Solved Modes and scales

[maddrummer]

I think it depends on the context you learn it in. Technically the melodic minor scale is different going up and down, period.

See that's what I mean, technically by you it is that way, but technically by me it's different. I'm not saying that I get to write my own rules or anything I am just saying that there really is no "technically". I know Berklee isn't the end all of music but they teach it that it's the same going up and down. I don' t know why. It's really not a big deal, the original purpose of using the natural minor for decending was because the melodic minor descending sounds (and is) major until you get down to the third, so to give the minor sound you can use the natural minor.

 

[foo]

I was taught that the Melodic Minor is different going up and down (GIT) - which is why I steered the hell away from it!

There's lots of ways to skin a cat - and somtimes my playing sounds enough like it without changing scale notes in mid-flow.

foo

 

[AlChuck]

See that's what I mean, technically by you it is that way, but technically by me it's different. I'm not saying that I get to write my own rules or anything I am just saying that there really is no "technically".

Sure there is a "technically." The melodic minor scale has a certain long-standing definition. It's not ambiguous. Just because some schools or individuals choose to name something wrongly does not mean there is no "correct" meaning. Just because the public schools in Kansas teach creationism as if it were a science does not make it so. Not that it all has much of a rat's ass to do with the essence of musicality or anything. But I happen to believe that meanings are meanings, otherwise they'd be... meaningless...

 

[Bongo Boy]

You may also want to visit:

http://www.ibreathemusic.com

The site is a great resource for this sort of dialogue. It's a nice blend of music theory forum and guitar-specific forums. Very little to do with recording there.

 

[Aaron Cheney]

AlChuck, if I hear you talk about the Super Locrian scale one more time, I'm going to vomit with rage.
No one should know that much theory off the top of their head!!!!!!!!!!!




Aaron
http://www.voodoovibe.com

 

[AlChuck]

OK, Aaron, I'll stop

(actually I don't really know it off the top of my head exactly, I'm just in the middle of studying it all and trying to break out of the one-chord pentatonic box I've been in all my life. I'm studying at a really great place in Berkeley, CA called the JazzSchool.)

Bongo Boy, thanks for that link, I'll check it out...

 

[BrettB]

Using the starting tones of a major scale, and just using other roots is indeed the most theoratical way of the modes, but while playing and when it comes to understanding the 'sound' of the mode it isn't very efficient.

I think modes are still the easiest to remember when you think:

Dorian: minor (aeolian) with raised 6th
phryigian: minor (aeolian) with flat 2
lydian: major with #4
mixolydian: major with flat 7
aeolian: traditinal minor
locrian: minor (aeolian) with flat 2 and flat 5

That way you'll learn the sound more easily and you learn to use them more on a natural way, is my humble opinion.

 

[Lopp]

OK, Aaron, I'll stop

So much for seeing some rage vomiting.

 

[foo]

Brett - You, Sir, are very weird.

That seems far more difficult than just thinking of it as a major scale with different starting points.

But then, you are Belgian, so I guess that explains it.



foo

 

[Lopp]

Yeah, I dunno if it's eaiser to remember that way.

However, it's easier to apply that way with an understanding of why the scales sound the way they do.

 

[BrettB]

Yeah, I dunno if it's eaiser to remember that way.

However, it's easier to apply that way with an understanding of why the scales sound the way they do.

Lopp, that was actually the way I meant it. When I first studied the modes as a major scale with different starting point, I noticed I was quickly temptedto just play the major scale again an I didn't feel I was playing a different mode. With that other method, I understand the modes and their sound much more.

Sorry if it sounds weird to you

 

[Bongo Boy]

Brett - You, Sir, are very weird.

I don't think so--I'm a beginner, but it seems like a good idea to look at modes from a few different perspectives. I have a crappy memory, and I found it fairly easy to remember all the mode names, the intervals for all the modes, the chords associated with those modes, the tensions and avoid notes--all in a couple weeks of work in my spare time.

This has NOTHING to do with how well I can play guitar--I can't. It has a lot to do with understanding how to build chords, chord progresssions, and why a piece of music has the chords in it that it does. At least to me.

I've concentrated on the perspective described above, and now will turn to looking at this from other directions. I think it helps to how to have multiple views--it's a big topic that goes beyond just beginning a major scale on a different note, I think.

 

[Kevzmusic]

Actually, none of this 'technical" stuff means anything....

unless it enables one to play absolutely brilliant "killer" riffs & licks on stage in front of 100,000 screaming fans and attracts the BABES to ya - like shit to a wet blanket

KEV

 

[foo]

Kev, you're absolutely right.

. . . and as a matter of fact, that's exactly what it enables me to do.




foo

 

[Lopp]

Lopp, that was actually the way I meant it. When I first studied the modes as a major scale with different starting point, I noticed I was quickly temptedto just play the major scale again an I didn't feel I was playing a different mode. With that other method, I understand the modes and their sound much more.

Sorry if it sounds weird to you

Nah. Didn't sound weird at all. I agree with you 100% that your method makes it easier to understand the modes and their sounds.

I just find it easier to remeber the modes in context with the major scale. (Which isn't necessarily the best way to do it ).

 

[amt7565]

I have my own page offering music lessons. You can also print in a word document.
http://www.angelfire.com/musicals/andrewsguitarpage/