Learn to use POLYRHYTHMS to let your PROG ROCK riffs stand out - COMPOSITION lesson @QJamTracks

Learn to use POLYRHYTHMS to let your PROG ROCK riffs stand out - COMPOSITION lesson @QJamTracks

Uploaded June 2026 | Updated September 2026, 7 hours ago

After watching this video you learned how progressive rock and metal bands create those mind-bending rhythms that sound impossible—but actually follow a clear system. In this lesson you'll finally understand polyrhythms and polymeters through real guitar examples, tabs, animations and original progressive rock compositions.

Inside this lesson you'll discover:
• Several complete progressive rock examples with guitar tablature
• How bands like Tool, Dream Theater and Meshuggah use these ideas
• What polyrhythms really are (and what they are not)
• The difference between polyrhythms and polymeters
• How to count 4:3, 5:4 and other rhythmic groupings
• How to write your own progressive rock riffs
• What truncated polymeters are and how they create tension

Whether you're writing progressive rock, progressive metal, fusion or modern instrumental guitar music, these concepts can dramatically expand your rhythmic vocabulary.
If you enjoy advanced guitar theory, composition and songwriting tutorials, consider subscribing for more lessons.
#Polyrhythm #Polymeter #ProgressiveRock #GuitarTheory

Level 5 (of 6)

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like, comment, subscribe (with notifications on ;)
Become a Patreon or visit my e-book store to just take a look!

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**HASTAGS:**
#guitarlesson #guitartutorial #progressiverock #progressivemetal #plini #pliniband #polyrhythm #polymeter #complex

**CHAPTERS:**
00:00 Introduction
00:23 What are polyrhythms?
01:30 True polyrhythms explained
03:51 Counting 4 against 3 polyrhythm
05:24 Simple polyrhythm example
05:59 Progressive Rock Example
07:59 Polyrhythm vs polymeter
09:08 Led Zeppelin's Kashmir Explained
10:31 Truncated Polymeters
11:22 Building a Progressive Riff
13:25 Advanced Composition Example
16:00 Final Thoughts

**SOCIAL MEDIA / CONTACT: **
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instagram.com/QJamTracks
https:// youtube.com/QJamTracks

