Modern Music Theory and Application

Exploring Messiaen’s 7th Mode of Limited Transposition:

Posted on January 25, 2025January 25, 2025 by Modern Music Theory and Application

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Hi Guy’s,

Today, a quick look at the amazing 7th mode of limited transposition employed by the great French composer Olivier Messiaen.

This is a ten note scale [and is almost a chromatic scale apart from two notes: In this blog Bb to E as a tritone]. It has 6 Transpositions:

MODE 7 ANALYSIS:

This mode consists mainly of half steps [semitones], but, there are two whole steps that divide this and give this mode its unique sound.

Messiaen Mode 7

Let’s now create an interesting guitar line from this mode 7.

This works well as a Robert Fripp style phrase/line as the intervals lend themselves well to tritone developing material.

Phrase 1:

messiaen_mode_7_limited_transposition_lesson_diagram_example

Phrase 2:

Now, let’s repeat these two phrases up an octave:

messiaen_mode_7_limited_transposition_lesson_example

LINE in Full:

LINE 2:

This line is devised from various intervals like 6ths and 7ths and 3rds that are nice to alternate pick on the guitar for that angular sound once again. This also shows how easy it is to exploit various intervals with this mode/scale form.

Bar 1:

messiaen_mode_7_limited_transposition_lesson_example_guitar

Bar 2:

Bar 3:

LINE in Full:

Dyads/Double Stops:

These modes works well with 2 note chord voicing’s as Dyads or Double Stops: These are great for comping or creating composition from on the guitar. Also, they are useful for plucking and then playing a lead mode 7 line on.

Messiaen mode 7 Dyads: Example 1

messiaen_mode_7_limited_transposition_lesson_example_dyads

Messiaen mode 7 Dyads: Example 2

FREE PDF DOWNLOAD:

mode_7_messiaen_ebook Download

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Modal Chords For Guitar: Slash Chords and Substitution Voicing’s

Posted on January 14, 2025January 14, 2025 by Modern Music Theory and Application

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Hi Guys,

Today, a quick look at modal chords.

The chords are from the backing track [below in this page] and they are “Transposed” with C as the root note.

These are exploited in the 12 bar form of a fusion blues.

Here are the chords for the chart:

modal_chords_guitar_lesson_explained_easily

To begin with, we will take the first chord for the basic Ionian/Major sound. Here we have a chord/triad of G Major over the bass note C as a substitution for Cmaj7:

Next, we have a C Dorian tonality. For this I am employing a 7sus4 chord with a triad of Bb over a C bass once again

From here, we will create a C Lydian sound. We will do this by employing a triad of D Major over a C Bass.

Now, we will move back to Ionian with another 7sus4 chord. This time it’s a triad of C Major over a D Bass.

To create interest, we will now make this tonality minor by adding a triad of Eb Major over a C Bass [a la C minor 7th]. [Aeolian/Dorian]

For, the Phrygian/Aeolian sound, we will employ a 1st inversion triad of Ab Major over a C bass.

To create some dissonance, and a more ethereal sound it’s a good idea to add a Locrian chord. In this instance, I am employing a triad of Db Major over the C Bass.

For the mixolydian sound I am employing a simple C7 chord. [You could also add a 4-3 suspension]

Now, let’s add a couple of Dorian chords.

These will be another 7sus4 chord of an Eb triad over an F bass.

And, a Major 9 [or sus2] no 3rd chord. For this we will add a triad of F major over a Bb bass.

For the penultimate Mixolydian chord, we will create a 3rd inversion [Dominant]. This will be a C Major triad over a [the 7th] Bb bass.

And finally, an Aeolian sound with an Fm6 chord over a G bass.

HERE IS THE BACKING TRACK:

Modes Backing Track Transposed in C Major with Chart and Scale Suggestions.

Here, is the Chart:

Here are some Modal/Scale examples to improvise on over the chords.

CHORD LIST:

FREE PDF DOWNLOAD:

modal chords Download

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Happy Birthday John McLaughlin! 2 Guitar Licks/Lines

Posted on January 4, 2025January 4, 2025 by Modern Music Theory and Application

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Hi Guys, and Happy Birthday John!

Here, are the two licks from the latest Youtube video!

Guitar Line #1

I am starting this phrase on an “Up” stroke with strict alternate picking guitar technique.

The phrasing of this line feels like two groups of sextuplets. It’s a sort of juxtaposed phrasing as it is picked in 4 note tetrachord groupings starting on an up beat.