This is Why You Suck at Guitar: Matching Chords to Melodies!

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  • Опубликовано: 15 окт 2024
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    How do David Gilmour, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Steve Vai, and Francis Bubbletrousers always seem to know the EXACT right combination of CHORDS plus MELODY?!? The answer is surprisingly simple, and Uncle Ben Eller is going to show it to you on the newest episode of This is Why You Suck at Guitar!
    If you've ever written a killer melody but don't know what chords to put behind it, this is what you NEED. You don't have to know a ton of theory to make this work, i'll show you everything you need, whether you're a guitar player, pianist, vocalist, or Bavarian cheese whistle pro!
    Gear:
    EBMM Luke III
    Diezel VH2
    What do YOU suck at on guitar?! Lets talk about it next!

Комментарии • 248

  • @BenEller
    @BenEller  Год назад +44

    Thanks for learning how to make melodic MAGIC by matching chords and melodies! What do you want to work on next?!

    • @Dcba964
      @Dcba964 Год назад +4

      Now teach us our to create a good melodie following the chords of a backing track 🙏🎸👍

    • @shocker5981
      @shocker5981 Год назад +3

      How about breaking down the opening lick that is between your video intro and the actual lesson.

    • @graysonhester2955
      @graysonhester2955 Год назад +3

      I’d be interested in working on how my childhood trauma manifests in my everyday decisions and life

    • @graysonhester2955
      @graysonhester2955 Год назад +1

      Oh wait wrong channel

    • @austindaniels357
      @austindaniels357 Год назад +5

      I know it’s just this process in reverse, but I’d dig having a proper lesson covering turning chords to melodies and solos. I’m trying to work on my improv and it’s hard to divide brain power between targeting chord tones and coming up with enough flashy phrases for good pacing.

  • @DammitCartman
    @DammitCartman Год назад +89

    ive been playing for 23 years and have always been terrible with theory. like, its some sort of handicap i can never pick it up and make things make sense. but this makes sense to me. I've never heard anyone explain chord progressions (or playing over them) in this way and a lot of stuff instantly clicked for me and made me feel like less of a step dad shredder. thanks uncle Ben!

    • @hazardeur
      @hazardeur Год назад +4

      thing is most people just overcomplicate it wa too much and/or think it really is that difficult. but it's not. if properly explained, a first grader wouold understand this.

    • @Gillespie5150
      @Gillespie5150 Год назад +2

      I could have your head wrapped around guitar theory in one day.

    • @TheSpydersBand
      @TheSpydersBand Год назад +5

      Me too...I know it's a terrible thing to admit to, but if you point to a string and a fret, I probably can't tell you instantly what the note is. I can't tell you the notes in chords off the top of my head. But I can hear intervals and play melodically, if on a limited basis. I need to work on this stuff, but seems to go in one ear and out the other, especially when I try to recall something live in real time.

    • @DammitCartman
      @DammitCartman Год назад +5

      @@hazardeur im not smarter than a first grader

    • @johnmurray3346
      @johnmurray3346 Год назад +1

      Play along with a youtube backing track that has the scale on the screen, take it slow and play minimal notes and it will click in no time.

  • @eddiejr540
    @eddiejr540 Год назад +7

    Uncle Ben, I know you’ve heard me say it before but its worth repeating…you really are a God gifted teacher👍

  • @alesegdia
    @alesegdia Год назад +1

    this is why I've been "patroning" this guy for more than a year already 👏

  • @JasonMarshMusic
    @JasonMarshMusic Год назад +6

    I live in Japan and occasionally do karaoke. I've managed to miss doing a Yoko Ohno marathon (so far).