*Strandberg Guitars*
strandbergguitars.com

*Fractal AxeFx II*
fractalaudio.com

*Neural DSP PluginS *
neuraldsp.com

(c)2026 Rob van Hal, Netherlands

$Learn to use POLYRHYTHMS to let your PROG ROCK riffs stand out - COMPOSITION lesson After watching this video you learned how progressive rock and metal bands create those mind-bending rhythms that sound impossible—but actually follow a clear system. In this lesson youll finally understand polyrhythms and polymeters through real guitar examples, tabs, animations and original progressive rock compositions. Inside this lesson youll discover: • Several complete progressive rock examples with guitar tablature • How bands like Tool, Dream Theater and Meshuggah use these ideas • What polyrhythms really are (and what they are not) • The difference between polyrhythms and polymeters • How to count 4:3, 5:4 and other rhythmic groupings • How to write your own progressive rock riffs • What truncated polymeters are and how they create tension Whether youre writing progressive rock, progressive metal, fusion or modern instrumental guitar music, these concepts can dramatically expand your rhythmic vocabulary. If you enjoy advanced guitar theory, composition and songwriting tutorials, consider subscribing for more lessons. #Polyrhythm #Polymeter #ProgressiveRock #GuitarTheory Level 5 (of 6) Please support this channel by engaging: like, comment, subscribe (with notifications on ;) Become a Patreon or visit my e-book store to just take a look! My **E-BOOK STORE** (affordable crystal-clear guitar lessons packed with audio examples) HTTPS://QJAMTRACKS.MYSHOPIFY.COM My **PATREON** for support and extra’s: HTTPS://PATREON.COM/QJAMTRACKS **HASTAGS:** #guitarlesson #guitartutorial #progressiverock #progressivemetal #plini #pliniband #polyrhythm #polymeter #complex **CHAPTERS:** 00:00 Introduction 00:23 What are polyrhythms? 01:30 True polyrhythms explained 03:51 Counting 4 against 3 polyrhythm 05:24 Simple polyrhythm example 05:59 Progressive Rock Example 07:59 Polyrhythm vs polymeter 09:08 Led Zeppelins Kashmir Explained 10:31 Truncated Polymeters 11:22 Building a Progressive Riff 13:25 Advanced Composition Example 16:00 Final Thoughts **SOCIAL MEDIA / CONTACT: ** https://facebook.com/QJamTracks https://instagram.com/QJamTracks https:// youtube.com/QJamTracks *Strandberg Guitars* https://strandbergguitars.com *Fractal AxeFx II* https://www.fractalaudio.com *Neural DSP PluginS * https://neuraldsp.com/ (c)2026 Rob van Hal, Netherlands$ $My Secret to Writing AMAZING Chord Progressions - How YOU Can Write Jazz/Fusion! If you want to know my secret to writing beautiful chord progressions on guitar and piano to learn Jazz Fusion composition and progressive rock guitar techniques that sounds more complex and super cool, watch this music theory for guitar video! In this music composition tutorial you learn to write amazing guitar chord progressions. In this songwriting masterclass for guitar and piano you’ll get songwriter tips to write interesting chord progressions that will get rid of your music writers block. You’ll find inspiration for making music and get ideas for songs and chord progressions to write your own cool guitar chord progressions. You learn how to use borrowed chords that are often used in Jazz, Fusion and Rock. We are using only diatonic notes and a mind-blowing outside chord trick? Let’s find out in this music composition tutorial with a little bit of music theory! Level 4 (of 6) ⏱️ CHAPTERS: 01:41 Introduction to awesome chord progressions 01:54 Overcome a music writer’s block 02:41 Why are outside chords so cool? 04:46 Harmonize 1 note with 22 chords 07:23 Jazz Fusion Example with outside chords 10:58 Composition take-away 🎸 Im a professional guitar teacher & graphic designer from the Netherlands. I make music theory crystal clear through visually enhanced guitar tutorials. 🔔 Subscribe for more deep dives: #composition #composemusic #Jazz #Fusion #progressive Rock #musictheoryforbeginners #musictheory #guitarchords #smoothjazz #JazzFusion #guitarlesson #guitartutorial #songwriting #musiccomposition #Jazzharmony #smoothjazzguitar #jazzchords #jazzrock Please support this channel by engaging: like, comment, subscribe (with notifications on ;) Become my Patreon or visit my e-book store: My **E-BOOK STORE** (affordable crystal-clear guitar lessons packed with audio examples) HTTPS://QJAMTRACKS.MYSHOPIFY.COM My **PATREON** for support and extra’s: HTTPS://PATREON.COM/QJAMTRACKS **HASTAGS:** #guitarlesson #guitartutorial #progressiverock #progressivemetal #plini #pliniband #polyrhythm #polymeter #complex **SOCIAL MEDIA / CONTACT: ** https://facebook.com/QJamTracks https://instagram.com/QJamTracks https:// youtube.com/QJamTracks *Strandberg Guitars* https://strandbergguitars.com *Fractal AxeFx II* https://www.fractalaudio.com *Neural DSP PluginS * https://neuraldsp.com/ (c)2026 Rob van Hal, Netherlands$

The Secret of Keys and the Circle of fifths – Crystal Clear Guitar Theory (PART 1)

$LYDIAN Backing Track - Guthrie Govan & Steve Vai Style - E Lydian - A Lydian An educational and enhanced guitar backing track video in the E Lydian and A Lydian Mode in the style of Guthrie Govan and Steve Vai. It’s very suitable for modern instrumental Rock. For guitarists who want to improvise in different keys and modes like the Lydian Mode. This beautiful modern type backing track let ‘s you play with The E Lydian and A Lydian scale and lydian arpeggios that are visualized onscreen. Excellent for improvising, learning modes, scales, chords, licks and arpeggios. This Q JAM TRACKS jam track provides a visual representation of the chords and scales in diagrams as they appear in the music. Extra theoretical information is shown in the video. It is a high quality backing track and handy tutorial (lesson) at the same time. Tip: Watch the QJamTracks tutorial about the Lydian Mode: https://youtu.be/W-59jd-crZs Artwork: Rob van Hal Photo thumbnail: thanks to www.pxhere.com (CCO License): Used: Ibanez JEM 7v (www.Ibanez.com) Ibanez SD GR Bass (www.Ibanez.com) Takamine GD930 (www.takamine.com) Castilla Classical Guitars Samson Concert Wireless Microphone system CR99 Axe FX II (www.fractalaudio.com) Social Media/contact: www.patreon.com/QJamTracks www.facebook.com/QJamTracks www.instagram.com/QJamTracks www.youtube.com/QJamTracks (c)2019 Rob van Hal, Netherlands$ $Is this the ULTIMATE TRICK for Fusion and Jazz sounds? How can a minor arpeggio work as a dominant? Seems impossible, but it is a great way to get a outside altered dominant sound. We’ll use two minor family arpeggios that are connected to the so called altered scale. A typical fusion and Jazz scale (7th mode of the melodic minor scale) that is used for improvising over dominant and dominant altered chords. Using minor arpeggios from this scale results in a sophisticated feel that adds interest, colour and tension into your licks. Level 5 (of 6) Tablature, diagrams, examples and backing tracks will be available on my Patreon page: https://patreon.com/QJamTracks *Chapters:* 0:00 Introduction 0:35 The concept 1:45 The altered scale 3:45 Altered scale harmonized 4:39 Altered sister: minMaj7 6:37 Altered sister: min7b5 8:46 Final thoughts *Crystal Clear E-BOOKS with audio files:* https://qjamtracks.shopify.com *Tabs and tracks at PATREON:* http://www.patreon.com/Qjamtracks *Social Media/contact: * https:// facebook.com/QJamTracks https:// instagram.com/QJamTracks https:// youtube.com/QJamTracks *Strandberg Guitars* https://strandbergguitars.com *Fractal AxeFx II* https://www.fractalaudio.com Neural DSP Plini X Plugin https://neuraldsp.com/ (c)2025 Rob van Hal, Netherlands$

