I ask Frank Gambale about how he teaches Modes

In this episode I ask my friend and fellow guitarist Frank Gambale what his approach to teaching modes is.

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My Links to Follow:

[khantatat]

It's crazy how Gambale toying around with modes (sorry, moods) sounds 100 times more interesting than a random song on the radio, God bless him

[mccloysong]

This is where Rick also shines. He knows ALL about everything Frank is saying, yet doesn't interrupt or try to chip in. He lets him completely finish his thoughts. A GREAT interviewer.

[guslakis]

Thank you Rick for not interrupting Frank as he was going through his explanation, some interviews have too many interruptions, but you are good at letting the other party speak.

[CHlEFFIN]

He’s almost like a bard… telling a story. What an incredible level of mastery.

[chrisggoodwin]

I love how he kept the low E droning for reference through the moods...modes; it really helped show how each one colors the note differently

[deadmire]

Dudes gotta be in the top 10 of all time, he's up there with Becker, Holdsworth, Lane in my books... His knowledge and execution is absolutely sickening. That album on the wall behind him is no joke... The fact we get this lesson in hd on YouTube with no interruptions is badass. Thank you Rick. Thank you Frank.

[nicolasdiazgiraldo]

I find Rick so respectable and now I know it's because he's so respectful!

[guitarmemoir]

"Modes No More Mystery" took me from being a crappy guitar player to being a decent musician. Many thanks Frank.

[TrentCrawfordMusic]

OMG. I have never “understood“ modes - 30 years into playing. They were taught to me exactly as Frank described - all in the one key. This seems so simple - yet missed by me and so many of my musical friends. Wow! Thank you Rick and Frank! Currently exploring new weird sounds - to my ears. 👂 🎉❤

[kickinit]

I saw Frank in San Diego at a guitar shop in Pacific Beach in the 1980's. He had a handout that described modes and I didn't understand it. Flash forward to my late 40's and I watched his modes video again and I finally got it. There's a saying, when the student is ready, the teacher appears. Thanks Frank!

[ChuckMarteau]

I used to be obsessed with Modes and learned a lot from Frank. I once wrote to him asking him to sign my CD cover ("Thunder From Down Under") which he did. He also kindly answered my question about what was the best way to improvise. He answered that he will simply strum over an E-flat (a scale he had a hard time with himself as he said, if I recall), and just play over it until it sounds good to him. Years later, I saw Frank in Paris, playing with Return To Forever....

[noenduringcity]

Ok, so Frank explaining about taking the IV and V chords from each mode's parent scale was the beginning of a life changing moment. I checked out "Modes: No More Mystery" for more info. Amazing!

[RM-gmlu]

Summed it up "Moods"! The man is a MASTER!!! Thanks Rick.

[deangoritz]

Awe man, using that IV to V concept in each mode using same root is very helpful! Dont remember seeing in original interview, thanks again Rick for the nuggets of knowledge

[Tgisgreat]

Smart, down to earth talented, could listen to him for hours

[Abu_ZzZ]

I love Frank's quote at the end. "It's 3 chords but check out the chords"

[Chord_The_Seeker]

In this short video, playing simple things, Frank shows his mastery of the guitar, and theory, in how smoothly and confidently he flows through everything. There is a saying in Japanese that basically goes a true master shows it in his every move. Frank is the perfect embodiment of that.

[tel]

After 20 years of listening to Frank.
I always learn something new.
Modes are very important to understand.
Frank breaks it down simply

[johngatta]

There is another way of seeing modes that I find fascinating.

Start with the Lydian (E, for example) - E F# G# A# B C# D# E

(every time I say lower a note, it's half step down)

- lower the 4th, you get the major scale (Ionic)
- lower the 7th, you get Mixolydian
- lower the 3rd, you get Doric
- lower the 6th, you get Eolian
- lower the 2nd, you get Frigian
- lower the 5th, you get the infamous Locrian

(then lower the 1st and you get D# Lydian, ehehehehehehhe, and you can go on as much as you can :D :D :D )


Since you have to change only one note to move from one mode (or mood) to another, it's easier to appreciate the subtle differences between some of the modes.

Using the low E as a base it's very useful.

There is also a nice pattern to know which is the next note to lower to move from a mode to another. If you want to know it, ask for it! :D

[alessandromartorelli]

My attention got distracted a bit by the right hand of Frank in handling/hiding the pick...he's like a magician!