I swear.. every video I see from Nolly, he blows my mind.. one big thing I took from this, is that guitar riffs can now go a lot further. I honesty feel like this is the “sauce” in periphery and their writing.. I am beyond grateful that you shared this with us. The knowledge AND great drum tones from GGD, is why I LOVE you guys! Thank you soo much.
Ive been messing with this and learning how to utilize it without even knowing the name of it, This video helped me so much to understand what I'm actually trying to do
YES. I've been searching for the name of this technique for AGES. I never knew what to call it, and I never knew how to explain it in order to search it. You can hear it in Tesseract's Palingenesis pt. 2 between 2:22 and 2:46 , and you can also hear it in Meshuggah's Do Not Look Down from 0:00 - 0:36. It's such a trippy thing, it boggles my mind every time! Thanks for explaining it!
Oh man one I absolutely love is The Great Debate by DT, at minute 8:45 Is very clear how mike portnoy hints the modulation with a snare in the previous beats, as nolly says. Or Aenema by Tools
Listen to the final riff of Periphery's Satellite. The snare and cymbals are regular, but the kick follow the guitars which modulate of a 1/16th note every 2 bars if I remember correctly (or something close to that) I've totally understood how it's played but my brain is not able to coordinate all my limbs yet
The Mirror is a great example and a fantastic teaching tool. John Petrucci is basically just trying out his new seven string and Mike Portnoy is moving the rhythmic frame all over the place.
Snake by Navarone is one of my favourites. Groovy in two different ways. Starts out in a triplet feel, but then the drums come in with a straight 4/4 rock beat over that.
This is really cool. I know I've done this when working on arrangements, I just never knew there was a name for the technique. Always great informative videos!
That was really fucking cool, tapping my thigh in 4/4 and just hearing the sound get de synced then resyned. Thank you for showing me how to use my heritage
Fantastic! I've been experiment with this after hearing it in some proggy songs but never knew what it was called or even how to try and figure out what it was called!
If you want to use this kind of metric modulation but have trouble playing it, calculate the new "tempo" the song would be in and change the tempo of the klick instead of playing a true metric modulation. It will result in a "simpler" version, simply because the tempochange will resolve after a straight number of bars but it makes it easier to play whilst achieving the same effect (at least i the first few bars). quarter notes at 160 bpm would have the same tempo as half note triplets at (160/3)*2 bpm. that would be...106.6 bpm.
Came for the metric modulation, stayed for the Djent (?) I know nothing about this type of music but I love your clip! Can you recommend anything that sounds like that? Preferably instrumental as I'm not ready for the screaming I'm hearing on Spotify 🤣
deadmau5 does this a bit. In Strobe it feels like it drops from 4/4 to 3/4, but if you count you can keep up with the beat. Maybe it's easier to follow being electronic dance music, but it's still a cool effect that can be used in any genre
Great video. Can you break down the guitar part? Sounds like it alternates between at least a couple patterns ... grouped in both 3's and 4's making it work in both contexts. Sounds like it's rhythmically displaced also giving it a syncopated feel in both cases...would be helpful if you could describe the technique or post the sheet music. thanks
Thank you, Adam, for your insight into this awesome concept! FYI - the interlude of this track by Icelandic band Agent Fresco has some tastefully done metric modulations (2:33-3:12): ruclips.net/video/1VmNTl6JvDY/видео.html
the middle midi pattern @1:58 doesn't seem to match what was played prior. The second snare hit on the syncopated hit hat pattern looks early and hits with the hi hat. Change my mind!
Everything Will Be OK by CB Murdoc is insane. The whole thing feels like it keeps slowing down due to the implied modulation- measure by measure. If you haven't heard them, you need to!