Modal interchange #shorts

$The DOUBLE Harmonic MAJOR Scale – The Jack of all DARK Trades! In this crystal clear guitar lesson you can learn all about the very special double harmonic major scale. It’s the darkest scale ever and yet it is a major scale! From the 60ties surf rock Pulp Fiction theme to Jazz to oriental sounds and even old school metal, the scale will bring some extra juice. Maybe this scale is the jack of all trades of the dark side. Improvise over maj7 chords to sound awesome and different. The scale has a built in tritone substitution and some weird chords that can sound very different and surprising. The scale has some pretty spicy modes too like the Lydian #2 #6, Ultra Phrygian, Gypsy minor, Oriental, Ionian augmented #2 and Locrian double flat 3 double flat 7 mode. 0:00 Introduction 00:51 Structure of the scale 03:44 Harmonizing the scale 05:59 Build in tritone substitution 07:59 Ambiguous scale degrees 9:47 Improvising with the scale 12:02 Progressions 14:08 Modes 20:24 Conclusion Crystal Clear E-BOOKS with audio files: https://qjamtracks.myshopify.com/ PATREON: Supporting material can be found here: http://www.patreon.com/Qjamtracks Artwork: (c) 2021) Rob van Hal Pexels.com / pixabay.com Used: Strandberg* Boden Prog NX (www.strandbergguitars.com) And: Ibanez JEM 7vb (www.Ibanez.com) Ibanez SD GR Bass (www.Ibanez.com) Takamine GD930 (www.takamine.com) Castilla Classical Guitars Oktave MK-012 microphone Axe FX II (www.fractalaudio.com) Neural DSP plugins (www.neuraldsp.com) Fireface UCXII audio interface (www.rme-audio.de) Sony FX30 Sigma Contemporary 30mm F1.4 Aperture Studio Lights Godox Softboxes Social Media/contact: www.patreon.com/QJamTracks www.facebook.com/QJamTracks www.instagram.com/QJamTracks www.youtube.com/QJamTracks (c)2023 Rob van Hal, Netherlands Subjects in this video: Double harmonic major scale, modes, double harmonic minor scale, byzantine scale, Major scale, Arabic scale, gypsy major, gypsy minor, Miserlou, pulp fiction theme, guitar scale, improvising, jazz guitar, Rock guitar solo, ethnic music, ethnic scale, Music theory, guitar lesson, guitar tutorial, QJamTracks.$ $Dreamy STEVE VAI & GUTHRIE GOVAN style backing track E LYDIAN & A LYDIAN An educational and enhanced guitar backing track video in the Lydian mode in a typical Steve Vai and Guthrie Govan style meditative backing track. For guitarists who want to improvise in different keys and modes like the Lydian Mode. This awesome and beautiful guitar backing track let ‘s you play with The E lydian and A lydian scale and lydian arpeggios that are visualized onscreen. Excellent for improvising, learning modes, scales, chords, licks and arpeggios. This Q JAM TRACKS jam track provides a visual representation of the chords and scales in diagrams as they appear in the music. Extra theoretical information is shown in the video. It is a high quality backing track and handy tutorial (lesson) at the same time. Tip: Watch the QJamTracks tutorial about the Lydian Mode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-59jd-crZs More Lydian Backing Tracks: STEVE VAI Style *Learn & Play* BACKING TRACK E Lydian *RE-MASTERED https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wuatUpatYRU Backing Track: STEVE VAI Style Dreamy E Lydian/A Lydian Mode https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRMQ25SPfsw Enhanced SATRIANI / VAI Backing Track in A Lydian and C Lydian https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OAMUiLqp-Ns Guitar Backing Track STEVE VAI style E maj & F lydian https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=23B97HXlMpk Artwork: Rob van Hal Photo (C00 licence) https://pixabay.com/nl/users/4144132-4144132 via https://pixabay.com Used: Ibanez JEM 7v (www.Ibanez.com) Ibanez SD GR Bass (www.Ibanez.com) Takamine GD930 (www.takamine.com) Castilla Classical Guitars Samson Concert Wireless Microphone system CR99 Axe FX II (www.fractalaudio.com) Social Media/contact: www.patreon.com/QJamTracks www.facebook.com/QJamTracks www.instagram.com/QJamTracks www.youtube.com/QJamTracks (c)2020 Rob van Hal, Netherlands$ $Add Complexity and Depth in Progressive