Songs that use the Phrygian mode

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  • Опубліковано 1 тра 2024
  • Phrygian has a sound much like the minor scale but with a darker edge. A common choice in metal, prog and hip-hop, Phrygian introduces an exotic, unnerving sound to a song's tonality. Today we're going to look at some examples of the phrygian mode in action and also look at some similar scales including the Double Harmonic scale and Phrygian Dominant.
    📍 CORRECTION 1: at 4:45 the sheet music for “Milkshake” should show three Ds before descending to C#, not just one! Sorry about that and thanks to Asle Fjeldstad for bringing it to my attention.
    📍 CORRECTION 2: at 11:05 I said that "Misirlou" started as an Arabic folk song, but in fact it seems it was Greek. Thanks to Theo Querel for bringing that to my attention.
    SOURCES:
    Phrygian mode in Kendrick’s “HUMBLE”: • The Phrygian Mode in K...
    Early version of “Misirlou”: • The original Misirlou ...
    12 tone analysing “White Rabbit”: • Understanding White Ra...
    Listening In analysing “Pyramid Song”: • Radiohead: Pyramid Son...
    Stream my EP "The Longest March" at Spotify: sptfy.com/davidbennett
    or download it at Bandcamp: davidbennettpiano.bandcamp.com/
    And, an extra special thanks goes to Vidad Flowers, Jon Dye, Austin Russell, Christopher Ryan, Toot & Paul Peijzel, the channel’s Patreon saints! 😇
    SUPPORT ME ON PATREON: / davidbennettpiano 🎹
    0:00 What does Phrygian sound like?
    1:00 Metal
    3:00 Hip hop
    5:00 Phrygian is a mode
    6:28 Modal mixture
    8:19 Phrygian's "middle eastern" sound
    11:00 Phrygian dominant
    13:00 Modal ambiguity
    15:05 Piano outro

КОМЕНТАРІ • 1,8 тис.

  • @DavidBennettPiano
    @DavidBennettPiano  2 роки тому +141

    What's your favourite example of a song using the Phrygian mode?

    • @Sir99percent
      @Sir99percent 2 роки тому +3

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      I get that people need to be able to provide for themselves but is it really necessary to sell your soul like that? :/

    • @anshulanilgaur1118
      @anshulanilgaur1118 2 роки тому +2

      Another awesome video!! I would also like to know that what are your thoughts on "Like a Prayer" by Madonna, do you like the song?? Thanks

    • @Metalbass10000
      @Metalbass10000 2 роки тому +3

      Without a doubt Phrygian, as it is not major feeling/sounding at all, to my ear.

    • @joannpelas5101
      @joannpelas5101 2 роки тому +1

      I heard C phrygian. The a flat sounded off to me.

    • @sandropotter7416
      @sandropotter7416 2 роки тому

      DO YOU THINK "REQUIEM PARA MATRAGA", FROM GERALDO VANDRÉ, IS IN A PHRYGIAN?

  • @reginaldperiwinkle
    @reginaldperiwinkle 2 роки тому +2646

    So from this I conclude that the Beatles never had a song that used Phrygian.

    • @ale14zoppi
      @ale14zoppi 2 роки тому +47

      Exact, lol

    • @KingoftheJuice18
      @KingoftheJuice18 2 роки тому +383

      Maybe they did, but David just didn't incl---oh right

    • @edmtheorist
      @edmtheorist 2 роки тому +10

      🤣

    • @kelprofitt
      @kelprofitt 2 роки тому +74

      I tried so hard to think of an example, but I genuinely can’t. You might be right.

    • @llamasarus1
      @llamasarus1 2 роки тому +38

      Do they have anything in Lydian even?

  • @14shyuga14
    @14shyuga14 2 роки тому +711

    Crazy thing, back in 2000s I used to listen to hip hop, but once it got more into electro, I began listening to metal, because metal had the sound I wanted. Now I know the sound I wanted was the phrygian

    • @erk9822
      @erk9822 2 роки тому +22

      This makes me wonder what sound I’m trying to find, I listen to pretty much everything

    • @aquilesbailo4226
      @aquilesbailo4226 2 роки тому +7

      @Lex Baker well its very rare to hear locrian cause the tonic chord is a minor dim5th and its sounds like flames pain and hell xd but also cool for some ears

    • @JeighNeither
      @JeighNeither 2 роки тому +7

      There is plenty of Phrygian in Electronica, & trip hop, you just have to know what to listen to. Tool has definitely built a career of Phrygian ha. If that's what you like, then maybe start listening to more music from Central Asia and the Middle East.

    • @immortaluglyfish2724
      @immortaluglyfish2724 2 роки тому +15

      You wanted that phrygian phlavor.

    • @Moon0525_
      @Moon0525_ 2 роки тому +8

      My love of Pagan folk, Middle Eastern and Romani music, and White Rabbit explains.... A lot lol
      But interestingly I'm a huge classic rock lover which is hugely dominated by Mixolydian; he quoted Cars by Numan, too, which is a huge love of mine. So without knowing what I've done, I've been seeking out Phrygian/Mixolydian songs just by enjoying them

  • @AFDO5310
    @AFDO5310 2 роки тому +113

    What a great video! However, it kinda upsets me when musicians ignore Flamenco when it relies almost solely on Phrygian mode and yet no one ever talks about it. The two main styles (that I know so far) are "Por Medio" and "Por Arriba". Por Medio ("from the middle") relies on A phrygian which can be easily arranged on the top 5 strings of a guitar (A-D-G-B-E), while Por Arriba ("from above") uses all 6 strings of a guitar and relies on the E Phrygian scale. Certain sub-styles of Flamenco also characterized on "Por Medio" or "Por Arriba". Tangos and Bulerias use Por Medio, while Soleas and Fandangos use "Por Arriba".

