Why Aphex Twin's "Rhubarb" Is So Evocative

[@joshplaysgamesjpg1673]

The music teacher I’ve always wanted

[@PetersPianoShoppe]

What a compliment! Thanks, Josh. It encourages me to make more.

[@dayoftheidealist]

Absolutely.

[@jzolghadr]

@@PetersPianoShoppe If you had a patreon, I'd totally sign up for it if it meant getting see more Aphex Twin composition analysis! I'd love to hear your take on 'IZ-US' from the Come To Daddy EP. Do you like Boards Of Canada too?

[@PetersPianoShoppe]

​@@jzolghadr Would you believe it... I have not yet gotten into Boards Of Canada! They're on my list to be sure. I haven't set up a Patreon for a couple reasons: one, because I'm in law school and that's severely impacting my ability to actually make any content, and two, because I'm vehemently against the idea of doing content for money or Adsense. But I can't lie; people like you make me reconsider this. I appreciate your support very much, and I'm really hoping I'll be able to make a schedule that gives me the opportunity to create some more videos.

[@jzolghadr]

@@PetersPianoShoppe well, I certainly appreciate your ethics in that regard. Totally understand how time consuming law school must be. Really hope to see some more stuff along this way soon; it's so rare to find someone discussing music theory at a level that I can actually understand and benefit from, let alone doing so with this kind of music!

[@tensenpark]

"You create a bit of hope, and then immediately throw it away." I love this analysis

[@PetersPianoShoppe]

Thanks, TensenPark... glad you enjoyed!

[@panashe_0080]

Thanks for describing my life. Lol

[@voilabolognessich423]

6:56 please get in the habit :)

[@jasoncoates1835]

Nice to know that real world life principles also apply to music.

[@xenopis7862]

The reason I love Aphex Twin is because though he is an electronic artist, he covers such a wide range of sound. You can go from a total acid trip to a cloud up in the heavens with his music.

[@PetersPianoShoppe]

Absolutely true.

[@alphalax7747]

"though"? Why would being an electronic artist stop him from being varied?

[@zsebestien7050]

​@@alphalax7747 if we're comparing the general population of electronic artists to Aphex Twin, it's pretty insane to think about how creatively free Aphex Twin is sonically. He's a cut above the rest for a reason. I see what you're getting at tho, many people write off electronic artists as just guys pressing buttons. These days it seems that opinion is not as common as it used to be.

[@jasoncoates1835]

@@zsebestien7050 At this point a lot of people have tried "just pushing buttons" only to realize there's still only one Aphex Twin.

[@jeremypaek1104]

"You don't hear it but your brain does." Excellent analysis 👏

[@PetersPianoShoppe]

Hey everyone.... I'm overwhelmed by the positive responses from you guys; I'd almost forgotten I'd made this video! I made it spontaneously, as a favor for a friend in an Aphex Twin fan group, but decided last minute to make the video public. Thank you so much for the feedback. Of course I agree I should do some judicious editing. (This was done completely off the cuff, with no script.) I'll work on creating tighter, more structured videos with hopefully some graphics as well. Let me ask you: would you like to see analysis like this for other Aphex Twin tracks? Maybe other tracks by other artists? Let me know in the comments below.

[@PetersPianoShoppe]

@abraham camarillo loza Fingerbib.... wow, that would be a tough one. So much to discuss. I think the hardest part would be creating a workup demo of it to play, so that I can play the track without invoking copyright strikes.

[@professorktown]

I'd love to see you analyze stone in focus

[@rubenriestra6721]

i would love to see more!!

[@tristanhirsch7702]

Yes! Stone in Focus would be awesome because it is seemingly even more simple than Rhubarb (or is it? I don't know!) Lichen would be very interesting as well.

[@brendangallagher1124]

Great job! How about Aisatsana?

[@jojogape]

I feel like Rhubarb is a bit like "finding peace in resignation". It's lamenting, yes, but it's also strangely peaceful. It's like your emotions finding some ground to stand on after crying. And now, we have the orchestrated reversed version, which sounds like the opposite, a continuous rising that, in the end, goes nowhere. Reaching out, but never really soaring. It tries to get up and fly, but it's strained, troubled and there's this underlying feeling that it will never take off. It really is the complementary companion piece to the original.