  • @santiagovanegas3812
    @santiagovanegas3812 Год назад +3

    My guitar teacher has tried explaining this to me a lot, and failed by just making it too complicated and abstract. You, however, have nailed it in a simple, smart, and tangible way that it all makes perfect sense. Thanks so much! Now heading over to your patreon.... :)

  • @darkraven178
    @darkraven178 Год назад +2

    thanks for being a sharing chap. good ol' Ben, my uncle

  • @wahyus7964
    @wahyus7964 Год назад +2

    maaan you are best guitar teacher, always straight to the point. even noob can understand.

  • @RohannvanRensburg
    @RohannvanRensburg Год назад +1

    Techhhhhnically that Bm9 was a Bmadd9 cause there's no 7 in it. This is the first and last time I'll ever be able to add something to one of your videos. Great instruction and super clear description of harmony and melody basics!

  • @christopheredgar7549
    @christopheredgar7549 Год назад +3

    Brilliant lesson. I enjoy speed licks and the widdly-widdly as much as the next shredi knight, but it’s these lessons that set you apart as a teacher.

  • @Feverdream7777
    @Feverdream7777 Год назад +17

    I wish I would have studied and mastered chord progressions, chord tones and melody like this when I was a young man. Thank you for making this video Ben, you filled in some gaps in my understanding.

    • @Havanacuba1985
      @Havanacuba1985 Год назад

      Dude it’s never too late you’re younger than me ,keep rockin

  • @yokobrono2689
    @yokobrono2689 Год назад +6

    Uncle Ben never disappoints. I've been playing around 4 months or so. Your passion is most inspiring and I never fail to learn something. Keep up the awesome work!

  • @HarlanHarvey76
    @HarlanHarvey76 Год назад +4

    This reminds me of a great Andy Timmons quick lesson about using chord tones to create melody. Always great to be reminded about how the best sounding notes, most times - are already being played

  • @ElmanAuthement
    @ElmanAuthement Год назад +1

    Less than 40 seconds into the video and I already gave it a thumbs up because Uncle Ben ain't afraid to tell me I suck at guitar lol. Now to see the rest of the video and why I suck at guitar.

  • @vincele6174
    @vincele6174 Год назад +1

    Ben...this is called chord tone targeting during solos. This is the next level that guys like me who sucks at guitar needs to learn for awesome solos. Many YT videos that are available are more of click-bait and done by step-dads and not really shown anything useful. Can you make a video that deep-dive into chord tone targeting. The struggle that most of us have is how to keep the chords progress in our ears while we solo in order to target the notes in the chord when it changes? Please do a video that can really help us to do chord tone targeting during chord progress changes in a solo. Thank you Ben!

  • @Zakk_Ross
    @Zakk_Ross Год назад +10

    This is a great lesson for composing, and improvising! also for my college piano class we have to read melodies and be able to harmonize them ourselves. This applies to that too! and Reharmonization for any of you out there looking to expand creatively! Love you Uncle Ben💛

    • @Zakk_Ross
      @Zakk_Ross Год назад +1

      I commented this toward beginning of video, I'm so thankful you are so thorough Ben. But this is why theory can be so helpful for anyone hesitant to get into it! you can harmonize melodies like twinkle twinkle to practice and then it helps you grow your understanding of how chord tones relate to the harmony and then you can find your way easier when playing!

  • @drapp1477
    @drapp1477 Год назад +5

    Love this video. I always write chord progressions then try to fit the melody to it. This really opened my eyes to the possibilities when you do the opposite. Really appreciate it Ben!

  • @doom-mantia
    @doom-mantia Год назад

    this is blowing my mind especially the way you explained it. Will definitely experiment with this. Thanks Ben!

  • @Aphelion_Music
    @Aphelion_Music Год назад +5

    I've always felt Mikael Åkerfeldt of Opeth is one of the most melodic guitarist I've ever heard. His solos on Windowpane, Patterns in the Ivy II and Arriving Somewhere But Not Here (Porcupine Tree guest solo) always move me very deeply!
    Maybe a "Stuff Opeth Does" or a deep dive into his songwriting/melody work could be good, just saying :)
    Awesome video as always! I feel like I can finally learn how to solo properly thanks to you, Uncle Ben, so thank you for all you do and much love from France

  • @martynspooner5822
    @martynspooner5822 Год назад +1

    That was a real eye opener for me, probably should have worked it out myself after playing for years but I just didn't. This is a biggie for me thanks a lot.

