Using the Mixolydian Mode For Guitar

You keep hearing about modes and you're curious what they are and how you can wrangle these cool sounds out of your guitar

. Today we'll talk about one of the most useful modes, the Mixolydian.

Here's the basic rundown on modes: If a C major scale is spelled

C D E F G A B C

Then why can't we have a scale that goes from D to D with the same notes? Or F to F? We can, and those are your modes. Here we're going to concentrate on the 5th mode, Mixolydian. That would be G A B C D E F G.

And, of course, we can also find the Mixolydian mode for any key signature. Let's take A major, which has 3 sharps: A B C# D E F# G# A

Your Mixolydian mode would simply be the same scale but starting from the 5th scale degree. E in this case. Easy, right?

The easiest way to learn how to solo in a modal scale is to play your regular old major scale pattern that you already know, but to highlight your new root or tonal center. So an a major scale but use the E has home base.

To wrap your ears around it, try playing the scale from E to E - E F# G# A B C# D E

Once you go up and back a few times, your ear will be accustomed to the sound. There are three important notes to use when you're trying to define a modal sound in a melody. The first two are the 1st and 5th scale degrees as they act as the skeleton crew to define any scale. The third note you need to use is the one that makes your chosen mode sound different from the regular major or minor scale it's closest to.

Let's look at E major: E F# G# A B C# D# E

And E Mixolydian: E F# G# A B C# D E

Only one note is different, the D. Using that note will signal to your listener that you're in E Mixolydian and not just regular E major.

The interesting thing about playing in modes is the different sets of chords derived from the scale. Chords are built by using every other note of the scale. Here are the diatonic (naturally occuring) chords in E Mixolydian:

E7 F#m G#dim A Bm C#m D

You can write chord progressions using those chords, just like you would with the chords of a regular major or minor scale.

You'll notice that the I chord is a dominant 7th. It's most common to use the Mixolydian mode over any dominant 7th chord you come across. E Mix over E7. A Mix over A7. Bb Mix over Bb7, and so on.

So let's recap the important points:

- Use your Mixolydian scale over Dominant 7th chords

- Build chord progressions around the chords listed above

- Use the 1st, 5th, and 7th scale degrees in your melody to define the sound of the Mixolydian mode

Give it a go!

Using the Mixolydian Mode For Guitar

By: Phil Johnson

POST COMMENT

When To Use The Harmonic Minor Scale On Guitar Guitars - Choosing Between Electric Or Acoustic Christian Wedding Songs - Using Christian Rock Music for Your Wedding MP4 Music Player, Perfect Music Player Disney's High School Musical is a Smash Hit Nokia 5800 Xpressmusic contract- Phones with amazing music features Easy Way To Make Your Personal And Unique New Music Field Country music Pianoforall Download The Convenience Of Learning Guitar Songs Piano Lessons, A Guide To Choose The Right Ones Free Violin Sheet Music - How To Find Printable Free Sheet Music For Violin Online Watch Great Quality Hindi Song Video Online