[@AttackRelease1]

“Changing functions while keeping notes is part of what makes melodies great.” This sentence just connected some theory dots for me I was missing. Great breakdown!

[@POPDELUSION]

I get so emotional anytime i see covers of popular electronic/ambient music. People can talk as much shit as they want about electronic production but the fact is these tunes and these chords will live on, wether its in our heads, made on computer, or covered with real instruments they are all beautiful and the meaning remains.

[@paranoid97]

The thing is that this track (at least for me) feels like a warm, honest hug from your mother...even perhaps the bright smile of that best friend who loved so much... I think thats why i cried listening to those chords over and over again, it feels like a big sense of relief, like everything its goin' to be okay, it hurts so much to listen to it but it heals you back and put your feet on track again... Music like this its needed and i appreciate a lot that you make a musical analysis of this beautiful piece, thank you! Big hug to everyone who needs it 🫂 bless you all and Aphex Twin of course

[@snuggys56]

for sure. your own worries and fears are shared with the track

[@radio_land]

What did you say about my mother?

[@alphalax7747]

Cool but thats not a real explanation

[@FissureRaiOh]

"You are stuck losing this hope over and over. You'll never get away". lol

[@sitcomgallery]

I know nothing about theory, but I was enthralled learning about why my brain feels the way it does listening to one of my favorite ambient tracks ever recorded. You have a great way of explaining musical concepts.Thank you so much, I instantly subscribed.

[@PetersPianoShoppe]

Thanks, Kile!

[@dasein3317]

I would love more videos like this from selected ambient works

[@PetersPianoShoppe]

I think that's a winning idea. A lot of others have suggested the same thing. I will do so.

[@xaviergauthier7177]

@@PetersPianoShoppe I subscribe directly 😁 Thank you, can't wait for it 🙌

[@lucagagliano4563]

Agree

[@squishmusic]

@@PetersPianoShoppe I think youve just found your niche YT channel :D Looking 4ward to it

[@jasonallen9500]

I think I have listened to this track more than 2,000 times. I do believe it is an all time great song because how else could 5 chords make me want to listen that many times? To my ear, each pass through the progression has its own flavor. I believe there is a heavy dose of volume manipulation each pass to bring the various leading tones forward. Such a good song, and thanks so much for making this video!

[@renbelmont]

Yes I think he was probably messing with EQs on the fly after recording the chords

[@DigitalBroomstick]

Okay like, I don’t have any music knowledge but I love this song. I scrolled down to expect to see thousands of comments and millions of views... and there’s not? This explanation is great and really let’s someone like me, who has very limited understanding of music, appreciate one of the most beautiful pieces of music even further

[@PetersPianoShoppe]

So glad you enjoyed it. I'm an absolute newb and this was my first video, so it stands to reason it doesn't quite have the web presence other videos like it might. I'm grateful for the likes!

[@tommypyxell]

I was actually thinking the exact same thing when I went to look at the comment section.

[@MatheusMPL]

I love how your analysis is driven by emotion and admiration towards the piece, not just a pure theoretical dissection of notes

[@PetersPianoShoppe]

Thank you! The emotional part is very important. Theory can be fun to break down and analyze a tune, but we must always remember that notes are written to express an artistic intent, and our emotional reaction to a song may get us closer to that intent than the theory can.

[@radagastthebrown578]

Explaining this extraordinary emotional music is extraordinary emotional.

[@poofygoof]

"[...] the fact that it ends on the chord it starts creates kind of a Moebius loop from which you will never escape." the octave jump is almost like a round with itself... as if the entire progression could be played as a kind of musical shepherd tone. (of course now somebody will have to go create this...) the call out to Arvo Part and I'm back in my mind to music theory classes from decades ago. this iteration I get to look at the back-side of my own musical Moebius loop. :)

[@boonstuff]

@Koshka Möbius

[@Hchris101]

No THIS!!!! Is true EDM 💃🏼🕺🏾

[@andrewkelley9405]

I’ve always wondered why it is so good.

[@frncscbtncrt]

Hope and despair, tension and release, near and far from home. What a great explanation.

[@PetersPianoShoppe]

Thanks so much!

