I know I just commented about this on another video of yours but it seemed to fit even better here as this isn't a four year old video. I don't know for sure but I think King Gizzard's song Gliese 710 might be in locrian, given that the album it ends is titled "Ice, Death, Planets, Lungs, Mushrooms and Lava" that is Ice (Ionian), Death (dorian), Planets (phrygian), Lungs (lidian), Mushrooms (myxolidian), And (Aeolian), Lava (locrian), and the first two songs are in Ionian, and Dorian respectively. so if you want to check it out here's the link ruclips.net/video/JB7oa9KkIg8/видео.html
Lydian - Norwegian Good Major - Morning Wood Mixolydian - Norwegian Wood Dorian - Norwegian Mood Minor - Norwegian Wood... after the fire Phrygian - Egyptian Wood Locrian - Cannibal tribe living in the Norwegian Woods
@@DavidBennettPiano um....please do this! It's honestly a brilliant idea for a series, given how interesting this video was. I'll be very here for that.
PLEASE do this for a thousand more songs. It's one thing to theoretically learn your modes, but to hear them as a practical example using such a well known song, just reaches a new level
Lydian - I once had a girl and it was a magical experience I will remember forever Ionian - I once had a girl and it was a fun time Myxolydian - I once had a girl and she once had me Dorian - I once had a girl and I really miss her, but remember the good times we had Minor - I once had a girl and now I'm crying my eyes out because she's gone Phrygian - I once had a girl and losing her is making me lose my grip and go a bit mad Locrian - I once had a girl and then I lit a fire...using her as the kindling
I don't really get the idea that Locrian sounds bad. It's the only scale (among these) that ditches the perfect fifth and allows you to focus on other qualities.
If you want to compare the modes side by side, here are the timestamps of them being played from darkest to lightest: 10:03 Locrian 8:16 Phrygian 6:07 Minor (Aeolian) 5:13 Dorian 1:40 Mixolydian 2:34 Major (Ionian) 3:55 Lydian
I really liked the Phrygian version. Lydian was my second favorite. On another note, I was surprised to see David use a Beatles song in one of his videos.
1) it's a good example because it has all the notes of the scale and starts and ends on the 5th, and 2) I like Phrygian and Phrygian Dominant and think I'll try the Phrygian Dominant on this song
What a genius way to teach modes and simultaneously work as a commercial for a product! Not often I'm as interested in the sponsor as the actual content 🙂
@@DavidBennettPiano It got me to bookmark the site and I'll be trying it out for sure. This is the best way to advertising as it annoys no one, and it makes people want to try the products out!
This is a prime example of how modes work, probably one of your best and most informative videos ever! If you ever did this again (which I hope you would) I think it would be cool to see some other scales like harmonic minor, melodic minor, phrygian dominant, etc. It would be very interesting to see how you utilise and describe these less prominent scales in the context of a known song!
@@DavidBennettPiano And if you were feeling really keen, you could then do all the modes of THOSE scales. I’d love to hear Norwegian Wood in Phrygian Dominant (fifth mode of the harmonic minor scale - has a very “Arabic” sound to western ears)
Brilliant demonstration of the modes. 50 years of playing and this is absolutely the best and clearest depiction of the differences I have seen. Bravo!
Me too. You probably couldn't do a whole song with it, but you can't not react to it. Perfect for an intro or a bridge of some sort. I think I'm going to write a song like this on purpose.
If you like locrian, there is this song, Dust to Dust, by John Kirkpatrick, that exclusively goes in locrian: ruclips.net/video/5-lJMalRMew/видео.html There are not many songs like that. I think it's great.
@@egilsandnes9637 That link didn't work, but I found another link. It really reminds me of something from a musical. For obvious enough reasons, he's not using chords or trying to harmonize the root note. 😃
I’m 76 now, and grew up with The Beatles as a background to my teens and twenties. It’s almost mind blowing to hear John Lennon’s voice manipulated like this, but still sounding real. Deep fake indeed. Congrats to RipX and to you as always, not least for getting copyright permission. I can guarantee Paul and Ringo will be tuning in.
I think of Lydian as a smile that's just a little TOO big. Maybe they are very happy or maybe they are a little unhinged. So in decreasing brightness I would say they are: Crazy smile Happy smile Cheeky smirk Bittersweet grin Introspective Gaze Frown Serial killer stare
@@beatrixwickson8477 Yes. Somebody just noted that the one note you flatten to change mode to the next darker is always a perfect fifth away from the note you flattened last time, until finally you have to flatten the tonic to create a new cycle starting with Lydian. A coil is the perfect analogy.
this is a brilliant video! You describe modes in a way that makes so much more sense than most other ways. Each mode has it's own 'flavor' or character. We can keep track more easily by noting what notes change in reference to major/ionian. Exactly. Then to actually hear this classic melody done with all the different flavors is nothing short of amazing. And honestly, it's pretty trippy!
I'm imagining the six other alternate universes where the altBeatles actually recorded this song in each of those other modes. Thanks for making me happy to be in the universe I'm in 👍
Great demonstration of modes, David. One thing is for sure: The Beatles chose the right mode for this song. EDIT: I'm aware they just made decisions by ear and not conscious choice. The point is, they used the mode that worked best.
Except when you sing it in Elvish, you do it in dorian. And when you sing it in Elvis, you do it in blues. But yes - for the rock/pop version, they chose the right mode.
