Modal Scale Theory

[B3Wannabe]

1. When playing a I Maj chord, you can run a IV Mixolydian scale.

For the key of C, that'll be a Bb scale starting on F, over a C major chord.

Ex.

C-G-C \ F, G, A, Bb, C, D, Eb, F, G-C-E


2. When playing a V7, you can run a V Aeolian or VI Locrian scale.

For the key of C, that'll be a Bb scale starting on G or A over a G7 chord.

Ex.

G-D-F \ G, A, Bb, C, D, E, F, G, B-E-A
G-D-F \ A, Bb, C, D, E, F, G, A, G-C-E


3. When playing a IV Maj7, you can run a ii Aeolian or iii Locrian scale.

For the key of C, that'll be a F scale starting on D or E over a FMaj7 chord.

Ex.

F-C-E \ D, E, F, G, A, Bb, C, D, A-C-F
F-C-E \ E, F, G, A, Bb, C, D, E, G-C-E


4. When playing a IV7, you can run a ii Locrian scale.

For the key of C, that'll be a Eb scale starting on D over a F7 chord.

Ex.

F-C-Eb \ D, Eb, F, G, Ab, Bb, C, D, G-C-E


5. When playing any chord, you can run a major scale built of the 5th of the chord.

For the key of C, that'll be a G scale over a C chord, but you can pick any diatonic chord.

Ex.

E-B-D \ G#, A, B, C#, D, E, F#, G#, D-G-B


(I'll post a clip later.)

[MikaSue]

I'll have to try these B3   thanks for posting!

[PianoWizard]

I'll have to try these B3   thanks for posting!

DITTO

PianoWiz...

[Da Man]

1. ...a IV Mixolydian scale.

Hey, Jonah.  You're starting to rock my boat.  What do you mean?

Da Man

[B3Wannabe]

Hey, Jonah.  You're starting to rock my boat.  What do you mean?

Da Man

For the key of C, that'll be a Bb scale starting on F, over a C major chord.

Ex.

C-G-C \ F, G, A, Bb, C, D, E, F, G-C-E

[Cherri]

Ear training using keyboard. Thanks B3.

[Muziqmann]

Great post I'll check these out.  Thanx!

[CESharp]

1. When playing a I Maj chord, you can run a IV Mixolydian scale.

For the key of C, that'll be a Bb scale starting on F, over a C major chord.

Ex.

C-G-C \ F, G, A, Bb, C, D, E, F, G-C-E


2. When playing a V7, you can run a V Aeolian or VI Locrian scale.

For the key of C, that'll be a Bb scale starting on G or A over a G7 chord.

Ex.

G-D-F \ G, A, Bb, C, D, E, F, G, B-E-A
G-D-F \ A, Bb, C, D, E, F, G, A, G-C-E


3. When playing a IV Maj7, you can run a ii Aeolian or iii Locrian scale.

For the key of C, that'll be a F scale starting on D or E over a FMaj7 chord.

Ex.

F-C-E \ D, E, F, G, A, Bb, C, D, A-C-F
F-C-E \ E, F, G, A, Bb, C, D, E, G-C-E


4. When playing a IV7, you can run a ii Locrian scale.

For the key of C, that'll be a Eb scale starting on D over a F7 chord.

Ex.

F-C-Eb \ D, Eb, F, G, Ab, Bb, C, D, G-C-E


5. When playing any chord, you can run a major scale built of the 5th of the chord.

For the key of C, that'll be a G scale over a C chord, but you can pick any diatonic chord.

Ex.

E-B-D \ G#, A, B, C#, D, E, F#, G#, D-G-B


(I'll post a clip later.)

You've totally lost me!!!

[T-Block]

O.K. CESharp, let me try to explain this a little better for you.  I'll start with the first one:

1. When playing a I Maj chord, you can run a IV Mixolydian scale.

For the key of C, that'll be a Bb scale starting on F, over a C major chord.

Ex.

C-G-C \ F, G, A, Bb, C, D, Eb, F, G-C-E

Now, I'm sure you know what a major chord is already, so let's move to the next part of it.  To understand the part about "IV Mixolydian scale", you first have know what a mixolydian scale is.  A mixolydian scale just like playing a major scale, the only difference is you start and end on the 5th scale degree.  So, here is an example of the mixolydian scale in the key of C:

G  A  B  C  D  E  F  G

You see that?  You use all the same notes as a normal C major scale, but you are starting and ending on G.  It might sound wierd cuz you will want to play an F#, but u can't.  Now that we understand that, we will get back to the "IV Mixolydian scale" in our example.  Since B3 has given us the key, C major, now we have to find out what is the 4th scale degree in the key of C.  The 4th scale degree is F.  This takes care of your IV, you wit me so far?

