Incredible. I want someone to make a period table based on these mode descriptions - I would print that out as a poster and hang in my studio

I feel like you are the Robin Hood of music- taking music OUT the ivory tower and giving us ALL the gift of music making

This was like being invited in from the cold and given a big earthenware mug of hot, hearty soup when you're frozen to the marrow. Thank you, Christian Henson. You are among my very favourite virtual mentors.

I am 69yrs old I started my music creation journey off the back of your videos just prior to the pandemic when I started my own KZfaq channel.. I played guitar and moved to keyboard..no music training except what I learned from videos. All I can say is thank you Christian you and your team are doing a wonderful job.. thank you for vaults and helping this old pensioner create some music😊💖

Of all the Crow Hill vids, or in fact those from any of the composers I follow here on youtube (you, Guy, Spitfire, etc.), this is the one vid I'm returning to when I'm stuck. Thank you so very much, Mr. Henson, for taking the time to explain this so very well.

Been studying different instruments for 17 years now. You're the first person who managed to explain modes to me in a super clear and practical way. I'm in awe.

I lost touch with your activities over the last 6 months due to a major job change and I’m absolutely delighted to have rediscovered you on the new channel…Christian, you ooze such genuine interest, joy, enthusiasm and inspiration …you remind me of when Steve Jobs was ejected from Apple, founded NeXt after which he exploded with new ideas and creativity and then of course the rest is history…Crow Hilltastic…!!!

I really like the graphics (the musical content is impeccable too :) )

This is impressive, how clear and inspirational this approach is, it doesn't fight theory and instead it simplifies it at a level that's understandable to everyone. You are a marvelous teacher Chris.

My god, what a fantastic teacher you are. It's time for me to dust off my midi keyboard. I hope I won't give up this time.

I got through about a quarter of the video and had to hit pause - not because it was lame; it was the total opposite. The video was seriously awesome and super inspiring. It's the kind of thing I'll bookmark and send to friends and family who keep saying they want to get into making music but won't take lessons from me [I mean, come on, right? LOL!]. No, what really made me stop was your new plugin, "String Murmurations." It's just so dang beautiful, and here I am, tight on cash, trying to resist the urge to splurge on another plugin. I swear, my mouse cursor practically danced over the "Add to Cart" button, and it took all my willpower not to click it. Such a cool plugin guys!!!! Anyway, thank you for the VAULTS stuff. The piano itself has become my go to piano. You can tell there is so much passion and genius behind the work yall are doing. Just know, you've got a fan, maybe even an evangelist here. All the best!!

Facts! As a keyboard enthusiast. I’ve played along to tv and movies as I watch them, and a lot of the times, the white notes work.

Spot on! I finally quit thinking "theory" etc. years ago and adopted two dictums: "There are two kinds of music. Good music, and the other kind." - Ellington...and Ray Charles' challenge: "What does it sound like?"

I got sent for piano lessions as a kid, but I hated playing the music I was given to practise. As soon as I was old enough I gave it up. Then I saw a synth and it ignited a passion that was perhaps more a gadget freak passion at the time- and, as I couldn't afford either a Jupiter 8 or even a Roland SH101, I ended up buying a Jen SX1000 and that began a journey of writing music. I now wish I'd stuck at the piano lessons as I'm really barely able to string notes together and certainly would never sit in front of anyone and play. But it was just enough to compose and that journey has I think saved my soul. Edit - awesome video btw

I have always liked your music Christian, now i understand the soul behind the creation. I am a frustrated musician that hears the sounds/melodies in my head but cannot get my fingers to recreate it in the real world.

Oh FFS, thank you Christian! I learned these modes on my own decades ago on guitar (thank you guitar player mag) but never really understood what was different about them, They were all the same notes! Sure you started them in a different part of the sequence, but... Now I see that what was missing was the relationship between the notes and the root! The reordering of the sequence of seconds and thirds - major and minor keys. Sometimes you just need someone to clue you in to the most elemental knowledge. It's like painting with just blue, yellow and red and finding out years later that you always had green, orange and purple - you just mix the colors!

Thanks mate, this was a huge "Ahhhhhhh, wow!" moment for me. I've never bothered with modes all these years because they sounded too complicated.

This is a very clever way to encourage to experiment without complicating things. Intuition before theoretical knowledge. Heart over brain. By far the best explanation of the moods I have come across. You are so ahead of your time, Christian.

one of my favorite things about this is laying down some basics for a compelling soundtrack with only the three vsts! having a fullness of sound is important but you dont need to overproduce a good idea and this demonstrates that well.