[@demartinoleo]

"Rhubarb" always sounded to me really simple and transparent yet so deep and meaningful, contradictory terms my mind couldn't understand. The meaning is crystal clear for me now thanks to this is video! Amazing.

[@PetersPianoShoppe]

Thank you so much, Leonardo!

[@jonridley]

My other standout from that album is Stone in Focus which I think does a similar thing, but using the same scale it sets up an interesting 3 note loop that sounds a lot more hopeful and meditative,

[@rulnacco]

Thank you! That was bloody amazing--you elucidated most clearly how Richard cleverly used some rather simple things to make a tune that summons very complex emotions. Fantastic!

[@PetersPianoShoppe]

Thank YOU for watching! and for your generous comments. I’m working on the next one.

[@PedroPetipa]

This song gives me so much hope. Also, you're fantastic teacher!

[@alexstanley3378]

It seems that fundamentally a lot of it links to a spatio-temporal representation of notes which represents a deep familiarity with how different chords can create a sense of dissonance, and that isolation is represented through the sense of hope being lost and the isolated frequencies… aphex twin is the king of communicating meaning through form and form through meaning

[@alexchisholm3077]

This is a fantastic, hugely insightful analysis of one of the most emotional and beautiful songs I ever heard. Ever since I first heard it, I have often wondered why - of all the songs I’ve listened to in my life - that this one from Aphex Twin has such a ridiculously strong emotional pull on me. It makes me sad and happy all at once. And it was so impossible to answer why but you did so brilliantly. If only I had a music teacher like you growing up in school. You really are great. Thank you!

[@Deleted11100]

Who knows why, but the British sure have made a mark on planet earth with their music that no other nation has, and have given us so much beautiful music. Even a track with such few notes has impacted so many lives clearly. However they do it they do it best.

[@PetersPianoShoppe]

It's astounding. From Purcell, all the way up to Elgar, Vaughan-Williams... and then of course The Beatles, every UK rock & prog band, then the punk and post-punk legends, then baggy, Madchester, house & mixed techno subgenres, U.K. garage, and of course, ambient. Oh boy, did I mention Brian Eno? Let's go ahead and mention Brian Eno.

[@cipherjoe9]

Richard is more British-Irish

[@Bruisewillies]

This was a soundtrack for walking to work in 2001/2 at 05:00 in the morning. I haven't really listened to it since, but it brought it all flooding back!

[@TheColourAwesomer]

Rolled off frequencies also denote distance, further developing the feeling of isolation :)

[@JohnnyCrepe]

Awesome thank you ❤️🪄 magical song

[@Jacob-2796]

There are so many insightful comments here. What a nice corner of the internet.

[@quikdon]

Awesome explanation, cheers

[@PetersPianoShoppe]

Thank you!

[@michaelkonomos]

Great analysis! When I first listened to this track in the 90’s I had no context for any of it. No one else I knew was listening to it, no track was on the radio, so every track had equal weight and value to me, with no map or guide to them. Yet this track stood out to me above all the others. I used to listen to “track 3” on repeat over and over. It was just so emotional and cuts right to the heart. Thanks to your video I understand a little more about it.

[@PetersPianoShoppe]

Thanks, Michael! And congratulations on the Lyra! Do you have any of your music posted anywhere? I'd love to hear it.

[@pascallam8664]

I'm a fan of Richard's work for decades now. I don't have any background in music analysis and this explain in such detail why my brain can't get enough of his art work. Amazing verbalization! I would recommend to continue more music analysis!

[@boymakesmusic]

didnt think i’d want to watch a nearly half hour long explanation of the song, but apparently i did! thanks!

[@stargazer2455]

So glad I found this... Thank you!!

[@LouisSerieusement]

your analysis is very good and cool, thank you so much !!

[@PetersPianoShoppe]

Thank YOU, Louis, for watching.

[@fiftyshadesofurban]

I would to see more stuff like this. Listen to Selected Ambient Works Vol. 2 and pick out some interesting tracks and explain them like this.. There are a lot of really bizarre tracks in there that are downright chilling and it would be very interesting to hear an analysis of some of those songs.

