A multimodal method based on the admittance matrix is used to analyze wave propagation through scatterers of arbitrary shape. Two cases are considered: a waveguide containing scatterers, and the scattering of a plane wave at oblique incidence to an infinite periodic row of scatterers. In both cases, the problem reduces to a system of two sets of first-order differential equations for the modal components of the wavefield, similar to the system obtained in the rigorous coupled wave analysis. The system can be solved numerically using the admittance matrix, which leads to a stable numerical method, the basic properties of which are discussed (convergence, reciprocity, energy conservation). Alternatively, the admittance matrix can be used to get analytical results in the weak scattering approximation. This is done using the plane wave approximation, leading to a generalized version of the Webster equation and using a perturbative method to analyze the Wood anomalies and Fano resonances.