Hey everyone I've just done a new video reacting to ABC by Polyphia. I take a deeper dive into the chord progression and melody to uncover how it's essentially constructed like an old jazz standard. kzread.info/dash/bejne/epuc08Omf9O0pLQ.html

@jamesoshea580

Күн бұрын

I found your channel about half hour ago through watching your Polyphia - Steve Vai breakdown. You said a few things that I'd thought when hearing it for the first time. I'm going to have to binge watch watch your videos after this one! After I subscribe of course!

I love these types of reviews where I get something out of it instead of just "the reviewer vibed with it"

@JackJenningsGuitarist

Жыл бұрын

Thank you I'm trying to do something more in-depth but still keeping it easy to follow and not too theoretical. Thanks for watching

Tim actually talks about how proud he is of that melody that you mentioned sounded familiar to you

Your analysis is the best I've seen tbh. Keep it up. Your thorough understanding and passion for all types of music really comes through.

@JackJenningsGuitarist

Жыл бұрын

Thank you so much I'm really enjoying this and looking forward to doing lots of different styles of guitar playing and even pieces with other instruments as the focus, like violin concertos and Indian Classical sitar recitals.

Steve Vai ( yes, the Goat himself) knows these guys very well. And they cannot be put into a category. This is totally NEW. One of the fast rising bands ever.

@JackJenningsGuitarist

Жыл бұрын

Yeah its definitely got me more interested in a band than I've been in a long time.

They used real violin group and real whistler. The vocal harmonies in the outro are also real. :)

You're a natural at this. Looking forward to the next technical breakdowns and reactions.

@JackJenningsGuitarist

Жыл бұрын

Thanks very much I've got some really fun ones coming up

7 minutes into the reaction and only 46 second into the song. I love it when people have so much to add Tim made a "Making Of" video about Playing God. In it he talks about where the arpeggiated section he plays at the end came from. If I understood it correctly, he put the chords through a plugin that arpeggiated them in basically the exact sequence you hear in the song. He then just had to figure out how to actually play it on guitar after he has been given that complex sequence.

@JackJenningsGuitarist

Жыл бұрын

Thanks very much I worry that I talk too much. But if people want to hear the full song they can go to the original video. So I guess that come here for something else. Thanks for watching

I don't know exactly where I heard it, but I think I remember hearing that a fan cover of the Polyphia song G.O.A.T. reimagined as a flamenco song caught the band/Tim's attention. They were a little inspired from that cover which shows up here.

Yes this song does have a genre switch to bossanova right before 2 minutes and yes the familiar melody is inspired from the “girl from ipanema”. Tim Henson confirmed that the song he was working on in 2020 would have a genre switch to bossanova in an interview.

@JackJenningsGuitarist

Жыл бұрын

Yeah its great hearing him talk about the process to making some these tracks

@KingArthur7777xbox

Жыл бұрын

@@JackJenningsGuitarist absolutely! The inspiration for the songs are always random and cool, like GOAT is inspired by a Jaden Smith and then the use of nylon strings for that acoustic sound in Playing God was inspired by the fans that did cover songs of GOAT. Polyphia is changing the game and we are here just to enjoy the ride.

The melody line at 9:20 always reminds me of "Girl from Ipanema"

Great insight, thanks!

This is an incredibly special piece of music !!! I love it.

Just a fyi Tim does the Making of videos on how he produces his songs even this one, and the melody in the second half comes from the animal crossing game!

@JackJenningsGuitarist

Жыл бұрын

That's brilliant thanks so much I'll have to check that out now

@dustinhoang7269

Жыл бұрын

i think he quoted the term "animal crossing" because it sounds like something you might hear on it, but he made up the melody on the fly the while producing the song

Your reaction and review are one of the best I've seen. I'd like you to do a reaction to Plini. He's music composition is very intelligent and it's very uplifting.

You heard it before in his new signature guitar video. He plays the same song to introduce his new Ibanez TOD10N.

For you being a production noob, your guess on a lot of these production techniques is spot on. In the Ego Death video you mentioned wet/dry guitar signaling for the weird distorted noises in the transition, and that is exactly how it would be done. Turning off the dry signal, leaving only the wet. Here you are talking about that digital tremolo and sampling a note, cutting it up, and then repeating it very quickly for that stutter effect, which is exactly how it would be done. Good abstract musical thinking. Production is nearly as important as the notes that are being played but a totally different skill set and way of thinking about stuff. Not to mention the technical knowledge of being able to work effectively in the digital environment.

