Modes, Toads and Scaly Things

Workshop Presentation/Speaker Notes

Modes for Resonator Guitar

Abstract: This work shop will focus on scales and modes for the resonator guitar. The work shop will consider the importance of scales in creating music and instilling feeling and color by using scales, derivatives and modes.

Assignment #1. Using the material presented for each mode, write a short melody (8 – 16 bars) and be prepared to play it in the workshop. Make each mode/scale “your own”!
Assignment #2. Pick 2 modes and create a short melody (8 – 16 bars) using the combined modes. Base your piece on a mood or a feeling. Think “expressive impact“!
Assignment #3. Using the material presented, write a short melody (16 – 24 bars) in 2/4, 3/4, 4/4 or 5/4 Time signatures. You may leverage previous work.

Greek Modes
  • Ionian Mode
  • Dorian Mode
  • Phrygian Mode
  • Lydian Mode
  • Mixolydian Mode
  • Aeolian Mode
  • Locrian Mode
  • 7th Fret Modes
  • Distilling Modes
  • Using Derivative and Parallel Methods for Defining Modes
  • Applying Modes to the Hamonic Minor and Melodic Minor

Toads

“Swallow a toad in the morning and you will encounter nothing more disgusting the rest of the day”.
~ Nicholas Chamfort

“If you want to eat a toad, look for a fat juicy one.”
~ Chinua Achebe

Scaly Things

  • The Unitar (Single String Scales
    • 6th String
    • 5th String
    • 4th Sting
    • 3rd String
    • 2nd String
    • 1st String
  • The Major Scale and Movable Intervals
  • Shape-Shifting Scales
  • The Natural Minor
  • The Harmonic
  • The Melodic Minor
  • The Major Pentatonic (Blues) Scale
  • The Minor Pentatonic (Blues) Scale
  • The Major Pentatonic Scale (Chinese)
  • The Minor Pentatonic Scale (Japanese)
  • The Whole Tone Scale
  • The Formulas

Modal Workouts (Open Position)

Modal Workouts (Closed Position/Movable Shapes)

  • Intervals in 3rds (2 Note Spirals) ****
  • Intervals in 4ths (2 Note Spirals) **
  • Intervals in 5ths (2 Note Spirals) ***
  • Intervals in 6ths (2 Note Spirals) ****
  • Intervals in 7ths (2 Note Spirals) *

    Nota Bene: These workouts assume the musician has a fundamental understanding of modes and how they work as displaced major scales. Based on the workshop presentation!

    The workouts are presented with A as the tonal center for all modes. As discussed, this does not coincide with harmonized scale theory for modes, however; one can develop a harmonized scale by moving the fretboard “shape” to the appropriate mode — based on the key you are playing in. If this does not make sense to you, STOP! Go back . . . review mode theory and then, come back to the material. Even though the workouts are great for timing/rhythm development, there are better ways and exercises for that purpose. Don’t waste precious practice time on parlor tricks ‘n stuff you can’t integrate into your music i.e. embellishment’s, melodies, phrasing or, stand alone creations.

    “I start a lot more songs than I finish, because I realize when I get into them, they’re no good. I don’t throw them away, I just put them away, store them, get them out of sight”.
    ~Johnny Cash