Chris Turner, the drummer of Oceans Ate Alaska, has made a lesson on this as well if anyone’s interested. Here’s a link: ruclips.net/video/hyCB7M0ouBM/видео.html
How dare he not name Matt Garstka. Dude modulated 2 measures of 4/4 into 11 beats playing the groove of physical education during his solo in Dallas, TX
@@zackarysmith2222 First off, if you really thought I was upset, joke's on you. Secondly, everyone does NOT know of garstka, I've introduced his works to many people for the first time.
Interesting one! It's almost the opposite isn't it - they use a tempo change and switch from quintuplets to 16ths for the tapping breaks, but the idea is you don't notice the metric modulation, instead of making it seem like you changed meter when you didn't... more like a "stealth" metric modulation than an implied one!
I also immediately thought of When The Moment's Gone when they speed up, then later on transfer into triplets that breaks back into the original tempo of the opening riffs. 4:00 to 5:14
![KAYTRANADA - Witchy (feat. Childish Gambino) [Official Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/jGK3YVmGZ3Y/mqdefault.jpg)
Nolly is such a fantastic teacher; he's so articulate in the way he describes things.
Very much a part of Nolly's signature writing in my opinion! Endings of songs such as Prayer Position and Make Total Destroy are great examples 😍
Couldn't agree more
...also hey👋
Hey Josua 😁
Well look who it is! :D
"Hey, VSauce, Michael here."
*starts metronome track
"This is the downbeat..."
*VSauce music starts playing at a different tempo
"Or is it?"
hahaha great!
Queue the minorMaj7 chord.
I swear.. every video I see from Nolly, he blows my mind..
one big thing I took from this, is that guitar riffs can now go a lot further.
I honesty feel like this is the “sauce” in periphery and their writing..
I am beyond grateful that you shared this with us. The knowledge AND great drum tones from GGD, is why I LOVE you guys! Thank you soo much.
It's really cool that Nolly understands drums better than me and most other people, and I have been playing drums for 14 years or so... :D
You're allowed to say "Djenty". I think it's ok at this point.
Djent is the noun. Djenty is the adjective
@@shaymiantewhau3014 D is silent
Djently is the adverb.
@@KiraPlaysGuitar I think the adverb is "djentily"
@@dsblocks Why the extra syllable just to make it feel like shit when saying?
Thanks so much for this, Nolly. This has really been a dark area for me and you've brought light to this topic. You're a master.
Ive been messing with this and learning how to utilize it without even knowing the name of it, This video helped me so much to understand what I'm actually trying to do
YES. I've been searching for the name of this technique for AGES. I never knew what to call it, and I never knew how to explain it in order to search it. You can hear it in Tesseract's Palingenesis pt. 2 between 2:22 and 2:46 , and you can also hear it in Meshuggah's Do Not Look Down from 0:00 - 0:36. It's such a trippy thing, it boggles my mind every time! Thanks for explaining it!
TesseracT do it all the time, but are really subtle with it. The intro to Nocturne does it as well
Lol that bit about 420 was hilarious
We need a masterclass on how to get a mix for these drums! The rock one was super cool, but wayyyyy dig these drums more!
Chris Turner from oceans ate alaska also has a great video explaining this for anyone who doesn't quite get it
My brain wasn’t ready for this but thanks for the knowledge
This is always one of my favorite techniques. Great tutorial, Nolly!
You could just hire Matt Garstka (;
Edit: Obviously Halpern as well
Also thank you for explaining the dynamics and applications of this technique
Dude you're the man. This is a perfect explanation, thank you!
That 420 comment made me actually laugh out loud!
Same. He seemed genuinely surprised that it came out of his mouth hahaha
I see it's some kind of a meme, but I must have missed it. Please explain :D
Oh man one I absolutely love is The Great Debate by DT, at minute 8:45
Is very clear how mike portnoy hints the modulation with a snare in the previous beats, as nolly says.
Or Aenema by Tools
Never knew this had a name! Super useful video!!
Love that you gave Taste my Fist by F.K as an example. Incredible band when it comes to rhythm.