[@stephenweigel]

Even microtonality

[@thedeepark]

6/ 1/ 3/ 7/ 6 This sequence, this designation. A recurring theme. A knot. Set and augmented by voice and inversion. Homebound, following that familiar path; a weathered groove, scored by errant tone and steadfast cadence. This dreamspun succour, uncovered by the dip of sun, the rush of stars. Inescapable. Unbound by resolution in form. It is in the seeking that we find. This, our haven, our home, our ark. We hang our hats, at rest in grateful lament, slumped in red-eyed tribute. Home. If nothing else, we can call this home.

[@alphalax7747]

Please continue writing

[@Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuckshhjit]

Every now and then people on youtube come through with the goods

[@cristoburn4778]

One of my favorite ambient tracks of all time. Melts my soul. I loved this, thank you! ✨

[@PetersPianoShoppe]

Thanks so much, Cristoburn! I'm glad you enjoyed.

[@clarkesinspace]

Love this video. Like another commenter, my first impulse was to express this in D lydian but I really don’t hear a strong pull there. After listening to the track just now I actually can’t stop hearing it in A major. IV vi I V IV. I feel the sadness derived from the constant lack of resolution with the tonic buried in the middle of the cadence with the shortest duration. Then it perpetually hangs on the Ah of amen. Like trying to get to a ball in water, or a in dream when a goal or object is so close but always just out of reach. Anyway, thanks for the thoughtful video. I love and celebrate the myriad ways of hearing and interpreting music.

[@JJ-rk6ce]

That's probably it. But yet another way to look at it for fun is that DFA creates the tonic. It's the chord that gets the most air time. So it IS in the key of D but it's major with a borrowed II from Lydian: I -- iii -- V -- II -- I. The iii, V, II might be considered a grouped deceptive cadence (there's only a one note difference between the V and iii) that stacks onto the layers of cadence.

[@prpfunk]

as a layman who loves music this was one of the best music analysis videos I've seen. I'll watch other things where people talk about scales and whatnot but don't bother explaining what difference that makes.

[@PetersPianoShoppe]

What generous words, prpfunk... thanks so much for watching. Next video coming up soon!

[@markovia110]

I watched it til the end while I am journaling, it was a quite nice session of watching long videos while doing work!

[@rossnoble6364]

Really enjoyed watching this video, woulda loved to see a similar kind of assessment on stone in focus

[@sharpshooter147]

I can't fault anything he said. Very good

[@Momma-bomber]

I don’t know why but the song evokes some sort of nostalgia

[@jasongravely7217]

This is beautifully taught and explained. 🙏

[@PetersPianoShoppe]

Thank you so much!

[@shellypooper]

this is the perfect balance between explanations and passionate self-expression. I really loved this.

[@PetersPianoShoppe]

Hey Victor... thanks so much for the nice comment. I'm glad you enjoyed! More on the way.

[@C1c4da]

I've been taking some music classes lately, so I'm a beginner still, but It's awesome to finally be able to analyze this tune a little! It's been one of my favorites for years. Thanks for posting this! You're an excellent teacher!

[@PetersPianoShoppe]

That's so kind of you to say, Elijah; I really appreciate it. Glad you enjoyed!

[@Norogoth]

Saw title and instantly added to bookmarks so I watch it later.

[@podcastfarm]

This is my favorite song ever and the fact that you made this video is so important

[@emanueluonj]

Wow man , thank you for this ! Such great insights !

[@PetersPianoShoppe]

Thanks so much for the comment, Emanuel. I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[@brent.singleton]

What an inviting and masterful exploration - thank you! I think my favourite was at 24:06 where it is almost like you caught yourself off guard with the weight of the emotion of what you had just played in your explanation.

[@rohitsubramanian8962]

Yep. It seemed exactly like that to me too. That thought actually made me smile to myself a bit. It's crazy what something seemingly so simple can do to one.

[@lorddoberman]

*Absolutely Gorgeous Peter, thank you for breaking this down and analyzing it and explaining this luscious tune.* *Simply marvellous bruvva, thank you for sharing

[@PetersPianoShoppe]

Hey.. thanks so much, man! I really appreciate the love. Glad you enjoyed it.

[@artificium_]

also just finished this and just have to say, fantastic analysis!

