Uncle Ben Eller's Spooky Scale Secrets! Harmonic Minor Mastery!

Downloadable TABS, bonus lessons, backing tracks, and MORE available on my Patreon page! / benellerguitars
instagram: BenEllerGuitars #weekendwankshop #weekendwankshop252
unclebeneller
Hey kids!!! Its Uncle Ben Eller, here with a super SPOOKTACULAR music theory guitar lesson to get you in the Halloween spirit!!!
The harmonic minor scale is more than just the favorite scale of Yngwie Malmsteen.... its a creepy chord and arpeggio-generating machine. A lot of us just learn a scale as a pattern we use for shredding, but in this lesson, i'm going to show you how to BUILD stuff from that scale to make spine-tingling arpeggios, chords, and chord progressions!!!! This will help you make the sounds you've heard all over Danny Elfman soundtracks, tech death bands like the Faceless, and more! Its a graveyard smash!!!
Playing my Suhr Modern Satin into my Fractal Axe FX III.
Let me know if you'd like to see more theory-based lessons like this on future episodes of Weekend Wankshop!!!

[@stellaspoochpitfeaturingro3522]

Not kissing ass or anything but Uncle Ben is the best and most thorough teacher on KZbin that I have seen,......

[@bestboy897]

Facts

[@jeronimomartinezfabregas]

Aaaaaand he's got the best rice!

[@thathandleistakentrythisone]

Just remember to wash your face later

[@erichobbs4042]

Much better than my stupid step dad

[@jollyvoqar195]

I'd prefer a less tabby approach (less discussion of fret number) but I liked how he did it in this video with a mix of that and MUSIC. One of his best that I've watched though.

[@notan23]

Mikael Åkerfeldt must have fallen asleep to this scale when he was a child.

[@zachwebb8527]

*Yngwie Intensifies*

[@bushwackers37]

Uncle Ben you’re teaching skills are off the hook

[@motafov]

man i've written this before...lots of gifted players/teachers on youtube these days... ben eller is right up there with them all PLUS he makes everything so funny, entertaining, informaive and SIMPLIFIED (ergo value added).

[@jagza1]

Paul Gilbert described the “note skipping” technique to spice up the old box shape approach to scales in his Shred Alert DVD. You’ve taken this concept to the next level! Thanks for the great lesson Shredi master!

[@brianpartridge5654]

Ya a "little" more advanced is good just don't go full on Beato and you won't lose me lol

[@HeadbangoO]

What, you don't like a superlocrian mode on an altered dominant chord in the first five minutes of a video about beginner's harmony??

[@chasing_tone]

Never go full Beato

[@han36solo]

If you are gonna sell a book, you gotta first confuse people, then offer an answer$

[@jimgodofbiscuits]

HeadbangoO 😂 I assume wankshop videos are advanced regardless of title. I am not even off the top familiar with the chord locations he is using.. I would need a full course to digest this...

[@tommacmillan8831]

don't go Beato, because he's boring as shit

[@madolezal]

more of this kind of stuff would be so awesome. I'm a pretty experienced guitar player, been playing for 23 years. my chops are pretty tight but suffer at theory. you explain it very well. keep up the great work uncle ben

[@Philipmentzingenart]

Best damn guitar lessons on the internets. Period.

[@danson1992]

This is the scale I have been hearing all these years😩

[@Watzline]

Uncle Ben, I agree with you, this here Harmonic Minor Scale is SPOOKY! And Dangerous! When I was a kid I used to here it coming from under my bed! I was so scared, the theme music for a hundred B horror movies. Once at summer camp we were telling spooky stories, and I heard that some middle school kid from the Midwest, got involved with learning this treacherous scale from HELL! The next day he traded his Harmony acoustic for a cream scalloped neck Strat, got a wall of Marshalls, because he stole his dads credit cards, and started wearing tight leather pants, boots and puffy shirts, even grew his bowl cut out to long flowing locks! Then he got a fake Rolex, and a bunch of gold jewelry, played THIS SCALE! So fast that he began spinning his Strat around his neck, and flipping picks at people, put a kids eye out with a Fender Medium! Some say he sold his soul to the Devil, at the Crossroads like Ralph Macchio! He has not been heard from since! Some say he changed his name to Ynge-yo-yo Manstain, and got real fat, playing Pagganini Etudes and eating whole chickens. Great lesson though.

[@Scottocaster6668]

HAHA, the best comment yet. Is that the same guy who added a J to his name so nobody would confuse him with other musicians?? While during a workout regimen, misunderstood advise given to him by his trainer, to master "Buns of steel" instead he mastered "Buns of cinnamon"

[@Watzline]

@@Scottocaster6668 Nah, just like to try to respond to Uncle Ben's, wacky stuff, when I should be pickin', Ben is a fun teacher, I hope much success for him. I'm trying to get Tina S. or Dr. Viochy's, 'Moonlight Sonata' now. Glad you liked my spooky little story, Keep Pickin'!

