Showing posts with label phrygian. Show all posts
Showing posts with label phrygian. Show all posts

Monday, June 15, 2020

1st position Eminor Pentatonic Scale Meets Minor Modes


First, the most common Eminor Pentatonic Scale:
12th fret15th fret
Thinnest stringEG
BD
GA
DE
AB
Thickest stringEG
This scale can be the backbone of the Dorian, Phygian, and Aeolian scales.
Dorian is probably the most important to jazz, especially given the commonality of ii V chord progression.
Here is its overlay of the Dorian pattern (Emin in red, Dorian in red and black):
12th fret15th fret
Thinnest stringEF#G
BC#D
GA
DEF#
ABC#
Thickest stringEF#G
This scale can be hard to finger due to the 2 whole step stretch on the A string and the D string,
so I don't recommend it if there is any pain.
Here is its overlay of the Phrygian pattern (Emin in blue, Phrygian in blue and black):
12th fret15th
Thinnest stringEFG
BCD
GA
DE
ABC
Thickest stringEFG
Here is its overlay of the Aeolian pattern (Emin in purple, Aeolian in purple and black):
12th fret15th fret
Thinnest stringEF#G
BCD
GA
DEF#
ABC
Thickest stringEF#G
So, now you might wonder which mode to use in a song when soloing, and that is the mode described
by the chords, melody, and/or harmony.
By using the term minor, I mean scales that have a minor 3rd interval, but are not diminished.
A diminished scale has a minor 3rd interval and a minor 5th interval.

Tuesday, April 21, 2020

Patterns Within Patterns 3: Em7(9) Arpeggio within a E Aeolian Scale




To be a good guitarist, as opposed to someone whom only knows tricks, this is essential.
Knowing patterns within patterns is very important when improvising.
When I improvise, I find it is important to include complex arpeggios, but especially not limited to
arpeggios. When I solo, within 7 note modal scale I tend explore pentatonic scale, dyads, arpeggios,
and combining them with modal patterns.
My favorite modal position is the third position, or B Phrygian position, but in this case
the sound will be the traditional minor scale, sometimes called the E Aeolian mode.
Many things made this position a winner to work on. For one, E is easily the most popular minor
scale pattern in rock. However, when playing jazz usually most music is in E flat minor. To compensate
there is little work necessary, simply take the E Aeolian scale and move the whole thing a half-step
lower. A half-step is movement of one fret. A whole step is 2 notes.
Also, this scale is right in the sweet spot of the neck of a guitars, so it will probably sound better.
This is the B Phrygian scale in question:
7th fret9th fret12th
thinnest stringB (root)CDE
F#GA
DE
AB (root)C
EF#G
thickest stringB (root)CD
Within this scale is also the E Aeolian mode.
7th fret9th fret
thinnest stringBCDE (root)
F#GA
DE (root)
ABC
E (root)F#G
thickest string
Emin7(9) arpeggio
thinnest stringB (5th)D (7th)E (root)
F# (9th)G (minor 3rd)
D (7th)E (root)
B (5th)
E (root)G (minor 3rd)
thickest string
E Aeolian Mode showing both the scale and the Arpeggio.
thinnest stringB (5th)CD (7th)E (root)
F# (9th)G (minor 3rd)A
D (7th)E (root)
AB (5th)
E (root)G (minor 3rd)
thickest string

for more common Em7(9) chords: https://www.guitar-chord-finder.com/print/Em7(9)