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Part Two: Scales, Keys, and Modes

        It is time to forget all of your preconceived notions about music theory, and to begin thinking of it in its most simplistic terms.  Indeed, you may find this shockingly simple, but it is correct and accurate in everyway.  Furthermore, this knowledge applied will unlock your potential as a musician.

Scale:  A system of seven notes

        All of the scales used in western music are called diatonic scales.   This means that the distance between notes is either a whole step or a half step.  A whole step can be defined as the distance of two frets, on the guitar.   A half step is a distance of only one fret.  So, all of the scales we hear are comprised of patterns of whole steps and half steps.  Now, here is the kicker:

 

All of the most commonly used scales are based on only one, single pattern.

That's right, you only have to memorize one pattern, because all of the other patterns can be derived from it directly.  This is the idea that has gotten me into trouble with music teachers and professors.  They view this as an oversimplification, but it is not.  What it is, is getting to the heart of all the classical nonsense, and seeing things how they really are.  So what is this all encompassing scale pattern?

W W H W W W H

W = Whole step  H = Half step

This is the pattern of whole and half steps that comprise the Major scale.   How does it work?  Take any one of the twelve notes, for example, take C.   Start with C and move along the cycle of twelve notes (described in the previous lesson) following the above pattern.  Starting with C and moving along the pattern of whole and half steps, you get:

C  D  E  F  G  A  B  C

 W  W  H  W  W  W  H

Those are all the notes of the C major scale.  The first note is known as the "root" of the scale.  And, the first note of the scale is also the note that names the key.  So all the notes of the major scale are all the notes of the corresponding key.  So the key of C, is entirely comprised of the notes of the C Major scale.  Using this technique, you can find the notes for all twelve major scales and keys.  However, the amazing thing about the guitar is, you do not need to know the notes, you only need to know this pattern.  The pattern your fingers play is exactly the same, no matter what Major scale or key you are playing.  The only difference is the note you start on, the root.

Using the pattern, WWHWWWH, I have constructed a diagram to illustrate all of the possible places to play the notes of the scale over a twelve fret span, or one octave.

Major Scale

R   2   3 4   5   6   7 R
5   6   7 R   2   3 4   5
  3 4   5   6   7 R   2  
  7 R   2   3 4   5   6  
4   5   6   7 R   2   3 4
R   2   3 4   5   6   7 R

 

The rows represent the strings.  Bottom to top: E, A, D, G, B, E. (or 6,5,4,3,2,1)   The columns represent frets.  Not any specific frets, just any section of thirteen frets on the fretboard.  R means the "root," or the first note of the scale.  The numbers indicate the order of notes, which are also know as "degrees" of the scale.  There really is no way to "play" this pattern, it simply tells you where on the fretboard all the notes of the scale are.  This is the only pattern you will ever have to commit to memory.   Because, as you will soon see, all the other scales are derived from this one.

 

Part Two and 1/2  Demystifing the Modes

        No doubt you have probably heard of some of the modes, phrygian, lydian, dorian, ect.  With their ancient sounding, cryptic names, they can seem a bit intimidating.  Nothing could be further from the truth.   In essence, all of the modes are the same.  Each mode is comprised of the exact same pattern as the Major Scale we learned early, except it starts on a different degree of the scale.  You've heard of the minor scale right?   Well the minor scale is a Major scale that starts on the sixth degree, or sixth note.  So instead of WWHWWWH, the pattern is: WHWWHWW.  Let me illustrate that a bit better...

Major               W W H W W W H

Dorian                  W H W W W H W

Phrygian                   H W W W H W W

Lydian                          W W W H W W H

Mixolydian                          W W H W W H W

Minor                                      W H W W H W W

Locrian                                        H W W H W W W

Major                                              W W H W W W H

Can you see the pattern?

The patterns are all derived from the original one.  The starting point changes, but the actual pattern remains the same.  With this knowledge in tow, we can make an important connection here...

Lets take our example key of C.  We know that it is essentially the C major scale, which is...

C D E F G A B C

So what are all the playable scales in the key of C? Simple... C major, D dorian, E phrygian, F lydian, G mixolydian, A minor, and B locrian. Shown another way...

Root Major (also known as Ionian)
2nd Degree Dorian
3rd Degree Phrygian
4th Degree Lydian
5th Degree Mixolydian
6th Degree Minor (also known as Aeolian)
7th Degree Locrian

Now you can figure out all of the possible scales and modes for any given key.   You can also figure out all of the corresponding enharmonic (the same as) scales for any scale you are playing.

You now know everything you need to know about scales, keys and modes

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