I can only give the opinion of a mediocre, play-mostly-by-ear violinist, but this kind of explanation has the potential to revolutionize the teaching of music. Traditional music theory is still of great value, but this introduction makes so much more sense, and is so much more artistically satisfying than starting with the technicalities of scales. It makes a much better case for the "why" of music. Your love of music is infectious and the way you explain things makes so much sense to my brain. I work in marketing, and so your way of putting complicated concepts into terms that anyone can understand is inspiring. As good of a musician as you are, what really has me hooked is your giftedness at communication. Thank you.

This might be the best explanation of modes in that it describes how to use them.

Best illustration / demonstration of the modes I have seen so far. Great video.

This is the best explanation of modes I’ve ever come across. Thanks very much, this is so accessible!

This is like having the scales (too soon?) lifted from my eyes. I've been blinded by major cheese writing and ignoring modes. Switch now flipped - brilliant description in this video.

I still remember when I was first introduced to this concept years ago. I started to plateau musically, and needed a new perspective. Modes opened my mind and reignited my love for music.

This make so much sense to me - I think I always did it instinctively, cause I can't read music, have dyslexia and can't understand very well the black notes. Thank you for this video.

Excellent video! I will definitely show this to my students. Also, bonus, lappy escape at 2:01 🤣

the best Music Theory explanation ever!

Thanks for the "weird greek god names", that made my day. Finally somebody good at music that understood that the majority of us doesn't care whether something is a "diminished 7th phrygian over F sharp" or whatever. We just want to play what sounds good, not turn everything into a maths problem.

This is amongst the best explanations of modes. Or perhaps it IS the best, no need for complicated blabbering, brilliantly done

This is an excellent explanation of modes, something that despite trying to get my head around, I’ve always found them tricky to understand. Thanks very much Christian!

You should really have millions of subscribers.

Beautifully explained, to the point where even this auld duffer managed to cotton on - a world first.

That. frankly. was the best explanation of modes. Thank you

I like what you said at the beginning about desire to create, versus ability. I’m not a great piano or guitar player but I’ve managed to get some albums out there over the years. If I can, you can. Your lesson on modes it’s absolutely what beginners need to know. Just sit there and play, you’ll find something you like, I guarantee it.

Christian... this video is INCREDIBLY BRILLIANT!! Thank you for framing modes as you have here!!! It makes SO MUCH MORE SENSE than the average 'mode' of teaching them... giving them a name that describes their function as opposed to giving them some meaningless Greek god name. BRILLIANT!!! More content like this... PLEASE!!! Time for me to spring for String Murmurations! It's in my budget soon enough!!

I know scales and chords fairly well, but I have never heard modes explained so clearly and simply, demonstrating why they create such different moods. Thank you Christian!

Best explanation ever, as a guitar player who now focuses on writing cinematic music. it’s great, thank you 🎉

Wow. You made me realise so much I was missing in order to start play music, my music.. Thanks.

This is fantastic. Thank you! You should write a book on this. So well explained.

Your best video yet, in my humble opinion. I can't keep those Greekish names straight, but your mnemonics and flavour profiles - THOSE stick for me - Thank you!

you remind me of David Attenborough commenting on music..... classic..... thank you for these videos there helping me on my journey

According to Wikipedia, Irving Berlin only ever played the Black keys and always wrote in F#. That's also what I'd always heard. The way I remember basic modes are remembering where the two half-steps in each mode are. It doesn't hurt to remember that only the 1st, 4th and 5th modes (lydian and mixolydian) have a major feel. Those numbers correspond to primary chords too.

This presentation has been excellent. So simple and sincere, thank you for taking the time to make it. Ive been really enjoying the vaults, theyve given me so much inspiration. Thank you

this must be one of the best explanations ever....

Excellent video Christian with lots of good info for people at all levels.

Thank you so much for this, as somebody who makes music but knows no music theory whatsoever this is very reassuring!

A very inspiring and inciteful lesson. Thanks Christian!

brilliant tutorial. I started making music at 60 in 2019 without any theoretical knowledge and did my first theater music score 2 years late, in 2023 my first short movie score...

Stunning video Christian. No disrespect to Rick Beato, who mentions these modes often, but this description is just pure gold and supercedes anything I’ve ever learned from his videos.

