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- Advanced Modes -

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Modes can also be created from the minor system as in the super lydian and super locrian modes shown below. Some other modal scales are not strictly modes, however, they can still be used in improvising in a similar way.

Super Lydian

The Super Lydian mode is the fourth mode of the harmonic minor scale. It can also be considered a combination of the mixolydian and lydian modes from the major system, as it is a major scale with lowered 7th degree and raised 4th degree.  

The super lydian mode can be used as an extension of the mixolydian mode to give a more "Jazzy" approach soloing over a dominant 7 chord.

 

Super Locrian

The Super Locrian mode is the 7th mode of the harmonic minor scale. It is an interesting mode as it can be seen as a major scale with all notes flattened appart from the root.  

The super locrian mode is usefull over an altered V chord appoaching the I chord in a minor key, eg. C7b9 approaching Fm.

 

Diminished

The Diminished scale is not so much a mode as an arpeggio based on the diminished 7 chord, in which the interval between each note is a minor 3rd. Although it is not strictly a mode it can be used in soloing as with other modes.

The diminished scale is usefull over altered V chords leading to a I chord in a minor key, as with the super locrian. However, it can also be used over dominant 7 chords in a major key in some situations.

Because the interval between each note of the diminished scale is a minor 3rd, the scale has much symmetry which can be used as an advantage when repeating and moving the pattern up the neck of the guitar.

Tip: When using the diminished scale over a 7 chord, start on any note of the diminished scale from either the lowered 2nd, major 3rd, 5th or lowered 7th note of the 7 chord. 

 

Whole-Half Tone

The whole half tone scale is an extension of the diminished scale in that for every note in the diminished scale another note one tone higher is added. The scale is called whole-half tone scale as the interval between each note of the scale alternates from tone to half tone.

The whole half tone can be used in similar situations to the diminished scale.

 

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