Thrash Course w/Revocation's Dave Davidson: How to Build Heavy Riffs
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- čas přidán 12. 09. 2024
- This video is bonus content related to the March 2014 issue of Guitar World. For the full range of interviews, features, tabs and more, pick up the new issue on newsstands now, or in our online store:
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One of my favorite ways to explore new riffs, chord patterns and melodic figures is to take one of the seven fundamental modes and use its structure as a guideline.
In doing so, I often discover new chord shapes or melodic ideas that I may not have otherwise come across. Using this modal approach also offers a systematic way to take existing riffs or chordal ideas and tweak them in new and different harmonic directions.
The seven fundamental modes are built from the major scale, also known as the Ionian mode, which is spelled, intervallically, one (the root), major second, major third, perfect fourth, perfect fifth, major sixth, major seventh. Starting on each successive note, or degree, of the major scale and ascending one octave through that same set of notes forms a different, unique mode.
As a kid, I found this very confusing.
love the fact that he seamlessly tells what interval he's playing from the root note
i know, he's a berklee alumni
I didnt understand anything, but i like it.
word
Same...think he's talking about a girl called Lydia?
+MrMANGAT0 No, I believe it's Dori Anne. Lydian is just one of her moods. She's an Ionian. I think he said she works on the archipelago.
Brundlefly lmao funny shit
@@HipsterEatinShark the fly, great movie
One of the best modern guitarists. Revocation are way too underrated
Am I the only one too distracted by that gorgeous spalted maple top to pay attention to the playing?
I'm more distracted by the sprig of red bush hair. 0_o
I'm more about the beard his under arms are rockin'
Nah I can’t hear him whenever he plays his guitar. Hard to understand
Im more distracted by the Death shirt
Dave: You seem like an awesome person. There are true musicians and fans out there who appreciate the work you have created, the music you share. You are loved by people, keep being yourself and do what you love.
Great lesson, Mr. Davidson. The sharp IV has a cool flavor to it. Having grown up with late 80's metal I learned the hell out of Aeolian, and therefore I tend to see the fretboard based off natural minor more than Ionian. Learning the major scale is truly the key to all things mode-alicious.
Rock on.
MK
No. Not true...the guy who learnd only in major scale would say the same thing about minor scale. However most rock and metal is in minor scale
@@hawk6111 I agree. Rock and metal live in Aeolian, Harm Minor, etc. I've found it easier to call sharps and flats to other guitarists if they understand the major scale for the intervals.
Thanks again for the feedback and the lesson and all the best from the Bay Area!
MK
As far as I'm concerned there is no such thing as "theory inhibiting creativity". Keep in mind that the theory came after the sounds. People found tones/pitches that sounded good together, and then found ways to quantify/qualify those sounds. People get too caught up in their head about knowing standard theory and often look at it as this strange beast that is "separate" from the music. It makes it seem far less daunting when you realise that all "theory" is is a language to describe an organized (or in some cases, disorganized, hahah) set/grouping of sounds.
@@crm321 Music theory is meant to develop your vocabulary, so you can express yourself in much more complex and richer ways. All the Rock musicians that write music without theory background, write stupidly simple harmonies without much development.
Yeah, to sum it up - Theory is "descriptive", not "prescriptive"
@@crm321 I'm aware this comment is 6 years old, but where the hell did I say that? What I'm commenting on is this pedestal that guitarists tend to place music theory on, as if it's an unattainable force or a cure-all to creative woes. It's neither of those things.
As the poster below put it, theory is descriptive, not prescriptive. It should not be looked at as something "separate" from music as it is a language used to describe music. Expanding your vocabulary can help expand possibilities when it comes to writing and playing, but knowing it is not a panacea.
Best t shirt to wear.
For anyone that had a hard time understanding this he’s doing a two string lick that gies up an octave each time and emphasizing that distinct sound of the scale that cones from that one change to major scale you get in the fourth nite by using that position. By centering his ideas around the one note that’s different between that scale and the major scale he’s setting the tone for a strong suggestion of that scale’s sound so instead of just hearing the major scale in a different position you really have an undeniable connection to the sound of the different scale mode. I mean, it’s all relative to what type of sound or feeling you’re trying to accomplish. Since the fourth note is the only thing the two scales don’t have in common focusing on ideas based around that note brings out the distinction between the two. It’s just a way of bringing out the subtle difference between the two and letting the listener know that he’s intentionally going for this general type of sound that is distinct to lydian as opposed to just being the major scale notes in another spot on the neck.
