Why do guitarists make mode scales by flatting and sharping the notes?

by Guitar-Music-Theory.com on Thursday, February 3, 2011 at 8:16am ·

Why is it commonly taught that guitar modes are made by altering major scale patterns? The idea is to think of everything as Ionian mode and instead of shifting to different degrees in the scale to create modes you should rebuild the scale and pattern completely.

 

For example, if a song is in A Dorian you could just play chords and patterns from the G major scale and focus on the second scale degree, A (the ii chord Am). Or you could use an A major scale, flat the 3rd and 7th, and then rebuild the scale pattern and chords. But guess what? Both methods give you the exact same thing!

 

I take the easy road - the first one. Altering everything is too much work, confusing and unnecessary. Also, it causes you to miss the fact that all modes are derived from the same patterns and chords. It's so much easier to think and play one set of scale patterns and chords for everything. That's what I teach and that's why my customers send me emails all the time about how they finally understand modal scales and successfully play modal music.

 

Guitar modes are taught in Fretboard Theory Chapter 8 and also the Guitar Modes - The Modal Scales of Popular Music DVD. http://Guitar-Music-Theory.com

 

Play Until Yer Fingers Bleed!

Mr. Desi Serna

Website: http://Guitar-Music-Theory.com

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  • Toman Harimau, Galen Haines, Sean Wolf Salthouse and 5 others like this.
    • Julius O. Campeciño Will probably buy this one once I'm done with the Fretboard Theory. Desi you did a great job on teaching guitar theory. I hop from one book to another till I finally found your book. Hands down, it's the best for intermediate players!
      February 3, 2011 at 9:31am
    • Tim Cooper
      I agree with your method of teaching the modes Desi and I have all of your books and DVDs. It is important, however, to gain an understanding of what makes each mode different from each other and which notes "flavor" each mode. Which you do... cover in your lessons. For example: The Dorian mode sounds "brighter" compared to the Aeolian mode due to the natural 6th (Dorian) versus the flat 6th of the Aeolian (natural minor) mode.The intervals that give the Mixolydian it's dominant quality. How the flat 2nd of the Phrygian and Locrian modes darken and cause them to sound more eerie. True modal playing focuses on the notes of the mode that give it the unique character and not just the playing of a scale starting on a different scale degree. It also becomes important to understand why we play Lydian or Ionian (major) over a major 7th chord and the Mixolydian over the dominant "7" or "V" chord. I think you get the point.See More
      February 3, 2011 at 11:14am · 1