scale help

[freshead16]

Hey everyone,

I had a question regarding scales such as the dorian, phrygian, mixolydian etc. I was just curious if someone could explain to me how to know when to apply these scales to music??? In other words, how do i know when to use these scales besides by ear? Is there any theory behind these?? Did I ask that correctly?? Thanks much for your help!

Micah

[dmbguitar718]

you use the scales when you want to, and yes there's theory behind them. if you learn how to form them rather then just going off a chart every time, you'll be much better off.

scroll down to find the table that shows how to form them:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Musical_mode

[taparoo]

You can usually pick up on what mode to use when looking at the chords in something you're playing. Say you have a Bb7 - Bb mixolydian would work well over that chord because it has a b7 included in the scale (remember mixolydian is basically a major scale, but with a b7 instead of a 'regular', or major 7). Notice that the chord tones in the chord are included in the mixolydian scale - this is an easy way to figure out what scale to use over a certain chord (of course there aren't any rules set in stone about what you can't or can play, but some things just simply sound better than others).

As another example, say you have a Bm chord. Here you have a few modes to work with. You can use Dorian or Aeolian, as both of them feature the chord tones in their scales. Those are really the only modes I've worked with, being that I got into the whole mode business only recently, so this is my understanding of how these things work. Hope I was of some help. And don't despair, this stuff can seem pretty confusing at times, but you'll get the hang of it if you stick with it.

Here's a great site that has tons of chords and scales diagrams:
http://www.looknohands.com/chordhouse/g ... ex_rb.html

[freshead16]

hey guys, thanks much for your help and for your responses. I get what your saying i think. So tell me if this is right than?

The key of D. D E F# G A B C#

Ionian would be just the standard key of D?

Dorian would be starting on the second note of the key of D, which in this case is E, than playing the scale upwards accordingly? Such as E F# G A B C# D?

actually pretty sure that is wrong. I think dorian would be D E F G A B C??
But no idea as to why really....

[taparoo]

hey guys, thanks much for your help and for your responses. I get what your saying i think. So tell me if this is right than?

The key of D. D E F# G A B C#

Ionian would be just the standard key of D?

Dorian would be starting on the second note of the key of D, which in this case is E, than playing the scale upwards accordingly? Such as E F# G A B C# D?

actually pretty sure that is wrong. I think dorian would be D E F G A B C??
But no idea as to why really....

In response to your first question: Yes, the Ionian mode is just another name for the major scale. So in the key of D, the scale would include the notes you mentioned.

Regarding your second question, you would be correct. E Dorian includes the same notes as D Ionian, the only difference being the order of the notes, and what notes you emphasize. E Dorian would work well over an E minor chord when you're playing in the key of D. You can think of it as just changing the notes you emphasize. For example, over the D major chord, you might put more emphasis on the D, F#, and A notes (the 1, 3, and 5 intervals of the scale), and over the Em chord, you would switch to focusing on the E, G, and B notes.

[freshead16]

Cool thanks a bunch man. Your a smart kid, keep up the good work.