Right Hand Movement and Strumming

8th note strumming example 1

Right hand movement is the physical action that actually equates to strumming. In its most simple form, there are two ways to strum the strings with your right hand – down and up. There of course are other variables which we will look at in other lessons (such as string selection and dynamics) but essentially you can strum the strings in a downwards direction and an upwards direction with your right hand (I’m assuming for the sake of simplicity that everyone reading this is right handed).

A good exercise to do is to pick up a guitar and finger a chord with your left hand. I would recommend playing a chord that uses all 6 strings, such as an open E chord. Once you have the chord ready, simply strum down, then up, then down, then up etc. Try to be as consistent and even with your timing as possible. This is the basic action of strumming. If you can’t do this, you need to keep practicing it until you can, before moving on. Don’t worry if the sound is a little inconstant or sluggish. Of course, we ultimately want evenness and groove, but this will come.

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G Flat Phrygian

‘G Flat Phrygian’ is an impractical mode. In theory, it would conceptually be a mode of Ebb.

To learn what an impractical mode is, read the post on the impractical mode.

Guitar Modes Explained – A Complete Guide in Theory and Practice to Understanding Modes

One of the things I find hardest to teach to guitar students is modes. The concept of modes is actually not hard to understand, but it is a hard thing to explain in person. There are a few key concepts in modes theory that seem at first to contradict each other, or at least ‘get in the way’ of each other when trying to explain it in conversation.

In written format, or more specifically blog-style written format, the task of explanation becomes quite simple and easy. For example, I can quite easily mention the Ab major scale, or the Lydian mode, or mention that F Dorian and Bb Mixolydian are both derived from the same major scale (Eb major, that is) and provide linked text that allows the reader to explore further, without digressing to far from the main point, whereas in conversation, I probably would have lost the listener a few sentences in.

I have always thought that a written guide to understanding modes was needed and I finally got round to putting it all together. Here it is…

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Locrian Mode Explained – Theory, CAGED Positions and Diagrams

The Locrian mode is the 7th mode of the major scale. The locrian mode contains the following ‘lowered’ or ‘flattened’ notes:

2, 3, 5, 6, 7

The locrian mode is quite a dark sounding mode. It is used often over half diminished chords, because it contains a flat 3, flat 5 and flat 7. We are not going to go into too much detail in this post regarding its sound and its use in musical contexts. What we will explore here is what the mode is and how to construct it.

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Aeolian Mode Explained – Theory, CAGED Positions and Diagrams

The Aeolian mode is the 6th mode of the major scale. It is contains a ‘flat 3’, ‘flat 6’ and ‘flat 7’. The aeolian mode is an important scale because it is also the relative minor scale, or the natural minor scale. It is used frequently as a kind of ‘default’ minor scale and its sound can be heard across many styles of music. In this post we are going to discuss how to construct the aeolian mode.

If you have read the post, guitar modes explained, or any of the other posts on the different modes, you might already have a solid understanding of modes and its theory. In that case, this post will be a good reinforcement of some key ideas and concepts.

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Mixolydian Mode Explained – Theory, CAGED Positions and Diagrams

The Mixolydian mode is the 5th mode of the major scale. It contains a lowered (or flat) 7. It is used frequently over dominant 7th chords. In this post we will explore the mixolydian mode and discuss how to construct it.

If you have read the post on guitar modes explained, you might already have a solid understanding of how modes work and may not need the extra theory that is presented in this post. If however, you are still trying to grasp the concept of modes, this post should serve as extra reinforcement of some key ideas and concepts. The mixolydian mode, just like the lyidan mode is a good practical mode to analyze, as there is only 1 note that differentiates it from the major scale.

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