that people just don't want to share their secrets so they alone can shine?" please if some one knows the answer, tell it to stupid me.

[@martynspooner5822]

@@AnnemieM Sometimes I get the feeling they deliberately complicate stuff. Perhaps I am being paranoid, then again I came to theory very late on because I feared it for some unknown reason. It has certainly helped me immensely and I have Brian to thank for that mostly. My only regret is the silly amount of time I wasted whilst being so unaware.

[@everythingtakin]

@@AnnemieM I agree moses made easy. Brian seems so chill

[@julioluizmfc]

Totally agree bro

[@arthurrendbeau6782]

@@AnnemieM Hey , the same here, talking about morning coffee .

[@larryC1070]

That is the clearest, most concise explanation of modes I have heard so far. This was my 'riding a bike' moment. I will never 'unlearn' modes again. Excellent Brian!

[@zombieguitar]

Awesome! Glad to hear it!

[@samwells2551]

Smack keybb

[@zombieguitar]

If you liked this lesson, definitely stop by and check out my website www.zombieguitar.com 😀 Also, definitely check out part 2 and 3. This series isn't complete after only watching this first part 😁 Part 2 - kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z3bXqKmgod-WntU Part 3 - kzbin.info/www/bejne/iYenhqt-Z9SjaK8

[@colincannon8072]

I"ve taken the step and signed up as a full access member. Cheers man 👍

[@zombieguitar]

@@colincannon8072 thanks Colin! Much appreciated 😀

[@oatcaked]

Brilliant lesson Brian. Brings so much clarity to the use of modes. The emphasis on the underlying chord is what made it slot into place for me. The example of modal chord progressions was the icing on the cake. Awesome!

[@colincannon8072]

Slowly getting clearer about modes... I think... Will have to watch it a few times more. Thanks man I appreciate what you are doing.

[@WahrheitMachtFrei.]

That's teaching at its best, imparting useful information without over-complicating matters for the sake of displaying the depth of one's own knowledge.

[@rogerm7922]

Brian is that one magician who not only demonstrates an awesome magic trick but is also willing to show you how it is done 🙌🙌

[@wormcultist6637]

Not only did you teach modes very simply you even took the SAME chord and switched the key signature to really hammer it home. Excellent video

[@jbaby007]

I just love that you don't over complicate concepts. Music theory was off putting for me because people make it sound so complicated.

[@theabhorrentchef7226]

Yes! I love a good pun. Just put that one in my pocket.

[@roberthutton4839]

Thanks for this, finally beginning to understand modes. Great Teacher, I signed up for Brian’s full membership. He’s very knowledgeable and easy to understand.

[@Kids_natural_learning]

My God you are the real genius. Thank you a lot sir.

[@philjames1019]

Getting even more clearer with every lesson ... cheers Brian.

[@miketempero6073]

That's probably the clearest explanation of what modes are all about that I've heard on the interweb so far. Thanks for taking the time to tackle such a tricky topic, subscribed!

[@dvf3fairleigh]

wow. you just cleared up a lifetime of mode confusion, thank you so much for this lesson, you are an awesome teacher, you made my day

[@reineh3477]

1:24 Modes are based on chords. It took me many years to understand this. I think one reason why so many people don't understand this is because so many bad guitar "teachers" on YT are wrong or make it unnecessarily difficult. The reason I like you is that you make it easy to understand.

[@Cali559]

Excellent Brian! You nailed it! Best I've seen on how to create a modal chord progression, as well as how to use modes. I knew how to use modes, but didn't understand how to create a specific modal progression. Thank you!

[@MazRixx]

Incredible lesson. Thanks Brian for all you do.

[@brianvadnaisguitar3991]

Hands down your the best online teacher I've come across man! Love your stuff. You explain things so well. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

[@zombieguitar]

Thanks Brian! I appreciate the words 😀

[@tommore3263]

Thanks Brian. You really do have a knack for cutting through to the essence of things and explaining them in plain language. I now think I get the whole mode thing a lot more clearly . Glad I signed up for your full courses with all that available material.

[@1234mikeirving]

Brian, wonderful lesson! I completely agree with what you said about modes, you solidified what I thought modes are. I love how you showed the circle of 5ths and highlighted the chords as you played. Awesome job, buddy! Thank you very much!

[@ericdecker7771]

Man I have been digging and digging for help understanding modes and your mode videos have blown the whole thing open for me. Thanks Brian! You’re a wealth of guitar info my friend.

