Thursday, 10 March 2011

Learn Guitar Scales : Using the Mixolydian Mode For Powerful Guitar Solos

By Nick Dillon


So you want to learn guitar scales and modes, but don't know where to begin? Once you learn the pentatonic scales you can simply add two notes to create the seven modes of the major scale. Getting past the pentatonic scales is often the most challenging task for aspiring lead guitar players. But by knowing how to use the modes your solos will sound diverse and impressive. Let's look at the Mixolydian mode as an example.

The Mixolydian Mode can be used with any of the 12 keys. Since the Mixolydian Mode is in reality a different way of playing the major scale, knowing it as well as the major scale, essentially doubles the number of scales that you have at your disposal. When you learn guitar scales, you learn that a scale is a set of seven notes that is defined by the root note. Now, for less than advanced guitar players, this means the note that you first play and the note that you last play when you play the scale. This note should also somehow be emphasized, such as by bending it or sustaining it for longer than the other notes that you hit for your lead break or solo.

For advanced guitar players, a mode can be more than just the first and last note of the scale. This means that the advanced guitar player knows the various intervals contained within a particular mode. This actually defines the mode's feel and sound, while the key that the mode is played in defines the exact notes to be used.

The Mixolydian mode is defined by these distinct "steps" or intervals: Root, major 2nd, major 3rd, major 4th, major 5th, major 6th, and flatted 7th. So, in the C major key the notes are: G, A, B, C, D, E, and F. If this were actually the G major scale, then the F would be sharpened, this is the only difference. The flattened 7th of the Mixolydian mode compared to the major 7th of the major scale makes the mode sound more "bluesy".

The term "key" describes the central note around which a piece of music is based. The mixolydian mode can be played over the G major chords in the key of C major or its relative minor : A minor. The mode can also be applied to a solo or lead break where G is the tonic centre or key in itself.

This mode is often used in rock music to give a solo a melodic, powerful, and bright feel. As an example; Slash, from the original line up of Guns n Roses used this mode for his first two solos in "Sweet Child O Mine". Jazz guitar players often use the Mixolydian Mode to solo over a chord progression. This mode is applied to many different genres or styles of music.

When you learn guitar scales, don't forget your modes. Learn the Mixolydian Mode.




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