Playing Modes Without Memorizing Modes

TRANSFORM your guitar playing! Join the Guitar Playback Academy for STRUCTURED LESSONS and REAL TEACHER FEEDBACK!
📌 Free 14-Day Access ➜ guitarplayback...
►►FREE Modal Explorer courses.guitar...
This lesson is for pentatonic players that don't want to spend a lot of time memorizing all the Greek modes.
You can extract a pentatonic scale out of six of the seven modes. With this information in mind, we can take a major scale and extract three pentatonic scales starting from three different points on the fretboard.
In this case, we will use G Dorian to exemplify this improvisation trick, but we can try it in all modes!
Recommended playlists
►How to Play Melodic
• Start Unlocking Your M...
►How to Use Guitar Modes
• How To Use Guitar Modes
►How to Play Blues
• How To Play Blues Solos
►►Latest Video: goo.gl/1f9R9A
►►Subscribe: goo.gl/CmJzN2
►David’s Gear Picks: imp.i114863.ne...
►SweetWater Deals: imp.i114863.ne...
►Gear Giveaways: imp.i114863.ne...
►New Gear Day: imp.i114863.ne...
David’s gear
The Chair! amzn.to/3btIZrt
Vola Guitars: (use code DAVID to save 10% on your next Vola Guitar)
UK/EU: shop.volaguita...
USA/Canada: www.tensolo.co...
Fractal Audio: www.fractalaudi...
ClearTone Strings: www.cleartonest...
Hosa cables: hosatech.com
Neck Diagrams: neckdiagrams.s...
Transcribe!: bit.ly/2DCMfC7
Guitar Pro: www.guitar-pro...
►►FREE Theory Course guitarplayback...
►►David’s music: www.davidwalli...
Business Inquiries: [e-mail]

[@wftoney1]

As always, this info is gold. I tell folks that after almost 50 years of being a guitar player I finally became a guitarist because of Mr. Wallimann. Thank you!

[@clintn6677]

I bought a lesson pack from him and its the first time I've felt like Im learning again after losing my guitar teacher.

[@slvec7852]

Well, let's not jump to that conclusion (about you having finally become a guitar player, lol) so soon!

[@marvalousmarvin9234]

@Warren Toney - I could have written the same comment. I'm 72 and just picking up the guitar again after 40 - 50 years of just looking at it standing in the corner. A good teacher makes all the difference. Glad I found Dave.

[@KevinORourke25]

I just gotta say it. I love you man! I just really get your tutorials and it is often something I have been struggling with, and then BAM! Walliman shows up and breaks it down. Great David. Kevin

[@Real-time22]

WHAT THE FUCK???? That just blew my mind, i cant believe i have never put this together nor have i heard anyone else explain it. so if you have 3 scales, all from that position of the pentatonic, you can run that all the way up the neck and down...holy shit...i finally learned the modes...well, its a huge start. Thank you Mr. Wallimann. You are the best!!! seriously, you are.

[@bryaneaves]

I love how you highlight simple concepts and make them eye opening. I always walk away from your lessons thinking..."why didn't I know that already?"

[@j.b.phillips6400]

Thank you so much! Like others, I've been playing lead for many years, but you have opened so much more of the fretboard. Moving through these minor modes even gets into to a jazz sound which has been impossible to me to crack on a consistent bases, until now!

[@PeterBoivin]

The modes have been a mystery to me. Thanks to you and other KZbinrs, it is coming clearer. I like in this tutorial that even with the three pentatonic scales you also get the missing notes from the G Dorian with the other two pentatonics.

[@davidskinner4978]

I love your phrasing and style. You ARE helping guitar players all around the world. In my opinion, you are one of the top guitar facilitators in the internet!

[@richdelb]

WOW. Love having my eyes "Opened" like this. I have never looked at it like this. Expanding on this one position higher and lower suddenly opens up the ENTIRE neck in a new way.

[@justslav1]

DUDEE ...YOU BLEW MY MIND WITH THAT

[@claytonphelps9911]

Excellent presentation, awesome information, eye and ear opening stuff. Thank you David

[@erniewms1]

This is better than magic. Nothing I have learned has been more musically useful.

[@moisesdacruzvieira5965]

This lesson was very important for me! Thank you!

[@lynfox1533]

Fantastic lesson David, especially for us beginners who have relied on the pentatonic scale. Thank you!