[@Mrleobones]

Thank you Sir, that was a very clear demonstration of how modes work & what they are... You also show/demonstrate how the circle of 5th help/work with the modes/key signature. Best demonstration of modes & their function I have ever seen. I should add, I just subscribed !!! Thank you again!!!

[@pierredelange4077]

Brian - so basic, easy6, but brilliant. You explain in only a couple of minutes with things that many guitarists struggle with for years! Well done sir.

[@josrodri]

Brilliant lesson . Made modes a lot clearer! Thank you

[@johnphillips752]

Excellent video! For the last several years I've been catching up on music theory I missed when younger by watching KZbin videos. Never mind that I've been playing by ear since 1970. I still didn't understand why the sounds I slowly added to my repertoire of stupid human tricks seemed to work for my taste. I got my practical theory basics pretty much filled in, finally, and things aren't so much of a mystery anymore. Over the last couple of years, guitar videos have bored me because they weren't answering questions anymore. However, I decided to look at this video, and Brian, you about summed it up for me. If there were any questions left about modes, you cut through the crap and solidified what I've been learning to date. Now I have new adventures to explore. Thank you, sir!

[@zombieguitar]

Glad to hear it John!

[@ThomasNeily]

Finally I get it after struggling for five years your a great guy for sharing this knowledge thank you very much god bless brother

[@japanjay]

That was an a-ha moment for me. Brian, you are easily one of the best teachers out there 🤟🏼

[@douglasbroccone3144]

Love you music KZbinrs. I struggled for years but now I get it a bit more with every video . Thanks

[@michaelperrin46]

So so glad I found your page Brian. Your teaching is awesome man.

[@JoshuaBall-t5g]

The way you explain just works for me thanks for all the awesome videos

[@jaysoncampos28]

amazing... your lesson gives the most foundational element. sometimes listening to many teacher makes a lot of confusion coz one teaches series mode, one teaches parallel mode, others different. but you made it clear to me. thanks

[@raulmanzoratte8065]

Like you said so simple and kind of confusing, but you made it clear again, thanks a million Brian

[@combinations7159]

So well presented keep the amazing videos coming my friend

[@machia0705]

You Sir are one hell of a music teacher. You have a gift. Thank you for using it and helping us🎸

[@Bill-se4gr]

Ditto on the “brilliant “. And thanks for your quick response to my question this morning-delighted to have a membership to your site!

[@evanstheframe]

Yet another great lesson Brian. I was stuck on which chord progressions you then played which mode over. I understood after watching Brian’s lessons what modes were after going down many confusing lessons here on KZbin. I highly recommend you follow All Brian’s lessons and things will become clear and you will be on the right path.

[@martinwelch9886]

Thanks Brian. When I lose my way I keep coming back to this post to get me back on track in understanding modes. So well explained. 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@janpaw73]

Thank you Brian! I've never seen this topic described so easily and clearly. Looks I finally got it:)

[@dadudezpr]

You can feel this dude know what he is saying!

[@shoots007]

Wow that was bloody brilliant!...so much clearer when done simply. Nice one mate, nice one!

[@flyboymercury]

Two and a half years now learning from Brian, best lesson yet. Thank you 🎸🍻

[@bertpainter8385]

Usually when I go to a video on modes, I see lots of comments from other players trying to simplify the video everyone just watched by adding their own explanation to how modes work. This video was so simple to follow that I couldn't find any comments from people trying to make modes easier to understand. And I've learned about modes from a lot of videos. Although I eventually could follow most of the videos, it was not an easy task. But only a few videos explained how the chord pattern really dictated the mode. Eventually I used my ear to play in different modes with certain chord progressions. No thinking that way, just feel it. But this video simplified it all.

[@MightyJoeInternetBeef1960]

Brian, single best modes explanation for dummies like me, that I ever seen. Thank you. Subscribed!

[@michelhjorth8682]

The best way is how you expressed this. And make me understand how I can use it in the right context. Continue your fine work.

[@BigElectricCat]

Wow you unlocked the door to finally understanding the functions of modes in relation of scales to chord progressions. After being a musician for many years, I always heard people describe music as being modal and have heard it in music. Thanks for teaching clearly the function of modes.

[@ronpaulrevered]

It only took me 17 fucking years. The scale comes from the key center and the mode from the chord being played. A tonal center is a chord and whether that chord is the first through seventh tone of a key center determines it's modal name. Thank you dude.