    • @Anarchaoist
      @Anarchaoist Рік тому +4

      I was just about to say the same thing...

  • @behrangfarshid
    @behrangfarshid 2 роки тому +51

    About that peace of music you wrote :
    In Persian Music we have exactly this mode, called (Dashti in Shour)
    Interesting point :
    If you change the G to G# and play the E chord Major instead Minor, The name of the Scale and its rules will be completely changed and it will become to another mode, called (Shoushtari in Homayoun)

  • @kevinnguyen552
    @kevinnguyen552 2 роки тому +824

    How much Phrygian do you want?
    Metal and flamenco songs:
    *yes*

    • @koffieverslaafde627
      @koffieverslaafde627 2 роки тому +23

      Phrygian dominant is used a lot too in metal, Nile kinda loves it a bit too much and so do I

    • @jessevandendoren
      @jessevandendoren 2 роки тому +14

      Phrygian dominant is also called 'Spanish Phrygian' for a reason.

    • @ephraimpinckney8209
      @ephraimpinckney8209 2 роки тому +5

      @@jessevandendoren Spanish phrygian has a minor and major third.

    • @murk4552
      @murk4552 2 роки тому +11

      @@jessevandendoren because the Spanish got it from the Moors who invaded Andalusia at the time. They imparted their Mesopotamian influences over there and now we associate one half of Spanish music with that tradition. Regular Phrygian is traditionally not Middle Eastern due to the minor third inherent in it. You'll even find that in ancient Mesoamerican cultures - today known as Mexico, Central America and South America. Whether or not Phrygian is of Spanish or Central/South American origin remains to be debated. For the version you're talking about In reality it's called the "Jewish" of "Freygish" (Hebrew for "Phrygian") scale, it's popularly most recognized in "Hava Nagila".
      It's Iranian half is called "Harmonic Minor", which derives from the same scale. In Jazz we use Phrygian Dominant, to play over V chords. It's to go where the VII is Full Diminished and resolves to the I which is Minor. Using it that way creates a powerfully dark, but mystical finish to music.

    • @rubenvela44
      @rubenvela44 2 роки тому

      Jazz songs yes three my song Rhombus is in Phrygian Mode

  • @Bachini
    @Bachini 2 роки тому +656

    New Person, Same Old Mistakes = C Phrygian for me. For sure.

  • @nooneknows9218
    @nooneknows9218 Рік тому +54

    16:01 I also hear this song as C Phrygian. For some reason, to me it always sounded like C in a “dark” mode, and C Phrygian definitely makes a lot of sense!

    • @vedranb87
      @vedranb87 5 місяців тому

      I concur with C Phrygian

    • @Draber2b
      @Draber2b 3 місяці тому

      To me it sounded kind of like phrygian, but very bright. It's apparent there is a flat second. A bit too resolved: I wouldn't guess either major or phrygian.
      If I didn't knew the answer phrygian wouldn't be my guess, but some scale of the major family. (That being said I barely have good tonal hearing)
      At the end the C drone is far more convincing to me than thr bA drone.

  • @kineticwaves532
    @kineticwaves532 2 роки тому +191

    Phrygian and Lydian are my favorite modes. I like the mysteriousness and desert feel of Phrygian (a lot of rock and metal songs seem to use it) and the spacey psychedelic feel of Lydian. I would love to find new music in both of these scales.

    • @huzrokhayzur2197
      @huzrokhayzur2197 Рік тому +4

      i'm pretty sure you know KGALW but in case i suggest you to check that if you like exotic psychedelic music and microtonality

    • @thenamelessdragonfish
      @thenamelessdragonfish Рік тому +5

      I like Locrian.

    • @juliehirsh1436
      @juliehirsh1436 Рік тому +2

      Check out Sam Smith unholy

    • @joshforest304
      @joshforest304 Рік тому

      Same.

    • @joshforest304
      @joshforest304 Рік тому +2

      ​@@juliehirsh1436too obvious and gimmicky for me. Really taking the exotic sound to make it sound dark n sleazy. Very catchy though😂

  • @jamesdalziel4516
    @jamesdalziel4516 2 роки тому +631

    "A mode is when you take a scale... but treat a different note as the tonic". Aaaaaand the use and purpose of modes finally falls into place. Someone said it elsewhere in the comments, but undoubtedly the best music-related channel on UA-cam. Really great stuff, David. Thanks so much.

    • @DavidBennettPiano
      @DavidBennettPiano  2 роки тому +48

      Thanks Jamie! 😀

    • @EnterJustice
      @EnterJustice 2 роки тому +13

      This concept really unlocked music for me. It's all about things relate to each other. Rhythm, harmony, melody...

    • @ZZubZZero
      @ZZubZZero 2 роки тому +3

      Yeah indeed! I never really got modes until that!

