How to make mode scales

Why do guitarists make mode scales by flatting and sharping the notes? http://on.fb.me/h7N79r

Learning How to Use Guitar Modes Lesson DVD Testimonial

This is what a recent customer had to say about my DVD, Guitar Modes - The Modal Scales of Popular Music.

"All I can say is WOW! I'm a singer songwriter & musician who's been playing guitar and keyboards for over ten years, but have never been able to get a handle on how to use modes in any sort of constructive way. Even though I'm classically trained in keyboard and knew the theory I was still confused about how to make it all work. Your tutorial not only dispelled the myths and dismantled some bad teaching I had received, but it also explained the core of what modes are about in an easy to understand practical and straigthforward manner which I was able to apply immediately to material I'd been working on.

I have a long way to go to fully explore and understand the depth of knowledge put forward in your tutorial, but it's like someone has opened a door to a musical garden of eden and laid out in front of me a veritable cornucopia of creative possibilities.

I now see that modes are (almost) like another form of modulation within a key itself, and this is the missing link I was looking for. I always knew when I listened to songs like Tom Petty's Here Comes My Girl that something was not normal about the verse, and that there was something I was missing (because you just don't get that sound from any traditional major or minor scale). I though it was modulation to a key I could not figure out, but of course now I know it was modal

Now I know...yes, now I know, everything is Modes...everything!

Your video will prove indispensable to anyone involved in the creation of music, for me personally it's been the final
piece of the puzzle."


Many many thanks,

Clint O.

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Play Until Yer Fingers Bleed!
Mr. Desi Serna
Website: http://Guitar-Music-Theory.com
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Confused About Guitar Modes

Why am I having a hard time understanding modes and modal guitar scales?

Guitar modes is a very misunderstood topic. The reason is because it's a music concept that stems from others. If you don't know the others, then you're not going to get it.

If you truly want to understand music modes and how they relate to popular music and guitar playing, then I suggest you first study chord progressions and playing by numbers. I cover this in Fretboard Theory Chapter 6. I also have a DVD entitled Guitar Chord Progressions and Playing by Numbers.

Also, modes are based on major scale patterns for guitar (which are taught in Fretboard Theory Chapter 5). Make sure you understand how to cover the whole guitar fretboard with major scale patterns and can play major scale songs.

After you have developed a good working knowledge of chord progressions and major scale patterns you'll be ready to explore the modal scale concept (which I have covered in the book and on DVD). I actually get you started on it in chapter 7 which is about roots, keys and applying scales (the heart of guitar modes). But I don't put it into modal terms until chapter 8.

With learning music theory for guitar, it's critical to completely master the fundamentals before venturing into more complicated and advanced subjects. Be sure to take things one step at a time as each concept prepares you for the next. Walk before you run!

Play Until Yer Fingers Bleed!
Mr. Desi Serna
Website: http://Guitar-Music-Theory.com
YouTube: http://youtube.com/GuitarMusicTheoryTab
Twitter: http://twitter.com/MrGuitarTheory
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Modes to Harmonic and Melodic Minor Scales

Apart from learning the minor modes in the major scale like Dorian, Phrygian, and Aeolian should guitar players learn modes built from the harmonic and melodic minor scales?

I don't teach the modes of the harmonic and melodic minor scales because they're used so infrequently. Instead I like to focus on more fundamental music theory like the modes of the major scale (which includes minor modes). I will say this, be sure to master the lessons I teach in my guitar theory book and DVDs before you venture into more complicated topics. And also keep in mind that exotic scales are used primarily in obscure music like bebop jazz and very advanced instrumental music (like some Joe Satriani songs). The exception would be the harmonic minor scale. It comes up in pieces every now and then but not in any unusual modal form. Check out the opening lead guitar solo to "Smooth" by Carlos Santana.

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
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What Are Modes and How Do They Work?

I've had some confusion on how the modes work for awhile now. I've read several guitar lessons and have had several guitar players to try and explain the modes to me but still I'm lost, I'd greatly appreciate some help and a final explanation on them and how they work.

Guitar modes stem from major scale patterns and chord progressions. Without first mastering these fundamental music theory topics, you'll never understand the point of scale modes. It's critical when studying guitar theory to start from the beginning and take things one step at a time. In music, each concept prepares you for the next.