  • @thekeefer690
    @thekeefer690 Год назад +1

    Uncle Ben, you are the complete opposite to sucking at guitar teaching! This gave me a couple of new insights towards understanding the "tonal handshake" as you put it, between a melody and chord progression with an easy to understand explanation. Thank you!

  • @martinjaramillo5205
    @martinjaramillo5205 Год назад +3

    Wow, this was eye-opening. Thanks a lot, uncle Ben, you've stirred-up my creative juices!

  • @InsolentMusicalPeasant
    @InsolentMusicalPeasant Год назад +6

    With all of the amazing gear you have, I don't know how you ever decide which guitar and amp to use. Really fantastic lesson here, too. I've been trying to do fewer technical exercises during my practice time and really focus on improving my musicality. This will go a long way toward that. Much appreciated!

  • @mestengo22
    @mestengo22 Год назад +1

    Tks Uncle Ben another perfect lesson

  • @bestboy897
    @bestboy897 10 месяцев назад +1

    truly one of the best lessons on theory that is so important yet too many guitarists including me ignore

  • @dtjmusiclife2023
    @dtjmusiclife2023 Год назад +2

    Nice Hillsong!💕...uplifing sound when you play chords in D A..etc into same melody... its awesome...😍

  • @realmz
    @realmz Год назад +1

    Another GOLDEN addition to the series!

  • @MrDrSirGuyManJr
    @MrDrSirGuyManJr Год назад +2

    This is the lesson I’ve been eagerly waiting for from you, thanks a ton Uncle Ben!

  • @ibanezrick
    @ibanezrick Год назад +1

    I love this approach.

  • @camarotrash
    @camarotrash Год назад +1

    I love how thorough this video was. A great post for Kurt’s birthday.

  • @Patricho
    @Patricho Год назад +3

    Thanks Benny! This made me think of songwriting in a totally new way! Never stop learning us that we suck at guitar!

  • @Bad.Rabbit
    @Bad.Rabbit Год назад +1

    This was excellent. I've always written melodies over progressions by targeting chord tones, but I've never really considered writing a progression to match a melody. I like how it can completely transform the feel. Great stuff

  • @shalomshalom735
    @shalomshalom735 Год назад +1

    great video Ben! there's tons of videos talking about how to use chord tones when soloing, but it's the first video I see where you match the chords to the melody, it's a great idea to expand the horizon a bit!

  • @isteve520
    @isteve520 Год назад +2

    This was brilliant! So well explained and demonstrated - thanks very much Ben

  • @randyhaney5767
    @randyhaney5767 Год назад +2

    Too Cool Uncle Ben...As always ..
    A totally fun lesson with; immediately usable information/Instruction, Stellar content,
    Explained in a direct to the point; succinct .. (So helpful)
    No Side tangents/explanations of "Modes" scales and Circle of 5th's, that are applicable & why they are...
    Just here is a melody, And why these chords will work with it.. And why others wont so well.
    Thanks for keeping it clear & simple; for those us that need it that way.

  • @SidSub
    @SidSub 7 месяцев назад

    Killed it Ben, had me skeprical at first with the "play triad tones" at the beginning. Came thru as always

  • @DemiLeFlame
    @DemiLeFlame Год назад

    Wrote all of this out yesterday and had no idea how to make a formula of it. This was right on time

  • @ipelegeng
    @ipelegeng Год назад

    Hi Ben! That was really useful and very well thought out and presented! Kudos!