Hindsight should not be confused with brilliance. It should be realized for what it is, hindsight. The Beatles, as much I lov’em, did not invent the mechanics or theory of their writing style. It had already existed. They just had the opportunity and sense to tap into it at a most opportune time.
Thank you for highlighting the thing I love about music and theory in general: the light/dark you describe I’ve always seen in my head as color while learning and analyzing music. I love explaining this to people who don’t realize there is color in music and you’ve done it in such a great format in the video. Also to visualize how you change the chords behind the melody as you go through the modes. I love writing progressions that “force” mode melodies. Again the video is a great way to see quickly see how that happens, when you create a melody from a mode, the chord structure changes to compliment it. Love it.
Damn, the change from phrygian to locrian was a drastic one, and I really like it, locrian has a very particular and interesting flavour. Thanks for another great video! Btw, it's cool that you engage us in your decision-making
Locrian: the only one of the basic "church" modes (modes of the major scale) where the tonic chord is diminished. Phrygian has the minor second, but it doesn't have that!
I really liked Norwegian Wood in dorian mode, it sounds drastically different from other modes, but aeolian is so dark and down that it completely changes the mood of the motif. We had an uplifting bright motif and once it had turned into aeolian it sounds like we're at a funeral or it's a story that tells us about unhappy love. Genius! ❤
Not that any mode is necessarily better than any other but I always loved the mysterious dark feeling from dorian mode too! And interestingly the chorus of this song is in dorian already so it would actually match quite well if you put these dorian verses in the actual song I think
Lydian - I have a girl from outer space Major - I have a girl, isn't that nice? Mixolydian - I once had a girl Dorian - I once had a girl, but we broke up Minor - I once had a girl, but now she's dead Phrygian - I once had a girl, but now she's a ghost Locrian - I once had a girl, but now she's trying to kill me while I sleep
Best demonstration of the modes I’ve seen. Using a familiar piece of music was a great idea. It makes it easier to see each mode in reference to only itself-not relative to the major or minor.
3:55 Lydian: I once had a girl, we are still together, and she's the best thing ever happened to me! 2:34 Ionian: I once had a girl, we are still together 1:40 Mixolydian: I once had a girl, or should I say, she once had me 5:13 Dorian: I once had a girl, sadly we broke up, but I got over it 6:07 Aeolian: I once had a girl, sadly we broke up, and still can't move on (this one actually fits the instrumental strangely good lol) 8:16 Phrygian: I once had a girl, she died in a car accident 10:03 Locrian: I once had a girl, she got killed by a serial killer a̶n̵d̴ ̶n̸o̴w̶ ̵s̵h̷e̵ ̷i̴s̵ ̴m̵y̷ ̵g̴u̵a̴r̶d̵i̶a̴n̸ ̸a̷n̷g̸e̵l̴ w̷h̴o̸ ̴i̵s̵ ̶o̶b̸s̷e̵s̸s̷e̶d̸ ̶w̸i̷t̴h̴ ̴i̴d̶e̶a̵ ̸o̵f̵ ̸k̷i̸l̷l̷i̵n̸g̴ ̴t̵h̶e̸ ̴s̷i̷r̷i̸e̶l̷ ̸w̷h̴o̵ ̸k̵i̸l̸l̴e̷d̶ ̵h̷e̷r̶ ̸
This is great ear training, because it puts a melody that we're familiar with in new contexts. Through comparison I was really able to understand better the tonal palette that each mode offers. I'd love to hear you do this with some more songs.
This one really is outstanding, even by the superlative standards of David Bennett theory videos! Not just the explanations but the CONCEPT of explaining modes like this. Thanks!!!!!
@@KarstenJohansson Called "unusable"... If you're just writing a song, yeah, very hard to use. But if you're writing a score... totally different matter, it has its place and sounds great in this role.
@@adamkozakiewicz6766 Likewise, some scales work for a bar or so before connecting to something else. I like its sound, but yea, it would be hard to write a singable song that uses only this one.
Great example of how modes effect music. Applying them to a well known existing song makes the entire concept MUCH easier to understand. Great job and THANKS !!
Teaching modes by presenting them as alterations of the major or minor modes is IMO the best way to teach modes. When you start by teaching where we got them from it (i.e. the intervallic pattern.) It just confuses most students. This was an excellent video and is one of the best I've seen for teaching what the modes are. Bravo.
Great demonstration of the 7 diatonic modes.🌟 There is a folk song by John Kirkpatrick, 'Dust to Dust', written completely in the Locrian mode. It's about a grave digger's musings on death. The morbid subject matches the tone. Some have suggested because it's monophonic it makes it easier to be in this mode.😉
My major asset is being able to pick up languages. I am no musician however your videos help me to learn the language of music which helps me in my journey to learn piano at 54 years old. If I can conceive something as a language I can learn it.
The issue with Locrian isn't that it's bad sounding, its that writing in it is a battle because its always threatening to be interpreted as in a different key/mode. Droning on the root note, as seen here by keeping E always as the base, is one way to fight that... but as pointed out, you can still potentially feel the chords in a different way (Edim is the tonic, but people can feel that that's wrong, and that it's a C7 instead). The song from the first level of the original Doom ("At Doom's Gate") goes a different way and uses modulation instead of a chord progression, simply changing to Locrian in a different key. Later in the song, Locrian isn't spicy enough (repetition legitimizes) and it goes for choosing things more free form for added dissonance.
