Scales and Modes Lessons
Welcome to the section on scales and modes. These lessons are a collection of all the scales and modes that have been taught thus far. Scales and modes are important in understanding music in general, writing music, and improvisation.
Building Blocks of Music
This lesson covers the Major scale and some basic musical terms
Major Scale Octave 2
This lesson covers the meaning of Intervals and the second octave of a major scale.
Minor Scale
This lesson introduces the Minor scale and how it relates to the Major Scale.
Minor Scale Octave 2
In this lesson you will learn the 2nd octave of the minor scale.
Connecting Major and Minor Scales
This lesson covers Major and Relative minor scales and how to connect them. The theory behind it and application are also discussed.
Pentatonic Minor Scale
This lesson will introduce you to the Pentatonic Minor scale, one of the most important scales in popular music.
Review of Relative Major and Minor Scales
In this lesson we will be reviewing the relationship between Major and Minor scales and how we can connect them to move around the neck.
Connecting Chords and Scales in A Major
In this lesson we will discuss the idea of connecting chords in the key of A major with scales through the "walk up or down” method.
Connecting Chords and Scales in G Major
In this lesson we will discuss the idea of connecting chords in the key of G major with scales through the “walk up or down” method.
Connecting Chords and Scales in A minor
In this lesson we will discuss the idea of connecting chords in the key of A minor with scales through the “walk up or down” method.
Connecting Chords and Scales in E minor
In this lesson we will discuss the idea of connecting chords in the key of E minor with scales through the “walk up or down” method.
Pentatonic Major Scale
In this lesson we will learn the Pentatonic Major scale and discuss how it can be used. The pentatonic major scale is a 5 note scale with a major 3rd giving it a more upbeat sound than the pentatonic minor.
The Dorian Mode
In this lesson we will learn and discuss the Dorian mode and the related chords. Dorian Mode is typically associated with Minor Seventh chords because of the common b3 and b7. Dorian can be used with minor triads as well.
Connecting Major (Ionian) and Dorian
In this lesson we will do some exercises to practice connecting Major (Ionian) scale with its relative Dorian mode. Connecting scales helps with improvisation and fret board familiarity.
Relative Pentatonic Major and Minor
In this lesson we will discover how Pentatonic Major and Minor are related and how we can use this relation to move around the neck and expand our lead vocabulary.
Dorian Mode Chops Exercises
In this lesson we will learn a few exercises to build your chops and overall familiarity with the Dorian mode.
The Mixolydian Mode
In this lesson we will study the Mixolydian Mode. Also known as the dominant mode. This mode is used frequently in Rock, Blues, and Jazz styles.
How Mixolydian relates to other modes
In this lesson we will learn how the Mixolydian mode relates to other modes we know and learn how to connect them to get around the neck.
Phrygian Mode
In this lesson we will learn and discuss the Phrygian mode and the related theory.
Connecting Phrygian to the other Modes
In this lesson we will learn how the Phrygian Mode connects with the other modes.
Lydian Mode
In this lesson we will learn and discuss the Lydian Mode and related theory.
Connecting Lydian to the other Modes
In this lesson we will learn how the Lydian Mode connects with the other modes.
Locrian Mode and Min7b5 Chords
In this lesson we will study the Locrian Mode and some related theory. We will also cover Min7b5 chords.
Connecting Locrian to the other Modes
In this lesson we will learn how Locrian connects with the other modes
The Pentatonic Box Fingerings
In this lesson we will cover the 3 remaining pentatonic box shape fingerings. These shapes can be applied to pentatonic minor or major depending on where you start and the root notes you choose.
Related the CAGED system to Modes
In this lesson we will study how the CAGED system relates to the Mode fingerings.
Review of Major Scale Modes
This lesson is a review of the Modes of the Major Scale. I tried to answer some of the questions students have had regarding the modes.
3 Notes Per String Scales
In this lesson we will study some ways to play scales with 3 notes per string.
3 Octave Scales
In this lesson we will cover playing 3 octave scales. Specifically we will play a G Major, G Minor, and E Pentatonic Minor 3 octave scale. We will also discuss how to come up with 3 octave scales by connecting the fingerings of familiar modes.
5 Pentatonic Shapes Exercise
In this lesson we will be learning a great exercise to get more familiar with the pentatonic shapes across the entire fretboard.
Harmonic Minor Scale
In this lesson we will be studying the Harmonic Minor Scale and why it might exist. Learn how to use it in your soloing or create interesting and new chord progressions!