    • @datavalisofficial8730
      @datavalisofficial8730 2 роки тому

      I came from 4chan, theres a music board there called /mu some ppl were talking about good music youtubers and he was mentioned a lot

    • @CrowdContr0l
      @CrowdContr0l 2 роки тому +3

      Wait until you realize the way the modes were derived… by counting black keys.

  • @hampusheh
    @hampusheh 2 роки тому +171

    You're so right about that hip-hop sound, I hadn't thought about how "phrygian" that sound was. But it was so ubiquitous during that era of rap.

    • @victoresquivel8546
      @victoresquivel8546 2 роки тому +4

      I think of Gangsta’s Paradise by Coolio

    • @StratsRUs
      @StratsRUs Рік тому

      @@victoresquivel8546 Stevie Wonder

    • @brown9671
      @brown9671 Рік тому

      @@StratsRUs Stevie isnt rap

    • @hoidoei941
      @hoidoei941 10 місяців тому +5

      For me Phrygian immediately screams metal ethnic/arab or flamenco music, not hiphop in particular. Therefor hiphop has way too much variety of sample use. (Note that his examples were mostly from “arabian”samples) Hiphop can be anything with a beat

  • @reidflemingworldstoughestm1394
    @reidflemingworldstoughestm1394 2 роки тому +51

    "Does it feel cold in here to you?"
    "Yes, it's absolutely phrygian."

  • @BertoBoyd
    @BertoBoyd 2 роки тому +22

    I’m a Flamenco guitarist and composer and really enjoyed your video on Phrygian which is the home of 90% of my compositions. I’ve always called your Phrygian Dominant/Major - “Altered Phrygian” due to the #3 in our I Chord example E7(b9) I think of it being a borrowed #7 of the relative A harmonic minor so when you Go to build the E chord, it becomes Major instead of minor with the added b9. Anyways, I love this theory geek out stuff. Nice job!

  • @WesCoastPiano
    @WesCoastPiano 2 роки тому +445

    This is by far the best music channel on UA-cam. Great work.

    • @DavidBennettPiano
      @DavidBennettPiano  2 роки тому +43

      Thank you! 😃😃

    • @niloc5533
      @niloc5533 2 роки тому +1

      I think sammy g is on the same level but theyre at the top both

    • @Henry-uv9xu
      @Henry-uv9xu 2 роки тому +18

      Rick Beato

    • @videosefilmes22
      @videosefilmes22 2 роки тому +7

      @@Henry-uv9xu Rick has too much boomer energy

    • @kaimundo
      @kaimundo 2 роки тому +10

      adam neely and charles cornell are fire too

  • @memogon00
    @memogon00 2 роки тому +131

    13:00 It took you very long this time to get to the Radiohead example of the video hahahaha

    • @adaddinsane
      @adaddinsane 2 роки тому +10

      Yup - I was "Where's the Radiohead example?"

    • @sasukesarutobi3862
      @sasukesarutobi3862 2 роки тому +2

      That's because it's not just basic Phrygian mode for them - it's of course more complex than that

  • @gaabs5380
    @gaabs5380 Рік тому +9

    I love how you're showing us how it would sound like in normal mode. It's so great for imagionation, it gives so mouch more understaning of the amosphere of each of the modes. And it also creates some funny positive caricatures of the metal songs

  • @AbrahamZilberstein
    @AbrahamZilberstein 2 роки тому +7

    The whole modes/scales topic was a complete rocket science for me before I found your channel. Thanks a ton, you're doing a great job with this graphical presentations, examples from real songs and examples like "how it would without this note flattened" etc

  • @nicktshredz
    @nicktshredz 2 роки тому +118

    I'm really happy that you use some examples from metal music because a lot of really good modes get put to use in metal music that doesn't get paid attention to.

    • @user-bx8sj6qm3w
      @user-bx8sj6qm3w 2 роки тому +4

      True. Can't wait for the day he talks about Opeth or Cattle Decapitation. And maybe Tool in detail as well.

    • @goatkoala573
      @goatkoala573 2 роки тому +9

      True. Sometimes for non metal listeners it’s hard to appreciate what’s going on and many time it’s really interesting and clever stuff

    • @michaeldejong2700
      @michaeldejong2700 2 роки тому +2

      @@goatkoala573 No it isnt metal is complete stupid music that should not get any attention. But its good not he added a hardrock band like Iron Maiden.

    • @brendanm6921
      @brendanm6921 2 роки тому +10

      @@michaeldejong2700 Iron Maiden are generally considered to be a heavy metal band. And you really need to open up your mind a bit more.

    • @michaeldejong2700
      @michaeldejong2700 2 роки тому

      @@brendanm6921 I dont give a shit what people generally think of Iron Maiden because most people are ignorant sheep when it comes to rockmusic. They are a hardrock band and your devilhorn saluting metal-ass is not welcome here.

