EXCERPT 1

There are 22 scales or modes that are commonly used in contemporary music. This book presents the
structure of each scale and how to play it in every key. It also shows you common modal sequences that facilitate
memorization of the scale and spur new melodic ideas.
You should use physical and mental practicing to help solidify these scales in your mind.
Work with each new scale presented in the following ways:
Hints for Practicing Scales
b. Memorize scales by relating them to structurally similar scales you already know. If you
think of what alterations a scale has in comparison to C Major e.g. (C Dorian has a fl atted 3rd
and 7th), you will be able to relate each new scale to a scale you already know. Once you have
memorized the 7 modes of Major: Major, Dorian, Phrygian, Lydian, Mixolydian, Aeolian and
Locrian you can use these scales to help you memorize other scales. For instance if you want
to learn a Dorian b2 scale just fl at the second degree of the Dorian scale and you have your new
scale. Learning scales using this method helps you master scales quickly because they are relating
back to a scale you know while keeping the root the same. However, although many people
learn scales like the Dorian by relating it to its parent major scale, (D Dorian has the same notes
as C Major), I don’t recommend using this method as your sole means of memorizing scales.
Having to constantly relate back to another scale to fi gure out the scale you need is time consuming
and gets crazy when you have many chords in a progression. It also goes against how
you naturally hear music. For example if you have a D minor vamp you will hear this vamp in
D minor, so why think in C major? Conversely, there are places where you can group a bunch
of chords together and play one scale over all chords. You would think one scale over multiple
chords only in the instance where you “hear” all the chords in one key center.
1. Digest the information presented about the structure of the scale.
2. Write out each scale in all keys, by hand or with a computer program.
3. Use the recommended chord progressions to apply each scale to an improvisational context.
4. Transpose these progressions to all keys and/or use the vamps found in the member’s area of the
Muse Eek website to get the most out of your improvisational work.
5. Be creative and try to come up with other chord progressions that would work with each scale. You
can create new chord progressions by using the diatonic chords of the mode or by combining any of
the notes of the scale to create non-tertial (not built in 3rds) structures. A list of three and four note
non-tertial chords is provided for each scale. A table of all possible chords that each scale will work
over is also supplied for each scale.
6. Memorize the sound and structure of each scale.
a. Memorize the interval pattern.
7. Apply Long Line Rhythm as explained on the following pages to each scale and modal sequence.
8. Work on your contextual ear training skills so you both can play and hear each scale correctly. I
recommend the following books:
Ear Training One Note Complete ISBN 978-1-890944-47-6
Fanatic’s Guide to Sight Singing and Ear Training ISBN 978-1-890944-19-3