I feel like you made this video just for me. Norwegian Wood has been my anchor song while playing guitar for as long as I've played, and you have used that to add a whole new dimension to my understanding of the modes. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Amazing video! It really is a scientific investigation with an experimental model (Norweigan wood) to explain the modes of musical scales. The modification of the musical notes sung with the voice of John Lennon is incredible. David, you have set a new record in music theory teaching. Congratulations!!! Best Regards from México.
This is it, I’ve officially decided to give you the title of best music youtuber on this whole website. You’re videos are so innovative and useful, i owe NEARLY all of my theory knowledge to you (other than guitar theory). You’re the best 👍
Whenever I cover this song, I always play and sing the last line in Aeolian, the riff sounds really great that way too. Don’t know if you noticed but the word “had” is singing D though the note written is C, only perked my ear because I’m so used to playing it that way, hope that helps!
The dorian version gave me actual goosebumps, due to the uncanny fracture between the melody and the lyrics, as if the singer had hurt the girl or wanted to hurt her. To me it was surprisingly more unpleasant than the other "darker" modes. Locrian sounds like an edgy teenager trying to scare you, as opposed to dorian who sounded like a superficially charming guy who carries a knife and some rope in his backpack.
Things that seem "slightly off" can pretty famously be the most disturbing. Creating an unsettling or surreal feeling in your art involves finding a sweet spot! Melip0ne's tweet "name one thing in this photo" from a few years ago is an example of an image that came to mind.
My first time viewing of David's channel and my first time viewing something that provides an extremely effective illustration and comparison of the scale modes. Superb video, and David's got a new subscriber. And yes, I'll add my voice to those who are asking for more of these!
I learned these in music history by starting on white keys, and mnemonics. Dorian starts on D. Going up, E, F, G, memorize Phrygian, Lydian, then Mixolydian names. Then up to A and Aeolian. Locrian was weird, and I'd forget about Ionian being just the major. And the hypo- modes with a different dominant were always tough to remember. This video is a brilliant way to present the modes. Classical music seems more tortured when shifting modes, and pop music can tolerate this better. In each case the distinctive melody still comes across.
Phrygian sounded really cool. Locrian sounded like something from a horror film soundtrack (in a good way...the tension never releases so you're left on edge waiting for something to happen).
And this is how I learn that without even knowing I wrote a song that moves merrily from C major to lydian and eolian modes. I'm trying to get into modes, because I never understood them clearly, and your videos are always very helpful and interesting!
This explained modes to me better than any other tutorial I've seen. Also Locrian gave off big Opeth vibes, so I'm hesitant to say it sounds wrong or bad.
This is a great video. There are plenty out there describing the nuts and bolts behind the modes but I've never managed to hear their character in this way. Bravo!
I love how weird Lydian sounds, it's so over-the-top major it feels unsettling, like "forced happy feelings" hidding something darker behind, like an illusion. Feels like there's a tension that never really resolves. EDIT : and Locrian is actually, for me, kind of its "minor mirror" as it brings that feeling of "unresolvingness"
Locrian has the same intervals as Lydian but backwards, also raising the fourth creates a tritone which is more unsettling then a fourth, Locrian and Lydian are the only modes with a tritone interval (b5 and #4)
This video is so good. Dude, I frequent a lot of music channels and I think you have the best way of explaining things. You have the best examples. Everything you say is relevant. I feel like a lot of channels copy what the other guy is doing. You are very original in the way you teach and just youtube in general. No one has a music channel quite like yours. I'm saying all this as a bass player too lol
Lydian: I’m going in a hot air balloon to watch the house burn Major: A high school band’s quieter number Mixolydian: The goofy experience that John really had Dorian: This burn job started out kind of dull but it has possibilities Minor: Nothing can really come of this so why am I even doing it? Phrygian: i’m going to sit and relish the fire Locrian: she’s in the fire
I consider the presenter a very knowledgeable musician. At long last I'm able (just) to understand what the term Aeolian means in this context. Thank you so much.
It is coming! That series is made for Apple Music and they’ve actually just asked me to put the series on hold for a month or so while they assess their marketing strategy so for now it’s shelved but, one way or another, I will be completing the series eventually! Sorry for the delay
As a kid who knew nothing about music, I could tell that there was something "different" about Norwegian Wood. Also Scarborough Fair by Simon and Garfunkel. It wasn't till many years later that I learnt about modes, but I think I've always liked Dorian, Mixolydian, Phrygian etc. One of my favorite hymns is O Sacred Head Sore Wounded in Phrygian mode.
Personally, I wouldn’t try to make the connection between what you hear as “different” to usage of Mixolydian. I suppose it does depend on genre, but there are some entire genres where Mixolydian is straight up the default. Rock as a whole is essentially built on it. It may actually be harder to name a rock song that _doesn’t_ utilize Mixolydian in some way than one that does.
@@landrypierce9942 Yeah, I don't see how it can possibly be considered "darker" when you have that major 6th. I mean, it's THE scale used for funk music. Do people listen to funk music and find it to be darker than, say, a Leonard Cohen song in natural minor? It CAN be dark. See Gary Jules' version of "Mad World." But there's still a wistful quality to even that song. And honestly, a lot of the darkness comes from the lyrics, instrumentation, and singing style.
