I saw Polyphia last spring and it was...different. A hell of a show. I am old school metal, think Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Motley Crue and I am 55 yrs old. This is a whole new thing for me, and at first I was telling people to get off my lawn. Now I am really starting to dig it. You can't listen to this type of music the way you could the old school stuff. This is advanced structure and you have to put yourself in the same headspace as the artist. Once you do, it all makes sense. More of an emotional connection than a simple listening and bobbing your head along. I still do that, I will always be that at heart, but this new stuff is refreshing.
I owe a lot to Tim and Polyphia. I was “stuck” playing the same riffs and licks for years. I decided to give a go at the GOAT riff and I was blown away. These guys helped me step out of my musical comfort zone.
Preach. I showed it to a coworker the other day and he was so inspired he went home and built himself a nylon electric that weekend. My guitar playing is back to a level it hasn’t been in a decade and Polyphia is the reason.
I appreciate Tim’s technique and skill; he’s creating a new vocabulary using the guitar as part of the equation. There seems to be a lot of resistance to it, probably because it sounds so unlike anything that’s come before. I’m Rick’s age and have been playing and recording my professionally for almost forty years, primarily in blues/soul/rock idiom but I’m always keeping my ears open so I don’t stagnate or become a parody. I don’t always succeed but it’s important to evolve. As long as the guitar is in existence, I’m ok with what anyone does with it to make music.
Unlike anything before? It sounds like everything out there in “prog” or “math metal” lol Its just noodling. The guitar tone sounds like every other instrumental guitarist solo album. Plini, etc. Nothing is memorable, its showcase music. When your intent is “to become the worlds best guitarist”, making meaningful music takes the backseat. For people who dont get the current trends they think this is new because of hype, but its not. Without videos, nothing he plays would sound interesting. Its so overly glossed in production nothing sounds like a guitarist. Its just so overrated. Technical players are a dime a dozen, its a generation or social media driven attention. Not music with a soul lol
@@FanaticDrummer I’m pretty much in the same school of thought as you; I’m just happy that younger people are still playing the guitar. I personally am not interested in this style of playing; I find the tone to be very synthetic, the tone a little anemic and much of the playing seems to be clever for cleverness sake. Not my bag at all. I asked a couple of twenty year olds about what they thought. I was genuinely interested. After listening to their album they said,”It’s alright, I could add a couple of their songs to a playlist as background music while I’m doing stuff.”
@@Colinjohnmusic Yea thats all music is for this generation now, background music. It has nothing to say thats worth holding their attention. If it doesnt change every 30 seconds they lose interest.
It's very different. And that's why it's getting so many eyeballs. BUT just because something is different doesn't mean it's good. And just because something is very difficult to play doesn't mean it's good. If his technique was using sparingly and tastefully it would be amazing. An intro or a solo that would absolutely blow people's minds. You are right, it's an excellent tool for a guitar player to keep in his bag of tricks. But make a whole album of that.... especially an instrumental one, and it just turns into the bad background music to a trendy restaurant. Less is more.
Tim has the chops to do whatever he wants, he’s got everything in his kit to change music from his plot point…and it’s really nice hearing him speak to the fears and concerns a lot of us have about the future of music. He’s smart, I trust he will proceed cautiously
This is breathed new life into my guitar playing, I listen and think “I can’t play this”. But then I sit and actually practice for weeks and I can. I haven’t practices intensely like that for years. It’s got me playing again.
Yep! It's definitely advanced stuff, but the intimidation has more to do with the fact that it doesn't fit, stylistically, into what most people's understanding of "how music exists on the fretboard" tends to be.
Eric Johnson got me playing again after I had put my guitar in it's case and shoved it under the bed. Tim's playing makes me want to set fire to my guitar (if I still had one)
I'm old school, was a pro guitar player for a couple decades. Lots of my buddies my age hate on this guy. I think he's incredible and one of the most unique players that have some spotlight on them in a long time. I think they're just jealous. I can't listen to Polyphia all the time but when I do it just sounds like music from space.
Yeah... he's all of the Zoomer stereotypes in one package and it's tempting to be irritated by that. But respect where it's due - not many Zoomers can shred like that. I sure can't - and yes, I am jealous because he's more successful and better looking than me.
@@kaze7233 Im 32 and consider him a millenial, I dont think 2 years is enough to justify that honestly. He knows more about millenial culture than your culture. You werent even born before we were playing pokemon
@@kaze7233'95 was the last year of millennials. If he is 30, then he is a millennial. Millennials just have a wide range as many of the parents who raised millennials also raised a large portion of zoomers
I heard about his acoustic guitar before I heard about Tim. This was a refreshing interview with a young artist who knows the music theory and why he does what he does. Thoughtful, well spoken and engaging! Great interview!