[@SisterRose]

This is going to sound a bit weird, but for me music - particularly for whatever reason, ambient electronic music, really feels like a doorway into a deeper layer of the universe. Like I feel like if there is an afterlife or higher level of being it probably sound a bit like this. It is interesting how ambient electronic music often embraces that - either by associating with existing religious or spiritual aspects(e.g. Mercan Dede and Sufism), or very much linking it to the inner workings of the universe(Carbon Based Lifeforms). I think other people have noticed this. I think it's partly due to the "elementary" nature of synthesiser sounds in some ways, but of course pure wave forms don't put us in that place, imperfect and filtered analogue ones tend to(though of course Brian Eno and maybe others also mastered using Digital Synths for this, so it's just a general rule). For Rhubarb, I don't interpret it as being bleak or sad as others might do, but it is Lamentful. Like I said about the idea that if there is an afterlife, it "sounds" like this, it does feel like the idea of having passed on, still existing and still having something to move onto, but realising the loss and disconnection, drowing yourself in nostalgia. I feel like this is probably a good song to listen to after you've had to upend your life and move elsewhere for that reason. It is definitely the sort of music you'd hear in a dream in that situation.

[@OhVicanne]

Wow... thank you so much for this, amazing video. Great work

[@batican8367]

Dude killer breakdown. Those chords are really complex for me to play. I’ve messed with downloading the midi files so I could learn to play this piece, but they all seem to be incorrect and your breakdown seems totally spot on to me. Thanks for putting this out there.

[@AutPen38]

If I'm not mistaken you could transpose this to A minor (just the white keys) and simply play F Am C G F if you wanted to get the basic shape of the progression. (Note the first chord is an inversion of the last). The fingering is slightly harder in the correct scale with some of the black keys.

[@lulu4882]

if i heard some whistling rhubarb in public i would ask them if they were okay and offer them a hug

[@PetersPianoShoppe]

🤣🤣

[@VentoliN13]

What an absolutely amazing review over my absolute favorite song in all of existence. Great job!

[@PetersPianoShoppe]

Thanks, man! So glad you enjoyed!

[@pizzasoundsz]

Really enjoyed this. Must have listened to this song 100s of times while working

[@frncscbtncrt]

Came back to rewatch this explanation. You should really make more like this

[@dumluv]

Thank you so much for this. I can't express into words how much this helped me today . I heard ambient works 2 for the first time today and I just broke my brain on this melody. It's something so universal but so personal. I could not wrap my head around it

[@dipthongthathongthongthong9691]

This is so beyond my comprehension... but I immediately thought of the first chords of Build of Home by Cinematic Orchestra and imagined the "moods" that are created based on the way the notes are arranged. Thanks for a wonderful and enlightening presentation.

[@МаксимФедотов-н6я]

Amazing work! Thank you!

[@davidcauley9400]

really cool, thanks for sharing.

[@zebounce]

My favourite version of this is "Rhubarb on a classical guitar" which you can find here. It, together with a very evocative and simple video shot on an old camera, has been up since 15 years and it is something I keep returning to throughout my life as I grew up from a teenager to an adult.

[@PetersPianoShoppe]

Great music translates to almost every medium or arrangement.

[@hoidoei941]

This version stood out for me too, that very subtle added tremolo guitarsound nails it and together with the footage gives you a strange vibe of nostalgia. Try catching the same emotion on a recorder lol

[@iamboomer.4673]

It's such a beautiful composition

[@HossuFlaviu]

Peter, this tutorial is ABSOLUTE GOLD! Subscribed instantly. You are very gifted in explaining musing and also (which is something that only true musicians do) the feelings its expressing.

[@PetersPianoShoppe]

Thank you, what kind words. I'm so glad you enjoyed it.

[@Daniel-lj7bo]

Just to add, this is brilliant. Music analysis from someone who gets the music and tries to explain why it seems to work. That should be how of music analysis is done!

[@PetersPianoShoppe]

Thanks very much, Daniel.

[@deshkl]

Amazing video! Thank you for sharing your knowledge and analysing this song!

[@PetersPianoShoppe]

Thank you for watching, Vuk! I'm glad you enjoyed it.

[@alostfraggle]

Thank you for this!

