Originally Posted by: zreynoldspWith you there gennation.

Lao - you'll find the box shaped modal patterns the best to learn. 3 note per string shapes are good for shred but the classical boxes make it easier to see the differences between modes as compared to the major/minor scales you probably know backwards. For example, Lydian's sharpened fourth - you can see when you're playig the scale how it differs from the major.

I found modal theory very useful... and once you know about it you can make your own shapes. Mr Satriani likes doing that....

And, I'm with you.

I also have a couple of tutorials about breaking those "boxes" down into "your own shapes" ala Satriani.

Here's one on the Lydian scale (audio is included): http://lessons.mikedodge.com/lessons/Lydian/LydianTOC.htm

And, here's one I call the Dominant Pantatonic...takeing many Dominant type scales and stipping them into one "common note scale" to fit all the application: http://lessons.mikedodge.com/lessons/DomPent/DominantPentatonic.htm

The Lydian one is deadon Vai, Satch, Johnson. The Dominant Pentatonic is Mclaughlin, Jan Hammer, and Jeff Beck to the tee.