[@Scottocaster6668]

@@Watzline thanks brother, you too! I know, I should be less clickin' and more pickin' myself. I'm always fucking around on here.

[@hansmatheson5976]

It’s almost SPOOKY how much your lessons have made me (technically) a better guitarist but musician as well. In particular, the insight/knowledge you drop when it’s more theory-based has allowed me to discover all kinds of rad shit/ideas on guitar, piano, violin, jazz flute, washboard, etc. I’ve been playing for a time and tbh it’s been a bit since I’ve woke up in the morn with that goofy excitement to practice some new technique or been impatient to get home so I can record that random riff/lick/idea that popped into my head during work. Can’t express how grateful I am for that Thanks and keep up the great work.

[@martynspooner5822]

An absolutely brilliant lesson especially for someone like myself who has at last got over my paranoia of theory. Thanks a lot

[@andymarfoldi5403]

Thanks, will kick this around n see what happens.

[@joebermuda6452]

I’m a player of 17 years and I never had a problem getting into theory. Out of curiosity why do you think that yourself as well as countless other people learning an instrument get so scared of it and procrastinate learning it

[@thescream1868]

Hail friend, been playing for almost 20 years and I have to say some of your secret teachings (such as the art of chunking) have unlocked some of my dormant abilities. I have seen improvements that got me excited about playing again., and the world will one day thank you for that. keep it up

[@redmetalpanda9051]

Same for me, played for years. Kinda stopped due to lack of confidence in my ability to pass certain plateaus, now im eager to learn and im eager to practice every day. Thanks Ben!

[@thescream1868]

@@redmetalpanda9051 dude i wrote that comment about 6 months ago....i have continued to practice The U-Ben's tips and techniques since then, and I can tell you my playig ability has increased more in this time frame than I can ever recall...its been awesome to finally play like a guy who's had his guitar for such a long time....i feel like a badass LOL

[@tronlady1]

@@thescream1868 send him some money dude!! Don’t rely on “the world” to thank him!

[@thescream1868]

@@tronlady1 oh, what i meant is, he is giving his info out to the world....and some people are using this to improve themselves, if you believe in karma, he will get his share in due time. You be surprised how powerful gratittude can be, especially when that is all the person has to give at the moment.....

[@KRG54]

Great lesson. Broke it down very well for theory dummies like me.

[@IdoN0TneedTherapy]

This is the type of video I really enjoy. A little music theory, pointers to how to use it and what to explore. And very well presented. Thank you!

[@doubledwrex5769]

This has been one of my favorite videos from you so far. Ya gawn an dug out hwite board skippy hoppies. More of these for sure.

[@bestboy897]

The scale of choice of all metalheads

[@djkolcun]

Okay. You are a superhero. Don't know which one. But you're one. Maybe you're still in the shadows and us mere mortals out here haven't realized it yet, so you remain unnamed, but you are a superhero Great lesson! Absolutely great lesson! Cheers!

[@cmcp975]

Harmonic Minor is one of my favs. Works really well with the 8 Tone Diminished pattern, which is the most evil, but gets kinda stale after a while.

[@joeg3125]

I hope that you continue this approach to your videos! You effectively combined your techniques with a dash of Beato and Signals. I really dig that you are able to add stuff like this to your content....thanks for everything you do sir.

[@BenEller]

Joe G and thank you for watching!

[@edvalcik8559]

Ty for a great lesson! Opens so many doors to my playing!

[@bestboy897]

Truly the best lesson on harmonic minor out there, the chords that make up the scale are so well explained.

[@hollywoodactress]

Hey Ben, I have to say that the whiteboard and explaining triads and creating chords was great. Perhaps you have been doing this for a while in your videos, if so great. Keep it up as it really helps to visualise and understand relationships of scales and chords 🙌🏻

[@aaroncole7736]

This harmonic minor is fun to play with any group of folks. I love jamming with my all my friends every other weekend.

[@jimkavanagh9521]

Thank you for all the information presented in such a clear way.

[@casehellstrom1636]

Perfect amount of theory. Useful but not too complicated. Definitely would watch more like this. Thank you!

[@eriktorsteinhansen]

This video reminds me of a band practice when we were working on a new song and I came up with a riff on bass that was going to be for the guitar solo to play over. My guitarist was trying out different things to play over the riff. He started playing harmonic minor over it and I freaked out. I wasn't totally familiar with the scale at the time. It was one of the best things that I ever heard. I miss playing with those guys.

