Chris Letchford & Travis Levrier "Whales" play through video • Scale The Summit

[NickBrand09]

you guys should've added the bassist too, he's just as crazy as the both of you.

[NickBrand09]

travis has such a crazy vibrato, good job. holy, favourite album of 2011 by far.

[taylorshred]

This band is the greatest thing to happen to music. The solo makes my soul dance!

[LennoxBrigade]

Just bought the Collective today (it was on sale... im cheap), so excited to give it a listen!

[taylorshred]

@LennoxBrigade Its very tasty indeed...

[zsreich]

This was really helpful to see the notes and fingers. You guys rock!

[guitarzzzz1]

Very cool love the camera work you guys really are amazing hope I can play like that one day

[DuochromeFilms]

I must say I love the video of this. I love the way the cameras are on each guitarist. Fantastic song. I love the solo parts too. Cheers.

[penguiana]

just... just... ah fuck amazing.

[Chwis77]

I just saw you guys last night in Orlando, it was amazing. I was wondering how you get the atmospheric/guitar synth effect at the end of this song?

[LordMoonstone]

Best song on the new album for sure. This song is just such an emotional rollercoaster. Absolutely love it.

[neelshiv]

Just saw these guys in Atlanta, and they kill it live.

[magician10001]

You guys are so good live, it sounds like the album.

[SpaceAboveSky]

Guys... I got the tab book and it seems like a few things are different...

Example 4:09-4:10 that little section after the high notes aren't there.... and then it starts on the tenth fret E string descending riff/lick...

Also, in levitated it says D to open E, A to open B, twice D to open E then A to open B. But listening to the song it's clearly one on each string...

[TheEffervescense]

What Is The Tuning?

[DiegoJH120]

@TheEffervescense Sounds standard, but I might be wrong.

[berserker213]

This is one hell of a piece of music.  Beautiful :D

[scalethesummit]

Hey guys, our headlining tour started today in Houston! We're playing an 80 minute set each night! Check out the rest of the dates through our website linked in the "video" information up top. Hope to see a lot of you at the shows! -Chris

[cargosizedrumor]

@scalethesummit You guys always amaze me. Your music sends me to another world in thought. I wish you guys the best, and I hope you continue to make instructional materials as the Guitar Technique Workbook is/was an amazing learning tool!

[vintastic319]

@scalethesummit Chris..if you don't know him listen to Lenny Breau. i promise you will not be making a mistake.

[wahoha]

Ah man you guy's are awesome, I was wondering whether Chris Letchford's Technique Book contains some music theory (or at least some of music theory's application to the guitar, like modes) as well as specific guitar techniques?

[scalethesummit]

@wahoha Hey man, thanks! Yes, thats exactly what the book is. Everything in there has the theory behind it so you know what you are playing and can actually apply it... and it taps into just about every technique. -Chris

[livideye]

oh man you guys are so so awesome.. I just stumbled onto your music last night and after watching a hell load of videos..

I decided to buy all three of the CD's and waiting for it to be shipped to Singapore =)

Cheers and keep on rocking..

[scalethesummit]

@livideye hey buddy, thanks a lot! i saw the order. you got lucky, we were actually completely sold out of both our newest albums and when cleaning my office I found the 2 in a pile of mail so I posted them online... we wont have either newest albums stocked for months to come! thanks for all the support, hope we can make it over there some day! -chris

[fumancha]

Hello! i really flew away with this song. Both are great compositors.

There is some backing track for the people :)?

[coheedandcambriahero]

Again great playing as always! cant wait to see you guys on Feb. 6th in Denver! and i was wondering, though i know you guys are mainly focused on the guitar videos and stuff, would Pat be interested in doing some drum videos? because i love his drumming and being a drummer thatd make me very happy. thank you guys once again for the awesome music and revolutionary style! Peace!

[scalethesummit]

@coheedandcambriahero hey dude, glad to hear you are coming out to one of the headlining shows! make sure to drag some friends out with you... and in case you didnt know the show was moved to marquis theater. and its not that we are focussed on anything, i handle making the videos myself and I would love to get more videos made of the guys but I can force them to make them. i actually enjoy making the videos. anyways... I have tried with them! -chris

[SebastianXXX007]

you guys are incredible ! i just got a seven string and i was wondering if you have any tips for me because i tend to ignore the seventh string completely . i bought this guitar to use all strings , and just can't find a good use for the lowest one other than a heavy bass line . any tips for me ? email me at cbasszerbe@gmail.com

thanks for being such an inspiration to me and so many others !

