Riff Of the Week™ : The Modes: An Introduction

[Covers4Christ]

OK, first of all thanks for puttin' stuff out like this, you are quite talented........got a question though, I really want to learn these modes and such, I'm sure it makes soloing alot easier and more fun....... but when you're talking about the scales and stuff, I'm not exactly sure what you're saying, like a minor 3rd or major 7th, so what do I need to look at before learning modes so I can follow what you're meaning?

[pcollins69]

all this talk of spices and flavours has got me hungry! excellent video by the way :)

[ThaThing1337x]

One question:

When I play D dorian, where the root is a D, why does it feel bettere to end it on a C? =S

Is it just my ear think it's the C major scale?

However, when I play a E phrygian, it feels right to end it on a E o.O

HELP

[deathscythekim729]

Thanks Dave! very helpful!

[guyglowmore1]

good lesson. this will take some time to fully seep in. what would really help, i suspect, would be examples of how the modes are used in popular songs: jazz, blues, etc. for instance what mode is unique to strawberry fields or light my fire or the thrill is gone. that would give a good understanding how these modes sound when used over chord progs. it would also be another way of practicing diff. modes by playing said song. also, with guitar many bends introduce diff. modes.

[pdod09]

how to apply..it...if i god dminor backing track....how to use it....before this...i just played what i want... how exactly....steve vai..joe....apply it...in their solo...

[chikaofg]

Isn't C mixo from G and lydian from F? :P

[glitchystudios]

Are these modes the same thing as the different positions in the CAGED system??

[shredderwannabe]

are modes what they use in fusion and jazz?

[RoweTheRocker]

nice dave

I've pretty much been teaching myself for two years, and all I'd really been learning was STUFF, like the same "one scale, one position, one key".

But thanks for going beyond and teaching how to use things in different positions and modes. That way i can actually expand and apply certain techinques in different ways, and develop as my own musician with my own style

Also good work on Steve Vai's new dvd. Your solo section on that was SICK!!!!

[Vindfall]

Hey Dave. Amazing videos! Really inspired me to learn the modes. Just one thing that confuses me. Isn't C Lydian in F and C Mixolydian in G in a Major C?

[joesatriani1200rulez]

no since lydian is the 4th mode if you were in F major your lydian scale would be Bb lydian easy stuff , but if you were actually playing in say A and you used A lydian (sharp4th) that brings out more of what lydian sounds like the mystical dreamy beautiful sound. and Mixolydian is the 5th mode which is a major scale with a flat 7 so if you were goin to play C mixolydian your parent scale would be F major. theyre confusing when you first learn them, you will get it . been playing for 10 years

[EstevanMusic]

@Vindfall Kind of...?

They have the same scale notes.

But when you establish a tonal center. The mode becomes apparent and becomes unique.

F Lydian is NOT C major.

Just play C major "scale" over an F in the bass.

If you do not have a established tonal center,

Like if I was just playing an C major and F major chord, I could use C major, or F Lydian.

But make all the chords in a C major progression be /F chords and it will pull to F Lydian not C major.

[Falcondown]

This is the best lesson on the modes i have ever seen

[xiozthunderplums]

salt and pepper annalogy is very good. Thanks great lesson as always.

[joesatriani1200rulez]

wow dave i believe you made a mistake when you were describing flying in a blue dream and yes you are right it is C Lydian but when you were playing it i believe you slide to the note of A# and that note is not in C Lydian but dont matter anyway just wanted to point it out hahaha but your brilliant at describing theory anyway but just ROCK ON DAVE!

[DAVEWEINER]

I was guessing.

[glitchystudios]

lol pause at :34. he like oh heeeeck no lol

[lowijkvh]

excellent dave.thank you for posting.I'm on my way to a better understanding of the &^(*&^%*& MODES!

[tedhellcaster]

my problem with modes is that when i change the mode, like Cminor to C Dorian, i can't immediately visualize the scale in the fretboard.

i end up playing in just one position

[DAVEWEINER]

daveweiner . com / lessons

[MacNitro]

This is good stuff, Im glad Im done with learning all of this stuff, takes some time ;P

[Dejoblue]

They are the same notes, correct? So the only concern is accentuation of the root of the current chord? I.E you dont play the scale you play the chord, so when you say Satch and Vai play Lydian, it is simply by virtue of their chord selection? The flatted 3rd and 2nd of Dorian and Phrygian are literally the same note, the 4th of Ionian? I know you can artistically do what you want but I dont understand this within the confines of theory. Cant you play Lydian over that em7, and accentuate the E?