Basically since the fourth note of the scale changes in lydian he’s starting his ideas with that note or at least centering them around it so you hear it all good and stuff
Please someone tell me what guitar this is!!
Dave had a couple custom Warrior guitars built by Jackson for him.. This was one of them who in the end, didn't make the final cut
dave, imo you are one of the best skilled all around guitarists out there today man, keep on rockin bro! sick shirt too, leprosy is my favorite death album
It's cool to mention how modal variants of ionian have, for you, certain feeling or emotional implications. For example, the aug4 interval. Thanks for doing this.
Once again that T-shirt \m/
Dude, I think they record all the videos the same day and then release them sporadically, that's why he's wearing that tshirt in all videos :P
Forkface01
I know I just love that t-shirt
It's a great shirt
Yeah it's a Death t-shirt! I believe we all know by now that he likes that band. Very observant BTW
Well I've just realized how much I don't know about guitar.
wyldeman71 cool thing is is that theory applies to all instruments to the most part a G scale has the same notes on all instruments
The guitar is so beautiful!
Very helpful. I really need to practice my modes.
4:06 oh is that all that is? Why didn't you say so, Dave?
*throws guitar out window *
How to build heavy riffs: "Uh hey guys, here's how lydian works."
At least give it a fitting title, Guitar World.
Dave Davidson - packaging genius in the form of sound since 1999
2:20 is that a song? I love that riff
I totally got it,,,,will reinvestigate the lydian mode as soon as I get to CMC Guitars in Vineland, NJ
Really the one of THE BEST ways to explain the modes, is to include the harmonic structure, hence triads over bass notes. Using the major triads built form the 4th and 5th degree of the key you are "borrowing" the mode from is a better way to highlight the actual melodic and harmonic sound (mood) of the mode. So, if your trying to capture the essence of E Locrian, take the major key that E locrian comes from (F). Take the triads based on the 4th and 5th degree of F, Bb and C. (the sub dominant and dominant). These two major triads played back to back want to resolve to F, Try, you'll see. Then to capture the E Locrian Mode sound, play Bb and C over E. (Bb/E and C/E) Record or loop these alternating chords, say a bar a piece and improvise your heart out on E Locrian. Again all the notes in the F major scale will work, but the essence of the mode will be captured in by the Triads over bass notes.
Goddamn this guy is really good at making up riffs on the spot (yes I know he went to Berklee)
i didnt hear any heavy riffs.
I like the shred at the end
i came here from a Satchel guitar lesson, so watching someone being serious during a guitar tutorial was kind of weird
this guys an all-round bad ass. with a death shirt, no less. and that Jackson got me cryin in my pants....
This guy gives Tosin Abasi lessons, legit. Heard it straight from Marshy of Thy Art Is Murder, this guy is a freak of nature :D
did you see Revocation on tour with Thy Art Is Murder? I did and Revocation was definitely the most fun to watch of the supporting bands
Yes at Ringwood in melbourne, all the bands were so good especially Revocation! Brad is just one of the best guitarists around
Everything you've said in this video is useful to learning to write riffs, but it was really a rushed lesson on the modes, good stuff to learn and useful for building the right vibes in to the riffs, but it felt more like a domonstration of your playing ability than a lesson to me!
2:38 "No Way Out" by Annihilator LOL
Probably the best tshirt in the world =)
that spalted top is sick
my mom is in her 60's and loves Revocation
What I like to do is hit the open E and A strings together, like doing a power chord, but I call that gorilla chugging. I obviously palm mute them as well. I think it just makes it bigger and heavier.
This actually helped. Thanks!!!
I was the same way when learning about modes when I started playing guitar. Never understood the point back then!
I have no idea what he was talking about but it's great video.
Jackson are the best looking guitars for sure!
Does anyone know which pickups he has in his guitar, I know he used Dimarzios but are they they the D-activator 7's ?