[scalethesummit]

@SebastianXXX007 thanks! and I would recommend learning some music from other bands that use 7 strings.... we have a tab book out for both our most recent albums and there is plenty of use for the low B in our songs. -chris

[TheHereticSlade666]

You guys are inspirational !! 

[matthewtop]

Guys! I'm thinking it would be sweet if Chris, Travis, and Jordan all played "Gallows". Just saying. I think that would top the "Whales" video.

[LanceSaunders]

I get chills watching you two play your songs, very emotional music, awesome to see how you create such pleasant sounds ^_^

[JolsSugerFree320]

his pickups are shiny as

[LanceSaunders]

You're guys' music is so tasteful and beautiful! I love the cover; reference to the Fibonacci sequence and the Golden Ratio?

[scalethesummit]

@LanceSaunders Thanks a lot buddy! Appreciate that. No its a phyllotaxis spiral.

[LanceSaunders]

@scalethesummit Very deep subject matter! Is this where you get some of your inspiration for you music?

[scalethesummit]

@LanceSaunders i wouldnt really say it inspired us, the music brought out that name and idea for the artwork. so i guess our music created that idea. -chris

[agm2004]

Been learning this since i got a new 7 string. Must work on my alternate picking!

[rawNASkills]

hey, man love your music!! also, I didn't think you guys were, but after seeing something I had to ask if you guys were improv on any of it? or is it all written before hand?

[scalethesummit]

@rawNASkills We improv solos at the end of Origin Of Species live, but Whales is 100% written out. -Chris

[Raxmole]

my favourite ... :D this song is awesome beyond belief ... thanks guys :D

[3rl3ndh95]

Pure awesomenss!!!

[MrHelloGuitar]

What guitar strap are you using in this video, Chris?

[scalethesummit]

@MrHelloGuitar I dont really remember the model. Its a Levi brand, but its a acoustic guitar strap I have to have altered to be short enough for how high up I play. -Chris

[MrSpartacus97]

I think that these 2 guys and Tosin Abasi from Animals as Leaders are the future of guitar I think this is some of the best guitar playing that I have heard in a while Keep it up Guys!!

[scalethesummit]

@MrSpartacus97 thanks a lot dude, appreciate that!

[ironmaidenowns]

Yo travis, i was that asian kid in jaxx that held a pick with a bent thumb just like you. your hands look enormous in this vid and i bought a whales shirt haha. trippy stuff, you guys are like pink floyd of the 21st century.

[yaboy19942000]

i wish i was this good

[ACDCwarmachine]

i bought yalls tab book for the collective and before this year i never did solos or the ones i played were very bad. i learned my blues boxes and learned some of your solos and now i can solo very well! ive taken a lot of technique from your solos such as the quick hammer on and pulloff scale run things.(like 6 notes at a time)

[MercilessShred]

I would say that The Collective and Russian Circles' "Empros" are both literally in equal standing for the absolute best instrumental rock/metal album of the year. As this decade moves on, all albums of the like will be compared to these, more than likely. Fucking 2011.

[monsterman3362]

Totally missed you guys last night with Protest the Hero at Jaxx. :'(

[Sickz666]

I'm soon going to acquire your three books, the technique book, the collective book and the canyons book. Either as a christmas gift or i will buy them myself.

First, massive fan of yours. :)

Second, do these books come with notation so you can see what rhythm everything shall be played or is it just tabs?

Thanks in advance guys! :)

[scalethesummit]

@Sickz666 hey man, thanks a lot! all books have both tabs and standard notation. -chris

[Nemquin]

Very, very nice work guys.

[itsamystery94]

Damn you guys are fuckin sick!!! subscribed. love this progressive stuff its alot like what i write. keep writing!

[scalethesummit]

@itsamystery94 thanks a lot dude, appreciate that!

-chris

[bcwarlock18]

I feel like Travis doesn't get enough credit. Both of these guys are amazing guitarists and both deserve more attention, especially with the rate in which they grow album by album.

[driftingfigures]

Do you every watch yourselves on these and sit there saying "damn I'm good?"