[IronDoll2]

can i use modes anytime?

i mean if i have e minor backing track and i wanna improvise on it and add modes like A Dorian or B Phrygian can i use those modes any time? (of course it depends the scale)

[DAVEWEINER]

No, only on every other Thursday.

(yes)

[IronDoll2]

Tnx

And what about every other Sunday?

(kidding)

[keke44]

Hey man uh my teacher basicly confused me with modes and all...

So a little question : So I can't like use C Lydian over a C maj chord progression?

[DAVEWEINER]

Technically the theory may not line up exactly but who cares, if lydian is the sound you want, use it. There are no rules in music.

[keke44]

I see, but I met someone who actually told me that I could use it like that but if I use a minor mode, I have to use the relative minor (like Cmaj -> Amin). For example : Dorian is a minor mode (1 - 2 - b3) so I could use A dorian in C maj. Sure it does defie theory but he told me that it can add some color to my playing.

[DAVEWEINER]

yup.

[afrokidguitarist]

dude thank you so much =]

im at your site as i type this and im going to favorite this for future reference =]

again thank you so much im starting to understand a lil bit =]

AfroKidGuitarist

[bofoj]

still having a hard time ...can i start any mode of any major or minor scale anywhere on the fretboard?

or is their a specific place where the modes start on?

[DAVEWEINER]

you can start any scale, any chord, any anything, on any note of that scale or chord, anywhere on the neck.

[Benill03]

Your modal exercises ROCK!!! Can you give similar insight on melodic minor modes and their uses?

[Zcarbon]

I knew everything you told me about modes, but you made me understand it so much more, if you understand. Thanks.

[tucktimosprime]

this is some really usefull stuff,,thankyou...

[ThrashCatchem]

Dave, you rule man. Is there a way you can talk about your experience at MI in Cali (Im pretty sure you went there.)

[DAVEWEINER]

It's a great place. Go there. I'll be giving a clinic there in Jan.

[ThrashCatchem]

I went to Berklee in Boston for 2 semesters, it was such a great atmosphere of players. I went there, sort of, well, out of place..meaning everyone there was huge jazz heads...and it opened me up to so much of these mode voicings. I was going to try and go to MI/GI in 2 years after I graduate from Stark tech. Ps, have you ever player with Paul Gilbert?

[vanditas]

Thanks man.

[bosox62lb]

i play keyboard and this really helped me!

[DAVEWEINER]

Thx, but please subscribe to the new ROTW channel at youtube . com / riffoftheweek and post comments there!

[b00st9728]

That's how good a teacher he is.

[DOOBAGE69]

Dave, thanks for making this video; It's really helpful. I've been struggling with the basics of theory, and I only knew a handful of scales (Pentatonic [major and minor], Natural Minor, and Harmonic Minor), but this vid's helped A LOT. I actually wrote down a "cheat sheet" for all these modes, so in case I forget, I can always refer back to it. :)

Thanks again for the video, I hope to check out more of your lessons.

[NEMISIS50]

FINALLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Vin­nie Moore did a good job explaining but this by far helps more for me!

Thanks man Hailings from Jamaica

[Slippiesttoad]

Man, awesome video! Do you have any literature you could recommend for a guy like me that sometimes needs an over explaining of these kind of things? I am a relative beginner (I know most open and bar chords as well as the 5 common inversions of the pentatonic and the major). Any good books or teachers (aside from yourself)?

[rosieisahippo]

"Playing the Lydian Mode will add a little garlic to your playing" - Frank Zappa

[HorribleSushi]

You are great at explaining things! You've really helped alot.

[jemjoesatch]

oh i love it... the salt and pepper! you know that is a good analogy!?!

[black3dots]

lol " Puttin' that on your salad" haha :-)

[PotBellyShogun]

Dave you rule seriously. Your videos are really helpful and have aided me a lot. :D Thanks.

