Originally Posted by: MglamboI was watching a Christopher S. lesson....he was discussing the minor pentatonic scale and I was right there with him. Then he mentioned adding back in 2 more notes to make it diatonic.[/quote]I'm assuming you are referring to this tutorial.
[quote=Mglambo]Then he said to add in those notes here or there to create a modal sound such as Dorian, Phrygian I think etc. Flatting or sharping certain notes to create the particular modal sound. I thought the modes were basically about scales just played from a different starting points, so I fell of the track there. Christopher or anyone?
You are right! That is one way modes can be used. The point I'm trying to make in that pentatonic theory tutorial is that the pentatonic "boxes" or "frameworks" can used as a visual guide to play many different modes. However, that's a relatively specialized & advanced concept & not essential to learning & playing the basic pentatonic scale.
In general, there are 2 ways of looking at modes & you have to specify which one you mean.
1. Structural: each mode relates to a parent scale. So you are always in one major scale, G major for example, and the various modes are just ways of playing a G major scale, but starting on each note in turn. Often this is used to stay in one key, but play over the chord changes within the key.
2. Ornamental: You just play whichever mode you like the sound of at the time regardless of the key. This requires that you know & apply the scale or mode interval formula.
I have 2 tutorials on modes that cover both of these approaches in detail.
https://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=370
https://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=770
Hope this helps! Please ask more if necessary. Have fun with modes!