@JackJenningsGuitarist

Жыл бұрын

Yes interesting points raised here about the production. It's such a massive part of their success and it's rare to hear it done so well, in combination with all the great compositional and technical elements that Polyphia uses. I don't really have any solid production skills myself apart from recording in bands and making youtube videos of course. But I've seen some talented people working on the job and doing it well, so I have some idea of what can go into it. Thanks for watching this video and the other one you mentioned too. Really appreciate your contribution to the discussion.

@ThaBeatConductor

Жыл бұрын

@@JackJenningsGuitarist The type of production techniques Polyphia uses are generally more often found in electronic music and not usually heard in music containing live instruments. Even the way everything sits in the mix is very typical of a lot of electronic genres. While I agree that's it's very well done, it's only rare with music where the focus is on instruments/vocals. I've heard many bands where there are good compositional ideas squandered by a lack of spice on the production end. It's the little bells and whistles,(in the case of Playing God, literally), that make can take a track from good to something truly special. I think more groups could take note of how Polyphia is incorporating electronic elements into their music, even if a band doesn't want any synths at all. The ideas are translatable to other instruments. I listen to a lot of Death Metal, and I've noticed that all my favorite bands of that genre and it's subgenres cite electronic music as one of their big influences, which I found odd until I started trying to make music electronically and discovered all the hidden herbs and spices I was missing in the metal world. Also, if you plan on doing more reactions in the future, don't be afraid to get nerdy on the music theory. People really dig when people get nerdy about things.

Congrats, another fine analysis and insight. You may wish to look on their website for a video Tim posted called 'the making of playing god'. Its fantastic to see how he works to create these songs - for instance using an electronic apperigator to get the sequance he wants and then having to learn how to play that on the guitar. Or going on to the website 'fiver' to get someone to lay down the whistle sections (I believe he paid about $30 dollars for that work!) What's more, seeing the guys talk about what they do dispels any illusion or myth that they are egotistical or vain. They are simply fantastically gifted musicians at the peak of their growing creativity , leaving their mark and inspiring people to make something new. They've certainly left this old man feeling that music is in good hands!

@JackJenningsGuitarist

Жыл бұрын

Yes I thought that was interesting how he took the sequence from the arpeggiator and then turned it into a crazy guitar part that was really hard to play but he made it work so well. I also admire their creativity and really open approach.

Thanks for the thoughtful video.

@JackJenningsGuitarist

Жыл бұрын

Thank you I'm glad it was of interest. Feels good to really dive into their style.

Wonderful approach in this video/reaction, thanks for taking the time.

@JackJenningsGuitarist

Жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it. I really like making these videos as it turns out.

Terrific analysis and conversation about music.

@JackJenningsGuitarist

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching more coming soon

Happened upon your videos by chance, and loved your thoughts on the song. I was trying to figure out the style of music in the midpoint and realized you were 100% right, sounding like a bossanova among many other things all conglomerates together in a tasty ear snack. Thanks for the thoughtful insights.

@JackJenningsGuitarist

Жыл бұрын

Thanks very much it's really unusual how they are combining styles. They are more like a fusion band than a progressive metal band really.

@ThaBeatConductor

Жыл бұрын

@@JackJenningsGuitarist Polyphia = Inter-dimensional Elevator Music

Love these videos not even gonna cap.

@JackJenningsGuitarist

Жыл бұрын

Thanks very much for watching

Fantastic analysis. You know your stuff

@JackJenningsGuitarist

Жыл бұрын

Thanks man

Amazing review as always

@JackJenningsGuitarist

Жыл бұрын

Thanks very much I guess you must have liked the other Polyphia review I did 😀 . I'm really enjoying making these.

@azimuth9819

Жыл бұрын

@@JackJenningsGuitarist that's true, their fans seem to enjoy watching others enjoy the music, but what is refreshing about your reviews is how deeply you can examine music and can break down intent and history of certain sounds and techniques. Which is unique, composition knowledge is rare. Many other progressive bands that you may find interesting, strictly based on their uniqueness and how musical they can be while being so unobtainable unique. An obvious name is Tosin Abasi from Animals as Leaders and T R.A.M.

