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Good books about modes

Music Theory
nath_221  
10 Dec 2009 16:45 | Quote
Joined: 02 Jun 2008
Canada
Karma
I have been playing for about two years and want to increase my playing. I have been thinking about getting a book about modes but I dont know what books are the best. I have read a couple lessons on modes (some on this site) but It's still confusing to me. I would like a book that teaches you everything about modes and how to apply them. If anyone knows any books that would be great!
JazzMaverick  
10 Dec 2009 18:50 | Quote
Joined: 28 Aug 2008
United Kingdom
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Well, I'm sure someone else will give you that book in future posts - but I highly recommend you learn this yourself... being guided the whole way won't help you to improve as a musician, you'll just rely on everyone else's help.

Modes are just an alternate way of playing another scale, for example C Major... you're just starting on a different note within that scale to make a mode. Starting on B and ending on B will give you Dorian, the second position. By playing every note from the C major scale and just playing in a different position you are then playing a mode.

Diving in deeper you then learn that they each have their own feel...

Major - Major
Dorian- Minor
Phrygian- Minor
Lydian- Major
Mixolydian- Major
Aeolian- Minor
Locrian- Diminished

So you then learn that you can play that feel's chord, which will justify that mode - also allowing everyone else to know what mode you're playing in.

For basics:
C Major - CMaj
D Dorian - D minor
E Phrygian - E minor
F Lydian - F Maj
G Mixolydian - G7
A Aeolian - Amin
B Lociran - BMaj7b5 (or) B Half diminished


Does this help?
Afro_Raven  
11 Dec 2009 11:40 | Quote
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Sorry Jazz, took the liberty of editing your GMaj7 to G7 before any confusion arises - hope that's OK!

Afro
JazzMaverick  
11 Dec 2009 14:47 | Quote
Joined: 28 Aug 2008
United Kingdom
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Karma: 47
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Woops! And that's my favourite mode... thanks Afro!
nath_221  
11 Dec 2009 19:52 | Quote
Joined: 02 Jun 2008
Canada
Karma
I'm slowly starting to get it now. Thanks!
les_paul  
11 Dec 2009 21:04 | Quote
Joined: 14 Feb 2008
United States
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I'm starting to get away from the modes frame of mind.

EDIT: Let me restate that, I'm getting out of the modes being played in one position on the neck frame or mind.

By the way, hey, it's been a while I'm back.
JazzMaverick  
12 Dec 2009 03:58 | Quote
Joined: 28 Aug 2008
United Kingdom
Lessons: 24
Licks: 37
Karma: 47
Moderator
Hell yeah it's been a while Paul, where the hell have you been?? Great to have you back!

Also, great that you're getting out of that frame of mine, it gives you more oppourtunities. But for now, Nath should think of it like this so it makes sence to him, in time he'll be able to venture outside that box too :)

Nath - keep asking questions about it... there could be a good chance that we could provide the answers and save you spending some money. Even though I still recommend getting a few books a little later. However, to learn everything properly I recommend getting a teacher.


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