[Iliketacos091]

fuck, I need a 7 string now.

[Iliketacos091]

fuck, I need a 7 string now.

[rhombusskullvsteal]

Melodies

[rhombusskullvsteal]

Listen to those gliding/ sonic melidies all over the place

[DJENTISAWESOME]

I M GONNA FUCKIN BUY THIS TAB BOOK !!!

[CorporateNothing]

Fucking LOVE.

[rentalbmx]

Fantastic song :)

[scalethesummit]

@Shimekiri Yeah the guitars in this video both have Lundgrens. -Chris

[alsklaftsk123]

You guys rule, and Chris is one of my favorite guitarplayers ever! May i ask you who is your biggest influences, and if you are going to release some more books soon like the Guitar Techniuqes book? :-)

[scalethesummit]

@alsklaftsk123 Hey thanks a lot dude, appreciate that! As for books, since I write all the music for the band, its hard to find the time to work on a new book... but I definitely plan on releasing a second technique book as well as a 7 string instructional. So keep an eye out on that! -Chris

[z0mgzt0m]

@scalethesummit I got your techniques book in the post last week, i was blown away dude. Its fantastic, all of the warmup exercises are excellent. Is it cool if u critique an instrumental song i made in gp5? :D

[Charliee707]

@scalethesummit A 7 string instructional book would be amazing! :) Is there anywhere I can sign up to know when it would be available? Also are there any instructional books you would recommend? Big fan, thanks :)

[scalethesummit]

@Charliee707 yeah, shoot me a message to our youtube account with your email address and I will add it to my book email list, if you want.

[ACDCwarmachine]

@scalethesummit so travis doesnt write any?

[scalethesummit]

@ACDCwarmachine on the new record, it was only like a riff or two, so not really

[ACDCwarmachine]

@scalethesummit aww well dang.

[TheRynoceros]

3:16-3:20 may be the most beautiful few seconds of rhythmic and melodic cooperation I've ever heard.

[calemaric]

when will the next video be out

[S4be]

It was amazing getting to see you guys in Iowa City the other day, seriously just a mindblowing show alltogether.

[CristallSkull]

What pickups has the EBJP?

[BangLikeABassist]

You guys are really good, loving the music you're making!

[AwwwhhYeahhh]

What's the tuning in this song?

[scalethesummit]

@AwwwhhYeahhh standard, B E A D G B E

[LarsBauer74]

Awesome!

Chris, do you use a 7-string now mostly as opposed to 8 string?

Or do you still play 8-string guitars when on tour?

[scalethesummit]

@LarsBauer74 Only if I "need" the 8 string... we brought back "Glacial Planet" so I have an 8 string with me on tour, specially for that song. I wrote the entire new album on a 7 string, so I dont need the 8 string guitars as much as I use too.

[LarsBauer74]

@scalethesummit Thanks, Chris! Your music and playing is very inspiring!

[JDDiizzle]

@scalethesummit That 8 string Blue Bomber is beautiful.

[metallikmonztar]

@scalethesummit HAHAHA THANK GOD! im too cheap to get an 8 string and im dying for a 7

[FRINGEPROMOS]

subscribed. awesome job guys

[travisxguitarist]

Wow this is amazing. What strings do you guys use? :)

[scalethesummit]

@travisxguitarist Thanks man, Ernie Ball. 10-56 7 string packs. 

[travisxguitarist]

@scalethesummit thanks so much man, i plan on learning alot of your songs :)

[ColeLubchenko]

Hey Chris, I just bought your tab book and there are some bars missing in emersion, 17-20, I can probably figure it out, but if you can send me a tab or just post the notes in a comment or something that would be cool. Also, love the tab book, songs are super fun to play. thanks

[scalethesummit]

@ColeLubchenko shoot me an email scalethesummit@hotmail.com

[Falling2Grey29]

@scalethesummit That would be an amazing show. Protest the Hero and Scale the Summit :( Too bad I wouldn't see it.

[TheSybredMachineHead]

The solo to this song makes me so happy! How you guys make it look so simple just proves what talented and imaginative musicians you guys are!

[Bozantium]

they are almost as creative as kirk hammett

[ThisAutocracy]

@Bozantium you best be trollin...

[Bozantium]

@ThisAutocracy i was. thanks for noticing.

[Synergizing]

you make the most beautiful music and you do it flawlessly. simply awesome.