To Christian's point, I've been writing for a few years now and ended up learning a whole bunch from this. Thank you, sir.

Wow. Best explanation of modes I have ever had. Really resonates with me as I am self taught. Thanks so much. I kinda wanna try writing something in locrian now.

This video explained so much for my composition that I haven't learned from playing piano conventionally for over 20+ years. Top quality Christian, great to see these videos coming out with fantastic content and FREE! vaults.

Wonderfully explained Christian! The delivery and pacing was really digestible. Looking forward to more!

you are a very good teacher man. your voice is so appeasing and articulate it's very nice to listen to. great video thank you :)

You really good artist bring art to people and correcting the idea about creation of art, greetings to you and your efforts

Christian, I can’t begin to tell you how amazing this video is. I’m a guitarist, and even though I understand the theory behind the modes, they have always been too esoteric to stick in my little brain. In 20 mins you’ve explained them so well, it’s like a veil’s been lifted that covered a lightbulb, inside a cave that is now wired to the grid. Absolutely essential viewing for every musician. I’m sending it to everyone I know. Thank you so much.

This is the simplest yet most comprehensible and genius way of describing the modes.

Wow. This is such a powerful opening and reflects where I am at with guitar and reinventing my approach

This is a great explanation on using the white keys in ways that I've been trying to figure out for awhile now. I've never really thought about using some of those modes the way that you just easily explained. Thank you, Christian!

What a fantastic, easy and practical explanation of modes. Thank you!

This is the best video I've seen on KZfaq in a long while. No doubt it comes from Christian Henson, a man from whom I've learned so much. All for free. Thank you, sir.

I havn't notice how good your free instruments sounds until. I will probably start using them more. 👍

Hey Christian, I want to say that the success you have is because of your openness and your will to share not only your final product but the process with the world.

Thanks. Perfect for S4 music students who are struggling with composition for their Nat5.

This is actually brilliant in every way, I can't play on keyboard at the moment but I think now I've got a chance to put my keys through my behringer system 100😊

Yet another superb video from you Christian, and Crow Hill - thank you. I *think* John Williams' opening theme for Jaws 2 dabbles nicely in Locrian before moving on.

This is great, i think i will be sending people the link to this in 20 years, i couldn't imagine a better introduction for a layman, not just about making atmospheric, instrumental music, but it really taps into the essence of music for music's sake, following your inner muse wherever it leads you...... i know he's got a plugin to flog but Christian has done a very good thing here making such an accessible 'way in' for people of any musical background, even none, this video says to everyone "you can probably do this... all of you..." Thank you Man

Brilliant! Your perspective and explanation is so refreshing and easy to understand.

That was F-A-N-T-A-S-T-I-C ❤

Being Greek, it sounded funny to me that you used the term "weird Greek-God name" for the words Dorian/Ionian/etc .... they are actually pointing to "places of origin" and not gods, but i will not go into explaining them, because it will all sound Greek to you! Great video, thank you, i am very glad to see you "back in business" and i LOVE Vaults!

Christian, what an inspiring video. I totally agree and the message is a beautiful one. Feeling above all else.

Oh man, as someone who never really had lessons this would have been super useful! I've only relatively recently gotten into this description of modes--for the longest time it was always the major/minor scales and the weird "exceptions" I picked up from playing pieces I had learned/memorized. On a side note: on the piano I always had a hard time understanding different scales and why they were shaped? that way on the piano. It wasn't until I learned guitar and played around with the capo that I realized that scales are all the same relationships just shifted at the root. Easy to see when you're playing with the capo on the guitar. From there went back to piano and wrapped my head around the keyboard and all of its scales.

Wow. Best music theory lesson I've ever had - and so perfect for me at my stage of my musical journey. For many years I've made videos (mostly non-professionally) and been a wannabe guitarist/musician. Then I got an 88 key keyboard and started to put more time into guitar - with the goal of being able to make my own music for my movies. This lesson helps me finally understand modes sooo much more clearly! Thank you very very much.

