Scales With Chords, Modes, Arpeggios

Today we are going to discuss how to figure out what scales to play with any given chord, modes, arpeggios and soloing.

Generally speaking, the scale that you play against any given chord can be determined as follows... Figure out the key that the chord is in and that is the scale that you can play. Take the C major chord as an example. You know for sure that you can play the C major scale against the C major chord. But is that the only scale you can use? No, you can also use the G major scale because the C major chord is also in the key of G. You could also use the F major scale.

What are modes? Modes are a way of applying the major scale against a given chord to produce a certain "mood". Let's look at the example given in the previous paragraph. We said that you could play the following scales against the C major chord: C major, G major, F major. If you try this you will see that each scale played against the C major chord produces a different sound and feel. That is generally what modes are about. There are 7 different modes, namely Ionian, Dorian, Phrygian, Lydian, Mixolydian, Aeolian, and Locrian. Each mode has rules about the chords they can be played against and the various sound and feel that each mode produces.

In their most basic form when you play an argeggio you are playing the individual notes of chord. The order of the notes can vary and you can even overlay the notes of one chord over another.

Apreggios can add color and variety to your playing, especially during solo work.

We have talked about techniques, scales, modes and arpeggios that can be used. You should practice using all of the techniques when soloing.

Comments

[ninjai]

I read it but understood it very little, I need to be taught face to face.

[lassise]

started off good, but ended kinda sudden. if it was more in depth it would have helped

[Anti-tabber]

What the hell? English would be nice!

[surfergirl24]

people are only going to understand this if they understand a piano, that's why most musicians learn piano before any other instrument. If you don't understand this, then go get private lessons,or learn the piano. i thought it was a really imformative lesson, because i have had lessons in the past that never explained the theories to use these. so thank you
-the ultimate female SLASH!!!!!-

[Aetius]

or you learn your instrument out of yourself just like paul mcCartney and Eric Clapton did...
Paul for example can't even read notes..

[Nacho2006]

i need a dictionary for this. I though the "Basics" wouuld be simpler to understand. And what if you dont have a piano and live in the middle of the desert.

[Phate]

Hey guys I've been reading bunches of these lessons and see that they are thrown together by anybody. If you want to ask a question or need someting answered I will be much more responsive to your questions. www.geocities.com/ThaPhan
tom2005 the first page allows you to sign the guest book. If you will just ask your queston there I will have a solution and detailed lesson for you very quickly (within a day to a day or two.) Thanks guys and Rock out.

[Phate]

Hey guys I've been reading bunches of these lessons and see that they are thrown together by anybody. If you want to ask a question or need someting answered I will be much more responsive to your questions. www.geocities.com/ThaPhan
tom2005 the first page allows you to sign the guest book. If you will just ask your queston there I will have a solution and detailed lesson for you very quickly (within a day to a day or two.) Thanks guys and Rock out.

[Phate]

oops you cant delete posts in here Oops. By the way, didn't mean to kill this lesson like that. Very well interpreted lesson ug team I got the general meaning out of it. Nice job guys.

[The^Unforgiven]

I don't get it.

[Xuessges]

I get it.

[TWP man]

surfergirl24:
people are only going to understand this if they understand a piano, that's why most musicians learn piano before any other instrument. If you don't understand this, then go get private lessons,or learn the piano. i thought it was a really imformative lesson, because i have had lessons in the past that never explained the theories to use these. so thank you

Very true.

[eetfuk]

I have never touched a piano, well i have touched one at school, but i were instructed to use one finger on 2 of those white tings and i get this easy... no prob..

I can't play piano but I understand basic theory?

[Mark]

Usefull, but kinda abrupt ending. It should have gone more in depth. but still good lesson, everything explained clearly

[zaccy]

i taught myself how to play guitar and i havnt touched a piano in my life.

[suga2sweet]

wtf do these mean \\ ???..

[ibanezaddict]

I was waiting for the scales and modes diagrams

[Newf]

Ok, I am understanding it, now I just have to learn the scales so I can accompany the chords with the modes.

