[Video Lesson] How Do I Understand Modes?
This video is an expansion of a blogpost about modes I wrote back in 2006.
[The Short Version]
Essentially, there are two ways of learning modes:
1. Derivative Approach
2. Parallel Approach
Derivative is taking a major scale and starting it on different notes.
Parallel is using the same root note and flattening or sharpening the notes to get the other modes.
i.e.
Derivative: same notes, different starting notes
Parallel: different notes, same starting note
[Additional Resources]
Click here for Guitar Tabs of [The Major Scales + Modes Starting on C]
Click here for [All This Modes Stuff Summarized in A Chart]
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[ACTION STEPS] How can you learn this better?
1. Understand the Parallel Aproach process I explained in the video & apply it to another Major Scale.
2. Play a 1-octave Major Scale on your instrument & change one note at a time to get different modes.
3. Pick one mode and improvise using it over a one chord backing track.
Wanna Learn More?
Find out more about my....
-> Guitar Lessons [Click here]
-> Music Lessons for all Instruments [Click here]
Reader Comments (4)
Most valuable and straightforward explanation of modes. A gate wide opened to a whole new musical world, with so much to explore. Excellent work Az and thanks for sharing!
You're welcome FloW! Glad you found it valuable. =)
Thanks Az! It will take me a few times of watching and putting the info to practice, but definetly helpful!
Hi Russ - thank you so much for checking it out! Yes, the video is meant for repeated watching.
Definitely try playing the guitar tab example (listed in the [Additional Resources] section in the text) to get a really hands-on understanding of the different sounds. =)