I remember a similar interview with Billy Sheehan, bass guitar guru, back in the 80's. Basically he said the same thing: if you have to think to play, you've lost the magic. Practise, practise, practise and keep practising until you're playing it perfectly in your sleep. Billy was also the king of stuff that other people did on bass. I dig Tim's technical ability and his freedom of expression on guitar. It's new (to me) and different. Not exactly my cup o' tea but it's nice to hear the kids are bringing something new. As always Rick, a great interview. It's always nice to see those that are knowledgeable about music and personable, interview people and make them feel comfortable enough to open up and talk and not just ask the same ol' generic questions.
Not gonna lie, I thought Tim was sped up video or something but after watching some of his videos where you can see him play, it’s really incredible, next level for sure. As an old 80’s rocker, I can appreciate that. 🤘🏻
This interview was how i discovered polyphia 6 or 7 months ago. Ive had my faith restored in rock and roll by these guys and billy strings. Truly unique music
You know I could see a lot of people looking at Tim and thinking he’d be a punk but he is so genuine and just loves the art and is not at all a traditional metal head punk he’s a true musician with an innovative mind and passion.
Polyphia is not my thing but I have much respect for their musicianship. Was very cool to see and hear Tim demonstrate the unnatural arpeggios. I like that he's using technology to advance his own playing in a very creative way. It was also cool to hear about the production tricks. Kudos!
That's the thing, isn't it? There's musicianship and there is artistry. This band has jaw-dropping musicianship and not one memorable note. Rick Beato is great, but occasionally he worships at the altar of musicianship at the expense of artistry.
I've known about them for a long time. I liked them back in the day but they were your basic metalcore band but still impressive. But man, everything from Renaissance, The Most Hated, New Levels New Devils and Remember You Will Die are some of the best musical creations I've ever heard, if not THE best. These guys are on a whole other level of guitar playing and have inspired me to take my own playing even more serious.
I grew up a Van Halen, Hendrix, Clapton (and so many others) fan and, while so many dismiss newer music, Tim and Polyphia’s music and style are amazing. I appreciate his intelligence and innovation and he helps to continue great music in new styles.
I wasn't a fan of Polyphia when I first heard them. But the more I listen Tim Henson, the more I like him. He's a talented young man who's using all the tools at his disposal to revolutionize his approach to guitar. As someone who's been playing for over 40 years, I really appreciate where he's taking things.
Same here. Don't care for the music (which already sounded like computer music to me), but huge respect to his playing and knowledge of the instrument.
Super important lesson about technical playing is revealed at 5:40. There is a tonne of creativity that goes into coming up with those riffs. Beyond that, it is Focused practice to the point that when you go to recall/perform it, you don't even need to think about the movement, it's automatic. Notice also how he mentally breaks it down: it's not one long run, it is chunks/batches, not more than say 7-10 notes, each one fully internalized.
I love how this new guys uses digital stuff to help with their compostion process, like when Tim was saing about using double tracking with pitch changes to make artifacts, and like Jedias Hertz that uses a bunch of sythetic orchestral sounds and effects to make 60s sounding psychedelic music all in the box and mixes with some analog stuff. That's a great use of technology creating new art.
This is new stuff…!im 67 and a professional and I love this music😮all kinds of new ideas 💡 I come from a more improvised thing so I do miss that but polyphia can do no wrong right now …..they are killin it☮️❤️✨🫠
I've seen Polyphia twice live now and was so happy to see them grow from our basement venue that fits 400, to the 1100 person theater. Their recent tour was so much fun. The crowd had a ton of energy and the bands (Polyphia and my first exposure to Unprocessed) were perfect.
I use Ableton and there's so much you can do in it. I play all analog instruments and just mix through it but occasionally will start tweaking and you can really get down a rabbit hole. It's a great sounding DAW.....
👏Very, very well done Tim, great to see someone doing something original and different, it takes courage, there is only so much you can do with a guitar, you will sound pretty much like everyone else if you don't try and use your imagination and get very creative, going outside of the norm, this is what sets you apart, much respect to you👍
The Polyphia song on their new album with Chino from Deftones is so amazing. Love it. It's wild how the drums sound programmed cause of all the little stacks and the hip hop/ rap influence that comes through w the beats. Talented dudes.
7:49 I can think of many adjectives to describe Tim Henson... "lazy" is not one of them.. 😂😂😂 Such a phenomenal talent and inspiration for hard work and dedication!