  • @KyrieFortune
    @KyrieFortune 2 роки тому +122

    "It keeps the darkness of the minor scale, but it's somewhat darker"
    Ah yes
    The grimdark scale

    • @bigzube_8919
      @bigzube_8919 2 роки тому +5

      nah locrian is grimdark

    • @gwalla
      @gwalla 2 роки тому +9

      @@bigzube_8919 In the grim future of locrian there is only dissonance

    • @benbyrd4552
      @benbyrd4552 2 роки тому

      The homestucks are inescapable

    • @KyrieFortune
      @KyrieFortune 2 роки тому +3

      @@benbyrd4552 the term was coined in the late '80s after Warhammer 40000's slogan, "In the grim darkness of the 41st millennium, there is only war"
      Homestuck merely popularized it outside the niche hobby of sci-fi wargaming

    • @everychannel1025
      @everychannel1025 2 роки тому +4

      Ah yes
      The vantablack scale

  • @yasirozer4782
    @yasirozer4782 2 роки тому +2

    I can't stress enough how many new things i learnt from this channel. Thanks David

  • @Briansongman
    @Briansongman 2 роки тому +1

    Your composition is gorgeous. The most helpful section of this tutorial. Great stuff

  • @lesboothe7291
    @lesboothe7291 2 роки тому +153

    New Person - just judging by that short clip, I hear it resolving on the C.

  • @aaronclift
    @aaronclift 2 роки тому +160

    "Stargazer" by Rainbow is a great example of a Phrygian Dominant song.

    • @amesstarline5482
      @amesstarline5482 2 роки тому +11

      Where's your s t a r?

    • @rizzo_grt
      @rizzo_grt 2 роки тому +10

      Ritchie Blackmore was a HUGE fan of Phrygian Domiant - the intro to Anya and the live outro for Perfect Strangers are some examples.

    • @zaneonmeinhart7952
      @zaneonmeinhart7952 2 роки тому +3

      In jazz and Klezmer music, we call it Freygish scale. It's one of my favorites.

    • @andrejz8954
      @andrejz8954 2 роки тому

      E phrygian dom? Or B phrygian dom?

    • @EddieReischl
      @EddieReischl 2 роки тому +5

      I feel like "Gates of Babylon" is too, the main riff, E Phrygian, I suppose. It gives it that Arabian feel. A couple of classic songs from one of the best bands ever.

  • @Carolina-vn3ip
    @Carolina-vn3ip 2 роки тому +1

    Your channel has helped me so much! The way you explain everything so clear and calmly and all the visuals too! Love from Brazil 🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷

  • @douglasmason6067
    @douglasmason6067 9 місяців тому

    This is the best deep dive into Phrygian I’ve come across, and I love the exploration of tonal ambiguity. Hope you explore tonal ambiguity more in some later videos. Great work keep it up!

  • @garretkaplan
    @garretkaplan 2 роки тому +62

    No Beatles reference in a David Bennett video? I’m shocked lol

  • @Em4gdn1m
    @Em4gdn1m 2 роки тому +62

    Pyramid song is so sick. The tempo of it threw me for such a loop trying to learn it on piano.

    • @ThinWhiteAxe
      @ThinWhiteAxe 2 роки тому +5

      Radiohead to be messing with everyone's brains tempowise. It's almost more surprising when they don't. 😅

    • @joermnyc
      @joermnyc 2 роки тому +3

      He did a full video on why it sounds so off, despite being in 4/4: ua-cam.com/video/m7GyQovrrDM/v-deo.html

    • @touffedaviau8370
      @touffedaviau8370 2 роки тому +2

      I think that would be because the song is based on dotted quartets and there's an 8th note swing 🤔

    • @spracketskooch
      @spracketskooch 2 роки тому

      Those tiny little pauses really took that simple melody and raised it to the next level.

  • @philf4086
    @philf4086 2 роки тому +2

    5:03 - best explanation of a mode that I've heard yet. Simple and straightforward!

  • @DonovanPresents
    @DonovanPresents 2 роки тому +4

    I love the double harmonic scale! I found it on a whim years ago and when looked the scale up I was so excited to find something on my own like that.

  • @user-gf9wg3wj6d
    @user-gf9wg3wj6d 2 роки тому +42

    Plenty of Tool songs are in phrygian / phrygian dominant: 46&2, Right in two, Culling voices, fragments from Vicarious etc

  • @majorpayne8373
    @majorpayne8373 2 роки тому +21

    "You're As Cold As Ice" is in the Fridgeian Mode.

    • @yesdcotchin
      @yesdcotchin 2 роки тому +1

      wheeeyyoooo

    • @deliusmyth5063
      @deliusmyth5063 2 роки тому

      What about “Phrygian In The Rhygian” by the Sex Pistols?

  • @franalbano
    @franalbano 2 роки тому

    One of the best lessons on modes and how they affect melody, thanks David!!!

  • @girlgeniusnyc272
    @girlgeniusnyc272 2 роки тому

    Thank you David! I am learning that the chords are just as important as the melody as you paint the emotions in your song.

  • @williamchristian8705
    @williamchristian8705 2 роки тому +58

    Being a non musician I find the information that you deliver is top notch.
    Even for myself I find it intrigues me. I actually can follow and understand it.
    It teach me the difference between what makes a good song great.
    Little minor tweaks can convey a major shift in the flow and emotion of a song.
    At any extent I thank you for your efforts and enlightenment.

  • @rasmusn.e.m1064
    @rasmusn.e.m1064 2 роки тому +95

    11:05 The name of the singer and the lyrics are Greek. The name of the song is also Greek. It means Egyptian. I know the origins of the melody are hazy, but this specific incarnation of it is firmly a part of the Greek rebetiko genre.

    • @3500ton
      @3500ton 2 роки тому +2

      there are hundreds Greek songs in Phrygian. It is a Greek mode, just like all others!