I love the message here. I fit squarely in the category of being almost musically inarticulate but still love writing and playing my own music/songs. I agree, it is one of the most amazing things to simply create and not worry about turning it into a science or a sport. I think we have semi-wrecked music by glorifying professionalism as if that is the ideal form. Music is like talking - we all talk, we all have a voice, and we all have the urge to give voice to the thoughts inside us. I think you write music with your EARS (after having listened to and thought about music for so long). I think the prohibitive ideal that discourages people from making music is based on the idea that the listener has the right to demand perfection. Imagine if people only would listen to someone talk if they said and wrote every word perfectly. Instead, we should expect the listener to bring their own imagination, to meet us half way, and to listen for the idea buried inside the imperfect expression that we have made. When I hear of people talking about how they nursed songs for years before recording I think: but you had almost everything on day one. Think of all the other songs you could have written, but instead you reworked this 1000 times because you feared it had to be perfect. Is that really what we should be aiming for all the time? Maybe sometimes we do. But it comes at a huge cost - the biggest of which is that the raw initial creative moment is often the BEST MOMENT, so meticulously perfecting songs robs us of more chances to do that.

Great to see you back. Terrific tutorial. Thanks, Christian.

BRILLIANT!

This is great! I love the flavour profile bit... like coffee

Thank you, Christian. As someone self taught who knows nothing about these modes - but kinda gravitates towards these various feelings, this is the only compelling explanation I've ever seen. Saved to my training playlist :)

murmurations is bonkersly good

I've never been able to understand modes as my brain can't move from thinking about what intervals are involved from a theory perspective. This, my friend, is absolute gold dust! I hope both yourself and TCHC has a magnificent 2024.

This video is an absolute game changer. Ive been learning piano since Christmas, in the hope of benefitting my music production and moving away from techno, to some more, dare I say musical pieces (ambient, lo-fi and cinematic stuff). I can't wait for my next session and using the stuff you covered here to actually jam. Thank you :)

Such a great video! Thank you for making this so accessible. This will help a lot of people. Well done!

Thank you Christian, that was incredibly well put together. Really enjoyed it

You are the morgan freeman of cinematic music

I can appreciate music with complexity and I can be amazed by the craftsmanship of someone who obviously speaks the language of music fluently. But I'm always most affected by simple compositions with a spare amount of chords and notes.

I just watched this for a second time after a few days of allowing the contents to ‘simmer’ in my subconscious. This is one of your best videos overall in content coupled with your own unique style of delivery. Kudos to you, Christian!

Brilliant video, Christian. I think for the first time in my life I'm starting to understand the modes. There are some lovely sounds hidden away in them.

The keyboard orders the notes by semitones which does not help the player understand why the modes sound the way they do. To understand why the modes sound the way they do we need to order the notes in series of fifths order rather than in semitone or pitch order. For the white notes in pitch order we get this series C D E F G A B, (do re mi fa so la ti) In series of fifths order we get F C G D A E B, (fa DO so RE la MI ti) The note that we pick from the series of fifths line to be the tonic instantly tells us the nature of the mode. If we pick a note all the notes to the right of it in the series of fifths will sound "major" (happy) and all the notes to the left of it in the series of fifths will sound "minor" (sad). For example if we pick "D" to be the main note then A and E and B will sound "major" with D while F and C and G will sound "minor" with D, but unless we look at the series of fifths order we will not be able to predict the mood of each individual note of the mode, even though we will feel it. this means the modes starting on F and C and G sound mostly major while the modes starting on B and E and A sound mostly minor while the mode starting on D is the only mode balanced between both major and minor, hence its extra usefulness which even Plato recognized.

Really good video. There's a lot of mystery and confusion surrounding modes and you give a great description of how to envisage them. For me modes are more like flavours or colours rather than merely note patterns derived from a scale.

Such a great video / tutorial! I’ve done some scores but typically I’ve focused on melody and then thought in scales. Now I’m realizing the power of thinking / planning in modes. So helpful! Thank you.

The White Keys are my best friend. Learning that C major and A Natural Minor were the same notes was my "light-bulb" moment." Once I got it, it was much easier to transpose ideas I had on guitar to keyboards, as long as I played in the A minor scale. Or D Dorian. Or E Phriygian. SAME NOTES!! Just a different starting point.

Dude, this is the video so many of us needed. Great work!

This was, as always, brilliant. Thank you.

Fantastic video…..this will help me tremendously. Thank you for creating this…..please continue. Henry

I love these vids connecting emotions to modes and keys - thanks!

Simply brilliant use of modal construction, so for me some respite from trying to conquer writing in B minor 👏👏🎶

thank you for explaining modes in a way that finally makes sense to me !

Well said Christian! You've inspired me, and I'm sure hundreds of others. I love that you still create music that you want, and not what others want.

This 20 minute video is an absolute masterclass...thank you Christian, and a Happy New Year to you, your family, and all at Crow Hill x