I would also say that harmonic minor is better for spooky music than Dorian. Throw in a few flat fifths as passing tones if you really want to get spooky. Actually, using chromatic mediants is the best way to write spooky music. But that's outside the scale debate. David has a video about those. Let's just say that there's a reason Danny Elfman likes them and that John Williams used them for his Imperial March.
This was super helpful because I’m trying to learn the different modes right now. It definitely helps to hear it in context with a song I already know. Thanks!
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Dear David, can you make a tutorial on how does one mode compliment one chord? I don't really get my head around this with ease, thanks, Simon.
Im in. Thanks
I'd usually be annoyed by an ad embedded in a video, but on this occasion the ad answered the question I had in my mind the whole time.
I know I just commented about this on another video of yours but it seemed to fit even better here as this isn't a four year old video.
I don't know for sure but I think King Gizzard's song Gliese 710 might be in locrian, given that the album it ends is titled "Ice, Death, Planets, Lungs, Mushrooms and Lava" that is Ice (Ionian), Death (dorian), Planets (phrygian), Lungs (lidian), Mushrooms (myxolidian), And (Aeolian), Lava (locrian), and the first two songs are in Ionian, and Dorian respectively.
so if you want to check it out here's the link ruclips.net/video/JB7oa9KkIg8/видео.html
@@Dr._Geno cool! I’ve been thinking of doing a video about that album! I’ll keep it in mind. Thanks 😊
Lydian - Norwegian Good
Major - Morning Wood
Mixolydian - Norwegian Wood
Dorian - Norwegian Mood
Minor - Norwegian Wood... after the fire
Phrygian - Egyptian Wood
Locrian - Cannibal tribe living in the Norwegian Woods
underrated comment
Midsommar Wood.
You missed the opportunity to call the minor version Mourning Wood!
Locrian - Cannibal zombie tribe living in the Norwegian Woods
Locrian - Norwegian Woodn't
You should totally turn this into a series. Give all kinds of well known songs the seven mode treatment.
Interesting! I’ll keep that in mind!
I totally agree.
You can start with "One note samba" 😂
Agree!!
@@DavidBennettPiano um....please do this! It's honestly a brilliant idea for a series, given how interesting this video was. I'll be very here for that.
PLEASE do this for a thousand more songs. It's one thing to theoretically learn your modes, but to hear them as a practical example using such a well known song, just reaches a new level
This is probably the best demonstration of the modes I have ever seen. Really insightful!
Thanks!
Lydian - I once had a girl and it was a magical experience I will remember forever
Ionian - I once had a girl and it was a fun time
Myxolydian - I once had a girl and she once had me
Dorian - I once had a girl and I really miss her, but remember the good times we had
Minor - I once had a girl and now I'm crying my eyes out because she's gone
Phrygian - I once had a girl and losing her is making me lose my grip and go a bit mad
Locrian - I once had a girl and then I lit a fire...using her as the kindling
Good analogy!
@@DesertRat332 Thanks!
I don't really get the idea that Locrian sounds bad. It's the only scale (among these) that ditches the perfect fifth and allows you to focus on other qualities.
@@cubicinfinity2Locrian isn't bad, it just sounds very dark.But, very dark can be exactly what a specific scene calls for.
Excellent grasp of the modes in this example.
If you want to compare the modes side by side, here are the timestamps of them being played from darkest to lightest:
10:03 Locrian
8:16 Phrygian
6:07 Minor (Aeolian)
5:13 Dorian
1:40 Mixolydian
2:34 Major (Ionian)
3:55 Lydian
Best comment here!
Dorian is actually 100% my favorite here
sounds like autotune
@@AE-bm4no It is autotuned.. did you pay any attention to the sponsor?
Wanted to do the same, till I found yours. Should be the top comment! Thx!
I really liked the Phrygian version. Lydian was my second favorite. On another note, I was surprised to see David use a Beatles song in one of his videos.
Yeah, I have heard he don’t really like them
nice pfp
You watch, he'll do it again soon, thinking we won't notice.
lol
1) it's a good example because it has all the notes of the scale and starts and ends on the 5th, and 2) I like Phrygian and Phrygian Dominant and think I'll try the Phrygian Dominant on this song
What a genius way to teach modes and simultaneously work as a commercial for a product! Not often I'm as interested in the sponsor as the actual content 🙂
Thank you 😊
@@DavidBennettPiano It got me to bookmark the site and I'll be trying it out for sure. This is the best way to advertising as it annoys no one, and it makes people want to try the products out!
definitely one of the most intriguing sponsorships ive ever seen
This is just brilliant - best way I have ever heard to appreciate what the modes sound like. Very imaginative.
This is a prime example of how modes work, probably one of your best and most informative videos ever! If you ever did this again (which I hope you would) I think it would be cool to see some other scales like harmonic minor, melodic minor, phrygian dominant, etc. It would be very interesting to see how you utilise and describe these less prominent scales in the context of a known song!
Great suggestion!
@@DavidBennettPiano And if you were feeling really keen, you could then do all the modes of THOSE scales. I’d love to hear Norwegian Wood in Phrygian Dominant (fifth mode of the harmonic minor scale - has a very “Arabic” sound to western ears)
You beat me to it...
Thank you for reading my mind. 😎
@@fromchomleystreet was thinking the exact same thing, for phryg. Dom. But also Mixo. b6 from melodic minor scale (5th mode I think).
