Modes are one of the most important harmonic and melodic ideas used by guitar players and we need to study them so we have a solid handle on how we can use them to the best of our ability.

In certain styles of music, (such as rock and metal), modes offer us some very unique sounds. In our daily guitar practice, we need to be able to become proficient at exploiting each of the modal sounds.

When we analyze different applications of modified scale degrees, such as the raised 6th off of the minor tonality of Dorian, the lowered 7th in the major tonality of Mixolydian, and the unique lowered 2nd degree in the Minor tonality of Phrygian, we begin to realize just how important these new intervals are against the different tonalities we have to work with, (major in Mixolydian and minor in both Dorian and Phrygian).

Don't just take my word for it, practice composing your own modal riffs in rock and metal. It's not just a good way to study and implement theoretical ideas, but in the rock and metal style this stuff is also a lot of fun to play as well. Enjoy this weeks lesson!

The lesson video:

About the Author:
Andrew Wasson is a 1992 Graduate of Hollywood California's Guitar Institute of Technology (G.I.T.). He has operated his Canadian Music School; Creative Guitar Studio, for the last 20+ years teaching thousands of guitarists both in studio sessions, and through his popular YouTube Channels, Skype lessons