Yeah they're D Activator 7's
David Davidson Appreciate everything you do bro, but it's gonna take a lot more than this lesson to help me understand modes! Lmao. But I'm trying!
nice t shirt.
looks like i'm in the wrong place.. back to practicing smoke on the water
This is the guy we needed in Yousician
Have no idea who this guy is but that was great!
What's the name of the song at the intro? Or is is just something they made up for the video?
Fuck, I really need to learn this stuff...
kuul t-shirt. hail Chuck.
When he played that single note riff at 2:20 I kinda felt like I just opened a new can of worms for my playing maybe it was the way he explained it before playing it but all I know is that I have something big for my guitar arsenal don't ask how it just came to me it's weird
Revocation and Death shirt...Soo much metal
my favorite mode is depeche Mode
Now THIS is some fucking Thrash riffage. And this guy is one hell of a guitarists, kinda makes me sad people still worship that Kerry King fucker and don't even know Dave.
Are you the same DAVE that was on the phone with The Tone King on Friday's LIVE webcast?
I dont know if he is teaching us or just flexing on us
Was dave still doijg tweek at this time?
that seventh string is lonely, not enough Djent. :( jkjk
Yeah very cool -basic diatonic scale is piss easy to learn. Then find the 7 modes (basically with each of the 7 different notes as root), and you have a lot of cool stuff to play.
that lydian riff sounds so happy
His background allows him to make his metal quite fun and original even thought he doesn't invent anything new.
Does he only have one shirt or did he just record a whole pile of video's in one day?
Was the riff around 3:05 a vektor riff lol
que?????
That's one f****** Badass Jackson Guitar . TroyFrost / Troyster
Daves tats are fucking sick
What's the song during the video's intro?
Where can we find tabs of the Figures? You know, without buying the magazine..
nvm found it www.guitarworld.com/artist-lessons-lessons-news-magazine/thrash-course-revocations-dave-davidson-building-heavy-riffs
This helps thank you
How does he get that sharp tone? :0
This guy is a fucking genius
I have no idea what he's talking about referring to theory lol I read tabs, that works for me. I'm sure I'd understand if I knew.
Is it possible to be a thrash metal guitarist without knowing any theory at all, or no?
If course it is!
Most don't know any of it.
@@declanp1 Oh, lol!
What was that song in the intro?
Invidious - Revocation
You’re a great teacher, but oh boy am I in the wrong class
I too am familiar with the numbers and the alphabet.
God that shirt is just... yes.
simpsons theme notes on those arpeggios at the end :D
Great video, wrong title. Still liked it.
Lydian and Phrygian are the best modes for heavy music.
Donald Sowash Locrian is beautiful for riffing
How does one play thrash in major?
Vektor does it in tetrastructual minds
That tone is hench
misleading title imo - i don't see how modes will lead to heavy riffs
Dude, a well placed chord can be heavy as balls.
That's because you're an idiot :)
Understanding what intervals have what sounds can lead to structural and intentional heaviness.
Each mode has a different set of colors and flavors for these intervals. May seem like Very minute differences at first.
Just a tinge of sadness.
what guitar model is that? cool video btw..
Jackson Warrior custom 7 string
ROCK ON
What's that guitar model is ?
Looks awersome !
Its a Jackson Warrior 7 with a Spalted maple Top. I believe its either a signature or a custom.
thx !
Arthur Riddle It's a custom.
Looks like a Jackson Warrior to me.
Your talking speed is as fast as thrash metal
I knew it was him just by the shirt and the guitar
This video make me feel more confident when I play my guitar 🤪🤪
Wait...what just happened?
His guitar is tuned down 1/2 step
I have the same death shirt
Now can you please explain that in English?
its easy to learn your brain to recognise A and so on!
Got that?!!!
We can all do that.
I don't use modes enough
Leorosy!!
Do they have a noisegate on his mic while he's talking?! 🤣
Oh cool... thanks?
birader koltuk altı kıllarını kes be
Who the fuck is Revocation? Sounds like something I saw in 'Speeders'.
Thrash Metal band from Boston. They have a very technical Death and Thrash Metal style. The stuff he learned at Berklee really honed his skills...
has nothing to do with riffs...?