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Mode Names
(What Do Those Weird Mode Names Even Mean!)
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Those Weird Mode Names! One of the things that makes modes so confusing to so many guitar players .
So what are the modes called?
In The Mystery of Modes Part 2 I’ll explain the mode names, how to think of each mode and where each mode comes from.
Here’s a breakdown of what you learn in this video:
0:32 In the first Mystery of Modes video we answered the question ‘What Is A Mode?’and saw how a mode is like a ‘child’ which comes from a ‘parent scale’. By ‘recycling’ the 7 notes in a major parent scale we can create a ‘family’ of new scales. The members of this family are the ‘modes of the major scale’.
Watch ‘The Mystery of Modes’ Part 10:42 Just like the members of a family, each new scale has a name. Let’s examine each mode and it’s name.
0:50 The Ionian Mode
We’ll use the G major scale for this lesson. It contains the notes G A B C D E F#. It is also known as the Ionian Mode, in this case G Ionain Mode.
1:10 The Dorian Mode
You can use the same group of notes but think of A as the root. Now we have the same notes but we’re thinking of them as some sort of A scale – A B C D E F# G. This ‘A scale’ is a ‘mode’ of the G major scale and is called the Dorian Mode.
1:36 The Phrygian Mode
If we start on the 3rd note, B and recycle the notes we get a B scale – B C D E F# G A. This is the Phrygian Mode, in this case B Phrygian.
2:05 The Lydian Mode
If you recycle the notes starting on the 4th note you get C D E F# G A B. This is the Lydian mode: C Lydian in this case.
2:20 The Mixolydian Mode
If you recycle the notes starting on the 5th note you get D E F# G A B c. This is the Mixoldian mode: D Mixolydian in this case. This is a commonly used mode, often heard in blues basaed music.
2:50 What do these strange mode names mean? Don’t worry about that! They are just a name or label for describing a particular scale and sound.
3:08 The Aeolian Mode
If you recycle the notes starting on the 6th note you get E F# G A B C D. This is the Aeolian mode: E Aeolian in this case. This is also sometimes called the Natural Minor scale and is used a lot in rock and metal music.
3:37 The Locrian Mode
If you recycle the notes starting on the 7th note you get F# G A B C D E. This is the Locrian mode: F# Locrian in this case. You don’t hear this one used much apart from in jazz, fusion and Latin music.
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Finally….
A Way To Think about Modes Which Actually Makes Sense!
That dreaded word that strikes fear into most guitar players!
Modes are probably the most misunderstood, confusing and bady explained
topic that we have to deal with as guitarists.
Like most guitar players I was confused about them for years…until I started to think of them like this…
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Modes! What Is a Mode?
Probably the thing that confuses more guitar players than anything else.
So what are the modes? In The Mystery of Modes Part 1 I’ll explain what a mode is, how to think of them and where the modes come from.
Here’s a breakdown of what you learn in this video:
0:40 So what is a mode?
The most basic definition is that ‘mode’ is simply another name for a scale.
To be more exact a mode is a scale which comes from another scale. The scale the mode comes from is called the ‘parent scale’. So you can almost think of a mode as a ‘kid’ or ‘child’ of the parent scale!
1:02 The mode will contain the exact same notes as the parent scale just in a different order. So what’s the difference then? If the notes are the same then aren’t they the exact same thing? Well not exactly – let’s look at that next.
1:18 Using the G major scale as the parent scale we’re going to build some modes. The notes in the G major scale are: G A B C D E F#.
You can use the same group of notes but think of A as the root. Now we have the same notes but we’re thinking of them as some sort of A scale. This ‘A scale’ is a ‘mode’ of the G major scale. We’ve recycled the G scale notes into an A scale.
2:07 If we do this starting on each note of the G major scale then we get 6 new scales. We get a scale starting on A, B ,C,D,E and F#. We’ve created a new scale starting on each note of the original ‘parent’ scale.
2:23 These new scales are the ‘children’ of the parent scale, or the ‘modes of the G major scale’.
2:42 The modes each have their own names such as Dorian, Phrygian, Lydian, Mixolydian, Aelian and Locrian…but don’t worry about that yet! This is all in the next video. Later we’ll also look at how to use the modes in your soloing and how to pick which one to play.
Watch Part 2 of ‘The Mystery of Modes’
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Avoid Common String Bending Mistakes Most Guitar Players Make
(And Make Your String Bending Sound Awesome!)
What do all the great electric guitar players have in common?
Answer:
Awesome string bending technique!
It’s a fact: nothing destroys your solos quicker than weak or out of tune bends…so it’s crucial that you get this right.
Dive in to this lesson and learn how to do it the right way and avoid all the common mistakes most guitarists make with their bending (I did it wrong for years)
Then…sit back and hear the transformation that awesome string bending technique can have on your guitar playing!
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Guitar String Bending – How To Bend Strings the Right Way!
String bending is one of the most important guitar techniques that guitarists need to master. In this String Bending Workshop you’ll learn how to do it it the right way. Covers string bending hand position, bending action, bending strings in tune and tips on 3 common types of string bend you’ll see all the time.
String Bending Workshop
0:18 String bending is an essential part of most guitar styles – especially rock, metal, blues and country guitar. Hear a short demo of bending used in a few different style guitar solos here.
1:05 Correct string bending hand position. Thumb position is essential. Keep your thumb over the top of the neck as you bend. This is essential for control and stability in your bending. This will help you get your bends sounding in tune and with a big juicy tone!
2:00 Bending Fingers. Back up your bending finger with any other available fingers. This gives stability and control to your string bends and will help you execute large bends much easier.
3:01 Bending Action. Let’s examine some key points when you bend a string. Keep your thumb down and still, the guitar as still as you can and rotate your hand and wrist upwards to push the string. Try not to just flex and push up with your fingers. Using your wrist and hand will lead to much better string bending in your playing.
5:50 Bending in Tune. Getting your bends in tune is obviously essential! Play the note you are bending up to a few times to ‘plant’ the sound of it in your ear. Then grab the bend and try to hit the note accurately. Bending practice will pay off here! Be patient and monitor your tuning as you play and use bends in your solos.
7:16 String Bending Exercises- 3 Types of Bend. Let’s examine 3 common types of string bend you’ll use in your playing. Nailing these exercises will really help you get your bends sounding great when you use them in licks and solos. Remember to apply all these techniques and guidelines in your favourite licks and solos.
Good luck!
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