[Noxshus]

Where's Jordan?! Haters!

[scalethesummit]

@Noxshus i would like to know as well. trying to get everyone interested in doing videos.

[aaronthesledge]

How does Travis do the harmonics from like 5:00 onwards???

[scalethesummit]

@aaronthesledge they are plucked harmonic's, outlining the chord 12 frets up. he just did a lesson for Guitar Messenger on the technique. Should be out in a couple weeks. They have a youtube channel and website, subscribe to their channel and be on the lookout for that. -Chris

[aaronthesledge]

@scalethesummit cheers dude, i'll keep an eye out :)



[downfallin]

How did you guys create that sound at the end? I`m pretty sure you`re using a volume swell and something else maybe a chorus effect and sustain? Anyways this songs sounds great, great song structure I can tell you guys are musically trained it`s really refreshing to hear music that it sounds like people put thought into. You guys are quickly becoming some of my favorites along with protest, keep it up!!

[scalethesummit]

@downfallin Yeah, it has auto swell, delay through a multi-tap delay, reverb and chorus. Good like trying to recreate it without a Fractal Axe-Fx, haha. It would be hard as hell! -Chris

[metalhead252525]

@scalethesummit

Heard you guys for the first time with Cynic last night in Joliet and I have to say I have not enjoyed music this much in a while. Great stuff, really inspiring!

[downfallin]

@scalethesummit Cool! well I was close haha. I`m sure I couldn`t re-create it, I`m just always curious about new things I hear with guitar. Btw I`m really becoming a fan of you`re guys music, I`ll definately go and see you (hopefully with Protest The Hero :) , If you guys are ever close to the Monteray Bay area in central Cali. Also It`s awsome you guys are close enough to your fans to communicte through youtube, your really heading somewhere big keep it up :)!

[scalethesummit]

@downfallin hey thanks man! you can definitely re-create it, but its going to be tough with actual pedals. anyways... hope you can make the protest tour as well. and yes, i try and get back to as many people as I can on all of our social networking sites. -chris

[FFPOfficialPage]

Where can i get a tab to this song? The solo is beyond amazing.

[FFPOfficialPage]

@FFPOfficialPage

Wow my bad. I just saw the ending lol.

[scalethesummit]

@FFPOfficialPage Thanks a lot dude, we have a tab book out for the entire record if you are interested. -Chris

[ContortingKezia]

Can't wait to see you guys for the first time with PTH on the 30th. Been a long time fan, but finally timing worked out in my favor to catch the show \m/

[scalethesummit]

@ContortingKezia Awesome man, we're direct support so you'll be able to see us on a tour where we are playing a longer set than normal, so win win for you! See you there!

[DeathcoreDubstep]

You guys are just flawless on the guitar. Its amazing how well and easy it is for you guys to glide all around the neck like nobody's business.

[scalethesummit]

@DeathcoreDubstep Thanks a lot dude, appreciate that! We definitely try our best!

[BassMonkeyRush]

3:10 makes me wet, every time.

[lazarus343]

It's really great to see you guys interact with your fans like this. Great video, hope to see more like it!

[deedoubleohdoo]

And I thought I played WEIRD chord shapes. You guys take the cake. Awesome :)

[SpaceAboveSky]

So awesome.

[ZombicidalMan]

Man, you guys totally kill. Something about your music is just so enjoyable - as much as I love the 8=\-string madness of Meshuggah and AAL, I always get a little tired of them. But Scale The Summit always has me coming back, haha. Trying hard to play your songs on a 6-string... keep up the killer tunes, guys.

[downfallin]

first time listening and you already blew away most of the bands i listen to!! AND you tour with protest the hero!! Great music.

[artlovemusicpeace]

and also, are u guys a couple of music majors?

[scalethesummit]

@artlovemusicpeace Yes. Our entire band met and attended Musicians Institute. I have personally been playing guitar for like 14 years. -Chris

[artlovemusicpeace]

@scalethesummit holy crap that is a long time.. how much did this institute cost? and how long did you go there for?



