Minor Modes

"Just finished watching your video on Modes. I really enjoyed it and found it very useful. Will you be expanding more on the other modes (minor modes)? It would be interesting dive deeper in."

The minor modes are Dorian, Phrygian and Aeolian. Do you mean the harmonic and melodic minor scale modes? If yes, I don't plan on covering them because with very few exceptions they just don't occur in popular music. They still can be interesting to explore but be careful not to get ahead of yourself. There is so much fundamental guitar theory that you need to know before delving into more advanced topics.

Harmonic Minor Scale Guitar
When you're ready I recommend checking out the following books from Dock Mock on harmonic and melodic minor scales for guitar.

Play Until Yer Fingers Bleed!
Mr. Desi Serna
Website: http://Guitar-Music-Theory.com
YouTube: http://youtube.com/GuitarMusicTheoryTab
Twitter: http://twitter.com/MrGuitarTheory
Facebook: http://facebook.com/desi.serna
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/guitarmusictheory
Podcast: Search Desi Serna at iTunes

Problems with Guitar Modes

"I've spent some time going over your podcasts (which are awesome btw), but I'm having some problem with the one you did on modes. It seems everywhere I look, they talk about using different scales ect. I know you said to ignore this, but what is the difference between what you teach and what these people are saying. Are you supposed to play different scales over the chords when you are going for an effect in a mode?"

Good question. The problem with most guitar modes instruction is that the instructors either assume you already understand the fundamental modal concept, or the instructors themselves don't understand it. As a result they end up teaching ideas that are offshoots of the modal concept and based on their own personal philosophy. I highly recommend you get my DVD Guitar Modes - The Modal Scales of Popular Music as it lays everything out as clearly as can be. Once you master the fundamental concept you may be able to wrap your mind around the other personal perspectives that are taught.

Play Until Yer Fingers Bleed!
Mr. Desi Serna
Website: http://Guitar-Music-Theory.com
YouTube: http://youtube.com/GuitarMusicTheoryTab
Twitter: http://twitter.com/MrGuitarTheory
Facebook: http://facebook.com/desi.serna
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/guitarmusictheory
Podcast: Search Desi Serna at iTunes

How do you start and stop on time with a guitar loop pedal?

"What is the trick to getting a perfect loop? It seems that when I play it is not obvious when to push the stop button."

One of these days I need to get around to making a video about looping. Until then all I can tell you is that you have to hit the pedal the second time at the exact same point you began. So for example, if you start at beat one of a measure, hit the pedal precisely on that beat both the first and second times. Also, play through after you hit the pedal the second time as if you were going to keep going. Otherwise you might slow down or stop at the end of the loop in a manner that makes the transition back to the beginning noticeable. You want it to sound seamless.

I use a Boss RC20 Loop Station in my guitar theory DVDs.

Play Until Yer Fingers Bleed!
Mr. Desi Serna
Website: http://Guitar-Music-Theory.com
YouTube: http://youtube.com/GuitarMusicTheoryTab
Twitter: http://twitter.com/MrGuitarTheory
Facebook: http://facebook.com/desi.serna
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/guitarmusictheory
Podcast: Search Desi Serna at iTunes

Guitar Study Habits, How to Practice and Warm Up

Learning songs is one of the best ways to study and practice, and all famous guitar players have done it. http://bit.ly/a905QE

Guitar Picking Technique

"One thing that keeps frustrating me is continually hitting the wrong string with the pick! Any thoughts you have on being able to hit the right string with the pick every time?"

You need to rest your hand on the guitar body and keep the pick close to the strings. This will give you more control over the pick and allow you to use your hand to mute strings. For example, as you pick the first string (high E) your hand can actually rest on the other strings keeping them quiet. This is especially important when playing with distortion and at loud levels. Other than that, don't bite off more than you can chew. Work on mastering simple guitar parts before you try to jump back and forth across all the strings quickly. Picking accuracy will develop in time.

I demonstrate right hand placement and technique in my DVD, Getting Started with the Pentatonic Scale.

Play Until Yer Fingers Bleed!
Mr. Desi Serna
Website: http://Guitar-Music-Theory.com
YouTube: http://youtube.com/GuitarMusicTheoryTab
Twitter: http://twitter.com/MrGuitarTheory
Facebook: http://facebook.com/desi.serna
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/guitarmusictheory
Podcast: Search Desi Serna at iTunes

Why is a 7 chord not built with a major seven interval?

This is a great music theory question, and one that creates a lot of confusion among guitar players and musicians in general. The confusion lies in the fact that there are two types of seven chords built on a major triad. A major seven and a dominant seven. A major seven includes the interval which is a half step below the root. This occurs on a 1 chord and a 4 chord. A dominant seven includes the interval which is a whole step below the root. This occurs on the 5 chord. Major seven chords are always referred to as "major sevens." But, and this is where it gets weird, dominant seven chords are simply called "seven." I mention this in Fretboard Theory Chapter 10 on page 130. See the headline "Dominant Seven (V)."