We should now be familiar with the major scale intervals:-
Seven modes can be made out of the diatonic major scale by changing the position of the tonic note 1st Mode Ionian (Diatonic Major) C D E F G A B C 2nd Mode Dorian D E F G A B C D 3rd Mode Phrygian E F G A B C D E 4th Mode Lydian F G A B C D E F 5th Mode Mixolydian G A B C D E F G 6th Mode Aeolian(Natural minor) A B C D E F G A 7th Mode Locrian B C D E F G A B Rewriting as fret intervals Ionian C 2 D 2 E1F 2 G 2 A 2 B1C Dorian D 2 E1F 2 G 2 A 2 B1C 2 D Phrygian E1F 2 G 2 A 2 B1C 2 D 2 E Lydian F 2 G 2 A 2 B1C 2 D 2 E1F Mixolydian G 2 A 2 B1C 2 D 2 E1F 2 G Aeolian A 2 B1C 2 D 2 E1F 2 G 2 A Locrian B1C 2 D 2 E1F 2 G 2 A 2 B Looking at the aeolian scale A 2 B 1 C 2 D 2 E 1 F 2 G 2 Athe fret intervals are 2 1 2 2 1 2 2 These intervals can start at any position e.g. :--
The only notes that are common to all three scales are G Bb C D F G These five notes are refered to as the Minor pentatonic scale which is shown on the Banjo finger board
This scale are usefully employed in improvising when playing the ancient modal tunes many of which are based on this scale system They can be grouped into three sets of fingering patterns:- The first position keeps the 1st finger locked onto the second string first fret The 2nd position keeps the 2nd finger locked onto the second string 6th fret The 3rd position keeps the 2nd finger locked onto the second string 11th fret
The open strings and fretted strings using this scale can be played in any order and in any combinationso mess about and find a few licks you like
Get that first finger moving!
Any combination - fancy a stretch!
