Improvising from Modes
Ionian Mode The I Chord
Where to start?
The above diagram from the Mericle Mode Chart demonstrates the Major (Ionian) mode. This is a good place to begin since no shifts are required for a full two octave mode (scale). The diagram below demonstrates the left hand fingering for this mode. There are a variety of fingering codes or schemes but for this we will use the following:
- 2nd finger or index = i
- 3rd finger or long = m
- 4th finger or ring = r
- 5th finger or small = s
The above mode is a Major Ionian with the roots on the 6th and 4th strings. Note the fingering on both this and the mode below.
Ionian Major 7th root 5/3
The mode chart below is the same Major Ionian but with the roots on the 5th and 3rd strings. In order to get a full two octaves starting on the 5th string requires a shift on the third string. This mode could be rewritten to shift on a different string if you preferred that. As an aside however, the Segovia Scales all shift on the 3rd string (for what that is worth).
To Begin
To begin first just play the mode until you are fairly familiar with it. A good place to start is at the 5th fret on the 6th string (A) or for the root 5/3 mode start on the 5th string at the 5th fret (D major 7th). Play the modes in both directions until you can play them without having to think which fingering comes next. Practice starting them at all frets on the 5th and 6th strings where you can complete the mode with no open notes.
Add some rhythm guitar.
Now that you are familiar with the modes add some rhythm guitar behind you. Record an A chord fairly evenly in 4/4 time (4 quarter notes per measure) for at least 2 or 3 minutes and then play the A Major 7th mode over that. To play the D Major 7th record a D chord as you did the A chord and play the root 5/3 D Major Ionian mode over that. Alternatively, you could use the same A chord as you did for the root 6/4 Ionian mode and start the root 5/3 Ionian Mode at the 12th fret on the 5th string(A).
If you don't have access to a recorder then try to get one of your guitar friends to play rhythm for you or purchase a Jamey Abersold play along CD. (Volume 1 "How to Play Jazz and Improvise" and volume 26 "The Scale Syllabus" are really good for this). Initially just play up and down and listen to the notes. Then maybe just go up two or three notes and back down. After that go up a full octave and back down. Next try leaving a few notes out on the way up or down. Soon you will begin to hear groups of notes that you like. You are now "improvising."
That concludes lesson one. Please stay tuned for lesson two where we will discuss changing modes over the chord change from the I chord to the IV chord (Ldyian Major 7th).
Thanks for your attention and happy guitar playing.
Copyright © John Mericle 2000-2009 All Rights Reserved
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The Meeting of the Spirits
Valentine's day 1979, the original trio (Larry Coryell, John McLaughlin and Paco de Lucia) performed one of the most memorable concerts ever at the Royal Albert Hall in London. This unprecedented meeting of guitar virtuosos from very different musical backgrounds came together as one of the ultimate improvisational studies in history, second only to Miles Davis's Bitches Brew. The DVD of this concert "The Meeting of the Spirits" is available from Netflicks.