a new awareness . . .

 
 

 


1st Modal Method   

The Relative Approach:

C D E F G A B C  Ionian    (Major scale)                                                                       D E F G A B C D  Dorian                                                                                             E F G A B C D E  Phrygian                                                                                          F G A B C D E F  Lydian                                                                                           G A B C D E F G  Mixolydian                                                                                     A B C D E F G A  Aeolian   (Relative minor scale)
                  B C D E F G A B  Locrian

The relative approach is the most common way of presenting the modes. It is good for analytical purposes but has no direct, practical application. The key of “C” is commonly used for example because it’s the only natural key, requiring no sharps or flats. After learning the modes in this way, many guitar students say, "It sounds like the same old scale only starting on different notes?" This is one of the major drawbacks of this method, although it clearly illustrates modal origins. While not commonly taught, the Major scale is actually heptatonic in nature. Hepta, a Greek prefix meaning seven, and tonic meaning the first note in a scale, suggests the seven modes or scales in the same way the term Pentatonic suggests five scales or modes. Perhaps a more descriptive name for the Major scale would be the Heptatonic Ionian Major scale.

 

2nd Modal Method

Formulas to calculate the equivalent Major Scale:

Ionian:  = (Major scale)                                                                                         Dorian:  Whole step down                                                                           Phrygian:  2 Whole steps down                                                                       Lydian:  5th up (3˝ steps)                                                                      Mixolydian:  4th up (2˝ steps)                                                                        Aeolian:  1˝ steps up                                                                                       Locrian:  ˝ step up 

These formulas can be useful for isolated scale or relative key signature calculation. However, they require Major scale orientation, despite the fact that most guitarists' orientation is towards pentatonic or blues scales.

 

3rd Modal Method

Modes of the Major scale, Conventional Modal Formulas:

1-2-3,4-5-6-7,1  Ionian                                                                                        2-3,4-5-6-7,1-2  Dorian                                                                                          3,4-5-6-7,1-2-3  Phrygian                                                                                    4-5-6-7,1-2-3,4  Lydian         Notice: all half steps are between 3,4 and 7,1                5-6-7,1-2-3,4-5  Mixolydian                                                                                  6-7,1-2-3,4-5-6  Aeolian                                                                                     7,1-2-3,4-5-6-7  Locrian                   

The above intermediate step is typically not shown, too bad, it's great on guitar for single string playing. And also, each tonic or root number reflects the mode number, double cool! But unfortunately these formulas are redefined to start with number 1, creating 7 Conventional Modal Formulas, bummer. The following list is how these conventional formulas are ordinarily shown, with 7 intervallic patterns to remember instead of simply one. This conventional modal method clutters and over complicates the issue unnecessarily.

7 Conventional Modal Formulas:    Half Steps

1-2-3,4-5-6-7,1  Ionian               3,4 and 7,1                                                            1-2,3-4-5-6,7-1  Dorian               2,3 and 6,7                                                         1,2-3-4-5,6-7-1  Phrygian            1,2 and 5,6                                                           1-2-3-4,5-6-7,1  Lydian               4,5 and 7,1                                                         1-2-3,4-5-6,7-1  Mixolydian         3,4 and 6,7                                                            1-2,3-4-5,6-7-1  Aeolian              2,3 and 5,6                                                        1,2-3-4,5-6-7-1  Locrian              1,2 and 4,5

These may be useful for someone in this form? Using these formulas require a lot of extra memorization and reorientation to apply for scale usage. It seems that these formulas were more useful in the previous form?

 

4th Modal Method

Comparative formulas:

1    2    3    4   5   6    7     Ionian                                                                       1    2   b3   4   5   6   b7    Dorian                                                                         1  b2   b3   4   5  b6  b7     Phrygian                                                                    1    2    3  #4   5   6    7     Lydian                                                                       1    2    3    4   5   6   b7     Mixolydian                                                                 1    2   b3   4   5  b6  b7     Aeolian                                                                       1  b2   b3   4  b5  b6  b7     Locrian

These intervallic definitions show how the modes vary from the Major scale. This comparative approach, while informative, also requires Major scale orientation. Fact is, the majority of guitarists’ are orientated towards pentatonic or blues scales.

 

5th and 6th Modal Methods  

Dedicated Finger Patterns:  (found anywhere, usually standard major scale finger-patterns)

These modes are commonly shown in 2 different ways for guitar, string/fret grids and musical notation (standard or tablature). Both methods are very inefficient since no differentiation is made between finger-patterns and scales, hence, only one scale per finger-pattern is shown in contrast to a possible 14 scales (modes) per finger-pattern.

 Ordinarily, in all the methods teaching the modes, only seven modes are recognized.                 The remaining seven modes have been completely overlooked, including               The most renowned mode of all time, the notable pentatonic minor ! ! !                                                                                                                                            until now . . .

Guitar Revelations . . . the 7th Method of Modal Awareness

Guitar Revelations revolutionary Modal Modulator parallel scale formulas:

14 possible modes or scales are easily obtainable, and if you prefer, even with a single finger-pattern! And in addition, as a result of using the G-Rev Modulators,  all scales finish up with a  common tonic or root tone, so they're application ready  for use withThe Pitch Axis Theory, empowering all guitarist's with ability to freely substitute scales.

Guitar Revelations complete, all-inclusive series. The 14 scale modal suite

  1h: Ionian major scale (a.k.a. The Major scale)

  1p: Pentatonic Ionian Major scale (a.k.a. The Pentatonic Major scale)

  2h: Dorian minor scale

  2p: Pentatonic Dorian minor scale

  3h: Phrygian minor scale

  3p: Pentatonic Phrygian minor scale

  4h: Lydian Major scale

  4t: Root-less Lydian-7 Major scale

  5h: Mixolydian Major scale

  5p: Pentatonic Mixolydian Major scale

  6h: Aeolian minor scale (a.k.a. The Natural, Pure, or Relative, minor scale)

  6p: Pentatonic Aeolian minor scale (a.k.a. The Pentatonic minor scale or Blues scale)

  7h: Locrian diminished scale

  7t: Root-less Locrian-4 diminished scale

Guitar Revelations the easiest and most complete way to play, and use,       all 14 modal derivations of the Major scale, because it's referenced to the way guitarists' think, towards pentatonic or blues scales. Hail Hail Rock and Roll ! ! !

14 scales multiplied by all 12 keys totals 168 scales, and even using just one finger pattern!

Learn all 5 pentatonic/Major scale finger-patterns and get 840 configurations (5x168), then add  in combinations or hybrid finger-patterns, and you'll see why Guitar Revelations guitar method is unrivaled in guitar playing shortcuts, and issued as standard equipment for the creative guitarist.

Instructions (though unnecessary since it's so easy to use) scales and  G-Rev Modal Modulators are all provided with quick start chord progressions. And in addition for easy reference, the five standard Pentatonic/Major scale finger-patterns are also included, and they're color coded. Everything is conveniently held in a handy tri-fold wallet with clear windows and stitched black trim. Truly a handy grasp of the entire guitar fingerboard!

                                      

"Anyone can make the simple complicated. The secret is making the complicated simple."
- Charles Mingus

 

 

Scales, Finger-patterns, Chords and Pitch Axis

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jam-packed!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jam-packed!
Scales, Finger-patterns, Chords and Pitch Axis
In addition, Standard Pentatonic / Major scale finger-patterns, are also included and they're color coded.
 
 
 

 

 

Copyright ©2005-2006 Robert Mich
 

BobbyMichigan LLC
Phone: (248) 895-2996
Email: BobbyMichigan@GuitarRevelations.com


Copyright ©2005-2006 Robert Mich