Sam Russell: Two shortcuts for using modes over major and minor chords, Part 1




Two shortcuts for using modes over major and minor chords, Part 1


In todays lesson we are going to look at some neat shortcuts we can use to incorporate moving between modes into our playing, in a very easy to use way. We’ll look at an example with a major chord and in part 2, we will look at playing over a minor chord. We will go over the theory behind working this out, so you can see short cuts, which will allow you to transpose your phrases through modes very, very easily.


Example 1: Ionian & Lydian
So let’s say we are playing in the key of G major, and playing over a G5 power chord. We are going to use G Ionian:


Macintosh HD:Users:Sam:Documents:Articles:Shortcuts for moving phrases through modes:figure 1.png
Figure 1


And we are playing the following phrase (nice and simple so you can understand the principle for this technique):


e|-8-7-5---7-5-----------------------
B|-------8-----8-7-5-----------------
G|-----------------------------------
D|-----------------------------------
A|-----------------------------------
E|-----------------------------------


Sounds cool. Now, rather than play up and down our Ionian mode, we want to switch to the Lydian to give the solo some spice. Now, our Lydian in the key of G looks like this:


Macintosh HD:Users:Sam:Documents:Articles:Shortcuts for moving phrases through modes:figure 2.png
Figure 2


Now, what we want to do is find the Ionian position of the Lydian mode. Read this sentence 5 times so you understand it.


So, the Ionian position of the Lydian mode is as follows:
Macintosh HD:Users:Sam:Documents:Articles:Shortcuts for moving phrases through modes:figure 3.png
Figure 3
The Lydian in G is on the left and the Ionian position of the Lydian mode is on the right.


So we will play our original phrase in the Ionian position of the Lydian mode:


e|--15-14-12----14-12----------------
B|-----------15-------15-14-12-------
G|-----------------------------------
D|-----------------------------------
A|-----------------------------------
E|-----------------------------------


Why goto the bother of working these positions out, rather than simply using the Lydian shape in the first place?
There are two reasons for this:
  1. The increase in pitch from moving up the neck sounds cool.
  2. This way we can play exactly the same phrase, we just slide it up the neck - so it’s super easy to work out.


So there you have it - to turn your Ionian phrase into a Lydian phrase, just play it 7 frets higher - easy! I like the sound of playing one phrase, then the other, like this:
Guitar 1
e|-8-7-5---7-5----------15-14-12----14-12-----------
B|-------8-----8-7-5-------------15-------15-14-12--
G|--------------------------------------------------
D|--------------------------------------------------
A|--------------------------------------------------
E|--------------------------------------------------


Guitar 2
e|---------------------------------------------------
B|---------------------------------------------------
G|---------------------------------------------------
D|-5-------------------------------------------------
A|-5-------------------------------------------------
E|-3-------------------------------------------------


So there you have it - a very easy technique to incorporate moving between modes into your playing! In part 2, we will look at playing over minor chords.


If you have any questions, leave them in the comments below.

If you would like to brush up on your modes, you can check out my free eBook, “The Ultimate Guide to the Modes of the Major, Harmonic Minor and Melodic Minor Scales” on my website: www.SamRussell.co.uk/ebook



Sam Russell: A project I've been working on recently is transcribing and arranging Bach's Cello Suite's for electric guitars.  Find Out more

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