Whole Tone & Augmented - Scales & Harmony

Q: I have been working on my Jazz guitar theory for over a year now and I have a handle on most of the basic ideas. But, Im heavy into jazz fusion guitar. Scott Henderson is my favorite guitarist! One thing I know he uses a lot are the Augmented scales and arpeggios. Could you please explain what exactly Augmented is all about and how I can practice using it. At this time I only understand that it is a major triad chord (or arpeggio) with a raised 5th interval. But, I dont understand the scale side of it. Any help with this would be greatly appreciated Especially how to sound like Scott Henderson! - Paul, Memphis TN.

Thanks for writing in! The augmented sound is certainly a part of Scott Henderson's style. It is based from the Whole-Tone scale (also referred to as the Augmented Scale). From the Whole-Tone scale we get the Augmented Arpeggio. The Whole-Tone scale is all Major Second intervals (2 frets on the guitar), the Augmented arpeggio is all Major 3rds. In the video I cover the scale and the arpeggio, as well as, some popular chord types and ways players can begin applying these sounds through theory explanations and licks.


The complete lesson article for this video is available on the Creative Guitar Studio website. Follow the link to read the full article, get the handout, and to grab a copy of the MP3 jam track used in the solo example at the start of the video lesson.

The Major Scale - Ionian Mode

Q: Can you do a quick video lesson about the Ionian Mode. I think it is associated to the Major Scale. But, my guitar teacher couldnt explain it very well. I always appreciate your clear explanations, could you please help me out!  - Thanks, Lamar Jacksonville, FL.

The mode known as IONIAN is simply an ancient Greek name for our most basic of scales the "Major Scale." The major scale is the most important scale in music. All other scales are either taken from it or compared to it. The video lesson explains the; structure of the Major scale, it's formula, intervals, basic harmonic design and also included are a few simple practice tips.

The complete lesson article for this video, is available on the Creative Guitar Studio website. Follow the link to read the full article and get the jam track used in the solo example at the start of the video lesson.

Guitar Lesson: Pitch Axis Theory & Modal Harmony

Andrew Wasson of Creative Guitar Studio answers a viewers question:

Q: I have been searching for a good lesson about a concept called "Pitch Axis Theory", but I cannot find one that explains how to use it. Most of the stuff Ive found just goes on about Modes, but doesnt really cover how the shredder guys and the fusion guys actually use this concept musically. Can you please do a lesson about this topic, I really want to know more about it!
- Thanks, Joey - New York, NY.

A: Thanks for writing in! Pitch Axis Theory is essentially playing modal. There is a bass pitch which remains static and under that pitch we can perform scales of different types. There can even be another layer of harmony present under the bass pitch. This can influence scale types that can be used to create melody.

The complete lesson article for this video, (along with an MP3 audio jam track of the progression heard at the start of the video), is available on the Creative Guitar Studio lessons website.

Guitar Lesson: Mixolydian Scale in Classic Rock

Q: I was wondering if you can cover the sounds of Mixolydian as its used in Rock styles. I like the way bands like Guns N' Roses and Skid Row use this mode to make their music. But, I dont understand how to write chord progressions using this mode applied to a style like classic rock.

Thank you
Thomas, Germany

Thanks for writing in! There is a unique sound in classic rock played by artists like Neil Young, Guns N' Roses and many others that uses the Mixolydian mode. In the video lesson I will cover two popular chords that when used in major progressions will give you the sound you are after.

The complete lesson article for this video, (along with an MP3 audio jam track of the progression heard at the start of the video), is available on the Creative Guitar Studio website.

MUSIC THEORY: The Harmonic Minor Scale

Q: I am a new subscriber and your lessons are helping me a lot... I cannot thank you enough!

My question is, Can you please cover the Harmonic Minor Scale. I keep hearing about how it is so widely used but after playing it, I cannot seem to get it to sound good over anything. I mostly would like to know where and when I am supposed to be using it. My favorite style of music is the contemporary jazz style. I purchased your album off of your web site and I'm sure that I hear you use it in your music. By the way I love your album. Hope you make another one soon.

Thanks,
Zack Paris, France
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THE HARMONIC MINOR SCALE:
This scale is a form of Minor which contains a raised seventh degree. The raised seventh offers a leading tone for strong resolution toward the scales tonic. This makes resolutions occur with far greater pull than is possible with the Natural Minor scale. It is often used in shred guitar music by players like Vai and Malmsteen.

The video explains the scales' basic structure and design. Viewers are shown two fingerboard patterns off of the sixth and fifth strings. Then, there is a thorough explanation of the harmony and how chords can be used in progressions to utilize the sound of Harmonic Minor scale.

The complete lesson article for this video, (along with an MP3 audio jam track of the progression heard at the start of the video), is available on the Creative Guitar Studio website.

Watch the "Chord Families Video Lesson" that was mentioned during the video.

Lydian Mode: Part 1 - Harmony Analysis

The scale structure and harmonic analysis of the Lydian Mode:

LYDIAN MODE:
Lydian is a seven tone scale found by creating tonic from the basic major scales' fourth degree. The result when analyzed, is a major tonality scale with a raised 4th step.

The 4th degree acts to produce a good deal of unstability in the scales structure. This can result in some difficulty for those new to the scales' sound in terms of resolving to tonic. The emotional effect of Lydian is often referred to as a, "moving away," feeling. This effect can take considerable time and practice to master.

Guitarist Joe Satriani is often credited with masterful use of the Lydian mode in his songwriting. His piece, "Flying in a Blue Dream," employs the use of Lydian mode from the outset of the song. Other pieces using Lydian mode include; "Maria," by Leonard Bernstein and, "Here Comes My Girl," by Tom Petty.

Guitar Theory: Voice Leading & Chord Inversions - Part 2

In this second follow-up video to, "Music Theory: Chord Inversions," we will examine the actual use of inversions. This concept is generally reffered to as, "Voice Leading."

VOICE LEADING is the study of smooth chord connection and melodic bass lines. It is called voice leading, due to the fact that, just as in music for the voice, the individual lines, (or voices), of a harmony of a composition can lead, (or connect), smoothly by way of the nearest available tone.

GUITAR THEORY: The "CAGED" System

Andrew Wasson of Creative Guitar Studio answer's a viewers question...

"I'm bored of the chords I know. I started doing a little research on chords and I found out you could play any one chord all over the neck. Then, I ran into something called The, CAGED," system and for the life of me, I cannot find a video lesson that explains it thoroughly.

I was wondering if you could do something on that topic. I'm sure many people would find this information very helpful, along with myself."

Thanks in advance,
Dan - Allentown, PA.

The "C.A.G.E.D. System" addresses the idea of how a set of five open position chords (many guitarists learn early on in their playing days) can be re-fingered and then moved-out along the entire fingerboard. This creates a series of chords based upon the originals which are completely movable.

An important second step with this idea is to examine how octaves operate inside these chord types. Once a student can understand how the octaves lay themselves out, then students can begin practice of scales and arpeggios as well as other types of chords using the framework initially established with the learning of the C.A.G.E.D. System.

- Andrew Wasson
Creative Guitar Studio

GUITAR THEORY: Scale Degrees and Modes

Andrew answers this week's question from off of his website about how to memorize scale degrees and modal ideas...

1). What, if any, is a logical, expeditious way of memorizing scales and their degrees for both soloing and playing chord progressions.

2). How do modes work with chord progressions?

3). How can you mix modes with scales to create interesting improvisations over progressions?

- Christian