[wawardz]

Nice work Dave. Youll be a guitar hero for most young kids who would be playing guitar.

Waward

Philippines

[Rudee66]

Excellent explanation of modes. Excellent teacher Dave is.

[ognum1971]

wow

thank u very very much!i play guitar by ear-and i have a serious mental block when it comes to theory-(i got an a in art-an unclassified for maths!doh!)you have demystified a lot of stuff that i wanted to know in reallayman terms -i dead pleased now thanks!!

really really really!

[dmnxCGi]

this is so cool, thanks a lot dave

[Shark58]

Hi Dave.

I wanna thank you for all your videos :) keep up the good work. You're really down to the earth

ps: and i'm ordering that t-shirt!

[DAVEWEINER]

Thanks for the support man. I really appreciate it.

[Shark58]

Aight, ordered. I think the CD will follow soon. Really great stuff.

[jeffreycollins]

You truly are giving us so much information to digest. So Thank You.

[DOOBAGE69]

Definitely helpful for me since i'm trying to learn a bunch of scales. This is going in my favorites.

[iIbroken]

I came across your videos today, and they are awesome. Very helpful.

[Seganiba]

nice, very clear, I'm waiting for the next vid.

frank gambale also explain the modes in his clinic "Modes: no more mystery"

[MarcelMaier]

I'm very excited to see the coming videos, maybe to give more ideas how to use the different modes in some musical situations :)

Just great!

[doristhebus]

i could ditch my guitar teacher and just watch your weekly videos! Thanks for teaching me a lot! Salt and pepper in my salad right here, and I'm adding spices ;)

[omarzinho3]

Vai said it...alive in astoria dvd ..."someday people will know about this kid (dave)" he was so freakin right...dave you rock dude...and nice guessing...flying in a blue dream is in the key of C Lydian...you freakin' talented boy!!

I admire you!

[pabloguitar1]

phrygian! wherever i may roam! awesome lessons man, keep the good work coming, you rule!

[fireproofed]

The video I've been waiting for. I've always wondered wtf modes are and now you've got me on the right track. Thanks Dave.

[ryandeguzman]

that shirt is awesome

[cephalic]

Your analogy was simply amazing.

[capsaicinrain]

you gotta be one of the most modest musicians out there

in a good way

youre always lookin out to help us

thanks man, youre a legend

[johnaiton]

We love you Dave!

and you probably have the only video on youtube with 60 ratings all 5 stars

[OlviMasta77]

oregano! yay! great vid btw.

[toby1kenobe]

Hi Dave, this is a great intro to modes. I'm really hoping that you give us some ways to mix the modes together and the chord progressions to do so. This is where Frank Gambale's Modes no more mystery let me down, and for me is the missing link when learning modal ideas. I love how you have kept refering to the sounds/flavours. Keep up the excellent work!!

Toby

[tradingjamie]

Dave - thanks for going through this with us - much appreciated....

[ZeIceCReamMan]

bmwm3cs; my thoughts exactly. Great lesson Dave.

[bmwm3cs]

Dave u really hit the nail on the head. I have heard many people and teachers explain "modes" and you gave the best description. It was very practical and basic.

[yeequon]

I have just started to tackle modes... this is the best YouTube video describing modes by far.

I hope you give us some exercises to practice the modes in future videos.

Thanks!

[young0wylde0child]

your awsome

[young0wylde0child]

hey dave do you know when vais next tour would be? or is just whenever vai decides to do it.i saw u guys at the birchmere back in september and it was the greatest show ive have ever been to and i cant wait to see you guys again

[young0wylde0child]

oh ok. what would you say is the most malotic mode??? i think locrian but i was wondering what you think

[DAVEWEINER]

It's not the mode or any scale that is melodic, it's the player. A good player can be melodic with 2 notes, sometimes even 1.

[fawsta]

dave, u are the fucking man. ok?

[soulofhendrix]

You can hear a little Santana in the dorian mode. Maybe it's because he uses that mode often :-P

[merdiqueman]

Hi Dave, hopefully you are still reading these comments before the next one. Followed every vid for last 6 months. IDEA for lesson.