    • @rasmusn.e.m1064
      @rasmusn.e.m1064 2 роки тому

      ​@@3500ton What are you trying to say? That all songs are Greek? It would be a moot point to point out then, wouldn't it?
      also, not all modes are Greek. Maqam Bayati or Raag Miyan ki Todi don't sound like Greek names to me, neither do their notes.

    • @Music_RTV
      @Music_RTV 2 роки тому +5

      @@rasmusn.e.m1064 i think he means the western modes only. They are called as greek modes too, cause they're suppose to come from them.
      Jonic, doric, phrygian etc are all greek names.

    • @chamberv5261
      @chamberv5261 2 роки тому

      @@rasmusn.e.m1064 I don't think he meant it like that or in any bad way. Phrygian as a language is super close to Greek and was spoken mainly in West Anatolia.
      When I discovered this mode I realised how "Greek" it sounds in a way. Especially a lot of Athenian old school hiphop and traditional music in urban areas (even tho Phrygian was never spoken in that area). It even reminds me of some Turkish sounds with electric guitar even and honestly, that makes sense.
      I found it fascinating because after I saw this video I realised that those songs specifically as well as the genres that mainly use Phrygian mode are classics and very popular among Greek people!

    • @zakasw.4292
      @zakasw.4292 Рік тому

      Absolutely right... 🇬🇷

  • @KarlBonner1982
    @KarlBonner1982 2 роки тому

    Thank you for this one! I was hoping Phrygian would be the next mode you covered.
    Really looking forward to the Lydian installment too!

  • @jamisongriffith6308
    @jamisongriffith6308 2 роки тому +1

    Great video. I have watched videos about modes before, but you actually made me understand the concept. So awesome! Definitely going to try jamming in E phrygian on the piano like you did.

  • @pantheon777
    @pantheon777 2 роки тому +161

    I definitely hear the Tame Impala song in C Phrygian, and it does have a somewhat dark sound to it. But I wonder if those people who hear it in Ab hear it in a lighter context. How would we know?

    • @LucienNox
      @LucienNox 2 роки тому +12

      That’s a shower thought if I’ve ever heard one ☝🏼

    • @Wind-nj5xz
      @Wind-nj5xz 2 роки тому +11

      They probably do since they're hearing it in a major key

    • @bernhardkrickl3567
      @bernhardkrickl3567 2 роки тому +24

      from the short excerpt in this video I hear it in Ab major. It clearly does sound light and happy to me, like it resolves to the C as the third of the major scale, not the root of phrygian. But maybe if I listen to the whole song it might turn out differently.

    • @kackers
      @kackers 2 роки тому +8

      i hear it in Ab and i'd say while it doesn't exactly sound cheery it does sound pretty light to me

    • @brazzledazzle_
      @brazzledazzle_ 2 роки тому +2

      I've played the bass line on the guitar and it starts with the diminished 2nd for C Phrygian, descending before finishing with the tonic note, so the way i see it structually fits that mode. Also it fails to hit the A tonic which makes the C Phrygian much more obvious too, seems interesting how some people see it the other way without a tonic note.

  • @johanneslettinghvilborg2443
    @johanneslettinghvilborg2443 2 роки тому +59

    That piece of music you wrote... It has such beautiful emotions, I still have goosebumps after hearing it. Love your work:)

  • @alexblake3818
    @alexblake3818 Рік тому

    You definitely have your way with using brilliant examples! Keep up the great work

  • @chrisperkins2686
    @chrisperkins2686 2 роки тому +1

    David, I just wanted to say I really appreciate your videos! This is so much more insightful to learning the modes, making it relatable to songs I know and very enjoyable. Your outro performances are also nice to listen to. I feel like your transition to the lower notes in this video reminds me of the interstellar theme a little. I don’t know what mode that would be in, probably not phyrigian.

  • @yepsidoodles4867
    @yepsidoodles4867 2 роки тому +58

    In Pink Floyd’s “Hey You” the intro starts with an Em and Dm vamp, therefore using that flatted second in the key of E minor. Though the song doesn’t really stick to Phrygian the whole time, that intro is a short example of some more cool Phrygian.

    • @Stellarainn
      @Stellarainn 2 роки тому +3

      Oh my god i finally understand.!!! When if first heard i couldnt explain the feeling but it felt dark and now i know why

    • @Maddolis
      @Maddolis Рік тому

      Except the melody goes 3-2 ("Hey you") rather than 3-b2. That plus the very first note of the song is the 9/sus2/F# or whatever you want to call it, making it minor.
      If the second note of the scale were completely omitted throughout I could see an argument for it suggesting phrygian by going from Em to Dm but considering all throughout the Em bars there are F#s littered throughout, I'd argue very strongly against it being phrygian.

    • @Maddolis
      @Maddolis Рік тому +2

      @@Stellarainn The darkness of Hey You definitely comes probably primarily from the relationship between Em and Dm, however I'd also suggest it comes from the "Hey You" finishing on the 2nd, having a feeling of suspense (though technically the vocals fall to the tonic/E quietly), along with the melody itself being restrained to the range of around a minor third. That plus the eerie production, the tone of the guitar etc. The piece isn't in E phrygian though.

  • @MarceloHenkin
    @MarceloHenkin 2 роки тому +8

    I love how you give many examples and compare different songs/scales/modes in the same video, so the concepts become much clear. and I think to be able to make these relations you've got to be an expert in the sense that you are comfortable to talk about all these possibilities (different scales, uses, contexts) without any hesitation. this is one of my favorite channels, the way you "mix" (music) theory and practice is wonderful.

