Modal Pentatonic Scales Guitar Lesson
Modal Pentatonic Scales
This lesson demonstrates how to modify the old trusty 5th fret A minor pentatonic position to make it sound modal. Instructions for modifying any pentatonic position are included as well as demonstrations over backing tracks. The supplemental TAB provides modified modal pentatonic scales for all of the 5 basic positions learned in lesson 3 of this series.
Taught by Chris Liepe in Rock Guitar with Chris Liepe seriesLength: 10:30Difficulty: 3.5 of 5
Supplemental Learning Material
Rock Guitar with Chris Liepe
Found in our Beginner Lesson SetsInstrumental Rock carries with it many creative aspects both in writing and playing. By the end of this series, Chris will have covered almost everything you will need to know to create and play your very own melodic instrumental rock piece, with emotion!
Lesson 1
Rock Essentials Introduction
Chris Liepe introduces his Phase 2 Rock Essentials lesson series. By highlighting specific instrumental rock styles and techniques, Chris will help you become a more melodically creative player.
Length: 3:57 Difficulty: 1.0 Members OnlyLesson 2
3 on a String Scales
Chris Liepe starts off his Rock Essentials series with a lesson on 3 on a string scales. Utilizing 3, 4, and 6 note sequencing, Chris begins to dive into instrumental rock style phrasing and provides several...
Length: 37:00 Difficulty: 3.5 FREE
Pentatonic Scales, Sequencing, and Lick Ideas
Chris introduces the pentatonic scales as well as some of their basic applications.
Length: 19:35 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Chord Numbering
Chris Liepe takes some time to explain chord numbering. Understanding how chords are built will only help in your overall knowledge of the guitar.
Length: 16:25 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
The CAGED System
Chris breaks down the CAGED system and its chord chemistry. He covers both major and minor chord forms.
Length: 35:06 Difficulty: 3.5 Members Only
Sweep Picking
Chris digs into the sweep picking technique. He uses the C, A, and E forms introduced in the previous lesson to help with finger synchronization.
Length: 27:15 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
Introduction to Modes
Chris moves on to the subject of modes. He explains where modes come from, how they sound, and how they are used.
Length: 30:04 Difficulty: 4.0 Members Only
Modal Pentatonic Scales
This lesson demonstrates how to modify the old trusty 5th fret A minor pentatonic position to make it sound modal.
Length: 10:30 Difficulty: 3.5 Members Only
Modal Chord Progressions
How do you know which mode to use? There are giveaways with every chord progression, and Chris covers them in this lesson.
Length: 17:12 Difficulty: 4.0 Members Only
Complete Major / Minor Scale Using Penatonic Scales
Chris demonstrates how to complete the major and minor scale by using pentatonic positions based on the roots of the I, IV, and V chords.
Length: 14:52 Difficulty: 4.5 Members Only
Melodic Development
Chris Liepe utilizes everything he has taught in the series so far to demonstrate how to create catchy lead lines over a backing track.
Length: 15:30 Difficulty: 4.0 Members Only
Implied Tonalities
Chris Liepe delves into the world of implied tonalities. This lesson details how a single arpeggio can be implied over various chordal sounds.
Length: 25:40 Difficulty: 4.0 Members Only
Series Introduction Solo Lesson (Composed Soloing)
Chris teaches the solo that was used in the introduction lesson for this series. He uses the solo as an example of how to effectively compose your own solos.
Length: 22:09 Difficulty: 3.5 Members Only
2 Hand Tapping
It's time to give the right hand hand some work with two hand tapping on the guitar neck.
Length: 31:26 Difficulty: 3.5 Members Only
Thoughts on Practice
With so much material out there, what should you focus on? How much time do you spend on a certain topic? How do you progress? How do you measure progress? Chris covers all of these topics in this lesson.
Length: 17:16 Difficulty: 1.0 Members Only
Get to Know Chris Liepe
Chris Liepe offers up some insight into his past. Hopefully this lesson will help you further your own goals as a guitarist.
Length: 11:42 Difficulty: 0.5 Members Only
About Chris Liepe
View Full Biography
Chris Liepe was born on September 17th, 1981 in Portland OR. His first instrument was piano which he pursued until discovering his love for the electric guitar in high school. He became fans of such groups as Soundgarden, Collective Soul and U2 inspiring him to start singing, songwriting and helping others in their musical endeavors with teaching, co-writing and album production.
Having moved to Colorado with his family, he began gigging, recording and teaching in a number of music stores as well as out of his apartment until deciding to pursue music full time. He moved to Denver, CO to complete a Bachelors in Music Technology and was then hired on by Sweetwater Productions, a division of Sweetwater Sound and one of the largest, most successful recording studios in the Midwest.
Chris spent nearly 4 years at Sweetwater as a producer, recording engineer, studio musician and writer. During this time he had the privilege of working with many artists including Augustana, Landon Pigg, Jars of Clay, and Mercy Me. He also wrote for and played on numerous independent albums and hundreds of radio/TV commercials.
Wanting to get back to his favorite State in the world (Colorado) and feeling the urge to 'go freelance', Chris moved to Greeley, CO and opened his own recording and teaching studio. He continues to write and produce music for artists and agencies and is happy to be among the proud JamPlay.com instructors.
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Member Comments about this Lesson
Discussions with our instructors are just one of the many benefits of becoming a member of JamPlay.Good stuff ! How come in Modal Pentatonics some scales have 5 notes and others 6 ? Dorian is A,C,D,E,F#,G,A and Locrian is A,C,D,Eb,G. No Bb ? Too dissonant ? Lydian ? No F# ? Is this to underline the mode color ?
the reason there are a different number of notes in some of the scales is this: Depending on the color you need to add, you will either change one of the existing notes, or add a note to the scale. For example, in the standard Pentatonic scale, there is no 6, so we need to add it to the basic Pent form which technically makes it a "Hexatonic" scale, but who cares :) Others, we can simply tweak one or two notes and get the sound we are going for.
I seem to find more on this where it is called a skate. If a skate is somthing else please let me know. Nice lesson.
Chris thanks for the great lessions. When I originally learned the mode scales I learned them in the 4 fret boxes ignoring the three note per scale forms. I played this way for years and can play melodies by ear and see the full fretboard. Now I feel like I am starting over by playing the three note perstrings scales. My hands want to revert to the old patterns; and my hands can't play what I hear anymore. The three note per string scales are also less comfortable to play (more stretching). Do you typically sta in the 3-notes per string patterns as you play, or do you drop back to the 4 fret patterns at times. How can I adapt better?
I go back and forth depending on the types of phrasing I'm going for. It's great to have both approaches. I learned the "4 fret" positions first as well and the key for me was just time and practice over real music. After awhile, you don't think about the patterns as patterns as much any more and it just becomes more about getting the sound you want when you want it. Keep at it!
This is one of the best lessons I've seen on Jamplay. Fantastic job Chris.
What chords would all these be played over? The same asfor Dorian, Phrygian, etc?
i'm not sure i understand your question? could you rephrase it?
i/m sure its here and i/m retarded -but where are the backing tracs for this lesson?
They're in the Supplemental Content for Lesson 2 of this series.
really dig the lydian
You're welcome!
Chris, you make learning easier and fun. I feel that you are an excellent teacher. Thanks!!! I'll go back to practice now...