I could watch videos like this all day. Hearing familiar songs in different modes never gets old. Banger video David
Brilliant demonstration of the modes. 50 years of playing and this is absolutely the best and clearest depiction of the differences I have seen. Bravo!
I loved how haunting the locrian mode sounded.
Yes, the 'She' at the start of line 2 gripped me. Very emotional.
Me too. You probably couldn't do a whole song with it, but you can't not react to it. Perfect for an intro or a bridge of some sort. I think I'm going to write a song like this on purpose.
The Locrian was my favorite and not just to show off. Just liked it.
If you like locrian, there is this song, Dust to Dust, by John Kirkpatrick, that exclusively goes in locrian:
ruclips.net/video/5-lJMalRMew/видео.html
There are not many songs like that. I think it's great.
@@egilsandnes9637 That link didn't work, but I found another link. It really reminds me of something from a musical. For obvious enough reasons, he's not using chords or trying to harmonize the root note. 😃
I’m 76 now, and grew up with The Beatles as a background to my teens and twenties. It’s almost mind blowing to hear John Lennon’s voice manipulated like this, but still sounding real. Deep fake indeed. Congrats to RipX and to you as always, not least for getting copyright permission. I can guarantee Paul and Ringo will be tuning in.
I think of Lydian as a smile that's just a little TOO big. Maybe they are very happy or maybe they are a little unhinged.
So in decreasing brightness I would say they are:
Crazy smile
Happy smile
Cheeky smirk
Bittersweet grin
Introspective Gaze
Frown
Serial killer stare
Horseshoe theory - we get further and further away from psycho until we begin approaching it again.
@@fromchomleystreet Exactly! Or perhaps a coil.
Since the next degree of darkness below Locrian is Lydian in the key one semitone lower.
@@beatrixwickson8477 Yes. Somebody just noted that the one note you flatten to change mode to the next darker is always a perfect fifth away from the note you flattened last time, until finally you have to flatten the tonic to create a new cycle starting with Lydian. A coil is the perfect analogy.
@@fromchomleystreetdude!!
wait, so what if you flatten the fourth as well to get super locrian
Modes are so awesome
Thank God you exist and make videos, David
this is a brilliant video! You describe modes in a way that makes so much more sense than most other ways. Each mode has it's own 'flavor' or character. We can keep track more easily by noting what notes change in reference to major/ionian. Exactly. Then to actually hear this classic melody done with all the different flavors is nothing short of amazing. And honestly, it's pretty trippy!
One thing that shines through here: the melody of this song is so good that it translates into all these modes with real grace
I'm imagining the six other alternate universes where the altBeatles actually recorded this song in each of those other modes. Thanks for making me happy to be in the universe I'm in 👍
I don't want to live in the same universe as Locrian Beatles.
@@aidanhickey9845 Me neither! I'm pretty sure that's the universe where Spock has a beard! 😨
So say they all…
@@aidanhickey9845 the Locrian Beatles 🤣 OMG what a concept! Imagine listening to the whole Beatles discography in Locrian.
@@ric8248 Time to start a cover band. 😂
Great demonstration of modes, David. One thing is for sure: The Beatles chose the right mode for this song.
EDIT: I'm aware they just made decisions by ear and not conscious choice. The point is, they used the mode that worked best.
Phrygian is also cool
Except when you sing it in Elvish, you do it in dorian. And when you sing it in Elvis, you do it in blues. But yes - for the rock/pop version, they chose the right mode.
Wrong. They DIDN'T choose a mode for this song at all.
But if you start out thinking minor, it's easy to write a very energetic and uplifting song in minor. Most of disco is like this.
phrasing it like that is disingenuous because it’s not like john listened to every variation of this melody lol
Just when you think he'd be running out of ideas.....
It's all from a book called songwriting secrets of the beatles...by Dominic someone...look it up its brilliant
Hindsight should not be confused with brilliance.
It should be realized for what it is, hindsight.
The Beatles, as much I lov’em, did not invent the mechanics or theory of their writing style.
It had already existed. They
just had the opportunity and sense to tap into it at a most opportune time.
He had a community poll a couple of weeks ago about which title he was going between would get a higher CTR.
The sponsor clearly pitched him the idea
@@wyattstevens8574 yeah I told him I thought it was a silly video to do, but that’s what he wanted to do lol
What a fabulous idea, David. A great demonstration of the modes. 👏
Glad you liked it!
Thank you for highlighting the thing I love about music and theory in general: the light/dark you describe I’ve always seen in my head as color while learning and analyzing music. I love explaining this to people who don’t realize there is color in music and you’ve done it in such a great format in the video. Also to visualize how you change the chords behind the melody as you go through the modes. I love writing progressions that “force” mode melodies. Again the video is a great way to see quickly see how that happens, when you create a melody from a mode, the chord structure changes to compliment it. Love it.
Damn, the change from phrygian to locrian was a drastic one, and I really like it, locrian has a very particular and interesting flavour. Thanks for another great video! Btw, it's cool that you engage us in your decision-making
Locrian: the only one of the basic "church" modes (modes of the major scale) where the tonic chord is diminished. Phrygian has the minor second, but it doesn't have that!
Thank you 😊
I really liked Norwegian Wood in dorian mode, it sounds drastically different from other modes, but aeolian is so dark and down that it completely changes the mood of the motif.
