Learn Guitar Scales : Major Scale Modes
Parimal
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Anyone who aspires to be a lead guitarist will eventually want to learn guitar scales and the modes. Using the modes offers so many more opportunities with lead guitar, but a lot of players often overlook it. It's important to understand these are not the pentatonic or blues scales. The point is; if you can learn how to add a few notes to the pentatonic scales and play with your pinky you're going to be able to play diverse and impressive sounding solos.
When you begin to learn guitar scales, you should learn the various modes, starting with the modes of the major scale. If we take the notes or intervals of the major scale and loop them in a circle we can create seven different guitar scales or modes by simply starting on a different note each time. This may sound simplistic, but this makes a significant difference to the sound and feel of the scale and, therefore, your lead playing.
Ionian Mode- This is the standard or "straight" mode, and it's the first one you will see when you learn guitar scales. So, starting on the root tone, we add T-T-ST-T-T-T-ST where the "T" stands for full tone/2 frets, and the "ST" means semi-tone/1 fret. Just remember that in the key of C, this scale will begin and finish with C.
Dorian Mode. This is widely used in rock music. Playing a guitar scale in Dorian means you start and end with the scale's second tone. So, to play in the key of C, in Dorian, your first note and last note are both D.
Phrygian Mode- If you want to solo with a little "Egyptian" or Middle Eastern feel should check out the phrygian mode. Here you will start and end with the major scale's third tone, creating E Phrygian.
Lydian Mode- This mode is very similar to the major scale, but with a sharpened 4th, giving a "spacey", bright feel to the mode. Steve Vai and Joe Satriani use this mode extensively to create some truly dazzling guitar solos. Start and end on the F note in the key of C major to create this mode.
Mixolydian Mode- If you love rock or even jazz guitar solos; then take advantage of the mixolydian mode. In C major, create this mode by starting and finishing with the G note. This mode sounds similar to the major scale, but with a flattened seventh, giving a bluesy feel to the sound.
Aeolian Mode. This is the "natural minor scale" of the Ionian Mode. So playing a guitar solo in Aeolian Mode allows you to give a minor scale feel to your solo. To play a C scale solo in Aeolian mode, you'll begin and end your solo on the A note.
Locrian Mode. This is a great mode to use to create a high level of tension in a solo, because it emphasizes the Leading Tone, the note that suggests the root note is coming. To use C as the example, C Locrian solos will begin and end with the B note.
When you learn guitar scales, be sure to also learn the modes. Your possibilities become endless!
When you begin to learn guitar scales, you should learn the various modes, starting with the modes of the major scale. If we take the notes or intervals of the major scale and loop them in a circle we can create seven different guitar scales or modes by simply starting on a different note each time. This may sound simplistic, but this makes a significant difference to the sound and feel of the scale and, therefore, your lead playing.
Ionian Mode- This is the standard or "straight" mode, and it's the first one you will see when you learn guitar scales. So, starting on the root tone, we add T-T-ST-T-T-T-ST where the "T" stands for full tone/2 frets, and the "ST" means semi-tone/1 fret. Just remember that in the key of C, this scale will begin and finish with C.
Dorian Mode. This is widely used in rock music. Playing a guitar scale in Dorian means you start and end with the scale's second tone. So, to play in the key of C, in Dorian, your first note and last note are both D.
Phrygian Mode- If you want to solo with a little "Egyptian" or Middle Eastern feel should check out the phrygian mode. Here you will start and end with the major scale's third tone, creating E Phrygian.
Lydian Mode- This mode is very similar to the major scale, but with a sharpened 4th, giving a "spacey", bright feel to the mode. Steve Vai and Joe Satriani use this mode extensively to create some truly dazzling guitar solos. Start and end on the F note in the key of C major to create this mode.
Mixolydian Mode- If you love rock or even jazz guitar solos; then take advantage of the mixolydian mode. In C major, create this mode by starting and finishing with the G note. This mode sounds similar to the major scale, but with a flattened seventh, giving a bluesy feel to the sound.
Aeolian Mode. This is the "natural minor scale" of the Ionian Mode. So playing a guitar solo in Aeolian Mode allows you to give a minor scale feel to your solo. To play a C scale solo in Aeolian mode, you'll begin and end your solo on the A note.
Locrian Mode. This is a great mode to use to create a high level of tension in a solo, because it emphasizes the Leading Tone, the note that suggests the root note is coming. To use C as the example, C Locrian solos will begin and end with the B note.
When you learn guitar scales, be sure to also learn the modes. Your possibilities become endless!
About the Author:
Play your very own great sounding guitar solos over the next 7 days and truly amaze your family and friends! ((Even if you are new to soloing)) Click here - Learn Guitar Scales to receive your FREE soloing guide not available anywhere else. This E Book will help you master Pentatonic Guitar Scales in no time at all, using the same techniques as professional guitar players use.
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