Lesson 6
                        Modes and Pentatonic Relationship


In the last lesson, I stated that I would try to make the link between majoe and minor
scales.  So, certain scales and modes are Major and certain ones are minor. Yep, I can
Hear ya, "Duh, Mike!"

Did ya know that the same is true for the pentatonic scales?  That will follow my
"Blues Scale" Lesson, but for now.........

As a definintion, "Pentatonic Scales" are scales that the Root Note repeat on the fifth
note in the scale after the first time the root note appears in the scale.  "Penta" is
Greek for "five" and "tonic" simply means "tone".

"Modes" scales that are created from many other scales. As a matter of fact, they
can be created from ANY scale!! They are formed by "displacing" the root note of the
scale.

For example, the Major Modes are Ionian, Lydian and Mixolydian.

The Minor modes are dorian, phyrigian, aeolian, locrian and a variety of harmonic 
minors.

So how do ya put the modes together with the pentatonic????

Here is a simple chart to help ya out:

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1  {Number of Notes in the Scale}

C D E F G A B C  Ionian     (I)   {Major}
C D E   G A   C  Pentatonic (I)   {Major}

D E F G A B C D  dorian     (ii)  {minor}
D E   G A   C D  pentatonic (ii)  {minor}

E F G A B C D E  phyrgian   (iii) {minor}
E   G A   C D E  pentatonic (iii) {minor}

G A B C D E F G  Mixolydian (V)   {Major}
G A   C D E   G  Pentatonic (V)   {Major}

A B C D E F G A  aeolian    (vi)  {minor}
A   C D E   G A  pentatonic (vi)  {minor}

And since there is no pentatonic "4th or 7th", the Lydian and locrian modes have no
pentatonic matches.  I won't explain this now, but trust me!!  The important thing to
note here is that where the Root Note repeats itself.

Ok, what does all that mean?

Basically, all you have to remember is to match the scales to the modes.  I put
the musical alphabet there to show you the relation between the 7 notes in the 
modes, matched with the 5 notes in the pentatonic scales.  The easiest way to remember
the notes in the pentatonic alphabet is to leave off B and F.

Also, notice how I capitalized the first letter of the Major Scales, but not on 
the minor.  It's a good visual aid as I said in the last lesson.

Now, locate the scales root note on your axe, and practice like a mad man!!!!  
Use the chart above to get ya started, and when you're comfortable with it, then 
move the modes and scale pairs around.  You're gonna love this!!!!

Once again, remember, if you're playing using minor chords, use minor scales, and if 
you're playing using a  Major Chord, use the Major scales.  Yep, this isn't a concrete
method, but for a beginner, it will work nicely! 

You can actually play around with these in many different ways, however, practice 
the above until your comfortable.

Ok, that's it for now, and keep practicing!!

Mike