  • @specialtramp
    @specialtramp 2 роки тому +1

    You've earned a new patron! 😁 Really great work, you've taught me so much, excited to keep learning with you.

  • @brunorodrigues7757
    @brunorodrigues7757 2 роки тому

    That music at the end of the video is soo awesome. It is exactly the type of sound that makes me just stop, close my eyes and trip out for a while. Love it!

  • @AabidHussain69
    @AabidHussain69 2 роки тому +21

    Was listening to all these metal songs and never knew they were in Phrygian. Thanks David!

  • @AustinNebbia
    @AustinNebbia 2 роки тому +85

    Let's also not forgot one of the most famous uses of E Phrygian ever, the Doctor Who theme!

    • @aquilesbailo4226
      @aquilesbailo4226 2 роки тому +5

      Rick and morty theme too

    • @Music-tg5is
      @Music-tg5is 2 роки тому

      @@aquilesbailo4226 Rick and Who?

    • @andrejz8954
      @andrejz8954 2 роки тому

      @@Music-tg5is cartoon. Rick & Morty

    • @albinobeach
      @albinobeach 2 роки тому +5

      The Delian mode. Look up Delia Derbyshire, she wrote that theme tune, interesting lady.

    • @TD-bq5bo
      @TD-bq5bo 2 роки тому +4

      I would argue that the theme for Jaws is the most recognizable example of the Phrygian mode.

  • @GuiSmith
    @GuiSmith 2 роки тому +22

    Phrygian is also used really nicely in the Nightmare Before Christmas. It’s present in songs for the character Sally and her interactions with Jack Skellington. Specifically Sally’s Song uses Phrygian. Although if I recall it’s primarily minor harmonies, but Sally’s vocals are Phrygian and use the unusual note to end every other line. It’s beautifully ethereal. Locative is also used at times, so it’s a lovely display of Danny Elfman’s music skills.

  • @fruitylerlups530
    @fruitylerlups530 2 роки тому

    That composition at the end, such a gorgeous chord prog

  • @Ingestedbanjo
    @Ingestedbanjo 2 роки тому +34

    For 'pop' music that features Phrygian, I think I'm right in saying that in Eurovision 2021, both "Mata Hari" from Azerbaijan, and maybe also "The Moon is Rising" from Latvia both were written in Phrygian.

    • @Zveebo
      @Zveebo 2 роки тому +6

      Yeah, I was going to say I was pretty sure I'd heard it in a few Eurovision entries in the last few years!

    • @pentatronic
      @pentatronic 2 роки тому +4

      Yes Mata Hari switches between Phrygian and Aeolian. The verses are Aeolian, then it switches to Phrygian starting at "just like Cleopatra" through most of the chorus, then back to Aeolian at the end of the chorus for that one last "Mata Ha-a-ri". Now I want to learn it on piano... Such a badass song!

  • @christophergetchell6490
    @christophergetchell6490 2 роки тому +6

    Awesome job making a very dark mode like Phrygian sound beautiful and melodic like your piece at the end!

  • @daveeberhardt4380
    @daveeberhardt4380 2 роки тому +12

    "Waiting For The Sun" by The Doors is another song that blends "D" Phrygian Dominant & "D" Phrygian. Thanks for a great lesson.

  • @enzocypriani5055
    @enzocypriani5055 2 роки тому

    thank you david for this series! so helpful

  • @peterkelley6344
    @peterkelley6344 2 роки тому +67

    Your compositions are always so good. Your Phrygian work is wonderful.

    • @DavidBennettPiano
      @DavidBennettPiano  2 роки тому +13

      Thanks Peter! 😀

    • @samuelnelson2731
      @samuelnelson2731 Рік тому

      I love your videos, but you forgot the song “This Is How We Do It”, which is in F Phrygian.

  • @weepingscorpion8739
    @weepingscorpion8739 2 роки тому +62

    Another metal song that screams Phrygian is Nightwish's Slaying the Dreamer.
    The intro to the track to Doom 1's E1M4 level also uses Phrygian. It starts with in F#m but in the 2nd bar there's a G5 chord.

    • @Benjy52
      @Benjy52 2 роки тому +2

      I mean Doom is full of dark music.

    • @magnifichades9710
      @magnifichades9710 Рік тому +1

      Slaying the Dreamer is such a good song

  • @zacharylane6148
    @zacharylane6148 2 роки тому

    Love the vid. Of the song you chose to use as examples of the Phrygian mode, yours and Radio Head's were my favorite.

  • @unstabilizer
    @unstabilizer 2 роки тому +5

    That piece at the end was brilliant! Also, I felt the Tame Impala track was in C Phrygian - but that was from the small bit I heard in the video. Lovely video as always!

  • @rawkinj6609
    @rawkinj6609 2 роки тому +4

    Astounding! I'm totally nerding out on this right now!!!

  • @nahuel6136
    @nahuel6136 2 роки тому +6

    great video! I love phrygian, such a distinctive sounding scale.

  • @joshforest304
    @joshforest304 Рік тому

    As always, great vid David. Loved the improv at the end. Another huge use is in Spanish/flamenco music.🎉

  • @theconfidenceicarry2683
    @theconfidenceicarry2683 Рік тому

    This video has been such an enjoying education to receive, thank you so so so much for making everything so clear!!