We had an uplifting bright motif and once it had turned into aeolian it sounds like we're at a funeral or it's a story that tells us about unhappy love.
Genius! ❤
Not that any mode is necessarily better than any other but I always loved the mysterious dark feeling from dorian mode too! And interestingly the chorus of this song is in dorian already so it would actually match quite well if you put these dorian verses in the actual song I think
Dorian is the most badass mode, hands down. It's the storytelling key. But hey, I'm biased because I work in Dorian mostly. ❤❤❤
Lydian - I have a girl from outer space
Major - I have a girl, isn't that nice?
Mixolydian - I once had a girl
Dorian - I once had a girl, but we broke up
Minor - I once had a girl, but now she's dead
Phrygian - I once had a girl, but now she's a ghost
Locrian - I once had a girl, but now she's trying to kill me while I sleep
Best demonstration of the modes I’ve seen. Using a familiar piece of music was a great idea. It makes it easier to see each mode in reference to only itself-not relative to the major or minor.
3:55 Lydian: I once had a girl, we are still together, and she's the best thing ever happened to me!
2:34 Ionian: I once had a girl, we are still together
1:40 Mixolydian: I once had a girl, or should I say, she once had me
5:13 Dorian: I once had a girl, sadly we broke up, but I got over it
6:07 Aeolian: I once had a girl, sadly we broke up, and still can't move on (this one actually fits the instrumental strangely good lol)
8:16 Phrygian: I once had a girl, she died in a car accident
10:03 Locrian: I once had a girl, she got killed by a serial killer a̶n̵d̴ ̶n̸o̴w̶ ̵s̵h̷e̵ ̷i̴s̵ ̴m̵y̷ ̵g̴u̵a̴r̶d̵i̶a̴n̸ ̸a̷n̷g̸e̵l̴ w̷h̴o̸ ̴i̵s̵ ̶o̶b̸s̷e̵s̸s̷e̶d̸ ̶w̸i̷t̴h̴ ̴i̴d̶e̶a̵ ̸o̵f̵ ̸k̷i̸l̷l̷i̵n̸g̴ ̴t̵h̶e̸ ̴s̷i̷r̷i̸e̶l̷ ̸w̷h̴o̵ ̸k̵i̸l̸l̴e̷d̶ ̵h̷e̷r̶ ̸
This is great ear training, because it puts a melody that we're familiar with in new contexts. Through comparison I was really able to understand better the tonal palette that each mode offers. I'd love to hear you do this with some more songs.
Thanks, David. That was the best explained of Modes that I’ve seen. This was really helpful.
This is actually a really cool product you’re sponsoring. I don’t have any need for it, and I don’t have a lot of money, but I am glad it exists.
The Phrygian version touches my heart the most, I have to admit!
Yeah, I rather liked the Phrygian version, too. :)
absolutely! Got me immediately @@DawnDavidson
@@DawnDavidsonI like all modes of the song, however, I love the key of E Dorian.
Same here, Phrygian and Dorian were always my favorite modes!
This one really is outstanding, even by the superlative standards of David Bennett theory videos! Not just the explanations but the CONCEPT of explaining modes like this. Thanks!!!!!
Even I'm a bass player, not pianist, I love your nice and helpful contents!!! Keep going👍
-A Korean Subscriber
Thanks! 😃
This song in lochrian mode sounds like the part of the movie where a deep dark secret is about to be revealed...
Yes indeed. It is unsettling in a really interesting way.
@@KarstenJohansson Called "unusable"... If you're just writing a song, yeah, very hard to use. But if you're writing a score... totally different matter, it has its place and sounds great in this role.
@@adamkozakiewicz6766 Likewise, some scales work for a bar or so before connecting to something else. I like its sound, but yea, it would be hard to write a singable song that uses only this one.
Sir David , your vision on music is outstanding ! So clear and transparent and yet so difficult to grasp.....Great great job thanks
Thank you 😊
As a non-musically trained person, this has explained modes to me better than anything I've ever come across. Thank you.
For my part, I'd like to hear the whole song in Phrygian. It sounds interesting, given the context of the song.
I love phygian sound. Same as the harmonic minor. I generally end up in phygian or phygian dominant when playing songs
I agree. Just sufficiently weird for the nature of the song.
This is the best lesson ever
I thought that was the best. I'd love to hear this song completely in this mode. Haunting.
@@hman2912 Phrygian*
This is why I love David and his channel. ❤
love love when creators take their audiences advice! can't wait for this one, as per usual
I really appreciate the chordal and accomplishment decisions David had to make here, this is a great way to demonstrate the modal sounds.
Great example of how modes effect music. Applying them to a well known existing song makes the entire concept MUCH easier to understand. Great job and THANKS !!
Glad you liked it!😊
Teaching modes by presenting them as alterations of the major or minor modes is IMO the best way to teach modes. When you start by teaching where we got them from it (i.e. the intervallic pattern.) It just confuses most students. This was an excellent video and is one of the best I've seen for teaching what the modes are. Bravo.
Great demonstration of the 7 diatonic modes.🌟
There is a folk song by John Kirkpatrick, 'Dust to Dust', written completely in the Locrian mode.
It's about a grave digger's musings on death.
The morbid subject matches the tone.