[@AnnemieM]

Brian what you just did with this video is deliver me from confusion that I had for many years. This to me is gold worth. Thank you so very much. Now excuse me while I get out my piano. 💕💕💕

[@sbennettyt]

I spent some time going down the modes rabbit hole and just watched this to see if you came to the same conclusion I did. And you did! You are exactly right. It is the chord you are playing over that makes it sound different.

[@jamesnicholson9392]

JAMES SCOTT NICHOLSON,ONTARIO, CANADA 🇨🇦 I HAVE ALL THIS DOWN,JUST MAKING SURE I NEVER MISSED ANYTHING, AND WANT TO SAY AWESOME JOB AT EXPLAINING MODES...MY HAT IS OFF TO YOU!!! TOP LEFT HEART 💜

[@maxjay5710]

That was the best explanation I’ve heard so far! Thank you brother! That cleared up so much for me! So really you can learn the Major Scale and focus on your chord tones to make it either Major or Dorian or Phrygian... etc. I get it now! C maj. is G mixolydian D Dorian E Phrygian... just have to emphasize the chord tones when soloing.

[@Seanhy5]

Brilliant lesson, Brian. Perfect logical sense. Thank you 👍🏻👍🏻

[@JimFothergill]

Great lesson and a great teacher everytime!!!

[@oliverutengen4914]

You are the best music teacher I have ever come across!

[@JCFern]

This really helps demystify the concept of modes for me. Excellent lesson Brian!

[@mike_gray]

Eloquent explanation of modes. Excellent teaching ability too. Much appreciated!

[@laserlithuanian]

thank you for cool video

[@joewilliams5396]

A great explanation, I see the light it's less foggy now. Thanks.

[@Muis1967]

Thank you so much! I knew already that modes are about the chords sequence but now you made it all sounds almost easy! Look forward to watch your next lesson about "the modes". Thanks again for your great advice!!!

[@eugenedaly]

Hey Irish brother from across the sea! that was brilliant! Light bulb went off for me thank you! Fantastic clear lesson! 👏👏👏

[@MaBaKar]

Thanks Brian, this clear and practical explanation of modes took away all the mystery of modes for me.

[@JoeWyl]

You're excellent teacher Bryan direct to the point👏

[@andrewlaw188]

Nice one, Brian. Very succinct, and cleared up all the misconceptions I had about the dreaded "modes". Thanks 🎸👍

[@danluther1741]

Wow!! Best explanation of Modes I've ever heard anywhere, EVER!

[@jeffpowell3163]

Thank You ! Been playing for years and I finally understand modes. At least what they are ! Applying it - now thats a whole new adventure!

[@zombieguitar]

Stay tuned for today's video 😉

[@davidpost6902]

Many thank's Brian, that was like walking through a forest. And then coming to a clearing, that was a great lesson!!

[@pastorjonrhinehart7760]

Very good explanation. That helped me out. Thanks

[@borjagv1473]

This video is just the perfect explanation I was looking for, thank you so much!

[@patrickpirker1634]

Dear Brian. Great video, as always, just wanted to point out: People don't understand modes because there are 2 informations in a "song": The key AND the root note. Often that falls upon the same note/key (e. g. a song in C and C is the root note). Modes start when that starts to divert (key differnt from root note). And the second misconception ist the ting with "starts on the - whatever - note", because there are songs in C that don't start on C, but perhaps on the 3rd. So took me a while to understnd that "starts" actually means "emphasises" or "frequently comes back to" or "is played in a way that makes the listener feel like HOME BASE. My explanation on modes is: Take a bag of 7 diatonic notes. That bag is now your "key". Now choose one note to be the root note. Now play a melody, that makes the listener believe that this note is root. Now choose a chord progresson over that melody making the chord from the root your "home chord" or put the root in the base. Now you got modal music. Actually also only with the melody you get a modal feeling if you emphasise the root note. The missing link for me was, that there are always 2 informations in a song/music. the key AND the root not. The fact that the key and the root not are the "same" in a lot of songs and are not mentioned separately kept me from understanding modes. Would you agree with that? Am I wrong about some details maybe? Thanks a lot for your videos!

[@malcolmstar8036]

Thank you. I feel that you have given me a toehold on this. Hopefully it finally begin to make sense. Love your videos.

[@greggriffiths9053]

Thanks for simplifying modes it's about the chords and key signatures make's using the modes usable Cool lesson once again.

[@juanbecerra1080]

Another ahaaa moment thanks to you Brian. You are simply amazing. Thank you!

[@maxflinter6896]

Brian, you are the one who brought light into my dark modal soul - now I finally understand this freaking simple concept that confused me for years.