@JackJenningsGuitarist would you be willing to react to the band Chon? There's a live video called, "Waterslide" In Hollywood | Rooftop Riots" I would love to hear your thoughts, especially if you enjoyed Polyphia since Chon influenced a lot of bands like Polyphia

Wow, Jack. What a fantastic breakdown. You pointed out parts, rhythms and textures that I hadn't focussed on until now, and I like that you mentioned this approach at the end of the video. Really wonderful. I totally agree; what a gift of exploring music in this educational and collaborative fashion. Also LOVE the Paco, John, Al reference - guitar royalty no less! Your intelligent style of analysis is so perfectly balanced with your emotional appreciation of the music. LOVE that you care more about the music than being a "shouty KZreadr" too. ☺ Really looking forward to watching the masses of video content in your channel archive, yikes. 🥲I spot a deliciously tantalising McLaughlin one, oh boy. Indian classical was one of my very first loves; I found my adoration of music as a whole through Ravi as a young child. Those early imprints set the foundation for why I continue to play and enjoy music, and who I want to be becoming in the world. Thank you. 🙏 Subbed, sir. Subbed.

@JackJenningsGuitarist

Жыл бұрын

Well hello there sounds like we would get on well just based on your musical taste. Really appreciate your comment and thanks for watching. We did a big conversation on McLaughlin earlier this year so you might have seen that video come up. Hope you enjoy the channel.

@hamandvaid

Жыл бұрын

@@JackJenningsGuitarist Thanks Jack. I would love to see your take on Western music's most innovative and capable improviser - the mighty Allan Holdsworth - who was so far ahead of everyone else that we'll be studying and enjoying his music for centuries. Steve Vai, Frank Zappa, McLaughlin, Yngwie, Eddie Van Halen, Joe Satriani, Eric Johnson all cite him as the greatest of all time. As I've said before... "Every Allan Holdsworth solo is the greatest solo of all time."

Thank you

@JackJenningsGuitarist

Жыл бұрын

You're very welcome

Nice

@JackJenningsGuitarist

Жыл бұрын

Cheers

this is such an awesome commentry. I found it really interesting to hear your take on what they are doing. I can recommend charlie robbins if you liked this stuff. unless you have heard of him before

@JackJenningsGuitarist

Жыл бұрын

Thanks very much glad you found it interesting. Haven't heard of Charlie Robbins but I will check it out if you recommend something in particular

@bassic6959

Жыл бұрын

@@JackJenningsGuitarist I like a lot of his songs (he also releases under the name syncatto his band) I can recommend some songs like split, Rabbit hole, nostalgia, spicy, queen of hearts. and many more. they are all pretty similar but they are very different and cool. and overall just really fun and enjoyable to listen to. all my friends that I recommend him to really enjoy it.

@JackJenningsGuitarist

Жыл бұрын

@@bassic6959 Excellent thank you very much for the surgestion.

My favorite review

@JackJenningsGuitarist

Жыл бұрын

Great to hear and thanks for watching

Tim Henson released a Making Of Playing God video on his channel. I'd love to see your reaction to it, as he kind of answers some of your questions.

@JackJenningsGuitarist

Жыл бұрын

Thank you yes it was really interesting I love his creative process

You know you've made it when you got people analyzing parts of songs that you used an arpeggiator to write

The melody is really close to Sinatra's Girl from Ipanema

@JackJenningsGuitarist

Жыл бұрын

Yeah that's true it's got a similar nature

@arpeggio1276

Жыл бұрын

@@JackJenningsGuitarist If you want your mind blown go check out Lucas Brar's Jazz rendition of this song he literally transitions into Girl from Ipanema seemlessly haha.

@JackJenningsGuitarist

Жыл бұрын

@@arpeggio1276 thank you I love Lucas Brar that guy is a genius. I'll check that out

I think the melody is very similar to girl from ibeza, but not a replica

@JackJenningsGuitarist

2 ай бұрын

Yes a few people have said the same thing👍🎸

For me Bossa Nowa part sound little bit like Chega de Saudade by Tom Jobim 😂

@JackJenningsGuitarist

Жыл бұрын

Yeah

Which part of u is indian

@JackJenningsGuitarist

Жыл бұрын

I don't have any Indian descent as far as I know. My only connection to that culture is I've been studying Indian Classical Music for over 15 years and I teach other guitar players how to learn the repertoire of their instrument.

Ugh...why so impressed? Fast fingers making random sounds. Note that Hensen plays sitting down...a lot. Why do you think that is? TIRED of XYZrs trying to build up their childish, naive ideas and fads. This is not "revolutionary", the is regression to the point where all you have to do is sit in your garage and make sounds. Do not bother with learning chords, reading. This is soundtrack music for a movie about a dystopian society. That is it.

This guy is still milking this video!?