Some have suggested because it's monophonic it makes it easier to be in this mode.😉
My major asset is being able to pick up languages. I am no musician however your videos help me to learn the language of music which helps me in my journey to learn piano at 54 years old. If I can conceive something as a language I can learn it.
The Locrian version sounds good to me. The Beatles were such geniuses of songwriting that the song sounds good in all seven modes. Fantastic.
Yeah i hear Edim as C7 without the C and it kinda sounds spicy 😊
I liked it too! Reminds me of the opener of sweeney todd somehow. So unsettling and never coming to a good end no matter what you're doing
yeahhh sweeney todd!@@JanSchumacher
The issue with Locrian isn't that it's bad sounding, its that writing in it is a battle because its always threatening to be interpreted as in a different key/mode. Droning on the root note, as seen here by keeping E always as the base, is one way to fight that... but as pointed out, you can still potentially feel the chords in a different way (Edim is the tonic, but people can feel that that's wrong, and that it's a C7 instead). The song from the first level of the original Doom ("At Doom's Gate") goes a different way and uses modulation instead of a chord progression, simply changing to Locrian in a different key. Later in the song, Locrian isn't spicy enough (repetition legitimizes) and it goes for choosing things more free form for added dissonance.
This is one of the best explanations and demonstrations of modes I’ve ever come across on the Internet.
Always here for more Beatles content. It’s what I live on.
I feel like you made this video just for me. Norwegian Wood has been my anchor song while playing guitar for as long as I've played, and you have used that to add a whole new dimension to my understanding of the modes. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Mixolydian (original mode): 1:40
Ionian (Major): 2:34
Lydian: 3:56
Dorian: 5:13
Aeolian (Minor): 6:08
Phygian: 8:16
Locrian: 10:03
I was going to comment that E Dorian was cool too, and everything made sense when you explained it at the end 😅👏🏻
Amazing video!
It really is a scientific investigation with an experimental model (Norweigan wood) to explain the modes of musical scales. The modification of the musical notes sung with the voice of John Lennon is incredible.
David, you have set a new record in music theory teaching. Congratulations!!!
Best Regards from México.
Thank you!!❤
This is it, I’ve officially decided to give you the title of best music youtuber on this whole website. You’re videos are so innovative and useful, i owe NEARLY all of my theory knowledge to you (other than guitar theory). You’re the best 👍
I never want to hear this song in major again.....I can't explain it fully but feels like a grandma's version of the song.
sounds like the beatles but it's the 1700s
it sounded more like a children's song to me
That chart showing all the notes 10:30 is probably the best visual as how the modes work! I think I finally understood it.
Whenever I cover this song, I always play and sing the last line in Aeolian, the riff sounds really great that way too. Don’t know if you noticed but the word “had” is singing D though the note written is C, only perked my ear because I’m so used to playing it that way, hope that helps!
Amazing! I love the way you explain how every mode fits a different mood... great job Dave.
The dorian version gave me actual goosebumps, due to the uncanny fracture between the melody and the lyrics, as if the singer had hurt the girl or wanted to hurt her. To me it was surprisingly more unpleasant than the other "darker" modes. Locrian sounds like an edgy teenager trying to scare you, as opposed to dorian who sounded like a superficially charming guy who carries a knife and some rope in his backpack.
Things that seem "slightly off" can pretty famously be the most disturbing. Creating an unsettling or surreal feeling in your art involves finding a sweet spot! Melip0ne's tweet "name one thing in this photo" from a few years ago is an example of an image that came to mind.
My first time viewing of David's channel and my first time viewing something that provides an extremely effective illustration and comparison of the scale modes. Superb video, and David's got a new subscriber. And yes, I'll add my voice to those who are asking for more of these!
Excellent explanation. I had no idea what the modes were or meant. Thanks David from a 72 year old who's just learning musical theory
Good fucking going learning all this stuff at 72
You are the absolute best! Learn so much from your videos, the exact right level for where I am when it comes to understanding of music.
This is great! Could you do some stuff in other scales, such as the blues, japanese, variations on the modes, etc?
Amazing way to present the different modes. I'll be coming back to this video and will be sharing it with others. Thanks, David!
Every tech metal fan who watched this definitely started doing counterpoint in their head when you got to the locrian bit.
I learned these in music history by starting on white keys, and mnemonics. Dorian starts on D. Going up, E, F, G, memorize Phrygian, Lydian, then Mixolydian names. Then up to A and Aeolian. Locrian was weird, and I'd forget about Ionian being just the major. And the hypo- modes with a different dominant were always tough to remember.
This video is a brilliant way to present the modes. Classical music seems more tortured when shifting modes, and pop music can tolerate this better. In each case the distinctive melody still comes across.
Norwegian Wood in major is cursed.
Very clever vid and for someone who has probably only recently grasped modes, this sums it up neatly in terms of what makes the quality of a mode
Phrygian sounded really cool. Locrian sounded like something from a horror film soundtrack (in a good way...the tension never releases so you're left on edge waiting for something to happen).
And this is how I learn that without even knowing I wrote a song that moves merrily from C major to lydian and eolian modes. I'm trying to get into modes, because I never understood them clearly, and your videos are always very helpful and interesting!
This explained modes to me better than any other tutorial I've seen.
Also Locrian gave off big Opeth vibes, so I'm hesitant to say it sounds wrong or bad.
