If you've ever wondered how Dream Theater writes their trademark odd-time, genre-bending riffs, this lesson breaks down 16 measures from "Metropolis Pt. 1" (from Images and Words) and shows exactly what's going on under the hood.

Honestly, this one is much better experienced as a video than as text. You need to hear polymeter and see how the parts lock together for any of it to click. Hit play on the lesson above and stick with me for ten minutes!

What You'll Learn

Suspended chords - why Bsus2, Asus2, and Gsus2 create that wide, hollow, weightless sound by stripping out the third
Wide intervals and 9ths - how Petrucci's voicings reinforce the stretched-out feel
13/8 time (as 6+7) - how Dream Theater builds a groove that feels like it's resetting early
Polymeter - how Kevin Moore's keyboard part cycles in 13 while the band cycles in 6.5, creating that trademark disorienting groove
Contrast between sections - how the second half trades hollow sus chords for full 3rds, 7ths, and extensions to transform the mood
Reverse engineering as a compositional tool - how to take these same techniques and build your own prog riff from scratch

Why Reverse Engineer Music?

When you dig into a piece this deep, you start seeing relationships between parts you'd otherwise miss, and recreating music becomes a lot simpler once you're fluent in the analysis. It's like being a chef who can taste a pie and identify the cherries, the molasses, and the pinch of salt. Suddenly you can go home and make your own.

Instead of guessing at how your favorite songs work, a little analysis now and then goes a long way. At worst, you learn something. At best, you end up with a riff in 13/8 that sounds suspiciously like Dream Theater.

Watch the full video above to hear each of these concepts in context, including my own "Dream Theater rip-off" built using these same techniques at the end. Then if you're still confused, consider studying from my courses.