a different example relating to modes..
Take the C major scale again for example...
That's the notes
C D E F G A B C
In the prior example we played this scale from the 3rd note to the 3rd note (E to E)
Let's play it from the 2nd note to the 2nd note (D to D)
That would be D E F G A B C D
Now, in relation to our new root note of D, this scale does not contain the same intervals as the C major scale (even though it contains the same darn notes as the C major scale)
This scale with D as the root note has the following intervals
root D
D to E major 2nd
D to F minor 3rd (as opposed to a major 3rd like the C major scale would have)
D to G perfect 4th
D to A perfect 5th
D to B major 6th
D to C minor 7th (as opposed to a major 7th like the C major scale would have)
D to D the octave
Again, this scale does not have the same layout of intervals that the C major scale has, and therefore does not sound the same.....
...better give it a different name than C major.....we call it D Dorian
Any major scale played from its 2nd note to its 2nd note is referred to as the 'dorian mode'
example - If you play the F major scale which is
F G A Bb C D E F
from its 2nd note to its 2nd note (G to G) we get
G A Bb C D E F G and call it the G Dorian mode (could call it G Dorian scale if you wish)
note that G Dorian happens to contain the notes of G minor pentatonic, also....
Let's go back to C major, play intervals of a 6th in C major, then do the same but with a D bass note ringing out to hear how it changes to the 'minorish' Dorian sound...this is what happens in the intro to Bon Jovi's 'Wanted Dead or Alive'on a 12-string.....now look....Mapletrees most definitely does not run around in spandex pants....but if this type of stuff is good enough for Taylor to decide to build a Richie Sambora Signature guitar...it's got to be worth learning.....
That other post about intervals will eventually explain 6ths better....but here without explanation are 6ths in the key of C...
first, some notation....
x32010 would mean a basic C chord
xx0232 would mean a basic D chord
ok, intervals of a 6th in C major up the 4th and 2nd string...
xx2x1x
xx3x3x
xx5x5x
xx7x6x
xx9x8x
xx 10 x 10 x
xx 12 x 12 x
and back to
xx 14 x 13 x
That should sound 'majorish' to you...
Now, let's do the same intervals out on the 3rd and 1st strings....
xxx9x8
xxx 10 x 10
xxx 12 x 12
xxx 14 x 13
we're running out of fretboard on an acoustic here so to continue let's move down an octave..
xxx4x3
xxx5x5
xxx7x7
and back to
xxx9x8 to finish...
Richie Sambora uses those shapes on the 3rd and first strings with the open D on the 4th string ringing out to play 'Dead or Alive"......
can you find it?...
he starts with
xx 0 14 x 13
and works down the shapes until he gets to
xx 0 2 x 1
the only shape he skips is
xxx7x7
Can you hear how the sound of the scale has been completely changed to a minor one?
We'll pick something from Clapton's 'Tears in Heaven' next.....mixolydian thirds....
Ask if you don't get something (and you want to get it)