Am I confused about the ALTERED SCALE

For my Presets visit: johnnathancord... If you're not totally clued up on the Altered Scale/Melodic Minor scale, it's not something I explain in this video, so probably for an introduction you might want to look elsewhere? However, if you're wondering about how to practice this scale - here's what I'm doing at the moment - concerns tension and release and how to resolve from the melodic minor/altered scale into the parent major scale.
You can get the tab and info here:
www.patreon.com/johnnathancordy
www.buymeacoff... - if you like what I do and only if you wanted, you could buy me a coffee!

[@serpensnovus9869]

Revisiting/revising this in 2022. I find your way of communicating the ideas works so well for me. You illustrate the music by playing at the same time as describing it I'm so getting the information through ears, eyes and brain. What makes your channel so good is that everything is underpinned by your beautiful playing. Thanks

[@fishy4071]

2024 and still using this lesson as a reference point. Thanks for this.

[@JakeLoosemore]

Whoever gave you THAT phrase is a legend

[@st1969]

Theory cock is my new favorite thing to say. Can’t wait for the new semester now.

[@picksalot1]

I was struggling to find the notes of the Altered scale on the fretboard, and came up with this easy solution. When ascending, the first 4 notes are the Diminished scale that starts with a half-step. The next 4 notes are the Whole Tone scale, and ends on the tonic. Now, I can start the Altered scale on any note and on any fret, and easily find the other notes in the scale. Hope that helps someone.

[@johnnathancordy]

Yeh! Half diminished scale is another name for the scale so that makes sense.

[@picksalot1]

@@johnnathancordy I also came up with an easy way to learn and play all seven "Church" Modes in any key in under 5 minutes using almost no memorization. I'd be happy to share it, but it would probably be best to post it whenever you make a video on Modes. I enjoy your Channel and guitar playing, and am subscribed, so I'd see such a video quickly.

[@alej3795]

There is one more explanation for using F Melodic minor , resolving to C ( but also IVm sound ) - G Phrygian chord (as a V Dominant) , because you can play G Dorian b2 over G Phrygian chord (b9 sus) , not just the Phrygian scale ...

[@NablusRain]

I am more of a Raw Pentatonic scale player but I have turned it around to sound interesting and impactful with phrasing and “emotional bending” But this is Tasty and Elegant Stuff Will practice it to add some depth and sophistication to my solos.

[@wr5347]

Excellent explanation. "whip it out" LOL

[@JakeLoosemore]

Agreed

[@thunderrosa2258]

I think the confusion here is coming from you referring to what is a IV minor sound as altered. All cool concepts to practice none the less 😁

[@johnnathancordy]

Do you mean the IV minor? You're building an altered scale from the 3rd of the scale (i.e. the dominant of the relative minor) - so it's still an altered scale just building from a different place?

[@thunderrosa2258]

@@johnnathancordy yes you're right but I think that way of looking at it - as if the altered scale is the parent scale rather than the melodic minor being the parent scale is what have have been confusing to some you know? Nothing wrong with it if that's your approach and it works for you but I haven't exactly heard anyone else refer to melodic minor as the 2nd mode of the altered scale, or lydian dominant as the 5th mode of the altered scale. Generally the melodic minor scale is the point of reference.

[@johnnathancordy]

@@thunderrosa2258 that's cool - to be honest I don't think in terms of modes of the melodic minor scale in any case - I'd be thinking F melodic minor or Ab melodic minor as options in C major. I'm using the terms E altered or G altered as those are the sort of "triggers"?

[@thunderrosa2258]

@@johnnathancordy I think that's right, I can translate and understand what you mean regardless of which point of reference is used but from the disagreement you described in the video that's what came to mind watching.

[@thunderrosa2258]

@@johnnathancordy i think G altered is cool to say cause you use it over a G altered chord. Because E altered/F melodic minor would most of the time be used over F minor, I think that for some it might be strange to talk about E altered in that case. If you were playing the same scale/sound to go from E7 to Am or A7 in the same key it would be a different story I think

[@smellytele9629]

Got a hopefully quick question; in music theory we were taught that the melodic minor was melodic ascending and then natural minor descending. Is this more in the classical sense or is this how it's also used in Jazz?

[@johnnathancordy]

That's the classical way. In jazz it's the same ascending and descending!

[@smellytele9629]

@@johnnathancordy I've been avoiding it for years. I guess it's time to take a deep breath and dive in. Wish me luck!! I'll be watching for more tips (please). thanks for all the vids, it's all really great info!

[@johnnathancordy]

@@smellytele9629I'd try and find some inspiration - for instance in the solo of Eric Johnsons Manhattan theres some lovely altered phrases...

[@denisrojriv4906]

what is the name of this preset? is it from helix?

[@johnnathancordy]

Yes - its JCFullert2Cab