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Here at Bones Jones Music, we get you playing the guitar from day one. The beauty of a guitar is that with a little orientation to the fretboard and a quick demonstration on how to hold the instrument, even a total beginner can make music right away.
If you’ve been intimidated by learning to read music or have worried about having to decode complicated concepts to be a guitarist, we are here to reassure you: none of that is necessary to have a great time making music!
Our quick music theory posts are examples of how we often present music theory at Bones Jones Music. These little bits of music theory are designed to give you some context for what you are learning and playing here at BJM.
Next up:
MODES!
Modes seem to be one of the most confusing parts of music theory but the concept is actually really simple.
When most people talk about a song being in the “key of x”, they are referring to a group of notes that, when combined into a scale or a group chords, create a specific sound or feeling. Major tends to be bright and happy, while Minor leans toward dark and sad.
Modes are simply variations of the Major or Minor Scale that create an even wider palette of sounds and feelings to choose from.
For example, the Phrygian mode isn’t commonly found in pop or classic rock music, but is used often in heavy metal due to its dark and exotic feel.
Lydian can be found in a variety of genres including: film scores, classic rock, pop, modern rock and more. The Simpsons Theme song uses the Lydian mode to create a cinematic, magical feeling.
Modes change the feeling, intensity, and interest in music but are more than just patterns or starting positions. Modal sounds are like mixing colors. You mix red and blue to make purple. But you can’t really understand what purple is just by looking at red and blue alone.
The best way to begin to hear the features of each mode, is to play and hear them along with accompaniment. This is a benefit of learning with others and one of the reasons we teach group lessons. In class, a fellow student can play a drone note or chord while you try playing the chosen mode over top to hear the unique characteristics.
This Modes cheat sheet Billy created demonstrates the differences and sounds of each of the seven modes.
You can download it here:
Ready to learn more?
Contact us to schedule your free intro lesson and we'll get you playing from day one!
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