Pez wrote:try to think of it like this: all modal scales are the minor scale. the 'aeolian' scale is note for note the same, starts on the first note of the minor scale. the 'ionian' scale starts on the third note of the minor scale. so basically, all the different modes are the minor scale, but choosing a different note to start and end on within that scale (instead of the root). remembering that patterns takes time, but i hope that explains the concept?

thats completely wrong...well most of it, nothing to do with major and minor.. as long as you are consistant with the pattern, then it make no difference where you start, it only matters for which mode you are playing..


http://www.8notes.com/articles/modes/

Round 1!

DINGDING!

The only good reason I can think of for learning scales and modes is so you know how to ignore them.

MartinC wrote:The only good reason I can think of for learning scales and modes is so you know how to ignore them.

That ended up happening to me. I use about 5 scales on a regular basis although I worked out the modes of Harmonic and Melodic Minor when I were younger.

Quite pointless really.

Yeah, I know plenty of scales and what not because for some very odd reason I decided to do grade exams. Once you get up to grade 8 you tend to know a hell of a lot of useless crap. I never use scales or anything when I write solos, the closest I get to being musical is when I put sweep picks in because I've not yet figured out how to make them sound interesting without sticking to the arpeggios.

As far as learning scales goes, i like to every now and then for lick ideas but i don't religously sit down and learn them. My favourite is probably the Arabic scale, so many choards and lick ideas in there

I genrally do everything intervalicly, if i've got a simple I, II, III, IV progression, rather than just playing it all in (the beloved) power choards, i'l add some accent notes on the D string Eg.

Origional progression

2--4--5--7
2--4--5--7
0--2--3--5

New progression

5--4--2--0
2--4--5--7
0--2--3--5

I find the desending D string adds a little colour to the riff.

Another thing i like to do is keep the same chord held down, but change the base note like in this Add9 progression..


Add9

2
0
1
2
x
x

Progression

2--2--2--2--2--2
0--0--0--0--0--0
1--1--1--1--1--1
2--2--2--2--2--2
0--2--x--0--0--x
x--x--0--x--3--0

As for sweaping i tend to pick patterns out of a scale i like and sweap those, rather than learnig the same old arrpegios, i really disslike sweaping at the moment though as i rarely see anyone doing anything interesting with it, it's such an over looked technique.

Yaaaaaaawwwwwnnnn.