This is one of our primary picking & fretting hand synchronization exercises. We like it.
You can play this on any string [#], plus change the finger order. For exericises like these it’s also good to explore exchanging vs. setting in the fretting hand.
Exchanging is swapping out one finger for another [only one finger is down at a time].
Setting is lifting fingers only when they have to be lifted [we leave them set until they need to move].
In our example, for setting:
- On the 1-2-3-4′s you leave the fingers down until they are all on, then lift but don’t let go [touch] as you shift & guide to the next position.
- Then in the new position press all together, at the same time, then lift 4, then 3, then 2 when new tone is to be played.
This way you are maintaining maximum contact with the strings & only lifting when needed. Experiment.
Posted: October 21st, 2009
Categories:
Ways to Improve
Tags:
Scales
Comments:
No Comments.
Guitar modes are scales. Scales with special names. Scales with particular flavors. The 7 modes derived from the Major scale system are named after early Greek tribes [the Ionians, the Lydians, etc.]. Modes have become almost mythic in their status. They are scales; very simply, scales. They provide particular sounds based on the harmony that they are played against [over].
The Major scale has 7 tones, & all of them can be a ‘beginning point’ for a scale. All 7 are starting points. Without over-explaining, we provide this chart for modes in A Major.
Modes have other names
- Ionian - Major Scale, Mongolian Scale, Bilaval Raga
- Dorian - Japanese Ritso Scale
- Phrygian - Bhairavi Raga
- Lydian - Kalyan Raga, Japanese Ryo Scale
- Mixolydian - Dominant 7 Mode
- Aeolian - Natural minor Scale, Ethiopian Scale
- Locrian - none that we know
Ragas are melodic modes used in India.
The Major modes are Ionian, Lydian, & Mixolydian. The minor modes are Dorian, Phrygian, Aeolian. Locrian is a ‘diminished’ mode.
Note: the Mixolydian mode was originally called the Lesbian mode until these modes became church modes. No explanation needed there. [If you know a different version of this, please share].