[@chenwen-hao5023]

BEST GUITAR LESSON ON KZbin! Thanks Uncle Ben or should I say Step Dad.

[@craigcalder7264]

Fantastic lesson,explained the concept perfectly.

[@dcorrea9999]

Awesome!! Great way to get scales To work!! I would love a mixolidian video like this

[@mindsetoverhaul]

Natural minor, melodic minor and spoopy minor. Got it!

[@shark7n10]

Thanks a lot uncle Ben. This trick will come handy! 🙏🏽

[@mattx322]

Uncle Ben thank you!!! I've been playing for a few years and I already knew about that awesome sounding note in a scale, but you showed me how to unlock it! I can now use it in my playing more effectively. With the few scales and arpeggios you gave me, I now have a base to develop it more. Really man, this i my favorite lesson you've put out. I'm going to join you're patreon!

[@FullMetalDMZ]

Dude so cool! Please do another one on the Melodic minor!

[@landonrice]

Yes more of this please and thank you.

[@genevai2893]

straight away i recognized some styles of nick johnston -yes please regard more scale unlocking -best lesson ever

[@mpwhiteloon2316]

Ben, dammit man you are awesome! I’m 48 and been playing for 35yrs. Learn by ear and records n cassette. Your videos take yrs out of the equation. Very informative, humble, and patient. You are one of a kind my friend. If I paid you like 2g’s, would that be enough to come sit w you for a weekend?

[@spongebrainsqueezepants7175]

The best Harminor lesson I've ever seen. By far. Thanks, Ben!!

[@dustinayres5456]

This is a very well in depth video on the mysterious harmonic minor. Answered a lot of questions ive had about it for years. Cheers for referencing the faceless

[@33jwilliams]

Uncle Ben going beast mode on the theory and I love it!

[@regolithia]

Thank you Uncle Ben. This is absolutely brilliant

[@Hard2heart2heart]

You packed a lot of stuff in this episode and explained it very well, throwing in pearls along the way. Gave me a lot to think about. Great vid!

[@ivankaran6487]

I am so thankful for you Uncle Ben.

[@BenEller]

❤️❤️❤️

[@Eduardot12345556]

keep doing this, PLEASE!!!

[@JohnDoe-ij7et]

I love it when I’ve been doing things because of the sound without knowing any theory then finding out there’s some heavy theory behind it I had no idea about but ur brain just figured it out by the feel of the sound

[@sirstevie3]

Loved it ben!! My kind of stuff! Keep it up.

[@RickGuitarist94]

Thank you so much for your videos! I love how easy you make it to understand the theory behind things

[@hkyjim]

Awesome great to see some depth on the harmonic minor scale and what is possible.

[@chrissoares23]

This was great Ben. When the awesome Uncle Beato talks music theory it usually sails over my head. When you explain the stuff I understand it better. More would be great. Thanks!

[@joefugere5462]

Great lesson Ben more of this these please. I really enjoyed this.

[@davidslattery6750]

great video uncle ben!no nonsense straight to business musical education for the masses.you have a great way of making more advanced theory simple to grasp and apply. the hallmarks of a good teacher basically! i think most folks will be happy for you to keep pushing the theory boundaries bit by bit because you make it so accessible. 👍

[@markdyson2608]

I recently, like within the last 3 weeks found your channel. It is excellent and very informative. I'm looking forward to catching up on all past episodes. Keep it up brother!

[@han36solo]

I am afraid that was a great lesson.

[@ameralameddine]

Thanks for showing more unique ways to take advantage of this scale Ben! Really dig how you used it to get The Faceless vibe.

[@lamey99]

Uncle Ben I can't even say it enough you are by far, the best teacher ever! I wish the world had more people like you you are a genuine kind soul

[@rajsundram5672]

You taught me more in this video than 11 years of random tabbing has gotten me. Thank you so much for your time, passion and humor!

[@jon210478]

The best teacher on YT hands down! Fist bump from the UK dude

[@guitarvaultstore8032]

That thumbnail is fantastic.

[@stevenbuckley4433]

Fantastic lesson ! thanks uncle Ben

[@SheepWaveMeByeBye]

I think this is your best video yet. I found this extremely useful. You are very good at explaining music theory, so pls Uncle Ben, gimme more!

[@Cd0LegendBe]

That's just great ! All I want to do is get back home and grab my guitar. Thank you. Really love this teaching aspect on theory, it's just great.

[@understandinc]

such a great video. just the right mix of theory and technique

[@annie4971]

Awesome lesson Ben, thanks and I will be watching this one for the next 6 months as it slowly sinks in 💃🎶💃🎶

[@Skimer54]

You're the best, Uncle Ben. In the last few months, the videos and lessons you upload leaped me over my wall of learning. I now sound like someone who shredded for 17 years. And there are alot of youtube instructor videos out there. Thanks!