[scalethesummit]

@artlovemusicpeace 2 years, it went up about $500 a semester... so I can only imagine how much it is now a days since we finished 5 years ago. i dont remember the exact amount but it was a lot! -chris

[artlovemusicpeace]

@scalethesummit hmm.. well i jus got done with about a semester of art school, that costed about 2000 bucks, not including my grants. anyways, would u say it was worth your time to go there? i am very interested

[scalethesummit]

@artlovemusicpeace it was worth it for me, but everyones story will be different, but thats with every college. if you go, just give it 100% and you will come out on top. -=Chris

[artlovemusicpeace]

@scalethesummit dang that is really inspiring man. thanks for the words of wisdom. one last question: u guys ever gonna come to arizona?

[scalethesummit]

@artlovemusicpeace We play Tucson with Protest The Hero tour on Dec 8th at Skrappy's. 

[artlovemusicpeace]

how long have u guys been playing?

[DylanCrane]

Chris, what would you consider the form of this song being? Sonata, Rondo...etc?

[scalethesummit]

@DylanCrane using the actual meaning it would be neither.

[DylanCrane]

@scalethesummit thanks

[lukyganesh]

i hear some govan in there somewhere

[dbilidb]

Epic tone. :)

[TheYeasteatingwalrus]

Scale The Summit? More like Scale The 9ths!! Ahaha I love you guys! <3

[kilipeti]

larger scale JP7 guitar? Hmm, SEXY! the intro and the solo sections are just AWESOME!

[Nemesis302]

This is the one of the greatest jams ever.

[nolliefIip]

Are Chris' frets scalloped?

[Ypnovatis]

@nolliefIip I think it's just the shadow. Not sure though. :/

[nolliefIip]

@Ypnovatis I was thinking that as well.

D'oh well! ¯\(°_o)/¯

[IzmeqDrenade]

when is Pat Skeffington gonna make a play through video??

[aggguy666]

come down to mexico cmon!!!

[MrDrew45259]

This is amazing. Say you guys in Atlanta a couple years back with Dream Theater and Zappa Plays Zappa. Great night. Hope to see you guys soon!

[CitiesInTheSky]

Chris, just curious, why do you almost never use vibrato?

[scalethesummit]

@CitiesInTheSky Do you mean wide vibrato? Because the lead melody at the opening of the song has a 1/4 of the notes being vibrato'd.

[CitiesInTheSky]

@scalethesummit Yes, sorry. You do use vibrato, it's just really subtle.

[DreamingOfJupiter]

@scalethesummit so much pwn

[vintastic319]

@scalethesummit i like that, it really gives the song a character and builds up to the next section

[KillswitchEngage42]

@CitiesInTheSky Maybe he's progressive metal's version of Miles Davis.

[bmgag19]

i wish more bands did this kind of stuff, thanks

[MrSpeedgtrst16]

I heard you guys are coming to San Antonio with protest the hero, do you guys listen protest?

[oODrZoidbergOo]

You guys are the only reason I started listening to metal again.

[borjita696969]

Amazing..!

[martay89]

yooo i met these guys at the white rabbit in san antonio and got em to sign my shirt lol. real humble n the best performance there! i bought all their albums instead of illegally downloading em like everyone else! ya ll have a fan for life!!! just wish i was around for monument's tour, but this shit just gets better n better. love the new album guys

[scalethesummit]

@martay89 Thanks a lot dude! We'll be back in San Antonio on tour with Protest The Hero on Dec 12th at the White Rabbit again, hope to see you there! -Chris

[scalethesummit]

@skate4free7 Shoot me an email to chris@chrisletchford (DOT) com and I will send you the pdf.

[skate4free7]

@scalethesummit I've sent an email, hopefully you got it.

[dwasdwas1]

@scalethesummit You sir, are a badass. Not only musically, but as a human being. It's nice to see a phenomenal musician who isn't a pretentious douche bag.

[slipknot123456781000]

@scalethesummit Hey man, could you send that to me to? I just bought the tab book as well...

[zero88777]

god those tapped harmonics at 5:00 are just beautiful

[NguyenVanThock2185]

Were you as proficient a guitarist before GIT?

[TheAlleycatboy]

What scale do they use?

[JoeyLoeza]

omg this song is so amazing and i love it so suthing wow love it love love love it

[NguyenVanThock2185]

Absolutely beautiful. Thank you for writing this, and posting it. 

[TheHoser54]

what music school did you guys go to?

[lMakyo]

These guys were gods gift to all the real guitar players out there and the people who appreciate REAL music. Scale The Summit <3