  • @scottrussell9504
    @scottrussell9504 Год назад +1

    Dude!!! Thanks for breaking this open in a way my simple mind understands. Lightbulb moment of the year for me. 🤘🏻🙌🏻

  • @fretboardrunner
    @fretboardrunner Год назад +1

    Incredible video. I think at some point I've known some of the stuff you said in here, but brought together and demonstrated in this way it really made my brain go 'click'.

  • @TheCrimsonIdol987
    @TheCrimsonIdol987 Год назад +1

    Wonderful straightforward lesson on implied harmony and touching on reharmonization at the end there. Great stuff!

  • @jfo3000
    @jfo3000 Год назад

    This was great Ben.
    Two of my most informative "classical guitar" lessons...teacher sat with me at the piano, no guitars, and he demonstrated some applicable simple music theory. Much like this. Music theory for most popular music is actually pretty simple, if explained properly.

  • @satchrules101
    @satchrules101 Год назад

    The second last example sounded the best 2 chords. Simplicity always sounds better and always wins. Great lesson Ben!

  • @neilriffs
    @neilriffs Год назад +1

    It's always so cool using different chord progressions that still use the same melody notes, even if they're not in the same scale. Great video, found it real helpful!

  • @Ryan_Messenger
    @Ryan_Messenger Год назад +1

    Congrats on the new amp, Uncle Ben!!

  • @markwelsh9068
    @markwelsh9068 Год назад

    That was a great piece of video right there. Would love to see you expand on the concept more with more exotic and "out there" examples.

  • @plgplgplg
    @plgplgplg Год назад

    Went from thinking about adding Is this love to our song list to your vid on John Sykes to this great vid. Love the scale to melody to chord and then 7th approach. Thanks much.

    • @plgplgplg
      @plgplgplg Год назад

      Just trying your approach here and am finding that the original melody is easier to come up with by singing (humming) it, then copying on guitar than by trying to come up with it on guitar. Again thanks for the inspiration.

  • @neildoherty6234
    @neildoherty6234 Год назад

    This is the most informative thing I have ever seen on composition, thank you Ben.

  • @TrailblazingMedia
    @TrailblazingMedia Год назад +1

    the timing of this is uncanny, i needed this right now so i can apply immediatly

  • @steveb4400
    @steveb4400 Год назад

    Thank you Ben. This is a truly simple way to understand what appears so elusive to me. And others. You rock!

  • @MrSonicAlchemy
    @MrSonicAlchemy Год назад +1

    Another great video Ben! Once again, you've made a fairly complex aspect of music making easily digestible for the many guitarists who "just don't get" music theory. You seem to have a knack for breaking down music technique and theory in a way that is immediately relatable and less intimidating. Good on ya!

  • @trumanwachter5377
    @trumanwachter5377 Год назад +2

    I expected it to slowly turn into Comfortably Numb by the end through the power of music theory. Great Lesson!

  • @TheStrykerProject
    @TheStrykerProject Год назад +7

    The first "most melodic" player I thought of was Tom Scholz. Bostons' melodies are both beautiful and powerful.
    Edit: With harmonies, to boot!

    • @TheStrykerProject
      @TheStrykerProject Год назад

      @@Domn879 Agreed. And good call with Gilmour, Corgan, and Bellamy. I figured if I thought about it too long, the floodgate would open. Satch and Vai, too, of course.

  • @milosavramovic1902
    @milosavramovic1902 Год назад

    This is awesome. I think you should make more videos like that

  • @Andrew-cu9lf
    @Andrew-cu9lf 9 месяцев назад

    Really, really good lesson. Thanks!
    "Less clickin', more pickin'", that's great!

  • @kramregnu2945
    @kramregnu2945 Год назад

    For me, the joy of playing guitar is recording a melody you thought of, and then adding the right chords. As a hobby for me over 30 years, this is what keeps me playing. I still tear up when I find those juicy chords that compliment the melody. Thanks for the lessons to help me make even more juicy chords.

  • @personaltip
    @personaltip Год назад

    Thanks a lot for this awesome instructional video. This is one of my weaknesses. I wonder if you have more lessons on this topic on different keys.