[stinkykuch]

mabey you should put some examples down and that would make it more easy to learn

[SForbz-Rockstar]

surfergirl24:
people are only going to understand this if they understand a piano, that's why most musicians learn piano before any other instrument. If you don't understand this, then go get private lessons,or learn the piano. i thought it was a really imformative lesson, because i have had lessons in the past that never explained the theories to use these. so thank you

im sure their are millions of guitarists who could argue against that(me included)
Saying things like you did is gonna descourage people so dont say it unless its actually true
I thought it was informative to and ive never had lessons

[dragthewaters]

People are generally put off by the names of the modes and so if you called them mode 1,2,3,4,5,6,7 things may not seem so complicated. It should also be mentioned what modes are here and i believe it is not quite explained. Modes are a way of playing say a major scale but with a different starting note (root). So A minor represents the Aeolian mode when compared to the C major scale. They have identical notes in the scale but a different root note. Major and minor keys obviously create different moods, most obviously due to the difference in the third in each of their scales (Major it is raised - major third, minor it is flattened - minor third).
Now, if you play the C major scale and start on say D, you are now playing the Dorian mode, simple as that. Following this, E as the root is phrygian, f is lydian, g is mixolydian, a is Aeolian (or natural minor as it can be referred), b is Locrian and C ionian (or major). you should find phrygian and locrian preferrable for an "evil" sound - great for metal - due to minor 2nds and 3rds, dorian and aeolian fairly similar with major 2nds and minor 3rds and lydian, ionian and mixolydian happier due to major 2nds and 3rds.
Following the piano comment, it is no difficult learning on the guitar than the piano, generally guitarists are self taught and pianists are not and so it is easier being taught by someone than teaching yourself. hope this helps.

[PIKE POUNDER]

Holy hell....*scrates head in confusion*.... it's under basic's so be a bit more either indepth- or blunt please.

[dragthewaters]

I just realised what a waste of time my comment was there, if you want to learn about modes, check out the mode dictionary section on here it is way better than what i wrote.

[nj3kted]

thanks man.. you're the man.. I begin to enjoy playing my guitar while I read this simple theory.. Lil' bit confusing.

[guitartarot]

it was great youcould of got to the point thought the appreggio part wasn't needed though

[satchfan]

a guitar is an instrument on it's own, i cannot play piano and have no desire to, i have learned basic theory myself from tidbits of information on the internet, dont get discouraged if you dont understand or by comments like "people are only going to understand this if they understand a piano", you will eventually understand if you apply what is said and you follow closely and slowly.

[ac/guns n zep]

your example in modes was wrong. Its not the mood of another major scale, its the mode from the mode. So playing a G major scale over a C major chord is not a mode its just another scale, it would give the same mood as the C or any other major scale(or the ionian mode). However playing G Mixolydian is a mode of the C major scale and would give it a different mood. Look for other lessons on modes on this site and other guitar websites.

[ac/guns n zep]

*mood of the mode

[fingersofflame]

dude...that was not really that great of a lesson...it didn't give any insight into what the hell you were talking about...you probably could've gone much farther in depth than you did...but it started off good...but ended poorly...

[ginger balls]

einsteine would have trouble understanding that

[Gman400]

That wasn't great. I already understand the modes and such and which ones go over which chords but you could've have gone more in depth or explained it with examples.

[Jbetter_thanu]

ointless article,u didnt explain how to figure out the modes, no examples,diagrams...etc this is useless to anyone who know nothing of modes. i think ug team is just writing a bunch of newb crap articles so he can rank up or whatever by spamming newb lessons and gettin contributions and sh!t. he does them on easy stuff that has nothing very hard so that hardly any1 will call him out on wrong info. BTW its stupdi people like that, that really piss me off! there are people on here that actually want to read these articles and lessons to learn how to play and get tips, and are actually serious about PLAYING guitar, not looking like they know everything.

[randall720]

So what if the lesson was a little gray. If your guitar playing has come to this point, you should have some understanding of what is tring to be taught. Oh by the way here's a lesson for alot of us: How about a Thank You! Thank you for taking your time to try and make me a better player UG team.

[slash_muthafukr]

its good but only if you already know a bit about guitar

[eisaac]

that was rubbish, i have seen more depth to a shot glass

[webby1990]

well, that made as much sense as a racoon eating a grand piano

[Zeppelin/DC 56]

Everyone should some how learn a LITTLE music theory before reading and attempting to understand these lessons. Maybe there are a few on music theory. If no one knows anything about theory then everyone instantly cuts down the lesson.

[sindrel]

Ok, quite nice, but it's too short. You should give some examples of tho scales played against certain chords, point the specific notes or sth.

[Rhythm monkey]

Insane learning...like my eyes have finally opened..I am on trac..dude..

[Mate.Feed.Kill.]

that was not helpful at all...