The Magic Formula Guitar Lesson
The Magic Formula
David Wallimann teaches a magic formula that will allow you to play each of the modes up and down the entire fretboard. He also teaches some exercises to help cement this knowledge.
Taught by David Wallimann in Theory and Improvisation with David Wallimann seriesLength: 11:49Difficulty: 3.5 of 5
Supplemental Learning Material
Theory and Improvisation with David Wallimann
Found in our Beginner Lesson SetsDavid Wallimann will cover all of the topics necessary master the art of improvisation. He will cover theory, including intervals, scales and modes as well as techniques to improve ones improvisation.
Lesson 1
Understanding Intervals
Before one can truly understand music theory the concept of intervals must be introduced. This lesson covers that topic in great depth.
Length: 27:40 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Minor Pentatonic Scale
David teaches the minor pentatonic scale. He explains its scale formula, various fretboard positions, and how it can be used.
Length: 20:03 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Major Pentatonic Scale
David Wallimann moves on to cover the the major pentatonic scale. He teaches its scale formula, all five patterns, and gives advice on how the scale can be used.
Length: 9:46 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
The Blues Scale
In this lesson, David covers both the minor and major blues scales. He explains the formulas and patterns for each scale. In addition, David has included a backing track for you to play along with.
Length: 9:08 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Minor Modes
David Wallimann introduces three minor modes. In this lesson he covers Dorian, Phrygian and Aeolian modes.
Length: 11:37 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Major Modes
David Wallimann covers three major modes in this lesson. He covers the Ionian, Lydian and Mixolydian modes.
Length: 8:53 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
The Locrian Mode
David Wallimann introduces the Locrian mode. He explains its formula in terms of scale degrees as well as its five fretboard patterns. A few fun arpeggio-based ideas are also demonstrated.
Length: 20:37 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
The Magic Formula
David Wallimann teaches a magic formula that will allow you to play each of the modes up and down the entire fretboard. He also teaches some exercises to help cement this knowledge.
Length: 11:49 Difficulty: 3.5 Members Only
Classifying Modes
David Wallimann talks about how modes can be classified and thus used in a musical context. This is a valuable wrap-up lesson to the mini-series on modes.
Length: 13:24 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Creating Chord Progressions
David Wallimann explains how to write diatonic chord progressions. This lesson features excellent practical music theory.
Length: 12:07 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Easy Outside Tricks
David Wallimann teaches a valuable fusion guitar technique that he calls "Easy Outside Tricks."
Length: 8:31 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Playing Modal with Pentatonic Scales
David Wallimann demonstrates how minor pentatonic scales can be used when improvising over the minor modes.
Length: 22:03 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
Playing Modal with Major Pentatonic Scales
David Wallimann shows how the major pentatonic scale can be used in modal playing.
Length: 11:13 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
About David Wallimann
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David was born in Aix-en-Provence, South France in 1977. At the age of 15, he picked up the guitar and started developing a true love for instrumental music and composition.
In 1999 he was recognized by Ibanez for his promising musical achievements and received an artist endorsement. That early recognition in David's musical career encouraged him to consecrate more time on crafting his musical art and apply to the school of modern music Artist' in Cavaillon, France. He received a full scholarship there where he graduated with honors.
In 2001, David won first place for the Tal Farlow French national jazz contest which gave him a full paid scholarship to the CMA school of modern music in Valenciennes, France. He graduated specializing in advance guitar with honors.
Following his school years, David spent the next 5 years working with several bands recording, writing and playing shows in France and Belgium. It's during that time that Wallimann was exposed to the world of progressive rock which opened new doors to his musical creativity.
Deep inside the Mind is his first release as a solo artist in which he exposes his Christian faith. The album was well received in the specialized press and was compared several times to some of Frank Zappa's approach to music adding an element of humor to deep subjects.
In 2005 he joined the internationally renown progressive band Glass Hammer based in Chattanooga, TN. He released several studio albums and live DVDs with the band.
David is today working on his next upcoming solo release and is also spending quite a bit of time teaching guitar in his studio and online at JamPlay.
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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.I Don'y Play Like My Auntie Lucy. Ionian, Dorian, Phrygian, Lydian, Mixolydian, Aeolian Locrian. Mneumonic to remember mode order.
Thank you for this lesson!!!!! This answered alot of questions for me about the modes. I've known the modes for a long time, but have never known the reason for the modes or understood the use of the modes.
Great lesson!
Glad a skipped ahead to this lesson soon after the introduction of the 1st position modes. I was about to transcribe them all myself over the fret board, I probably would have come across the magic formula myself!!
Hello David, Very helpful series about the modes. I have a question. I thought I heard you see "Am chord you can play A dorian or B Phrygian position/shape (not mode)" But A dorian and B Phrygian both have a F# in the scale which doesn't match with Am chord.notes in that scale. Do you avoid this note playing over Am chord? What is the difference between B phrygian mode and B phrygian position? Overall I am struggling what mode to play at what chord / chord progression. What is the best advice you can give to comprehend this issue.
... and all the confusion has finally come to an end. I was always looking for somebody wrapping it up like you did. Modes in a nutshell. I love it. Very, very helpful! Thanks a million David!
This is an excellent lesson David, thanks a lot!
Hey david, is the first position A dorian or ionian that you are playing in the fretboard exercise section? you keep saying dorian but looks like ionian
Hey David. I was wondering if you have any thoughts on the "Advancing Guitarist" way of mastering the fretboard. Personally, I feel a that there is a limitation that comes with simply memorizing scale patterns, chord shapes.....; without learning the note names, the scale degrees, and how everything fits together. However, with that being said, the Advancing Guitar Method does strike me as being arduous at best. Have you used any particular approach yourself in becoming familiar with this great instrument. Thanks in advance. Matthew.
On the fretboard position exercise he meant to say A Ionian for the first scale
are you sure? In the sup. content it starts in A dorian
thanks Bob
Outstanding David!
Awesome lesson, awesome guitarist...
A useful lesson, great
hurray!
great lesson david, i think this is gonna open people's eyes wide.
Magical indeed!
Very good lesson again Thanks!!!!
Very helpful!