Listen to the final riff of Periphery's Satellite. The snare and cymbals are regular, but the kick follow the guitars which modulate of a 1/16th note every 2 bars if I remember correctly (or something close to that)
I've totally understood how it's played but my brain is not able to coordinate all my limbs yet
"The Mirror" by Dream Theater and "Is This My Fate, He Asked Them" by Story of the Year have some of my favorite mods ever, and they're so simple!
I can't find anything in that Story of the Year song.
The Mirror is a great example and a fantastic teaching tool. John Petrucci is basically just trying out his new seven string and Mike Portnoy is moving the rhythmic frame all over the place.
Snake by Navarone is one of my favourites. Groovy in two different ways. Starts out in a triplet feel, but then the drums come in with a straight 4/4 rock beat over that.
The main riff of Stranded by Gojira is another simple but very effective example of using this technique imo
Adam “Dare I say Djenty” Getgood 😂 awesome video!
Nolly: It's a rhytmic technique that's not gonna be appropriate most of the time
Car bomb: Hold my beer
also Nolly : gets involved in the engineering of Mordial
This is really cool. I know I've done this when working on arrangements, I just never knew there was a name for the technique.
Always great informative videos!
Nolly is the Vsauce of metal.
_"what is metric modulation?"_
*ba dum, tsss!*
_"wrong sound effect!"_
0:29 beautiful explanation
That was really fucking cool, tapping my thigh in 4/4 and just hearing the sound get de synced then resyned. Thank you for showing me how to use my heritage
I would pay for such knowledge 🤯
Fantastic! I've been experiment with this after hearing it in some proggy songs but never knew what it was called or even how to try and figure out what it was called!
So good! Thanks man
yees, yeeeee, YEEEEEEES. Thank you for the notes
Great video Nolls. It'd be cool to have more videos from you on compositional devices :)
Gracias Adam por estos videos!
Really cool trick, thanks nolly!
If you want to use this kind of metric modulation but have trouble playing it, calculate the new "tempo" the song would be in and change the tempo of the klick instead of playing a true metric modulation.
It will result in a "simpler" version, simply because the tempochange will resolve after a straight number of bars but it makes it easier to play whilst achieving the same effect (at least i the first few bars).
quarter notes at 160 bpm would have the same tempo as half note triplets at (160/3)*2 bpm. that would be...106.6 bpm.
^This. I've also done this for recording, seems way easier.
Lights Out - Car Bomb. And pretty much in all their songs lol
it's like a seizure in musical form
Was just about to mention this song!
Truly. This is basically Car Bomb's signature at this point. Killer!
I believe Covet does this in a couple places on their new album, but it might just be normal metric modulation, and not quite "implied".
I understood everything. He said 4.20. That’s they key.
The Mirror by Dream Theater
Excellent example - I should have mentioned it in the video!
this is awesome
The OG
Came for the metric modulation, stayed for the Djent (?) I know nothing about this type of music but I love your clip! Can you recommend anything that sounds like that? Preferably instrumental as I'm not ready for the screaming I'm hearing on Spotify 🤣
Oh right, Periphery, lol
15:37 blaze up father nollz
This was a great video. I’ve always wondered why my programmed drum changes sound so abrupt or just... not smooth.
Beautiful. Thanks a lot!
my favourite example of this is in TTNG - Whatever Whenever
Plini's song also use this matrix modulation mostly
deadmau5 does this a bit. In Strobe it feels like it drops from 4/4 to 3/4, but if you count you can keep up with the beat. Maybe it's easier to follow being electronic dance music, but it's still a cool effect that can be used in any genre
Oh man, please, please upload the stems for this. This would be such a great writing tool.