[@saskfarm]

Will be trying this out with the looper next chance I get. Great observation and as always, you’ve made it easy to understand so I can find these Minir pentatonics in any key. THANKS!

[@funkymonkey8174]

Thank you I was just working on this and this puts it all together for me. Us visual learners love youtube. Great video!

[@qjarman7753]

Awesome David... I’m subscribed to some of the lessons on your website which are great, but I’m also enjoying stepping outside to see some of your KZbin lessons too.... I’m really getting a lot out of both man so thanks

[@sellisrodrigo]

Simply the best guitar instructor out there!

[@jcugnoni]

Great lesson David. You are definetelly the king of online guitar lessons. Thanks for all your outstanding work and I send you and your family all my best wishes for 2019. Meilleurs voeux depuis la Suisse!

[@francisjasonlozarita3774]

This is GOLD David! Really mind blowing! I'll definitely try this out!

[@treborwax]

merci pour ce beau cadeau et félicitation pour tout ce travail dont tu nous fais profiter. Tu es le TOP.

[@pjrodz]

This is awesome man! Thank you David!

[@malcolmandthebends2914]

David, Love your Videos. Thanks for putting all your hard work into this. Very helpful as I'm stuck in the Penta boxes

[@deafconmediaZA]

Yeah, its great packs. You harldy find back tracks for locrian modes.

[@clintn6677]

This ties in with what Im working on with your Infusion pack this week

[@terada1444]

DAVID YOU ARE JUST THE BEST (sorry about the caps, I just wanted to shout that out). All your stuff is amazing and so well presented. This topic is always made so esoteric but you have opened the door for me and many others I would suggest on he modal mystery train.

[@deafconmediaZA]

Share this channel

[@virginiarose6800]

Dude you need to slow down with your showing your lesson on the modes. Slow down Dude. Thank you Dude . Doc Rose

[@leighalbrigt3240]

Brilliant lesson brilliantly explained thank you and well done 👍

[@realcygnus]

My theory is pretty solid & I admit David explores some rather obscure & non-intuitive yet quite interesting & useful aspects of pattern to scale relationships & such that I had never even really thought about. Some of my favorites are: 1)The Idea that ALL modes are just "some pentatonic scale + only 2 notes"... Not so obscure but powerful when you learn which 2 notes to add. 2)This vid, where; there exists "3 valid pentatonic positions" for every mode... a not so obvious fact you may have accidentally encountered at some point. 3) An "exit note / diminished outro" exists for every mode.... Maybe not all that useful but an ah ha moment. He covers some Cool stuff imo.

[@rosariomaccarrone4737]

Hi David, really thanks, that opened my mind to new opportunity in improvisation 👍

[@EDGARDOUX1701]

WOW! Thank you David for the free course!!! Best regards and a very good 2019

[@salvatoresanfilippo9027]

Davide sei eccezionale... Purtroppo non riesco a seguirti bene ... non conoscendo bene l'inglese... ma solo i video sono già un successo... Tanti Auguri

[@DLogan-br7eh]

Best guitar teacher EVER!!!

[@carlmeiner]

What a great video! Cheers from Denmark

[@nickowen1480]

Hi David Cheers mate. Will keep this video in mind when working through your Infusion Course. Thanks Nick Australia

[@asherallen1827]

Wow..never comment but you deserve it for this video!!!

[@slvec7852]

Wow..never mock but you deserve it for this comment!!!

[@Chriztof]

Hello. Meilleurs vœux pour cette nouvelle année.Je te souhaite beaucoup de réussite et de joie pour ta chaine, mais aussi pour "ta vie à côté" 😉 Très belle entrée en matière pour les modes. Je vais tâcher de suivre précisément tes indications, n'ayant jamais vraiment réussi à utiliser ces modes "in context"...! Il serait d'ailleurs ('pt'etre') utile de nous jouer une toute petite suite d'accords "typique" pour chaque mode, histoire de concrétiser ces notes dans une couleur, une ambiance...? Merci encore David...!!! Chris

[@thormusique]

Thanks for this, it's really very helpful! I would also love it if you could share with us how you achieve that beautiful singing tone.

[@rokam5568]

Great video, you're a very good teacher man !