All the musicians around my age (58) who think Music is in bad shape need to witness young talents like this. I just turned on to Tim and his Music, and it really fortifies myself and gives a tremendous feeling of hope and gratitude. Keep doing your thing, Tim.
Oh yes, totally agree, I would suggest to discover Matteo Mancuso to those who doesn't know him, he is mind-blowing and so is Jacob Collier. Both were almost that good at 17. Well, good point is that there is as many talents out there as before !
I put on a bunch of guitar music for the 7 year olds I teach guitar - Jeff Beck, Molly Tuttle, Wes all sorts. The one thing they all dug like crazy was Polyphia. They were REALLY into it. I then went straight to my other teaching gig were the talented young man who assists me can play Playing God note perfect. I now believe Henson and Polyphia is the future of the instrument. Good on him!
This has been talked about a lot, but Polyphia has a formula they use on every song, which includes using very common pop chord progression and hook with their unique style on top of that specifically. Young people are attracted to the pop melody and they get the interesting guitar playing as a bonus.
@@dezertson2011 definitely! It makes sense to young listeners in a way that Hendrix just doesn’t. I find that sad in a way, but style of music move on. The generation before Mozart made a decision to move away from contrapuntal baroque music for example. Music is subject to shifting styles and fashions and creative musicians find a way to keep us listening….
I'm really hopeful that groups like Polyphia, The Consouls, DOMi & JD Beck, Vulfpeck, Scary Pockets etc will bridge the gap between the younger generations and jazz so that we can revive more musically complex pop. The most ear-opening for me was The Consouls who use VGM as their jazz standards. Not only did I come to realise that there is a certain genius in composing for games but I love how young fans are appreciating jazz where they otherwise might not have. Soon they may become dissatisfied with the level of musicianship in what they hear on the radio...
@@cooldebt I find young people more open minded than my generation ever was with respect to music. On the other hand I feel music inspires less raw passion. But a lot of that was so bound up with identity in the 90s. You couldn’t be a Metal fan AND an Indie/Alt-rock fan for instance. I think todays kids would find that very strange.
To hear Tim talk of a.i. and the lack of emotion that I might have and how when sampling came onto the scene really shows a mind far above most. I already like the band, but hearing the mind behind the crazy artwork of the music makes me more interested in them. By the way, I really enjoy watching Tim and Scott play such difficult techniques so effortlessly.
I feel that in some ways Buckethead was sort of a Tim Henson template. Like an an OG. I can't speak for it, but I really the Bucket and Tim. I wonder if Tim was influenced by him a little.
This great! It's 11 minutes filled with knowledge and an informative talk on new music generation. Music generated in today's technology-based platform. Do you feel it's not about Compositions or songwriters, but more about Sound Architects?
It's like seeing a young Bob Fripp in how he's carving out his own guitar idiom from the music he hears in his head (or gathered from the Muse). That in turn draws a focused audience where he can build his vocabulary and conversation. At 65 I'm lucky and glad to watch it as it unfolds rather than as history.
Yeah, this was a great interview done by Rick Beato. Over an hour long. Well planned and great construction. Tim was really open. At first a bit nervous. Like another interview again. But Rick managed to let him open up. And generally not ask the questions you read in all other interviews.
I played a solo shows in NYC in the 90's with an MPC--I am a rock guitarist--in the now non-existent small rock venues on the LES of Manhattan. I recall during a couple of the gigs getting hate for using a drum machine, which I wasn't trying to conceal; it was center stage programmed with fat beats, including subs. Soundguys didn't know how to eq it. One soundguy eq'd it like a casio synth--so thin--then disappeared after the show started. Another gig, I soundchecked with the sub, so the soundguy could dial it in, and he freaked and totally rolled the bass off and refused to give the MPC any low end for the rest of the gig. Anyway, fast forward just a few years and you know how the story goes...Times change quickly. I should add that it wasn't all hate of course. There was love too!
Interesting what he says about AI. I wonder how soon there will be music generation linked individually to the listener's reaction in real time, feeding back so the listener's pleasure drives what notes are repeated or emphasized next. This was predicted ages ago, in some Sci Fi story.
