The Weekly Lesson - Lesson 2 PART 2

[rslaing]

So that we can get the sound of the scales we covered the last part of lesson two in to our heads, I have made some backing tracks for each modal scale so you can play while listening and reading the stuff. The scales are written in standard notation along with a method for NON READERS to learn the scales. This is shown at the top of each relevant modal scale.

Modes sound different because in a lot of modal music, it does not change tonality or have several "key centres" that you find it tonal music.

But these scales are very important, because they can also be applied in tonal music - used to help your choice of notes when using lead sheets/chord symbols etc. For their application, please re-read part one of lesson two - it s all in there.

[b]There are 3 tracks per scale in most cases in this lesson[/b]. The modal scale relative to each track is printed below that section, or you can find them [url="http://www.trds.co.uk/music/Modal%20scales.pdf"]here[/url]

Play the scale a few times before joining in to the playalong, and at some point, learn to play it starting on every different starting note (Db,D,Eb,E,F,F#,G,Ab,A,Bb and B natural) on your bass.

[b]The first track[/b] is piano, bass and drums with the bass playing a simple two to the bar, mainly to let you hear the root note/anchor of the scale, which helps you to hear the colour of the mode. Don't expect great musicianship or quality on these! They have been done purely with an aim to help your development and as a tool to be used in future lessons. I've used midi instruments, but it does the job.

[b]The second track omits the bass[/b] so you can play the scale over the piano and drums, here the modal quality of that scale and build your own bass lines. When you play over the second track, try to play the chordal notes (root 3 5 and 7) on the downbeats (1 and 3) and the tensions (the non chordal notes) on the other beats and "spaces" Get adventurous and play eight notes to the bar if you can! Use the backing tracks to increase your improvisational skills too.

[b]The third track is the same mode in a different style[/b]. This has the bass line structured specifically to amplify the modal sound. Have a listen, but feel free to play along with it maybe an octave higher so your bass doesn't clash with the recorded bass line. These are played by better instruments and last longer so perhaps may be more useful for experimenting with.

In the next lesson, we will be looking at music/songs that have varying key centres/tonalities so we can start putting bass lines together that will fit where you have lots of chordal movement. These scales will be needed to create flowing melodic bass lines.

One further point - don't be put off just because you might think this doesn't apply to your type of music. It certainly does - it is up to you to absorb it and translate and apply to the music of your choice. You can play along as rhythmically as you like, it doesn't have to be walking bass "4 to the bar", and in the 3rd backing track for each mode, if you play along it will certainly help you to develop your improvisational and solo skills.

References to the modal scales, their qualities and uses are all documented in Lesson Two, Part One. It is imperative that you get a "handle on it" before you launch in to the following. And before I get loads of PM's, please remember, the idea of this is purely so that you can learn the sounds of the scales, how to apply them to given chord symbols, and to increase your ability around your fingerboard.

Remember that the bass parts on the second and third tracks for each are NOT what you should be playing. They are there to give the root and therefore anchor the chord. Feel free to play root and fifth if you like, to get started as is on the second track for each mode, but ultimately you should be swinging four to the bar with approach notes etc (daddio!!)

The tracks last about 30 seconds so you may have to loop them if you want to play over them for longer.

Rob.

PS We might miss next weeks lesson cos I am mentally knackered now and there is more than enough to be going on with. But please post any questions you have in this thread, or send me a PM. If I am not around, I am sure you will get answers from other contributors. As usual, don't take advice as gospel, try it out first, and if you like it, use it.

As usual, if I have made mistakes in this post, it is due to lack of attention to detail (because I have been watching Wimbledon whilst writing it), let me know and I will sort it out.

[url="http://www.trds.co.uk/music/Modal%20scales.pdf"][b]LINK TO MODAL SCALE SHEET[/b][/url]

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[b]C Ionian[/b]

[url="http://www.trds.co.uk/music/CMAJOR%20-%20IONIAN.mp3"]Backing track one with bass[/url]

[url="http://www.trds.co.uk/music/Cmaj7-IONIAN-NO-BASS.mp3"]Backing track no bass[/url]

[url="http://www.trds.co.uk/music/ionian.mp3"]Backing track with real instruments[/url]

Notes C D E F G A B C.

=================================

[b]C Dorian[/b] Notes C D Eb F G A Bb C

[url="http://www.trds.co.uk/music/Cm7-dorian.mp3"]Backing track with bass[/url]

[url="http://www.trds.co.uk/music/Cm7-dorian%20-no-bass.mp3"]Backing track no bass[/url]

[url="http://www.trds.co.uk/music/dorian.mp3"]Backing track with real instruments[/url] THIS TRACK IS "D" DORIAN - NOT C. Transpose the scale from C to D Dorian Notes in this scale are D E F G A B C D

=================================

[b]C Phrygian[/b] Notes C Db Eb F G Ab Bb C

[url="http://www.trds.co.uk/music/CPHRYGIAN-B.mp3"]Backing track with bass[/url]

[url="http://www.trds.co.uk/music/CPHRYGIAN-B-NO-BASS.mp3"]Backing track no bass[/url]

