Product Description

This practical guide unlocks the mystery behind the construction and application of over 60 modes. Includes special sections on advanced and world scales. All of the examples are demonstrated on the accompanying CD with a professional backup band.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #333406 in Books
• Published on: 2002-08-01
• Released on: 2002-08-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 102 pages

Customer Reviews

Substantial Applications are Needed
While this book does clearly explain what modes are in a theoretical view point and also does include many exotic scales, it substantially lacks applications of their usages. For instance, the end chapter entitled 'Modal Usage' runs from p.89 to p.100, and it is merely a collection of modal scales in notation and their related fingering diagrams (in only one position each). Interestingly and ironically, the following page (p.101) which is the conclusion of the book, has a quote from Miles Davis: "When you're at a party, you've got to know when to leave." Probably it's better to serve as a warning rather than a useful quote to those who want to buy the book.

As the previous reviewer points out (and as the book says): "this book clearly shows how the mode is created and what chords it can be played over", yes. But this is not enough in a performer's point of view, as referencing a list of chords related to the mode simply does not help the guitarist on how to use the chords and the scale in that particular mode. In order to facilitate the understanding of modes, it is extremely important to transform the theoretical understanding into practical usage. This is where this book failed.

Make sure to check out 'Modes for Guitar (Private Lessons)' instead. While 'Modes for Guitar' doesn't include as many scales as the current book does, such as the exotic scales, 'Modes for Guitar' contains many practical examples (licks, and chord progressions related to a particular mode) and lucid explanations for each mode of essential scales.

Not Just for Guitarists
More than just a scale reference book. The back cover says that "The mystery of modes lies in learning where and how to use them." Straight to the point, this book clearly shows how the mode is created and what chords it can be played over. Also, this book covers more than the basic modes that everybody knows but modes created from the Harmonic Major and Harmonic Minor scales (the altered modes), as well as, modes created from Pentatonic Scales. There are also sections on Advanced Scales; such as, bebop and symmetrical diminished, plus world and exotic scales.

Now here's the thing, some of these scales are great for compositional ideas and themes. I think that this is must for any musician looking to expand their melodic vocabulary.