  • @saulgoodman1390
    @saulgoodman1390 2 роки тому +3

    I was getting worried. All this David Bennett video and not a mention of the Beatles or Radiohead... but then Pyramid Song makes an appearance and all was right in the world!!

  • @RemixerDarken
    @RemixerDarken 2 роки тому +5

    Thanks for making this, I was hoping for a video about Phrygian since the one about Dorian.

  • @laveraparato258
    @laveraparato258 2 роки тому +1

    Thanks so much for your videos. You make music theory simple and fun

  • @catworshiper7975
    @catworshiper7975 Рік тому

    Your composition on this one is really really beautiful!

  • @scottmatznick3140
    @scottmatznick3140 2 роки тому +14

    Just got home from Illinois... Locked the front door. OH BOY! A NEW VID FROM DAVID!

  • @llamasarus1
    @llamasarus1 2 роки тому +109

    Phrygian sounds like someone is about to sacrifice a kitten to Lucifer

    • @kevinnguyen552
      @kevinnguyen552 2 роки тому +1

      😂😂😂

    • @unijade
      @unijade 2 роки тому +10

      It sounds like music that's not by white people. That's all.

    • @Veni_Vidi_Vortice
      @Veni_Vidi_Vortice 2 роки тому +4

      It just takes a phrygian to poison a pigeon in the park

    • @ErebosGR
      @ErebosGR 2 роки тому +8

      That would be Locrian.

    • @eduardozepol2000
      @eduardozepol2000 2 роки тому +14

      @@unijade are you familiar with the entire metal genre

  • @jeromesadlo9470
    @jeromesadlo9470 Рік тому

    I like the way you showed how it would sound in the usual scale. Good video👍

  • @toxicchasm4989
    @toxicchasm4989 2 роки тому +11

    I think it's genius that "New Person, Same Old Mistakes" has this ambiguous 'major/minor' feel because the chorus has this contrast of optimism ('feel like a brand new person') and pessimism ('but you'll make the same old mistakes'). And these voices argue with each other

  • @snoopy_next_door
    @snoopy_next_door 2 роки тому +3

    You always choose the most interesting topic and the best way to present it, thanks for great video!!

  • @kalebbrown5916
    @kalebbrown5916 2 роки тому

    thank you for these videos. I wish I had explanations like this years ago.

  • @VitorHugo-sj6wb
    @VitorHugo-sj6wb 2 роки тому

    This kind of video is amazing! Continue the awesome job!!!

  • @trevorbrown5714
    @trevorbrown5714 2 роки тому +10

    I know that David usually doesn't cover classical music, but one of my favorite examples of Phrygian being used is in Brahms' fourth symphony. The second movement (especially the beginning and the end) use E major Phrygian to give the movement a bold, exotic, and noble feel.

  • @bloodspatteredguitar
    @bloodspatteredguitar 2 роки тому +4

    I was thinking in the example that used D to set up the resolution to E that the natural set up would be to drop down from the flat 2 rather than rise from below. That's certainly how Gregorian chant tends to resolve Phyrgian.... so I was happy to see you doing precisely that in your piece at the end.

  • @charlie_3370
    @charlie_3370 2 роки тому +17

    This video made me realize that Frozen by Madonna may use Phrygian during the chorus and outro. The key of the song is in Fm (ionian) but in the 7th bar of the chorus the song plays a Gb chord followed by an Absus4 before returning to the tonic where she sings G naturals again. I’ve always wondered what to call that pattern, the song also blends Indian/Moroccan influences with electronica.

  • @Joseph-Lau
    @Joseph-Lau Рік тому +1

    That’s a great demonstration of modes with contemporary music.
    It will helps a lot in my teaching of modes by providing examples.
    Thx!

  • @pierreyveshuet1763
    @pierreyveshuet1763 2 роки тому +21

    A Pink Floyd example and then at 1:00 dark forebodings sounds, my head explodes!

  • @nigelhaywood9753
    @nigelhaywood9753 2 роки тому +12

    As far as I know, 'Misirlou' refers to an Arab theme and perhaps imitates aspects of Arabic music. In Wikipedia it says that it's a song about an Egyptian girl. However it seems to have been first published in Athens in 1920 (I definitely read that somewhere) and I'm quite certain that it was composed by a Greek who, like many of his generation, had recently been expelled from Turkey during the 'ethnic cleansing' taking place there in the early part of the 20th century. The whole 'rebetiko' scene came about as a result of that and I've always thought of this song as being born out of that culture. We might not know definitively who composed it but I very much doubt that it was an Arab. I just thought I'd share that thought but I'm not an expert in these field. I loved this videos as indeed all of your videos. Great work!

  • @justjack4300
    @justjack4300 8 місяців тому

    Thank you so much for these videos! I've been struggling with my mental health and even though I've studied music have been wanting with new ways to approach songwriting... these Mode explanation videos are a great refresher and great for songwriting inspiration!

  • @johnlong1499
    @johnlong1499 2 роки тому +1

    100% C phrygian. And yes, as many others have commented, this is one of the truly great music-related channels on UA-cam...possibly even the best. Keep up the fine work, David. Cheers!

  • @greenleaf4127
    @greenleaf4127 2 роки тому +3

    great video, learned a lot from it, thank you!