This was surprisingly a great talk about AI! Wasn't expecting to hear great takes about AI when clicking on this video. I really hope arts won't go to the "best prompter" side of things, but rather "best creative use of AI to aid human art." If AI generated playing like Tim's and you hadn't ever heard Polyphia's music, most people would think it's working badly, right? But when pretty much anyone sees Tim playing, they are instantly in awe of the talent and the complex music. There's intent behind the complex and chaotic playing. This gives me hope that the key to art will still be human playing/instrumentation; the human performance, the human intent, is where the art is at its heart. AI generated Polyphia would be weird and wouldn't work the same way... But weird AI generated music played by Polyphia? Sure, give me that shit asap.
on A.I generative music... British electronic duo Autechre have been doing this for almost 2 decades, surprised Rick has never done an IDM deep dive video on Aphex Twin, Autechre, Squarepusher (Rick are you aware of his bass playing???) Boards of Canada... Would love to hear Rick's analysis.
He has a really different style which is cool. I always here a slight tinge of Flamenco with and erratic Al Di Meola mixed in with Harmonics. He is definitely unique.
Polyphia, Monuments, periphery, tesseract, animals as leader and others with this type of music. Thanks for them. They really save me from boredom of music especially of metal and sub genres like grindcore, death metal, brutal death, gore grind etc..
Tim brings something fresh and new to tired old genres filled with copycats set in their ways. I was so excited first hearing Polyphia's more recent pieces. Like I did when Animal Collective popped. Great interview.
With all due respect to Tim and other young modern musicians, I must say as a longtime guitarist and a big fan of Polyphia and their music, I'm a bit distraught to hear that Tim used an "Arpeggiator" when creating Playing God and perhaps other Polyphia tunes. I was was completely blown away when I first heard Playing God. But now after learning that artificial intelligence created parts of that tune and Tim copied it from the AI, I just don't know what to think about modern musicians and music anymore. I'm old school (60 yrs old) and as far as I know my guitar heroes (Morse, EJ, SRV, Hendrix, DiMeola, Holdsworth, EVH, etc.) didn't use AI to write music. The tunes they wrote and played originated from their own minds. IMO that's what made those musicians so great. Rick if I'm not understanding this correctly, please enlighten me. ☮
It would make sense if this was the only instance and maybe why they name it "Playing God" because playing God would be creating things beyond what normal people can.
I had to scroll down but I was actually looking for this comment. I'm not distraught about it and only come from a place where I did a little bit of tech and production work a few decades ago when some of this tech, as well as some computer based pitch and tone correction was pretty new. Pro Tools even in its early form was definitely a game changer and a bit controversial at first. (Realistically, though, even before that, we had analogue reverb boxes and all kinds of Roland digital bass generation, reverb, effects, etc. Not to mention layering, modulation synths etc.) I suspect that the Derbyshires and Carlos's that pioneered electronic music with oscillators and spliced type might have had reason to view a Moog as a creative shortcut. JM Jarre and Vanegelis otoh seemed plenty happy to leverage technology to aid composition and resulting sounds but also are/were hugely vocal about tech being a mechanism to provide the artist greater means of expressing creativity and certainly not a mechanism of composing or generating art. This all said, I am really curious what the actual musicians and producers think. For me, arpeggiators and advanced algorithms (these aren't yet AI) seem to be a bit of a creative crutch, but they undoubtedly are only as good as the basic structure and composition to which they are applied. I'm not sure that their use is any worse than the pervasive sampling of the Amen break in Hip Hop and R&B in terms of creative shortcuts (although the Amen break is a sure bet whereas arpeggiators and beat generators are easy to do wrong).
i think it's interesting how it sounds like they are both somewhat against AI but then Tim talks about his arpeggiator which basically randomizes. kinda the same thing ? letting the computer take control and essentially write the riffs, which he then plays back? am i missing something i'm generally pretty skeptical of AI myself for the record
Tim directly talks about this in this clip. He uses the analogy of 70s/80s hip hop and how it was perceived to be "uncreative" to use samples (because its technology "doing the work for you"). In reality, it's just another tool, like the arpeggiator or ai programs that are used by human creativity. As he said, it might be about who's the best prompter.
@@TheFlamingChips Sampling is far from an arpeggiator. An arpeggiator isn’t just using someone else’s actual recording for one’s music. Like he mentions the Splice samples, in this clip. The state of the music industry, because of how much money non-musicians have always taken, and still don’t want to relinquish making, leaves nothing much for small artists. No more record deals to see if a band gains traction. People selling bests and the charts are full of songs with 5 or more people with songwriting credits, because everyone uses music made by other people, and/or pay them to write for them.
@@CorbCorbin it's an analogy, not the same thing. The point is that it's about the person behind it being creative and what they do with it. It's the same application, that's Tim's point - People used to say 'it's not real art they've used samples' now they can say 'it's not real art they've used arpeggiators'.
I don’t care how sophisticated AI apps become, they will NEVER be able to genuinely impersonate or emulate talents like Tim Henson!!! He is a total phenomenon!
