Hi,
When practising modes shall I understand deeply what the scales degrees are for every note before I move on to another key? I understand everything else about the modes its just this. For instance in the D dorian scale I'm not quick to think that the G is the 4th and so on. Id like to be able to identify these things straight away in order to make my playing sound better but I don't want to focus too much on it if its something that will come over time.
Thanks
hey dec, if you find your ears are trained enough to be able to sing intervals, i think you should be okay to move on. modes are great for understanding why certain sounds work together, but it doesn't necessarily make you a good musician/guitarist... if that's your end goal.
i think more important to ask is "what is my goal? will learning these modes and all the intervals perfectly help me get closer to it?"
Hi
Thanks for the reply. I have been practicing singing intervals with the major scale. Would you advise practicing this but starting with Do on the root note of the modes?
Thanks
Hey Dec, put what you're asking in the context of what music style you're trying to learn. For example, learning to sing intervals on a scale you're not going to be using isn't important for you to learn. It's important to learn later as you try to expand different styles.
But if you're focused on making pop music, or blues/funk, then it's not necessary if the scale isn't used in that style.
My point is it's good practice to determine whether something is useful for you and your goals, rather than hoping someone will tell you exactly what to practice vs. not practice.
Does that make sense?
There is not a wrong way to practice. The simplest way to know whether you've gone off course is if you find yourself not using what you practiced. It's still not a wrong turn. It's just about adjusting your next practice so it's more relevant to your growth.
That's why people love saying "don't waste your time on YouTube" because it's not a structured way to learn. What they don't say is that it's okay to learn different things at different times, you just gotta know the context of it.
Just remember this is not a sprint. It's a marathon. Don't worry - just focus on studying and practicing it deeply in the context of what your guitar goals are.
Hi
I really appreciate you going to the effort of explaining this. When I’m practicing, sometimes I feel I’m getting ahead of myself so I take a step back. I’ve noticed that it’s very good to do that. I love this advice and feedback as at the moment I have no one around me to learn off and before finding the site I was very much taking shots in the dark when learning theory and this site has given me a structure to my learning. Tomo is defiantly helping to keep my motor running in concerns to my passion and interest for guitar. Keep it up Tomo and everyone!
Hey Dec,
Tomo's a really great teacher. I've take lots of courses on guitar over the years, and even though Tomo is a little more advanced, it pushes people out of their comfort zone... especially those who are stuck in "intermediate" mode.
Don't be shy to ask questions either :)
I'm always happy to help. And Tomo is as well, from his engagement on the forums.
Here is Tomo's comment:
"Thanks so much for subscribing to my Guitar Wisdom. It's always better to study and practice deeply! Learn the name and degree of each note. Learn the intervals. Don’t hurry! Stay where you are as long as you need to be there!"
I think what Tomo is saying is to know where is a half step or a whole step and which number of thje scale it is, you don't have to memorize the name of the scales. For example, you don't have to know that the 3 of the C scale is an E, but you have to understand where is the 3rd of the scale and why it is the 3rd.
Edit: Also know if from the 2 to the 3 is a whole step or half step.
Hi
I would say based on what Tomo said above, "Learn the name and degree of each note". that its good to understand what number every note represents in a scale. So to go back to your example above, understanding that E in the scale of Cmaj is a 3 is useful.