What are different modes or scales?
A scale is a specific arrangement of seven different notes that, in most cases, will start and end on the same note, climbing an octave or two across all 6 strings in the process. Scales begin with a root note and can be played in any key. Depending on the scale, the intervals between notes will change, which gives scales different sounds.
A mode is a specific arrangement of notes that is built off of a scale. They take scales to the next level, adding different notes, intervals, shapes, and sounds. Each mode corresponds to a specific type of scale, and, unlike scales, modes don’t have to start or end on the root note.
What are the main scales?
In Western music, there are 12 scales. The first scales most guitarists are taught are the major and minor pentatonic scales. The earliest rock guitar players, like Sister Rosetta Tharpe and Chuck Berry, on to stadium rock legends Jimmy Page and Angus Young have popularized pentatonic scales with their lead work.
What are the main modes?
There are seven modes: Ionian, Phrygian, Lydian, Mixolydian, Dorian, Aeolian, and Locrian. They’re similar to scales, but contain different note intervals and create a completely different sound and mood.
How can you use modes and scales?
Scales and modes are essential tools for navigating the guitar’s fretboard. They form the basis of most soloing that guitarists do, and lend vastly different colors to your playing. Each scale or mode has a unique feel, so the more you add to your arsenal, the freer you’ll be in expressing ideas on your guitar.
Which scale is the easiest to play?
None of the scales are easier or harder, per se, but the major and minor pentatonic scales are good places to start, since other modes often build off of and into them.
Where can I find additional reading on modes and scales?
These articles at premierguitar.com will be helpful: “Fretboard Workshop: A Pentatonic Approach to Modes,” “Pentatonic Escape Routes,” “Pentatonic Misfits,” “Beyond Blues: The Mixo-Pentatonic Scale,” “The Modes: Part 1,” and “The Modes: Part 2.”
Radiohead announces KID A MNESIA, a multiple format triple-album release marking the 21st anniversary of Kid A and Amnesiac, out November 5th via XL Recordings.
KID A MNESIA collects Radiohead's fourth and fifth albums alongside the debut of a newly compiled third disc titled Kid Amnesiae. Exclusive to this release, Kid Amnesiae is comprised of unearthed material culled from the Kid A / Amnesiac sessions. Along with alternate versions and elements of Kid A and Amnesiac album tracks and B-Sides, Kid Amnesiae features the never-before-heard "If You Say the Word" (available now as a digital single) and a previously unreleased studio recording of "Follow Me Around."
Radiohead - If You Say The Word (Official Audio)
The Kid Amnesiae bonus LP track listing is:
SIDE 1
LIKE SPINNING PLATES ('WHY US?' VERSION)
UNTITLED V1
FOG (AGAIN AGAIN VERSION)
IF YOU SAY THE WORD
FOLLOW ME AROUND
SIDE 2
PULK/PULL (TRUE LOVE WAITS VERSION)
UNTITLED V2
THE MORNING BELL (IN THE DARK VERSION)
PYRAMID STRINGS
ALT. FAST TRACK
UNTITLED V3
HOW TO DISAPPEAR INTO STRINGS
The full KID A MNESIA collection will be available in configurations including:
KID A MNESIA Deluxe LP — Limited edition 3xLP cream vinyl, half-speed cut on 180g – Kid A, Amnesiac, Kid Amnesiae + 36-page hardback art book
Kid Amnesiette — Limited, numbered edition of 5000, 2xCassette – Tape 1: Kid A / Amnesiac, Tape 2: Kid Amnesiae / 5x B-sides from the Kid A / Amnesiac era + 36-page booklet
… as well as indie exclusive limited edition red vinyl 3LP, black vinyl 3LP, 3xCD, and 3-volume digital formats.
Additionally, on the November 4th eve of KID A MNESIA's release, Canongate will release two art books by Thom Yorke and Stanley Donwood cataloging the visual works created during the Kid A / Amnesiac era:
- KID A MNESIA Art Book – a 300-page celebration of the process and artwork created for Kid A and Amnesiac.
- FEAR STALKS THE LAND! – A B&W paperback in which Yorke and Donwood's notes, lyrics and sketches are gathered together.
Radiohead
With his do-it-all offset in hand, the Bay Area blues mainstay laments one of the genre's beneficial but unfortunate downsides.