[url="http://www.trds.co.uk/music/phrygian.mp3"]Backing track with real instruments [/url](THIS TRACK IS E PHRYGIAN- NOT C. Transpose the scale from C to E) Notes in this scale are E F G A B C D E


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[b]C Lydian[/b] Notes C D E F# G A B C

[url="http://www.trds.co.uk/music/_CLYDIAN.mp3"]Backing track with bass[/url]

[url="http://www.trds.co.uk/music/CLYDIANNOBASS.mp3"]Backing track no bass[/url]

[url="http://www.trds.co.uk/music/lydian.mp3"]Backing track with real instruments[/url] THIS TRACK IS F LYDIAN - transpose from the C scale before playing. Notes are F G A B C D E F

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[b]C Mixolydian[/b] Notes C D E F G A Bb C

[url="http://www.trds.co.uk/music/C7MIXO.mp3"]Backing track with bass[/url]

[url="http://www.trds.co.uk/music/C7MIXO-nobass.mp3"]Backing track no bass[/url]

[url="http://www.trds.co.uk/music/mixolydian.mp3"]Backing track with real instruments[/url] THIS TRACK IS G MIXOLYDIAN - transpose from the C scale before playing. Notes are G A B C D E F G

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[b]C Aeolian[/b] Notes C D Eb F G Ab Bb C

[url="http://www.trds.co.uk/music/CAEOLIAN.mp3"]Backing track with bass[/url]

[url="http://www.trds.co.uk/music/CAEOLnobass.mp3"]Backing track no bass[/url]

[url="http://www.trds.co.uk/music/aeolian.mp3"]Backing track with real instruments. [/url]THIS TRACK IS A AEOLIAN - please transpose from the c scale before playing. Notes are A B C D E F G A B C

==================================

[b]C Locrian[/b] Notes C Db Eb F Gb Ab Bb C

[url="http://www.trds.co.uk/music/CLOCRIAN.mp3"]Backing track with bass[/url]

[url="http://www.trds.co.uk/music/CLOCNOBASS.mp3"]Backing track no bass[/url]

Backing track with real instruments - haven't got one for this - sorry

===================================

[b]Other backing tracks for scales illustrated in previous lesson.[/b]

These are just as important!

[url="http://www.trds.co.uk/music/CDIM.mp3"]C Diminished Scale with bass[/url] Notes C D Eb F Gb Ab A B C

[url="http://www.trds.co.uk/music/CDIMNOBASS.mp3"]C diminished scale with no bass.[/url]

[url="http://www.trds.co.uk/music/CAUG.mp3"]Augmented (whole tone) scale with bass[/url] Notes C D E F# G# Bb C

[url="http://www.trds.co.uk/music/CAUGNOBASS.mp3"]Augmented (whole tone scale ) without bass[/url]

Edited July 3, 2009 by rslaing

[51m0n]

Holy cow, thats a masterful lesson.

Thanks for the effort!

This will be really nice to work through over the next couple of weeks.

Cheers!!

[rslaing]

[quote name='51m0n' post='530828' date='Jul 2 2009, 05:19 PM']Holy cow, thats a masterful lesson.

Thanks for the effort!

This will be really nice to work through over the next couple of weeks.

Cheers!![/quote]

Thanks, I've just been advised the server is being temperamental at the moment. If anyone has any trouble, pm me and I'll send them direct.

If it continues to act up, I'll transfer to a different server.

Rob

[rslaing]

Server is up and running - but as said, if you have any probs, let me know and I'll email the stuff over.

Forgot to put a disclaimer on the lesson - "I am not responsible for the improvement in anyone's playing after studying and practically applying the material in this post"

[FuNkShUi]

hell of a lot of work and time that mustve taken you. Really easy to understand too! I learnt the modes about 6 months ago, your way is a hell of a lot easier to understand and pick-up though. Really useful for someone who doesnt already know them!!

[steve-soar]

[quote name='FuNkShUi' post='534993' date='Jul 7 2009, 06:32 PM']hell of a lot of work and time that mustve taken you. Really easy to understand too! I learnt the modes about 6 months ago, your way is a hell of a lot easier to understand and pick-up though. Really useful for someone who doesnt already know them!![/quote]Chicks don't dance to lead guitar, so avoid the ones that do, cause they're mental.

[rslaing]

[quote name='FuNkShUi' post='534993' date='Jul 7 2009, 06:32 PM']hell of a lot of work and time that mustve taken you. Really easy to understand too! I learnt the modes about 6 months ago, your way is a hell of a lot easier to understand and pick-up though. Really useful for someone who doesnt already know them!![/quote]

Thanks.

Next lesson will be how to apply them in a song and/or progression, with a few playalongs so people can develop their own bass lines from just chords.

It'll be next week though

Rob

Edited July 7, 2009 by rslaing

[FuNkShUi]

[quote name='steve-soar' post='535003' date='Jul 7 2009, 06:38 PM']Chicks don't dance to lead guitar, so avoid the ones that do, cause they're mental.[/quote]

+1 haha