When learning to play a mode all over the fingerboard, it’s also important to put it to use in some actual lines, so that you can hear it in action. This piece – which is based on the A Aeolian mode (or natural minor scale) – will enable you to become comfortable with using the mode, whilst giving your plectrum (or fingerstyle) technique a good workout at the same time.
The lessons in this course will first recap the theory behind the Aeolian mode and its unique sound. They will then demonstrate how to play this study piece, section by section.
As you work through this material, you might find the following courses useful (all included in the monthly subscription cost):
Don’t forget to hit the Download Resources button above to get the PDF worksheet and audio files for this piece (available to subscribers only). The transcription is available with TAB and without, for those who wish to give their reading skills a workout.
This course is 14 MINUTES long and contains the following videos, each of which can be selected from the video player above:
This video is a demonstration of the piece, performed on a Mayones Viking bass. This line can be performed either with a plectrum or the fingers.
In this video I’ll be talking about the Aeolian mode, focusing on its distinguishing features, and discussing which chord to play it with.
This video covers the opening section. The bass plays a descending melodic line on the G-string here, above a sustained bass note. This lesson covers bars 1-4.
This lesson covers the B section, which features a conventional rock bass part. The whole line once again uses the A Aeolian mode. This lesson covers bars 5-12.
The C section of this piece continues in the same vein as the previous line, although with a tricky 3/4 bar at the end. This lesson covers bars 13-20.
In this final section, the melodic line that was used in the A section is played repeatedly on the A-string. This lesson covers bars 21-23 in the transcription.