  • @kelvinstephenson571
    @kelvinstephenson571 Год назад +2

    I had a few years of lessons with a fair bit of theory involved and forgot a lot of it after I stopped. These videos are great for pulling those long forgotten approaches and techniques out of the ol' brain bunker. Uncle Ben does it again

  • @danihost1785
    @danihost1785 Год назад

    Amazing lesson, very hands on.

  • @MyAMJourney
    @MyAMJourney Год назад

    Awesome lesson. This was super informative!

  • @daniboi271
    @daniboi271 Год назад +1

    Amazing as always, thank you for these videos uncle Ben!

  • @ethanreed5815
    @ethanreed5815 Год назад +3

    You know I've always been told to match my melodies with chord tones, but nothing beats hearing such good examples of it actually being done. I'm gonna try this out with some of the whack chord progressions that I've written. Thanks uncle Ben

  • @zlatanplaysguitar
    @zlatanplaysguitar Год назад +1

    It was awesome as always Ben! Thank you!

  • @JCFern
    @JCFern Год назад +1

    This is gold!
    I get the concept theory-wise on paper, now I just have to get off my lazy ass and actually master doing this on the fretboard. Thank you Uncle Ben! 🙏

  • @josearalat
    @josearalat Год назад +1

    This was an eureka moment for some of us who are stepdads and even granddads. Very cool and informative.

  • @markbrady7532
    @markbrady7532 Год назад +1

    Thank you Ben. The beauty for me culminated in the Amazing Grace piece. Really inspiring as a singer and musician. Thank you.

  • @musicproductionvideos5019
    @musicproductionvideos5019 10 месяцев назад

    Wow Amazing info here! Another video exploring more examples please! I thought I had but then tried "Yesterday" melody... as if I had never heard the chords b4. Got stuck right away. Not sure why. Thanks!

  • @adriancooper8192
    @adriancooper8192 Год назад +1

    That was a really good explanation with brilliantly clear musical examples. Deep fried gold indeed. Thank you Uncle Ben

  • @sqrly2u
    @sqrly2u Год назад

    Wow. I am so impressed with this video. You show in layman's term how work with and make melodies. And on top of that, you use Amazing Grace in the end. You are truly a man that is boundless in your guitar playing. Good day!

  • @oskargrabiec3375
    @oskargrabiec3375 Год назад

    this makes so much sense thank you Ben

  • @thedude7450
    @thedude7450 Год назад

    I really needed this video. Thank you!

  • @joopvanzeir3330
    @joopvanzeir3330 Год назад +1

    10/10 video uncle Ben!

  • @dannyspitzer1267
    @dannyspitzer1267 Год назад +1

    Good topic!
    I'm looking forward to this one Uncle Ben

  • @TheZdannar
    @TheZdannar Год назад

    Ben, in engineering school I had two types of professors. The first, who loved nothing but theory and seemed to try to expand the division between theory and practice. The second, who worked a day job in the field and wanted competent coworkers. Type two appreciated breaking down complex theories and chose to avoid elitism. Ben, you are a fantastic teacher. Thank you.

  • @Morkradd
    @Morkradd Год назад +1

    I've always had a hard time making music theory stick, but this made it really easy to understand and apply. Thanks a lot Uncle!

  • @CyberDocUSA
    @CyberDocUSA Год назад

    Not sure how I missed this episode and am glad I discovered it for some musical laughs today! Thanks, bruh! Have a memorable Memorial Day in a symbiotic way.

  • @GetTheFunkOut46
    @GetTheFunkOut46 Год назад +1

    Dude, you're such a great teacher. I wish I had someone like you around when I was a kid. Learning in my 30s is too much for my ape brain.

  • @ALLforROME
    @ALLforROME Год назад +1

    Thanks bud! 💯

  • @Crowbar11115
    @Crowbar11115 Год назад

    I've ordered a few Demo Deals from Sweetwater and every single one arrived looking 100% Mint!! One even mentioned it wouldn't include the original box/manual yet it arrived in the factory packaging!

