There is something powerful about a guitar and story…

Ok, I'm 33min into it and just blown away. First, there's the patterned nature of playing guitar, much different from a purely melodic instrument, like winds. Well, then Dweezil takes the illustration next level by creating a line of riffs from the 8675309 tune. It's literally just note groupings in those numbers and mostly on pentatonic, but he doesn't explain the additional harmonic nuances involved in the (what is really a) compositional process. Some of what he is doing is alternating Amin pentatonic with the dominant in an altered form (essential in a minor key for any modern sound), so Amin pent and then E7 with altered tones like b9, #9, b13. The genius comes in the use of a basic albeit random pattern of numbers, which ultimately sounds like friggin . . .

 

Can't be a music thread on TH without acknowledging the obvious.

 

Ok, one more gold nugget and this one about playing outside. Zappa explained alternating the out notes from the pent scale w the in notes and he had two groups of out notes. This gives me GREAT food for thought in my upcoming practice sessions. It opens up the harmonic palette where I can channel some of the stuff I hear, but don't know.

 

Is this gonna be on the test?

 

Yes. Now go practice your diminished scales and learn the super locrian mode.

 

super locrian mode? I know you’re making shit up

 

What taking music theory classes does to a MF

 

Thanks..... I now feel completely inadequate as a guitar player after watching that video....