Chord substitution,where and how would you use it. Read lots but how someone uses it is different.

Your lessons are the best I hope you never get sick of doin' em.

Cheers!

[young0wylde0child]

dosent vai us locrian as well

[DAVEWEINER]

They all use many modes. Depends on the song.

[razberyjamdeltaV]

Very nice! I've been trying to learn about modes for a while, you make it much easier to learn!

[sdmf1982]

Thank you SO much for this one, Dave. I've just started getting into modes in my studies so this has helped me a great deal. You're a very clear teacher, thanks a ton mate. Hope you have a good week, looking forward to the next installment :)

[ericofcrows]

Glad you decided to cover modes! Looking forward to the coming weeks.

[ericofcrows]

Glad you decided to cover modes! Looking forward to the coming weeks.

[baraldi84]

oh my god, thats like chinese to me..

Hey Dave ao long do you think i'd be in theory classes to learn all of that?? cause basicly thats where i lack the most :(

regards from Portugal

[DAVEWEINER]

Just keep watching, you'll get it.

[qzunie]

This is a great video. Thanks alot for all this info

[aero3132]

Thanks for the videos. I've been trying to understand these and I think I've figured out a few other things by following your examples.

[nunoguitarzen]

Thanks Dave!

This riff of the week was great!!

It helps me a lot to get into modes!!

I'll stay tuned as always!!

[YurtleTheTurtle]

genius. this is exactly what iv been needing for ages. thanks for putting your time into these things

[nathanguitarguru]

wooo first comment!!! awesome videos dave

[Kmh5494]

Haha, nice analogy with the spice rack! Great video. Very informative and helpful. See you next week Dave! Kelly.

[Elmancho02]

Awsome as Always Dave !!!!!

If you don't release you're 2nd Album soon I will kidnap your dog (if you have one) until you do !!!!

Keep on rocking and rotw'ing !!!

You rule !

Hugo

[mangablade]

Hey man awesome stuff yet again!

Can you list a few guitarists you really like?

And include whether you like Vai or Satch more? :P

[DAVEWEINER]

Don Mock, Scott Henderson, Mike Landau.

Vai pays my salary on tour so I like him better :)

[reening]

lydian mode is the best!

[EXPERIMENTALMAN]

this was great !!

[rmdr]

Fantastic lesson. I imagine these are the those little details that'll define you REALLY as a unique musician. =D

[tapiakenny]

Which types of wood you seem more appropriate for a guitar? THANKS FOR EVERYTHING DUDE!

[DAVEWEINER]

I like Ash the best. Next would be Alder.

[headachebr]

Dave, do you happen to know a website with all the modes on all the strings for a certain parent scale?

And I was wondering, if you change from Cmaj to Dmaj, would it be the same "pattern" but shifting two frets higher?

[DAVEWEINER]

Changing from Cmaj to Dmaj can leave you with many options to solo over. Depends on the key you're in and sound you want.

[teokiatuan2]

even though i don't really get this, YOU ROCK MY WORLD!! BEST CELEBRITY GUITARIST IN TEH WORLD!!

[tjt84]

Great lesson Dave, thanks!

[RCShadow]

Thanks again Dave!

Chris

[RichCrisler]

Thanks for the heads up on what scale Vai and Joe use Dave, this is a great video very informative.

[miko86]

thank you so much for this!!IVE been trying so hard to look for some way i could get to know more about how this thing works and how to categorize them in ways that you have just stated,this is very big help!!!!!!

[RichCrisler]

You rock, no one has ever explained this where I can understand it. I think I'm going to get it after 28 years of playing by ear.

[lordaradon]

Awesome dave, really helped me!

[MrIbanez87]

excellent video. I'm looking forward to your future videos on understanding each mode and the riffs that go with each one of them.

[reverweb]

best teacher in the tube!! Very thanks men!

[HarmonicMinorJ]

Great video dave

[trasherfromhell]

This is perfect, I'm just learning modes for my jazz guitar lessons so this will be very helpful. Thanks Dave for all of your videos, no one else does this kind of lessons, you're the best!

[cwuel028]

Perfect intro to modes for those that don't know them - nice job, Dave!