There comes a time in every guitarists life when they finger the need to *drum roll* learn the modes. While this is a laudable endeavor, it often leads to potentially unconfined pentatonic blues and waddle players losing their way in the unnecessarily troublemaking world of modes. So, if youre still struggling to learn the modes, I think I might have the answer.
Theoretically Speaking
There are basically two ways you can squint at modes. The first is a major scale starting on a variegated note, and the second is as scales in their own right. The first tideway lends itself well to playing over modal (diatonic) chord progressions, while the second is largest suited to playing over static chords to create an atmosphere, e.g. if youre jamming on B minor or Bm7, you might want to try out B Dorian, B Phrygian, or B Aeolian depending on the effect you want; however, if youre jamming over a chord progression like Bm, A major, E major (from the key of A major), youll probably want to stick to B Dorian to play over the whole progression.
The Problem
Lets say youre primarily a waddle and blues guitarist and this is pretty much what you play on a daily basis. When guitarists study modes, they insist on studying ALL the modes. As a blues-rock guitarist, you only really need to study the Dorian and Mixolydian modes; the Phrygian, Lydian, Ionian, Aeolian and Locrian modes are pretty much redundant, and your time would be largest spent honing your skills in the Dorian and Mixolydian modes rather than spreading yourself too thin by studying modes you probably wont use. If youre into metal, youd want to put increasingly sustentation on the Aeolian and Phrygian modes (perhaps Lydian too), as the others wouldnt be of much use. Hopefully, realizing this will midpoint less struggling to learn modes (you wont really use).
The Solution
So, if youre into blues-rock, the next time you go to run your modes in the key of C, stop yourself and concentrate on D Dorian and G Mixolydian. The trick here is to play these modes from root to root, NOT the one-size-fits-all 5 or 7 shapes you usually play up and lanugo the neck; these shapes wont let you hear the modes. Here are a few patterns from my typesetting Major Scale Modes Designed for the Guitar to help you out. Strum a Dm or Dm7 chord surpassing you run these shapes.
Youre probably once enlightened that G Mixolydian is the same scale starting on variegated notes, but you NEED to play it from root to root and bring that Mixolydian sound out for it to be of any use in your playing. Strum a G7 or G9 chord surpassing running these shapes.
Now, imagine if you just practiced these two scales. I guarantee your blues-rock playing will modernize in a matter of weeks as you combine these two modes with the pentatonic scales Im sure you once know.
If Youre Still Struggling with the Modes
Modes is a subject thats tropical to my heart, so youll find plenty increasingly books on the site to help you understand them. Each one has a unique tideway that you might find weightier suits your learning style or where youre currently at with the modes.
Quickstart Guides: Modes
Beyond Pentatonics go from pentatonics to modes easily.
Major Scale Modes Designed for the Guitar if youre increasingly of a woodshedder, you might like this one.
Modes and How to Use Them ($1 on Amazon!)
Check out our self-ruling eBook too: Modes on Guitar for People In a Hurry
The post Why Youre Still Struggling to Learn the Modes appeared first on Unlock the Guitar.