Rock with just 2 Triads! Want to take your Progressive Rock Riffs to the next level? Learn how to mix magic into your music by superimpose triads! In this video, well dive into the world of advanced music theory and show you how to add depth and complexity to your Progressive Rock and Progressive Metal tracks using superimposed triads. Make it a massive and wide sound to add emotional resonance! Whether youre a seasoned guitarist or just starting out, this video is perfect for anyone looking to elevate their guitar sound and take their music to new heights. So sit back, relax, and get ready to unlock the secrets of superimpose triads for Awesome and wide Progressive Rock Songs! #progressiverock #progressivemusic #recordingtips #mixingtechniques #musictheory #guitarlesson #triads #jazzguitar #recordingtechniques #composition #songwriting #guitartutorial #advancedguitar #advanced Tablature, diagrams, examples and backing tracks will be available on my Patreon page: https://patreon.com/QJamTracks *Chapters:* 0:00 Introduction 1:12 What is superimposing 2:09 Preliminary stuff 4:31 Simple example 6:08 Extended chords 7:21 Quickly find the right triads 8:17 Progressive Rock example 1 9:42 Progressive Rock example 2 11:29 Progressive Rock example 3 1:51 Recording Progressive Rock 14:29 Final thoughts *Crystal Clear E-BOOKS with audio files:* https://qjamtracks.shopify.com *Tabs and tracks at PATREON:* http://www.patreon.com/Qjamtracks *Social Media/contact: * https:// facebook.com/QJamTracks https:// instagram.com/QJamTracks https:// youtube.com/QJamTracks *Strandberg Guitars* https://strandbergguitars.com *Fractal Audio (FM9)* https://www.fractalaudio.com Neural DSP https://neuraldsp.com/ (c)2024 Rob van Hal, Netherlands$ $Chain modes for SUPER moody solos – You never used modes like this! For modal chains you will use modes of the major scale like you never did before! Modal chaining makes use of the common tone modulation. In stead of using a random note, we’ll use the characteristic note of the mode for a real special sound. Like this we’ll chain a couple of the same modes but with a different tonic. For instance, C Lydian – B Lydian – A Lydian – Eb Lydian. Anything goes. We can do this with all the modes of the major scale like the Dorian mode, the Phrygian mode, the Lydian mode, the Mixolydian mode, and the Aeolian mode. I’ll explain the concept and something about common note modulation. I give you two examples in the Lydian and Dorian mode. The last one sounds a tiny bit like Soil Festivities by Vangelis. If you’re note familiar with modes or the characteristic note of a mode (the modal trigger note) the I’ll suggest you watch this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QT4p_BzfToU *Chapters:* 0:00 Introduction 0:31 The concept 01:11 Modal trigger notes 02:46 Common note modulation 03:35 Lydian modal chain 06:18 Dorian modal chain 08:38 Conclusion *Crystal Clear E-BOOKS with audio files:* https://qjamtracks.shopify.com *Tabs and tracks at PATREON:* http://www.patreon.com/Qjamtracks *Social Media/contact: * https:// facebook.com/QJamTracks https:// instagram.com/QJamTracks https:// youtube.com/QJamTracks *Strandberg Guitars* https://strandbergguitars.com *Fractal Audio (FM9)* https://www.fractalaudio.com (c)2024 Rob van Hal, Netherlands$

Find NOTES and CHORDS in any KEY Fast & Easy!

$Backing Track: The A Melodic Minor Scale Backing track download: https://www.patreon.com/posts/55449668 Artwork: Rob van Hal Cover Photo: https://pixabay.com/nl/photos/branden-incenses-reizen-india-asia-1119244/ by https://pixabay.com/nl/users/devanath-1785462/ Used for recording: Ibanez JEM 7v (www.Ibanez.com) Ibanez SD GR Bass (www.Ibanez.com) Takamine GD930 (www.takamine.com) Castilla Classical Guitars Samson Concert Wireless Microphone system CR99 Axe FX II (www.fractalaudio.com) QJamTrack Uses: BIAS FX II Cakewalk by Bandlab Social Media/contact: www.patreon.com/QJamTracks www.facebook.com/QJamTracks www.instagram.com/QJamTracks www.youtube.com/QJamTracks (c)2020 Rob van Hal, Netherlands$

Learn to use POLYRHYTHMS to let your PROG ROCK riffs stand out - COMPOSITION lesson