Using Scales and Modes in Your Songs to Give Them More Emotion Part 2
Last time I was discussing using the major and minor scales to evoke the happy and sad emotions respectively.. One of the primary differences between these scales is the 3’rd note in each. With the major scale it’ s 2 whole steps away or 4 frets. So for example, in the ‘C’ major scale ‘E’ is the 3’rd note in the scale. We call that a major 3’rd. It’s the same note that makes a C major chord sound happy.
On the minor scale it’s 1 and 1/2 steps from the root note. So for an ‘A’ minor scale the (minor) third would be “C”. On guitar that’s three frets up.
Here’s why this is important. Last time I mentioned that there are 7 modes. 3 of the modes will have a major 3rd. 4 will have a minor 3rd.
So, for today let’s take a look at two of the modes that have that minor 3rd. The first is the Phrygian mode. “Symphony of Destruction” by Megadeth uses this mode in the main riff. To play this scale start on the 5th note of the ‘A’ minor scale which is ‘E’. Play E,F,G,A, B, C,D, and then the octave E. So you’re adding on the 7’th fret on the ‘G’ string and then the 5th fret on the ‘B’ string. Some describe this as having an Egyptian tonality.
The only difference in tonality with this scale is there is a half step between the root and the 2nd note in the scale. This means they are one fret away from each other. If you play this scale starting on the low ‘E’ and go back and forth between the 1st fret ‘F’ you’ll get an idea of how this to write a more aggressive sounding song than the natural minor provides. Rob Zombie and Metallica seem to favor this mode as well. It’s an easy way to make a song sound tougher.
The 2nd mode with a minor tonality is Dorian. “Back in Black” and “Another Brick in the Wall” are a couple examples of songs using this scale. Play D,E,F,G,A,B,C,D. In an ‘A’ minor scale you’d be starting on the 4th note ‘D’ on the 5th fret of the ‘A’ string. Santana is known for using this mode a lot.
Next time we’ll discuss the other two major modes and the 4th minor mode.
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