Grateful Dead Music Forum

I have learned most and get the concept but its all very foggy and i sometimes cant seem to mesh my improvised solos in the different posistions together. I feel as whatever posistion im in is stuck there and I forget how to change into another(by not knowing the other notes) unless I run the scale back up to the tonic and then start another postion from there or something. I must be seriously teaching myself wrong or maybe practice or a better concept? thanks heads

For me it is seeing the notes of the scale relative to each chord shape using the CAGED method. Then you just pick a different shape for the chord you want up the neck and play the notes around that chord in the new location. Works everywhere on the fretboard and cuts down on memorizing scale patterns.

I see it this way: you can start the scale from one of 7 notes (ie: 1st note of scale, 2nd note of scale...7th note of scale).

However, in order to cover those 7 starting notes, you need to place your hand in only 5 physical positions on the fretboard as follows:

1) ionian
2) dorian
3) phrygian
4) lydian (same position as 3)
5) mixolydian
6) aeolian
7) locrian (same position 1)

Learn how to play the modes above. You'll see that with phrygian & lydian, the notes are the same except for the starting and ending notes, plus your hands stay in the same place. This is the same for ionian & locrian. In the end, it's really not a lot to learn.

mk

mk is correct. Practicing modes is a good way to familiarize yourself with the fretboard.

Start with the key of C, do the scale on the 8th fret, then continue to run through all the modes of the C scale starting on the sixth string, (D Dorian at the 10th fret, E Phrygian at the 12th fret, F Lydian, etc...)

Ionian - CDEFGABC
Dorian - DEFGABCD
Phrygian - EFGABCDE
Lydian - FGABCDEF
Mixolydian - GABCDEFG
Aeolian - ABCDEFGA
Locrian - BCDEFGAB

Play all the scales through the cycle of fourths (C, F, Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, F#, B, E, A, D, G).

Call out the notes as you play them.

Modes are a hold-over from Ancient Greek musical theory, and, although they are not used very often in classical music, their use in rock, jazz and blues music is indispensable.

I think it comes from looking at the neck in several different ways. The CAGED method is one good way. Learning all of your modes in their static positions is another. Also, learning your modes moving up and down on a single string is another. Once you can see it in several different ways and in several different keys then it becomes effortless . . . and, of course, lots of practice

tcsned wrote:I think it comes from looking at the neck in several different ways. The CAGED method is one good way. Learning all of your modes in their static positions is another. Also, learning your modes moving up and down on a single string is another. Once you can see it in several different ways and in several different keys then it becomes effortless . . . and, of course, lots of practice

tcsned.
I've seen people refer to the CAGED method. What is it?

G. Dad

Thanks so much everyone. I definetly will pick up on all of the great pointers you guys have said. Any other info is great indeed but once again thanks for your time heads! (:

Grateful Dad wrote:

tcsned wrote:I think it comes from looking at the neck in several different ways. The CAGED method is one good way. Learning all of your modes in their static positions is another. Also, learning your modes moving up and down on a single string is another. Once you can see it in several different ways and in several different keys then it becomes effortless . . . and, of course, lots of practice

tcsned.
I've seen people refer to the CAGED method. What is it?

G. Dad

Right up your alley GD
http://www.cagedguitarsystem.net/using- ... ed-system/
http://www.guitaristsource.com/lessons/CAGED.shtml

Tennessee Jedi wrote:

Grateful Dad wrote:

tcsned wrote:I think it comes from looking at the neck in several different ways. The CAGED method is one good way. Learning all of your modes in their static positions is another. Also, learning your modes moving up and down on a single string is another. Once you can see it in several different ways and in several different keys then it becomes effortless . . . and, of course, lots of practice

tcsned.
I've seen people refer to the CAGED method. What is it?

G. Dad

Right up your alley GD
http://www.cagedguitarsystem.net/using- ... ed-system/
http://www.guitaristsource.com/lessons/CAGED.shtml

Thanks for the links my friend, I'll check them out tonight after the kids have gone to bed!