[@graemethorne4540]

Just fantastic finally some one explains it correctly,I wish you were my teacher 50 year's ago,or maybe I should have paid more attention to the teacher then,any inspiring guitarist should be signed up to your master class,Big thank you.

[@dgates6165]

Thanks for helping deepen my understanding of modes! I think of them differently, but I liked the modal progression explanation! Here's how I usually think of modes Ionian = play a major scale Dorian = minor scale with raised 6th Phrygian = minor with flat 2 Lydian = major with raised 4th Mixolydian = major with flat 7 Aeolian = minor scale Locrian = minor with flat 2 and flat 5 At least helps with playing them, but not so much for applying them, admittedly!

[@zombieguitar]

Yup, that's what part 2 is about. Then part 3 is about practical applications. All parts are here on my channel 😁

[@seangroc]

Great lesson. Cheers buddy

[@egorbashinsky187]

Suddenly it all clicked and started to make sense. Thank you so much!

[@terrymerrick5617]

Really well explained Brian well done

[@NickSergeev]

Thanks!

[@zombieguitar]

Thank you! Much appreciated 😀

[@MustafaBaabad]

Thank you very much for such comprehensive lesson. I believe that I have to watch it again (and again) with chart and guitar on my hand to really comprehend. However it sounds really beautiful for decorating song. Cheers from Indonesia.

[@timemerson2691]

You just might make a musician out of me Brian. That’s the clearest explanation of mode’s I’ve heard so far. And yeah it’s an obsession with guitar people only. Thanks for your tutoring. Cheers

[@stuartburns315]

brilliant explanation , well done

[@lesgibbs326]

Thanks Brian for a brilliant lesson I really enjoyed the chordal proressions as even knowing the scales doesn't mean you know how to use them. I have a better understanding of the importance of the chords.

[@SyntagmaStation]

Amen, brother. Took me years to figure out it’s all about the chords

[@tuberroot1112]

Never done much music theory and never heard of modes before. But all instantly clear after just a 15min. Excellent video. Just discovered that a little chord progression I wrote the other day which sounded quite nice was aeolian. Cool. I'll try an impro using D major now.

[@dickie7311]

Hey Brian, I recently joined Zombie with full membership because of your clear explanation in ALL of your lessons, THIS video is a genuine lesson that many many people will join as well. !!, Most instructers lead you down a deep rabbit hole just to get people to pay big money for a subcription for a year or something..Anyone reading my comment, after spending alot of money on websites, Brians website is offering you a {one time very reasonable cost } lifetime subsription for everything on the site, PLUS, everything he will add to his site in the future..It's a no brainer if you are tired of searching for a straight path for your passion from a fellow guitarist with the same passion giving you this once in a lifetime oppurtunity...Thank you Brian, I look forward to learning all i can from you...Guys, I live in the country in the woods of east Texas, the ONLY thing I could possibly say is that i wish i had dvd's because of my slow internet speed..Thanks to KZbin tho, I can download videos to save for watching offline...Thanks again Brian, my search is over, NOW i can practice what you preach with confidence !!!

[@zombieguitar]

Thank you! I really appreciate you joining the site and leaving this comment! I'm glad to hear that you are liking the site so far. If you ever have any questions, feel free to ask 😀

[@War4theWest]

I played the trumpet seriously and understood key signatures and chord structure. Modes never made sense to me - they are just the chords in the natural scale of whatever key I'm playing in. As well, I can take any chord and move it around inside of different scales. I cannot believe nobody ever made this so clear to me before this. Thank you.

[@zombieguitar]

Thanks Glenn! Glad to hear that the vid was helpful for ya 😀

[@NM-bp6dy]

Thank you very much Brian. This is fantastic knowledge. Thank you for sharing it!

[@petermarshall4620]

Thanks once again, Brian!

[@raiser2059]

That’s high quality content as always! I ❤️ Zombie Guitar!

[@DmitryProkopenko]

You are a brilliant teacher, Brian! All clear as never before. Thanks a lot! 🖐️

[@T289c]

Awesome! Great video.

[@latinmez]

Brilliant explanation, best guitar vids on the web

[@MrArtist1971]

You the man, Brian. Thanks for the vid.

[@kaushalsuvarna5156]

Thanks, this clarifies everything

[@Ahmed-kv4up]

You're the best, Brian. Great explanation.

[@miguellauandos1902]

Best video ever. Great explanation. Thank you.

[@forresthouser5807]

FINALLY....Someone make it make sense....This combined with your circle of fifths videos has helped kick open doors for me on my compositions.