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, starting with the modes of the major scale. If we take the notes or intervals of the major scale and loop them in a circle we can create seven different guitar scales or modes by simply starting on a different note each time. 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- When dealing with ionian mode you're simply playing the major scale. This is the first mode you will see whenever you start to learn guitar scales. The formula is Root Tone-T-T-ST-T-T-T-ST. The "T" stands for a full tone or 2 frets. The "ST" means a semi-tone or 1 fret. So if you play a C scale in ionian mode you will start and end with on C.
Dorian Mode- In the key of C, we simply start and end on the D note. This mode is similar to the natural minor scale, but with a major 6th. The flat 7 also gives a bluesy sound, which means this scale can be used in blues and rock.
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 is great for giving a "neo-Classical" or even Renaissance feel to a guitar solo (or if you're doing a jazzy solo it works wonders for that, too). To play a guitar scale in Lydian mode, you begin and end the lead break or solo on the scale's fourth tone. So, in C, you will begin and end a solo on the F note.
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. This is a great mode to use to create a high level of tension in a solo, because it emphasizes the Leading Tone, the note that suggests the root note is coming. To use C as the example, C Locrian solos will begin and end with the B 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, starting with the modes of the major scale. If we take the notes or intervals of the major scale and loop them in a circle we can create seven different guitar scales or modes by simply starting on a different note each time. 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- When dealing with ionian mode you're simply playing the major scale. This is the first mode you will see whenever you start to learn guitar scales. The formula is Root Tone-T-T-ST-T-T-T-ST. The "T" stands for a full tone or 2 frets. The "ST" means a semi-tone or 1 fret. So if you play a C scale in ionian mode you will start and end with on C.
Dorian Mode- In the key of C, we simply start and end on the D note. This mode is similar to the natural minor scale, but with a major 6th. The flat 7 also gives a bluesy sound, which means this scale can be used in blues and rock.
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 is great for giving a "neo-Classical" or even Renaissance feel to a guitar solo (or if you're doing a jazzy solo it works wonders for that, too). To play a guitar scale in Lydian mode, you begin and end the lead break or solo on the scale's fourth tone. So, in C, you will begin and end a solo on the F note.
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. This is a great mode to use to create a high level of tension in a solo, because it emphasizes the Leading Tone, the note that suggests the root note is coming. To use C as the example, C Locrian solos will begin and end with the B 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".
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