To learn more about scales, chords, progressions, modes and more, see my book Fretboard Theory. When you're ready, my DVD entitled Guitar Modes - The Modal Scales of Popular Music will explain how the modal concept functions in popular songs.

Play Until Yer Fingers Bleed!
Mr. Desi Serna (Google me!)
http://www.Guitar-Music-Theory.com
Pentatonic/CAGED/Progressions/Mode

Guitar Modes and Modal Scale Theory

Modal scales, sometimes called church modes, are the seven different ways the major scale can function in music. The major scale has seven notes and each one can be established as the root. Each root, or mode, has its own tonality and sound characteristics. Since all music is either based on or thought of in relation to the major scale, everything is in a mode. Understanding modes is critical to developing a knowledge of guitar theory. Modal scales have created an enormous amount of confusion, more than any other musical concept, and most of the available information about them is either incorrect or misleading.

Modal Scales Are Not Patterns
Modes aren't really separate scales and they certainly don't require learning separate patterns. Modes are based on the major scale and its patterns. In order to understand the theory behind modes, you must understand the major scale.

Major Scale Patterns
The notes of the major scale are scattered all over the fretboard. Trying to memorize the huge pattern as one unit is nearly impossible. The way to learn the whole scale pattern is to focus on small parts of it at a time. The most common way to do this is to break the large pattern up into 5 pieces. Once you memorize the individual pieces (a.k.a. positions or patterns) you can connect them and complete the whole fretboard. Even though each pattern is unique, they all are simply pieces of the entire unit. In other words, on their own the patterns don't become anything new. They are always major scale notes.

Chord Theory
The major scale can be played over any one of its notes or chords. For example, the G major scale can be played over a G major chord, Am, Bm, C, D, Em or F#mb5. When you play the G major scale over a G major chord the sound is the typical, happy major sound. This would require that you have a friend strum the G chord or perhaps you have a recording or looping device that can play back a rhythm track. You can play any part of the G major scale in any position or pattern. It doesn't even matter what note you start on. Just simply jump into the scale (anywhere you like) and play the notes (any order you like).

Now, play the G major scale over an Am chord. Again, this would require that you have a friend strum the Am chord or you use a recording or looping device that can play back a rhythm track. Suddenly, the sound changes. It's now dark and jazzy. You can play any part of the G major scale in any position or pattern. It doesn't even matter what note you start on. Just simply jump into the scale (anywhere you like) and play the notes (any order you like). 

Different Scale Modes
In the above example, why did the sound change? Because mixing notes and chords is exactly like mixing colors. Yellow and blue make green but red and blue make purple. Likewise, the G major scale over a G chord makes the so-called "Ionian Mode" sound while the G major scale over an Am chord makes the so-called "Dorian Mode" sound. So, it doesn't matter what kind of pattern or position you're actually playing the scale in nor does the note you start on mean anything. It all depends on what note or chord the scale is being mixed with.

Hear and Play Guitar Modes
In order to understand how colors change when mixed is something you have to see. Likewise, in order to understand what modes are you have to hear the sound of the scale change as you mix it with different chords. All the theoretical explanations in the world won't get the point across. You must play modes to hear them. Many music theory concepts have to be applied before you'll understand them and modal scales are no exception.

Greek Mode Names
Each scale note, or chord, has its own unique sound characteristics and identifying modal name. The seven Greek names, which have origins in the church, are Ionian Mode, Dorian Mode, Phrygian Mode, Lydian Mode, Mixolydian Mode, Aeolian Mode and Locrian Mode. The modal scale names are the same on the guitar as they are on every other instrument. This type of music theory is relative to all musicians.

How to Learn Modes
Modes spring from the understanding and application of other musical concepts. To learn modes, first learn the major scale and its patterns. Next, learn how the major scale is used to build chords. Finally, learn how these chords are used to make guitar chord progressions. With music, each concept supports the next. Don't try to get ahead of yourself by studying advanced theories that you're not prepared for.

Play Until Yer Fingers Bleed!
Mr. Desi Serna (Google me!)
http://www.Guitar-Music-Theory.com
Scales, Chords, Progressions, Modes and More