[@deafconmediaZA]

Nice David! Awesome vid! Im downloading packs now. You the man✌😎

[@orangenotviolet]

Cool video, great knowledge!

[@martynspooner5822]

That truly amazed me still struggling to get my head around why it works but know it does and that is enough for now anyways thanks

[@patbreacadh]

Wow, great playing!

[@Robocop-qe7le]

This is very useful lesson.

[@danmclellan1088]

Wow thanks I needed that!!

[@rickschnur8600]

Very insightful, Thanks!

[@carlhatfield7415]

Fantastic stuff! Unfortunately I cannot find the free pack you mention in this and other videos :(

[@GuitarHack66]

Fantastic lesson sir. I will try that. Cheers

[@einsoflight18]

BS"D YOU are the magic brother! THANK YOU!

[@tonywood5442]

Another light bulb goes on !! Thankyou David you're the man!

[@zombiemachinery4868]

Boy! This is fucking unbelievable, it was in front of my face the whole time. I feel like a fucking idiot and happy at the same time. Thanks for this.

[@markgitarista]

Thank you so much 🥰🥰🥰

[@insydneytls]

thanks david this was magic...

[@martinlicht1969]

Awesome ...love ya man!

[@markieg1619]

Wow thanks David

[@luisescarra2000]

Thank you David

[@markpurves4990]

Hello David, Regarding modes. In the key of F, you use the 3rd,5th and 10th frets and the minor pentatonic shape. what frets do I use for the major pentatonic scale shape of Lydion, Mixolydian and Aeolian? Is it the 6th, 8th and 1st and 13th frets? Thank you again. Mark

[@nachingou]

great teacher

[@commanderdawson3773]

That's great....Thanks a lot...

[@aldeiadofogo3290]

Whats the name of the software that you used to manipulate the fretboard?

[@61Trick]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/lWSWhYVpgtaUi9E

[@AlexandreSoma]

AWESOME MAN!!!

[@chosen_1montellano80]

I hope you can teach some chords for modes.. like chords progression that may work with Dorian or myxolydian, or some progression for jazz

[@johnbanks2036]

Progressions In Major Keys I - IV Progression I - V - vi - IV Progression I - vi - IV - V Progression I - vi - IV Progression I - V - vi - iii - IV - I - IV - V Progression ________________________________________ Progressions In Minor Keys vi - V Progression vi - IV - I - V Progression vi - ii - V Progression vi - V - IV Progression vi - I - V - IV Progression ________________________________________ Harmonic Minor Scale Progressions (Minor Keys) i - bVI - V Progression i - bVI - ii° - V Progression ________________________________________ Harmonic Minor Scale Progressions (Major Keys) I - V - III - IV Progression I - III - vi - V Progression ii - I - V - vi - ii - I - III - IV Progression ________________________________________ Dorian Progressions i - ii - IV Progression i - bVII - IV - i Progression ________________________________________ Phrygian Progressions i - iv - bII Progression i - bII - bIII Progression ________________________________________ Lydian Progressions I - II - I - vii Progression I - V - II Progression ________________________________________ Mixolydian Progressions I - ii - bVII - I Progression I - bVII - IV Progression

[@deafconmediaZA]

Sent David and email requesting a video lesson or see if he has courses available.😎

[@slvec7852]

@@deafconmediaZA Captain obvious. 👏👏👏🤗

[@stuartreichardt]

good stuff thanks

[@jackh577]

I'm confused, if you only play the Minor pentatonic shape, aren't you leaving out the second and 6th notes?? And doesn't the 2 to the flat 3, and the 6 to the flat 7, give the mode much of its unique sound??

[@mikeb7083]

Brilliant

[@fargothbosmer2059]

First.... very helpful video man

[@bandwagonmusicstudio8423]

So, David, are you actually also playing "A" Phrygian and "D" Aeolian (over the G Dorian) when you move up the neck to the 5th and 10th frets respectively? I'm probably overanalyzing this :) Thanks for your always-informative vids.

[@honestiron]

No, it's like this: G Dorian is the second mode of F Ionian (major scale) so it contains the notes G A Bb C D E F. The way he is showing here is to just play the minor pentatonic scales for G, A and D . If you analyze the notes that are contained in each of these, you will see they make up exactly the notes in the G Dorian scale: G min pent: G Bb C D F A min pent: A C D E G D min pent: D F G A C Combine them and you'll get G A Bb C D E F. There are common notes between the three, of course. The idea is to use what you know already (pentatonic scales) and be able to easily visualize and play over a Dorian progression without learning a new scale pattern. You can visualize the G Dorian pattern in the root position by overlaying the 5th position A minor pentatonic scale on top of the 1st position G minor pentatonic scale.

