Guitar Lesson: Pitch Axis Theory & Modal Harmony

http://www.creativeguitarstudio.com/

Andrew Wasson of Creative Guitar Studio answers a viewers question:

Q: I have been searching for a good lesson about a concept called "Pitch Axis Theory", but I cannot find one that explains how to use it. Most of the stuff Ive found just goes on about Modes, but doesnt really cover how the shredder guys and the fusion guys actually use this concept musically. Can you please do a lesson about this topic, I really want to know more about it!

Thanks, Joey - New York, NY.

Thanks for writing in! Pitch Axis Theory is essentially playing modal. There is a bass pitch which remains static and under that pitch we can perform scales of different types. There can even be another layer of harmony present under the bass pitch. This can influence scale types that can be used to create melody.

The complete lesson article for this video, (along with an MP3 audio jam track of the progression heard at the start of the video), is available on the Creative Guitar Studio website. Follow the link below:
http://www.creativeguitarstudio.com/lessons/guitar_theory/pitch_axis_theory.php
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[iwantagoodnameplease]

Excellent. I was always curious about Pitch Axis theory.

[gregsbest]

Great playing style. You remind me of some of Eric Johnson's work.

Great down to earth approach.

Many Thanks, G.

[ZyggieFromJiU]

@12x12surface you can play Aeolian over any min7 chord but more often i would recommend using dorian instead, us jazzers like dorian, we don't use aeolian too much

[12x12surface]

8:10 - Does this mean you can play an Aeolian mode over a ii chord??

[aeropagitica]

@P00TANARA It is the controller for a hexaphonic MIDI pickup that you can see installed behind the vibrato unit at the bridge.

[P00TANARA]

what is that black thing behind at the end of the guitar??

[supern00b]

pitch ACKsis

[icmbld]

I was recently messing around with some weird chords all in with E as the root and then improvising in a scale that matches the chord. Now I've just found out there's a name for it. Awesome. Great lesson.

[mikko522]

Excellent video...question...do you find that you can use pitch axis when you only consider the common tones through a progression without the bass "droning" that pitch tone? Example say your progression is Cmin7 to Fmin7 back to Cmin7 then Ab13 and G aug 7th return to Cmin7 ...now consider Eb the pitch tone...maybe even Ab for most of it...start your solo mode with Eb Ionian to Eb lydian ( basically subbing Fdom7 for Fmin7) now to Eb mixolydian carry into Ab13 ?

[mixermantim]

Love the tone,

[Harvester66633]

noooooo it's too difficult for me i didnt understand anythink

[LukeSniper]

Nice work! I was explaining pitch axis to somebody, but didn't have the resources to actually play anything for them, so your video helped out!

I've come across your stuff in the past before too. All of it is very well done.