  • @SkeeterMcBeater
    @SkeeterMcBeater Год назад +1

    Thanks uncle Ben!

  • @leechild4655
    @leechild4655 Год назад +1

    I noticed listening to Jeff Beck and something that made him great was the progressions and beats presented to him. He was able to do what he did best which is player over the whole band and make it about him. He was great because he knew he was and/or had to be or it wouldnt work

  • @alexiezante3663
    @alexiezante3663 Год назад +1

    This is why I bought the Ditto X4 Looper and EHX Freeze.

  • @Mauitaoist
    @Mauitaoist Год назад

    I really like this lesson I saved it to my phone so I can review it a lot and use your technique for different keys. Your sample melody in this video was beautiful, it sounded like Steve Vai's For the Love of God.

  • @oldmanriff7633
    @oldmanriff7633 Год назад +1

    Thanks for taking something that might seem mysterious and making it "well, duh" simple! I'd love to see you do something like this with 2- and 3-note power chords for meatheads like myself; I wonder if that might be super limiting or make the note choices too obvious.

  • @destroso
    @destroso Год назад

    Awesome video, big thanks

  • @drnastybf79
    @drnastybf79 Год назад +1

    Suck collection has expanded. Must tell aunt Julie, she will be pleased.

  • @broncoxy
    @broncoxy Год назад +1

    Thank you Uncle Ben, you made my brain go at least 25% faster with this video!

  • @thesoundpurist
    @thesoundpurist Год назад

    Simple and effective. When a dude who know what he's doing is gifted to translate a concept to it's simplest expression.

  • @iestynwalters7681
    @iestynwalters7681 Год назад +1

    Perfect explanation 👌 thanks

  • @Hneel65
    @Hneel65 4 месяца назад

    This was an eye opener

  • @vitobrattaforever402
    @vitobrattaforever402 Год назад +2

    Thumbs up, Uncle Ben!!'👍👍

  • @williammorris5411
    @williammorris5411 Год назад

    Kinda the reverse perspective of chord tone targeting! Melody tone targeting? 🤔🤨
    Superb lesson, this is a powerful tool :)

  • @danielbeaird6264
    @danielbeaird6264 Год назад

    Great explanation... but what if you want the dissonance to build tension? Is there a strategy for choosing those notes? I usually try to find half steps that are behind the desired note and kind of imply that note with big vibrato or slow bends, maybe legato... of course, this is coming from a lead perspective rather than a rhythm

  • @stevesoldwedel
    @stevesoldwedel Год назад

    "Last of the Famous International Playboys" is, I think, just G and D, yet it sounds pretty great, I think, because of the melody. Akin to your segment on the G7 - A | Bm progression. This is a great video. Thanks for making it.

  • @lisaferrara8120
    @lisaferrara8120 Год назад +1

    Great video!

  • @patramirez5264
    @patramirez5264 Год назад

    I have a love/hate relationship with the guitar. Uncle Ben is a beast on the guitar and he has the patience to show us are faults.

  • @dcldcl8054
    @dcldcl8054 Год назад

    Thanks Uncle Ben. You're the best uncle ever!!

  • @josearalat
    @josearalat Год назад +1

    I would really like some tips on fast repeating licks that fit the chord tones under them. I've found out that some of the usual repeating licks work very well in certain spots and not so great in other spots in the progression. I'm guessing is all about what chords are underneath but i've never seen a lesson on repeating licks in context with what chords are being played underneath.

  • @jpalberthoward9
    @jpalberthoward9 Год назад +1

    The Blind Boys of Alabama sang "Amazing Grace" over the changes to "House of The Rising Sun" it was extraordinary.

  • @SongsInPhilsetto
    @SongsInPhilsetto Год назад +1

    You just unlocked the secrets of the universe