This is a great video. There are plenty out there describing the nuts and bolts behind the modes but I've never managed to hear their character in this way. Bravo!
Loved the creepy spice on that Locrian Norwegian wood!
Dark scary and creepy wood.
You brilliantly describe and demonstrate a complicated topic with which most people are unfamiliar. Enjoyed and learned!
I love how weird Lydian sounds, it's so over-the-top major it feels unsettling, like "forced happy feelings" hidding something darker behind, like an illusion. Feels like there's a tension that never really resolves.
EDIT : and Locrian is actually, for me, kind of its "minor mirror" as it brings that feeling of "unresolvingness"
Locrian has the same intervals as Lydian but backwards, also raising the fourth creates a tritone which is more unsettling then a fourth, Locrian and Lydian are the only modes with a tritone interval (b5 and #4)
@@m310grass thanks for pointing that out ! I see why it feels "mirrored" now :p
Amazing video hope to see more of this! It would be cool to see series focusing on composing strategies for the different modes!
I really liked the Lydian version... so uplifting and mystical 😇
Dude, the way u explain everything is so easy to understand, i don't miss any of your videos, is like a music theory class for me, thanks !!!
This video is so good. Dude, I frequent a lot of music channels and I think you have the best way of explaining things. You have the best examples. Everything you say is relevant. I feel like a lot of channels copy what the other guy is doing. You are very original in the way you teach and just youtube in general. No one has a music channel quite like yours. I'm saying all this as a bass player too lol
Wow, what a great illustration of how the modes impact mood and feeling. You really have a talent for teaching music theory.
Lydian: I’m going in a hot air balloon to watch the house burn
Major: A high school band’s quieter number
Mixolydian: The goofy experience that John really had
Dorian: This burn job started out kind of dull but it has possibilities
Minor: Nothing can really come of this so why am I even doing it?
Phrygian: i’m going to sit and relish the fire
Locrian: she’s in the fire
Love that both the darkest and brightest mode have that evil tri-tone.
I consider the presenter a very knowledgeable musician. At long last I'm able (just) to understand what the term Aeolian means in this context. Thank you so much.
I want another episode of the orchestral series :(
It is coming! That series is made for Apple Music and they’ve actually just asked me to put the series on hold for a month or so while they assess their marketing strategy so for now it’s shelved but, one way or another, I will be completing the series eventually! Sorry for the delay
I love your channel and I think this is the best video you've ever done. I'd love to hear more famous songs in the 7 modes, it's fascinating!
As a kid who knew nothing about music, I could tell that there was something "different" about Norwegian Wood. Also Scarborough Fair by Simon and Garfunkel. It wasn't till many years later that I learnt about modes, but I think I've always liked Dorian, Mixolydian, Phrygian etc. One of my favorite hymns is O Sacred Head Sore Wounded in Phrygian mode.
Personally, I wouldn’t try to make the connection between what you hear as “different” to usage of Mixolydian.
I suppose it does depend on genre, but there are some entire genres where Mixolydian is straight up the default. Rock as a whole is essentially built on it. It may actually be harder to name a rock song that _doesn’t_ utilize Mixolydian in some way than one that does.
This is probably the best explanation of what modes are AND do for the song in the whole internet. Thank you!
How. How do you keep using Beatles or Radiohead in EVERY video.
Their music is just so interesting compared to most other artists!
If he'd add a bit of Elvis Costello and XTC...
Great examples! Thank you for taking the time to do this :)
do radiohead, muse, queen
Great idea! Now I finally start hearing what modes sound like. Thanks a lot for this!
I always heard dorian as darker than minor and still continue to, honestly. But not TOO dark. Ideal for "spooky" or halloween music.
When you use the major IV chord in Dorian, it makes it sound much brighter.
@@landrypierce9942 Yeah, I don't see how it can possibly be considered "darker" when you have that major 6th. I mean, it's THE scale used for funk music. Do people listen to funk music and find it to be darker than, say, a Leonard Cohen song in natural minor?
It CAN be dark. See Gary Jules' version of "Mad World." But there's still a wistful quality to even that song. And honestly, a lot of the darkness comes from the lyrics, instrumentation, and singing style.
I would also say that harmonic minor is better for spooky music than Dorian. Throw in a few flat fifths as passing tones if you really want to get spooky.
Actually, using chromatic mediants is the best way to write spooky music. But that's outside the scale debate. David has a video about those. Let's just say that there's a reason Danny Elfman likes them and that John Williams used them for his Imperial March.
This was super helpful because I’m trying to learn the different modes right now. It definitely helps to hear it in context with a song I already know. Thanks!
One of the best descriptions of the modes I’ve come across. Thank you
I’ve said this before. Every time you post a new video, it’s like I say to myself “this is exactly what I needed” haha so true
I voted for this and i'm not disappointed. Thank you again, David!
Thanks 😊
Oh! Thank you ! Simple, complete, perfect for a beginner in music. And so fun to try on other song and to incorporate in piano practice. ❤
Dayyyyyuuuuummmmmnnnn. Such a great vid.
My favorite mode in this example was Phrygian. It sounded so interesting!
One of the best juxtapositions on RUclips- this is straight up brilliant David, you’ve outdone yourself this time sir 🥂
Fantastic. Lydian is amazing! Such a cool way of showing modes in a simple way with a killer classic melody. Thank you!
This helped me greatly in understanding what modes are all about. Thank you.