Anyone who aspires to be a lead guitarist will eventually want to learn guitar scales and the modes. Using the modes offers so many more opportunities with lead guitar, but a lot of players often overlook it. It's important to understand these are not the pentatonic or blues scales. The point is; if you can learn how to add a few notes to the pentatonic scales and play with your pinky you're going to be able to play diverse and impressive sounding solos.
When you begin to learn guitar scales, you should learn the various modes. Each key that you can play in actually has seven different modes. Seven keys times seven modes equals 49 different guitar scales for you to play with! Guitar scale modes are created by differing where you begin and where you end playing the scale. This may sound simplistic, but this makes a significant difference to the sound and feel of the scale and, therefore, your lead playing.
Ionian Mode- This is the standard or "straight" mode, and it's the first one you will see when you learn guitar scales. So, starting on the root tone, we add T-T-ST-T-T-T-ST where the "T" stands for full tone/2 frets, and the "ST" means semi-tone/1 fret. Just remember that in the key of C, this scale will begin and finish with C.
Dorian Mode. This is widely used in rock music. Playing a guitar scale in Dorian means you start and end with the scale's second tone. So, to play in the key of C, in Dorian, your first note and last note are both D.
Phrygian Mode- If you want to solo with a little "Egyptian" or Middle Eastern feel should check out the phrygian mode. Here you will start and end with the major scale's third tone, creating E Phrygian.
Lydian Mode- This mode is similar to the major scale, but we simply sharpen the 4th, giving a "spacey", bright feel to the mode. Joe Satriani and Steve Vai use this mode extremely well to create dazzling solos. Start and end on an F in the key of c to create this mode.
Mixolydian Mode- If you love rock or even jazz guitar solos; then take advantage of the mixolydian mode. In C major, create this mode by starting and finishing with the G note. This mode sounds similar to the major scale, but with a flattened seventh, giving a bluesy feel to the sound.
Aeolian Mode- also known as the natural minor scale. This scale will create a sad feel to a song or solo. It is used in many different styles of music, from ballads to metal. Here you will start and finish with the A note of the C major scale.
Locrian Mode- Creating a high level of tension in a solo can be accomplished using this mode. This occurs because the leading tone is what suggests the root note is coming. In this mode the solos will start and finish with B, which sits just one semitone from the C note.
So if you want to learn guitar scales, check out the modes. The sounds you can create are endless when working with a variety of different tonal "colours".
When you begin to learn guitar scales, you should learn the various modes. Each key that you can play in actually has seven different modes. Seven keys times seven modes equals 49 different guitar scales for you to play with! Guitar scale modes are created by differing where you begin and where you end playing the scale. This may sound simplistic, but this makes a significant difference to the sound and feel of the scale and, therefore, your lead playing.
Ionian Mode- This is the standard or "straight" mode, and it's the first one you will see when you learn guitar scales. So, starting on the root tone, we add T-T-ST-T-T-T-ST where the "T" stands for full tone/2 frets, and the "ST" means semi-tone/1 fret. Just remember that in the key of C, this scale will begin and finish with C.
Dorian Mode. This is widely used in rock music. Playing a guitar scale in Dorian means you start and end with the scale's second tone. So, to play in the key of C, in Dorian, your first note and last note are both D.
Phrygian Mode- If you want to solo with a little "Egyptian" or Middle Eastern feel should check out the phrygian mode. Here you will start and end with the major scale's third tone, creating E Phrygian.
Lydian Mode- This mode is similar to the major scale, but we simply sharpen the 4th, giving a "spacey", bright feel to the mode. Joe Satriani and Steve Vai use this mode extremely well to create dazzling solos. Start and end on an F in the key of c to create this mode.
Mixolydian Mode- If you love rock or even jazz guitar solos; then take advantage of the mixolydian mode. In C major, create this mode by starting and finishing with the G note. This mode sounds similar to the major scale, but with a flattened seventh, giving a bluesy feel to the sound.
Aeolian Mode- also known as the natural minor scale. This scale will create a sad feel to a song or solo. It is used in many different styles of music, from ballads to metal. Here you will start and finish with the A note of the C major scale.
Locrian Mode- Creating a high level of tension in a solo can be accomplished using this mode. This occurs because the leading tone is what suggests the root note is coming. In this mode the solos will start and finish with B, which sits just one semitone from the C note.
So if you want to learn guitar scales, check out the modes. The sounds you can create are endless when working with a variety of different tonal "colours".
About the Author:
Learn to play your very own awesome sounding guitar solos over the next 7 days and truly amaze your friends and family! (Even if you are new to lead guitar) Click here - Learn Guitar Scales to receive your FREE soloing guide not available anywhere else. This guide will help you master Pentatonic Guitar Scales in no time at all, utilising the same techniques as professional guitar players use.
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