Now, the next question you have to ask yourself is, "In what key is F the 5th scale degree?"  To save you some trouble, F is the 5th scale degree in the key of Bb major.  Here is the Bb major scale:  Bb=1  C=2  D=3  Eb=4  F=5  G=6  A=7  Since we are going to play a mixolydian scale, we are going to start and end on F, like this:  F, G, A, Bb, C, D, Eb, F

That takes care of your mixolydian scale, you still wit me?  I hope so, cuz now we are going to put them all together.  What you are going to do is run a Bb major scale starting on F.  Then, end with the C major chord at the end:

C-G-C \ F, G, A, Bb, C, D, E, F, G-C-E


That's the thought process you have to go through with each of the examples.  I honestly have no idea how to use these runs, so B3 will have to let us hear some clips in order to understand how to use them.

[sjonathan02]

C-G-C \ F, G, A, Bb, C, D, E, F, G-C-E

Now Teacher, help me if I'm wrong; but since we're playing a Bb major scale starting on F, wouldn't the run be this:


C-G-C / F, G, A, Bb, C, D, Eb, F, G-C-E


Again, just asking for clarification sake. Great explaination as always. But, like you, I'd have to hear how B3 is using this bad boy. 

[B3Wannabe]

Yea...sorry for the typo.

It's suppose to be Eb. I corrected it in the original post. I've been working on some clips with this as well as clips that show the fingering for both hands with the 7 modes in C. I'll post them sometime this weekend or at the beginning of next week. I've been working on my site all week.

[T-Block]

Yeah sjon, it's just a typo.  It shoud be an Eb and not an E. 

[nyb@ssist]

isn't the fourth called lydian(IV) and the fifth, mixolydian(V) 

[nyb@ssist]

O.K. CESharp, let me try to explain this a little better for you.  I'll start with the first one:

Now, I'm sure you know what a major chord is already, so let's move to the next part of it.  To understand the part about "IV Mixolydian scale", you first have know what a mixolydian scale is.  A mixolydian scale just like playing a major scale, the only difference is you start and end on the 5th scale degree.  So, here is an example of the mixolydian scale in the key of C:

G  A  B  C  D  E  F  G

You see that?  You use all the same notes as a normal C major scale, but you are starting and ending on G.  It might sound wierd cuz you will want to play an F#, but u can't.  Now that we understand that, we will get back to the "IV Mixolydian scale" in our example.  Since B3 has given us the key, C major, now we have to find out what is the 4th scale degree in the key of C.  The 4th scale degree is F.  This takes care of your IV, you wit me so far?

Now, the next question you have to ask yourself is, "In what key is F the 5th scale degree?"  To save you some trouble, F is the 5th scale degree in the key of Bb major.  Here is the Bb major scale:  Bb=1  C=2  D=3  Eb=4  F=5  G=6  A=7  Since we are going to play a mixolydian scale, we are going to start and end on F, like this:  F, G, A, Bb, C, D, Eb, F

That takes care of your mixolydian scale, you still wit me?  I hope so, cuz now we are going to put them all together.  What you are going to do is run a Bb major scale starting on F.  Then, end with the C major chord at the end:

C-G-C \ F, G, A, Bb, C, D, E, F, G-C-E


That's the thought process you have to go through with each of the examples.  I honestly have no idea how to use these runs, so B3 will have to let us hear some clips in order to understand how to use them.

I don't understand any of this.....

[T-Block]

isn't the fourth called lydian(IV) and the fifth, mixolydian(V) 

Yes, the lydian mode starts on the IV and the mixolydian mode starts on the V.  What you are confused about is, the mixolydian part refers to the key of Bb.  The IV refers to the key of C.  You see, F is the IV in the key of C, but F is also the V in the key of Bb.  So, what you are doing is running a Bb major scale, starting on the IV in the key of C, which is also the V in Bb, which constitutes as a mixolydian scale.  Does that make more sense?

I know this is confusing, but trust me I have done my best to explain this in the most simplest terms possible.  I don't know if I can break down or explain it any easier.  It will make more sense as you study up on more theory about scales, modes, etc.

[nyb@ssist]

I understand it better. Thanks I erally appreciate the wisdom.