  • @rjpiercy2
    @rjpiercy2 Рік тому +5

    Very good discussion of the phrygian mode. White rabbit always reminded me of the spanish flamenco song "Malagueña". Malagueña also combines phrygian with phrygian major. As you probably know the iconic guitar pattern starts with arpeggiated E major (E G# B E G# B) but melodically walks down as it resolves back using a G instead of G# ( A C B A G F E). I really love both of these songs. If you know Malagueña on piano I would love to hear it!

  • @rekindle
    @rekindle 2 роки тому +1

    Really well done video! I was waiting for Missy Elliot's "Get Your Freak On" to come up in a video about Phrygian and you listed it. It's a really great use of the sound imo. as it makes it light hearted.

  • @oblivionpro69
    @oblivionpro69 2 роки тому +1

    Your phrygian outro piece is very nice, thanks for this video.

  • @LoraCoggins
    @LoraCoggins 2 роки тому +36

    Imagine if there were non-Phrygian pop songs in Phrygian. "The Man Who Sold the World" by David Bowie; "Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down)" by Nancy Sinatra. I think that would be really cool.

    • @ThinWhiteAxe
      @ThinWhiteAxe 2 роки тому +2

      I just tried playing The Man Who Sold The World in Phrygian and it sounded *so* wrong lmao

    • @regolithia
      @regolithia 2 роки тому +1

      I mean the main riff to The Man Who Sold The World uses the b9 on the A chord, but yeah, I think that might sound cursed

    • @AN-iz8hq
      @AN-iz8hq 2 роки тому

      If you frame A as the tonal center of Man Who Sold the World, it's basically A Phrygian but always replacing the A minor w/ A major.
      Or you can call it D minor since that's where it ultimately resolves, but the ambiguity is still present. It is Bowie after all.

    • @thomasrinschler6783
      @thomasrinschler6783 2 роки тому

      Bang Bang was originally written by Cher; Nancy Sinatra just did a cover.

    • @kevincaldwell9700
      @kevincaldwell9700 2 роки тому +1

      @@thomasrinschler6783 , actually it was written by Sonny Bono for Cher to record.

  • @The_Original_Default_Username
    @The_Original_Default_Username 2 роки тому +10

    For that Tame Impala song, I think the bass line makes it very clear that the tonic note is C.

  • @jayfoster6680
    @jayfoster6680 Рік тому

    Thank you! I must have watched ten videos about modes and still didn’t get it. “Take a scale and treat a different note as the tonic” and it finally clicked for me. Thank you, I love your channel!

  • @jdiaz4877
    @jdiaz4877 11 місяців тому

    I love the composition you made at the end. Good documentary.

  • @thomasabraham4532
    @thomasabraham4532 2 роки тому +5

    One of my favourite Phrygian moments is the Wherever I May Roam solo, where Kirk plays a Phrygian Dominant solo over the Phrygian main riff

  • @jerebondar8128
    @jerebondar8128 2 роки тому +13

    2:52 "MEGADETH, MEGADETH, AGUANTE MEGADETH"
    Great video, ty for using the argentinian concert for megadeth ♡

    • @matatias
      @matatias 2 роки тому

      lol I recognized the same chant

    • @loganp82
      @loganp82 2 роки тому

      for someone who mentions megadeth four times in there comment you could spell it right maybe.

    • @jerebondar8128
      @jerebondar8128 2 роки тому +3

      @@loganp82 not a big fan of them honestly, but that concert is iconic

    • @jerebondar8128
      @jerebondar8128 2 роки тому

      @@loganp82 there u go

  • @TheFloatingBartender
    @TheFloatingBartender 2 роки тому

    Our content has become daily viewing for me man. Thanks man

  • @user-hs5ro8dz4u
    @user-hs5ro8dz4u 2 роки тому

    9:58 BRO 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 I couldn't be any proud . Happy to see one of our artists being featured on you channel David

  • @aaronbruce5568
    @aaronbruce5568 2 роки тому +4

    David, I was hearing New Person, Same Old Mistakes in F minor. Just vibed with it.

  • @REEDRICHARDS2
    @REEDRICHARDS2 2 роки тому +3

    MAGNIFICENT!!! You are a young master ! Thanks!!!

  • @johannesobier2477
    @johannesobier2477 3 місяці тому +1

    Your videos are really well done. And didactically first class. There aren't many people who have that kind of talent. Unfortunately.

  • @huzrokhayzur2197
    @huzrokhayzur2197 Рік тому

    thanks to you i've been able to play that misirlou part by just going up and down the byanthian scale, super fun scale

  • @dailleursstraits
    @dailleursstraits 2 роки тому +3

    the piece you wrote at the end is really nice!

  • @zenleek2129
    @zenleek2129 2 роки тому +5

    Wow... I'm really new to music theory, and surprisingly, when I talked of all that I learned here with the musicians in my family they didn't know about it and actually learned something...
    This is great lol

  • @chedddargoblin
    @chedddargoblin Рік тому

    The examples where you show what it would sound like in minor instead of phygian helped so much

  • @ArtBellJr
    @ArtBellJr Рік тому

    Such a deep and useful understanding came from this video. Thanks from Las Vegas, I have no musical background other then I know what sounds good and what needs more production. This made a beginner like me able to know what Phrygian mode is and how it's used.