[@bandwagonmusicstudio8423]

Got it, thnx. I didn't bother checking the actual notes--too caught up in the patterns! @@honestiron

[@linlee7165]

i found a interesting thing. when dorian, just play major blues

[@roryeestermans8704]

The three pentatonic scales could also form a II, V, I

[@martyisabeliever]

Hey David...How about a "How to compose modal songs" Next?

[@Wallimann]

I did a lesson on that here! kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z5qof5iYj9ljaZY

[@raphabulgarelli3440]

Muito bom David, Obrigado!!

[@TLMuse]

If just playing notes from a mode corresponded to actually playing in that mode, then whenever anyone is playing in any one of the church modes, they'd be playing in all of them at once. I.e., the notes in C Ionian are the same as the notes in D Dorian, so if "playing in mode X" = "using the notes from mode X", playing in C Ionian would be the same as playing in D Dorian. But modal playing is not just about what set of notes you choose from; it also concerns how those notes are used. This lesson could have used a bit more explicit emphasis on the latter. It's evident in your playing here, but not so much in the words and diagrams. -Tom

[@paulsnehasish5830]

why isnt the video viral yet?

[@dannyb6618]

Great lesson, but too bad I can’t download the free pack anymore😢

[@rayerscarpensael2300]

cool solo but you slipped in some passing notes there though bro,, and isn't it more logical to start from aeolian with mixolydian in the 2nd and dorian in the 7nd? does not sound frygian at all but major mixo when you start from dorian on the 1st

[@Hello_I_Must_Be_Going]

Nice.

[@matthewstephans2466]

I'm about to give up on modes. I believe it's something jazz players need. Lol

[@erwinerwin1245]

Just so I am not confused on what I understand. You just played 3 Minor Penatonic Scales the G, A and D position to get the modes sound. Like you did not add one extra note that was not part of those Penatonic scales

[@deafconmediaZA]

Every mode has 7 positions. They are all the same scale when played next to each other in this order.. c Ionian, d dorian, e phrygian, f locrian,g mixolydian, a aolian.b locrian. Its a c Ionian when played this way CDEFGAB C major scale (ionion) They only change once you replace the "root" so if you play A ionion then play an A mixolydian, you have now switched modes. Hope you understand, I struggle explaining this stuff. Out of all modes you can build a pentatonic scale because a major pentatonic is 5 notes out of the 7 note ionion mode and thats translates through all the modes being played next to each other because a guitar neck is just a repeat of a series of notes. Lots of repeat shapes at different parts of the neck. Hope you get it dude.

[@erwinerwin1245]

@@deafconmediaZA Thank You so kindly for all of your valuable info and taking the time to explain it.

[@deafconmediaZA]

@@erwinerwin1245 pleasure. No problem. I also remember the days trying to understand this stuff. 😎

[@smkh2890]

Order of Modes: I Don't Phriggin' Like Modes A Lot !

[@rickray5884]

That a Boy David

[@rccarsandmusic2641]

Dave great way to confuse the kids, modes=positions, G minor pen, A minor pen, and D minor pen. Good lesson would be using the I, II, V, when playing the Harmonic minor.

[@vexguine]

All teachers complicate things on purpose (otherwise after 2 months u dont need them anymore). U do the opposite. Thanks for making things easier. I mean, when u see Jimmy Page soloing like a machine I believe its more due to these approaches and concepts of neck understanting and not due to theory bullcrap.

[@Wallimann]

Thanks man!

[@podoz]

WTF! When you click on the link for the FREE course that you're offering here, it takes you to a page where you can BUY it for $47. Since when does $47 = free ??

[@Wallimann]

Sorry man, that's a pretty old video and that URL must have expired. I just updated it though!

[@podoz]

@@Wallimann awesome! thanks David!

[@thomasfokas]

Your zip file and proses is not iPad-friendly

[@pekohmbeledos9920]

PAMER GITAR DOANG WKWKWKWKWKWKWK