[@Kostein]

I very rarely comment on videos but after watching this I feel that I have to thank you. This is excellent dude. I love the sound of the harmonic minor and this has helped me immensely in understanding it better along with giving me a few ideas on how it can be utilized. Inspiring stuff man, thanks again!

[@thipygames3888]

Very nice Ben, keep it up with spooky and less beginner friendly. Great vid

[@guitarmanplayzloud936]

Awesome lesson uncle Ben!! Harmonic minor has always been a favorite of mine!!

[@CaptainTwisty]

Yes, more please! Excellent!

[@halfindy]

I think it’s great having some advanced lessons too. But keep sending them beginner ones too. Every once in a while I realise I really missed something basic 30 years ago! :))

[@DaPoopIsInDaPudding]

I love all your videos. This one is among my favorites. Thanks.

[@ericeakes7733]

Coincidence? Was working on leads to YYZ, Rush. Watched this an what Alex was doing became clear immediately. Its a good an simple example of how harmonic minor applies. Thx UB.

[@ScottKedward]

One of your best!

[@victorhopkins5580]

Love these lessons. Love the visuals! More more more!!!!

[@kodi0223]

Somehow this video has made more things click to me than all other tutorials i've watched. Ben Eller, you are fantastic at this please never stop

[@BenEller]

Kodi022 thank you!!

[@wankchung6268]

Great lesson, Unc. I just started touching on some of this in my theory training and while the material is easily understood, it took this video to help put it into practical application. More like this would be welcome. Much grass.

[@davidyates8880]

Great video Ben, I'd be more than happy to see more like this :)

[@georges7946]

Love this lesson Uncle Ben!

[@bardiabahri2860]

Awesome stuff uncle Ben!!!!

[@joebermuda6452]

Harmonic minor has always been my favorite scale. The 5th mode (Phrygian dominant) is the most badass scale/mode in my opinion

[@HydroKulture]

best lesson ever Uncle Ben, thank you mate. you rock

[@jrb123able]

Great Lesson!

[@horuslupercal5437]

Thank you so much, Uncle Ben! I definitely owe you some whisky. I never thought the fog of music theory would clear, but you’ve opened up my entire fretboard in this one lesson.

[@BlackNo1918]

Dear Uncle Ben. Thank you :) I've been a Danny Elfman fan since I was watching the 1st Batman movie so long ago, freezing on my (fake, you are my real one) uncle's couch in the middle of the winter. Long since then I discovered - to sound like Elfman it's a good idea to incorporate in the standard Harmonic Minor Chord if we're in Em - then - Bmaj - in that Bmaj - trow a G note! That's the minor third of the root. I think you've mentioned this in the video. Then resolve to the F# note in the Bmaj chord (the 5th). And voila! Ye got the Batman score vibe!!! After that he does a crazy lots of things , but the main theme remains there - mysterious and creepy as hell! Modulations in his (and not only! most modern metal songs actually) compositions are very often related to the harmonic minor. I'd love to see your touch on the subject. This video was a blast to watch. How am I not a patreon of yours yet is still beyond me?! Geez! All the best from Bulgaria!

[@toddmcdaniel7603]

Great lesson. Thanks Uncle Ben!

[@pushbuttonhorse]

Great lesson! Thanks!

[@juliodefreitas157]

Awesome lesson and thanks for sharing your tips 👍

[@JohnSmithiuyytw]

Another great lesson! Really well explained.

[@redith24]

I love when you do harmonic minor stuff 👻

[@michalbotor]

well, i think this was absolutely fantastic!

[@Datanditto]

Great teaching Ben!

[@clarencefernando9925]

very informative, Uncle Ben, thanks

[@Coinmancer]

I love the crooked picture on the wall analogy. Thanks so much for the lesson

[@DeliciousMorsels]

Great lesson, Uncle Ben! Really enjoyed you not only showing the notes in the scale but how to utilize them in a huge variety of chords!

[@davidandrews3237]

Uncle Ben has improved my guitar chops, but destroyed my grammar in the process 🙂 And my alphabet has been reduced to A thru G as well..... Thank You Sir !!!

[@virtualschoolassemblies2668]

Super helpful and explained really well. Thanks.

[@JanisKlinnert]

Sick lesson! Really well and simply explained! Thanks uncle Ben 😁👍🏻😂

[@Billy]

That answered about a million question I had for my previous teacher but couldn't describe. Thank you.

[@JedWunderli]

Great video, Ben. I love the Harmonic Minor scale. Merry Christmas.

[@matthewmjb6860]

I already knew the harmonic minor scale, but I didn't realize you could use the leapfrog method to make chords. Useful teaching tool.