3:09 Very Thomas Haake style fill ohh maa goodness soo good
IMM is also used in a lot of Oceans Ate Alaska’s Songs
Great video. Can you break down the guitar part? Sounds like it alternates between at least a couple patterns ... grouped in both 3's and 4's making it work in both contexts. Sounds like it's rhythmically displaced also giving it a syncopated feel in both cases...would be helpful if you could describe the technique or post the sheet music. thanks
YEAHHHHHH FOUR TWENTY MY GUY
If i ever get a make a wish i would choose too meet this guy
Ah...So this is where the real Michael from Vsauce is hiding
Very nice Freak Kitchen plug :)
Cool cool very cool lesson. How can I get this from you...tks.
Keep it up
nolly blazes confirmed
I mean...the guys in Periphery do
Another good example is "Empty Vessels Make The Most Noise" by Monuments
The outro to Darkane's Innocence Gone, from 4:17. Always messes with my head.
My man really mentioned Freak Kitchen
What preset is? Modern o invasion?
Thank you, Adam, for your insight into this awesome concept!
FYI - the interlude of this track by Icelandic band Agent Fresco has some tastefully done metric modulations (2:33-3:12):
ruclips.net/video/1VmNTl6JvDY/видео.html
fantastic example
such a simple riff yet incredibly effective. those drums are tight as fuck tho...
the middle midi pattern @1:58 doesn't seem to match what was played prior.
The second snare hit on the syncopated hit hat pattern looks early and hits with the hi hat.
Change my mind!
Do not look down - meshuggah
Cloudkicker - God be with ye And a lot of song by Ben Sharp
Everything Will Be OK by CB Murdoc is insane. The whole thing feels like it keeps slowing down due to the implied modulation- measure by measure. If you haven't heard them, you need to!
Chris Turner, the drummer of Oceans Ate Alaska, has made a lesson on this as well if anyone’s interested.
Here’s a link: ruclips.net/video/hyCB7M0ouBM/видео.html
And to think that there are people who say that music theory is limiting and kills creativity
hey michael! when will you make more videos on Vsauce?
15:37
How dare he not name Matt Garstka. Dude modulated 2 measures of 4/4 into 11 beats playing the groove of physical education during his solo in Dallas, TX
Jesse Shepard nobody cares lol everyone knows about Matt Garstka
@@zackarysmith2222 First off, if you really thought I was upset, joke's on you. Secondly, everyone does NOT know of garstka, I've introduced his works to many people for the first time.
OCEANS ATE ALASKA HAS ENTERED CHAT
Ocean Planet, Gojira. From 16th triplets to 16th notes.
Wow Vsauce gives some good tips
Evil Bert has done well for himself.
Dare he say it? Yes....
*hey, vsauce, michael here. what is dj0nt?*
That 420 comment made me laugh 😂
Nolly talking about Periphery in third person is so painful
where I can download the midi track?
21.5k views, 21.5k subs. That’s a ratio right there
That quintuplet part in Bland Street Bloom, right?
Interesting one! It's almost the opposite isn't it - they use a tempo change and switch from quintuplets to 16ths for the tapping breaks, but the idea is you don't notice the metric modulation, instead of making it seem like you changed meter when you didn't... more like a "stealth" metric modulation than an implied one!
@@adamnollygetgood5545 This is something similar to the end of Degenerate by Monuments right?
Yes, I went back and noticed it changes signature a few times rather than implying it.
I also immediately thought of When The Moment's Gone when they speed up, then later on transfer into triplets that breaks back into the original tempo of the opening riffs. 4:00 to 5:14
Can you please please give us the midi for the drums?
Step one, be a master musician
15:35 hahaha four twenty
💜💜💜💜💜💜
Wohoo!
Oh
So this is what Misery Signals has been doing for years
@9:26 aw
Nolly, do you think you’d ever use this riff?
Omar Joel Zaki it’s in every periphery song lol jk
WTF IS THAT GROOOOOW?!?!?!
9:26 Time to get a video editor? ^^'
Matt Halpern....
I thought ''Nolly'' was meant as a kind of mock-up of Neely. lol
This shit is all over P1
Spicy fillets