Hi Dave - Really injoyed this lesson for my alternate picking! The Question I have for you is about being in
the key of E Dorian? I know E Dorian is a mode and we are actually playing in D maj scale so
what is the reason for naming it E Dorian? The way I see it we could also call it C# Locrian or
F# Phrygian.

So I guess I'm asking for your thought process behind it.


While I here in the same vain I was in the middle of a conversation the other day and we
where talking about a song which was in G and went G - G - C - C - G/B - D repeat then
C - C - Em - Em - G - C- D - and was asked what he would do to solo over this and I
recall him say Dorian (This would be A Dorian). Now I did ask the reason and he mention
playing shapes. I'm not fully sure about his reply. So to ask you Dave would it be because of
the voicing / octive or is there more to it? In my very limited understanding I would say I could
Play any of the mode patterns in the key G major. What is the big deal with modes when you
are playing all the same notes.

Thanks again for your lessons they're really helpful!

Great question my friend!
You are right when you say that the notes are the same. However, in that particular lesson, we are in E dorian.
The reason is found in the bass of the track.
When I prepare a "modal" lesson, I usually keep the bass on the same note throughout the track and only add chords on top.
The bass staying on the same note makes all the notes youy play have a different feel. In other words, all the notes of your solo are "measured" to that bass tone.
That is what makes that particular lesson Dorian..
If I changed the bass line to D, all the notes of the solo, even though played the same way would sound Major (Ionian) because each notes would be "attracted" to that D note on the bass...
Does that make sense?

Now the reason why I think it's important to understand modes and see them as individual scales. Not only positions. Check out the lesson called "Learning the Modes ", it should help you hear them as individual scales. Check it out and pay attention to the bass.. Always the same riff. Chords on top change. That's all..
A good way to do that is to memorize the "paterns, but play them starting on the same root. Modes are extremely useful and knowing them and most importantly understanding them will increase your ability to come up with interesting ideas.

Let me know if that answers your question...

Great explanation David!!

Thanks Dave I think I'm starting to switch on now - so E is the tonic or root. (a chord progression would resolve to in this case Em)

So if our chord progression was Em / D / A / Em we could say this is in the Key of E Dorian.

I've played chords for years and I'm always thinking of chord progressions and how it all relates. Is this a good or bad thing?

If I may jump in here..I also appreciate your explanation, and your lessons, and all the extra effort you put into them. I am hooked on the one being discussed here at the moment.

Thanks guys,
Zoom it's good to think in terms of chord progression. I think you get it. :-)