[@NDarinzo]

you're right, i'm stuck inside it but that's ok your efforts are appreciated

[@PetersPianoShoppe]

Isn't it? In the end, we resign ourselves as much as the song tells us to, because there's no choice. That's the power of music. Thanks so much for watching.

[@Carlos-ct9jl]

I love the way you teach

[@PetersPianoShoppe]

How kind of you to say. Thank you, Carlos!

[@redsocks1529]

I learned something today... why my favourite track is my favourite track!

[@preservedjams4109]

Amazing lesson

[@goonerinSP]

This is an excellent video. Loved your detailed analysis. Respect from the 🇬🇧

[@URXED]

Thank you! Excellent analysis!

[@PetersPianoShoppe]

Glad you liked it!

[@timforan1502]

Superb breakdown ❤️ thank you. Only thing I would add is the exceptional use of meter, which further casts that beautiful, unsettling feeling.

[@dimitriosorestisioannidis1970]

Thank you for making me appreciate the track even more! 🙏🏼

[@PetersPianoShoppe]

Παρακαλώ, Διμιτρηισ... να είσαι καλά!

[@dimitriosorestisioannidis1970]

@@PetersPianoShoppe Εφχαριστο! 🥂

[@diegobelinque1347]

welcome everybody to the aphex twin algorithm

[@chickenbiscuitbabyyewww9580]

This track is outrageously beautiful with only this simple melody, it’s like it’s sacred or something

[@PetersPianoShoppe]

Agreed.

[@danielkalamaras7252]

Εξαιρετική ανάλυση!

[@PetersPianoShoppe]

Ευχαριστώ πολύ!

[@danielkalamaras7252]

@@PetersPianoShoppe Μηπως εχεις καποιο email να σε ρωτήσω κάποια πράγματα που θέλω?

[@PetersPianoShoppe]

@@danielkalamaras7252 I messaged you on Facebook.

[@booiebowers]

One of my favourite tracks of all time. Thank you for showing us the chord structure of it all. You have made it more evocative showing us all how it all works. Cannot thank you enough ♥️

[@electron7373]

Really good analysis of this great piece.

[@nordriket]

this chord progression is so inspirational to me

[@iainshaw795]

Superb video - great teacher - hope you post more of these.

[@ganazby]

Really wonderful explanation of how voice leading evokes emotion. Bravo.

[@daphne1065]

I listen to it when I’m sad...

[@Lukegrayart]

So cool to hear someone explain this little known masterpiece

[@pierregui357]

I love this song and it's a very interesting explanation and interpretation, thank you!! the link between music and emotions is fascinating...

[@PetersPianoShoppe]

Thanks for watching, Pierre!

[@tomaswaldbaum6816]

I've really enjoyed this

[@fovalakirr]

please please continue!

[@ddc3758]

It's like a hidden and elusive mystery is finally revealed after decades. Thanks❣️

[@lucaswalsh5605]

It's just perfect

[@kenziegunn4769]

Thanks a lot! OH.... and as soon as I typed that you mentioned Arvo Part. Great breakdown for a theory newbie like me. :))))

[@willo7734]

Amazing video. This is definitely one of my favorite Aphex songs. Now I know why.

[@janmajdowski]

Thank you

[@AtomPiken]

Wow, I really did enjoy this and learned a lot. I’d love to hear how you re-created Aphex Twin’s warm pad sound so well!

[@PetersPianoShoppe]

If you could believe it, it's just my "warm pad" patch on the Casio Privia with a little EQ dialed in to roll off the highs and a touch boost in the mids. That's all. I have a feeling that the combination of that plus the lo-fi result of having the sound recorded through the cheap built-in iPhone mic that I used to make this video rounds out the sound just right.

[@jimvid5183]

@@PetersPianoShoppe I think you nailed it with the mic quality and room space. The mic likely can't handle the acoustics of the room's reverb and effectively recreates the slightly blown-out sound of the original and gives it a soft distortion/over-saturation. Amazing how similar it sounds!

[@BRUXXUS]

Incredible. It’s just so, so clever. I would absolutely LOVE more of these deconstructions of how the theory is used to evoke emotion and mood. Something almost completely ignored during all my theory classes.