Addahia
02/16/23
Amazing melodies!
This was just awsome! Very simple and enjoyable ways of adding new chords and new sounds. Thank you!
30 Modal Progressions You MUST Know
Learn how to create rich, layered melodies
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Robbie Calvo
Educator
Genres
About this course
A chord progression is a series of chords that are constructed from scale degrees (usually Major and Minor scales), and then played in succession, usually repeated over and over again throughout a song. Chord progressions have tonal centers and can be thought of as ’modal’ in nature.
Most guitar players think ‘jazz’ when they hear the word ‘modal’ but in fact, every style of music uses chord progressions with tonal centers and modality. In Robbie Calvo’s 30 Modal Progressions You Must Know, you’ll learn how to play rhythm guitar parts for 30 contemporary modal progressions across a variety of styles, tempos and tonal centers.
”Modal chord progressions can be created using dyads, triads, sevenths and extensions so the complexity of the harmonic structure doesn't take away from the overall tonal center. However, if you're looking to create rich, layered melodies targeting the characteristic notes for each mode, you'll definitely want to choose your voicings carefully. I’ll show you how to do that in 30 Modal Progressions You Must Know.”
Robbie organized the course into the seven Major Scale Mode categories. You’ll learn to play 4 Ionian progressions, 5 Dorian progressions, 4 Phrygian progressions, 4 Lydian progressions, 5 Mixolydian progressions, 4 Aeolian progressions and 2 Locrian progressions. Robbie also shares insight for 2 R&B modalities.
Play your way through the course and you’ll walk away with a fresh and engaging arsenal of progressions to call out at the next jam. The big takeaway from working with this course is the knowledge-base and understanding you’ll have for crafting your own modal progressions — you’ll never be stuck again trying to find that perfect chord progression for the verse or chorus sections of you're original music.
"I've put this course together to give you some examples of modal chord progressions within the major scale modes, encouraging you to study, play and use each one as a foundation for your own creativity. Ultimately, I'd like you to have the skills to create your own progressions for songwriting, jamming, and improvising."
Robbie demonstrate each progression several times and then breaks them down chord-by-chord. He also gives you tips for improvising and soling over the progressions. Double bang for the buck!
Each modal progression is tabbed and notated for study reference and you'll also have thirty bass and drum tracks to work with on your own. Practice the parts Robbie demonstrates and then craft your own rhythm guitar parts. over. Robbie also generously provides the tracks his rhythm guitar parts included so you can jam your modal licks over them too.
You'll find that this course also works seamlessly with Robbie’s other modal courses: Modal Expose, Modal Architect and 50 Modal Licks You Must Know.
Grab your guitar and let’s get modal with Robbie Calvo!
Most guitar players think ‘jazz’ when they hear the word ‘modal’ but in fact, every style of music uses chord progressions with tonal centers and modality. In Robbie Calvo’s 30 Modal Progressions You Must Know, you’ll learn how to play rhythm guitar parts for 30 contemporary modal progressions across a variety of styles, tempos and tonal centers.
”Modal chord progressions can be created using dyads, triads, sevenths and extensions so the complexity of the harmonic structure doesn't take away from the overall tonal center. However, if you're looking to create rich, layered melodies targeting the characteristic notes for each mode, you'll definitely want to choose your voicings carefully. I’ll show you how to do that in 30 Modal Progressions You Must Know.”
Robbie organized the course into the seven Major Scale Mode categories. You’ll learn to play 4 Ionian progressions, 5 Dorian progressions, 4 Phrygian progressions, 4 Lydian progressions, 5 Mixolydian progressions, 4 Aeolian progressions and 2 Locrian progressions. Robbie also shares insight for 2 R&B modalities.
Play your way through the course and you’ll walk away with a fresh and engaging arsenal of progressions to call out at the next jam. The big takeaway from working with this course is the knowledge-base and understanding you’ll have for crafting your own modal progressions — you’ll never be stuck again trying to find that perfect chord progression for the verse or chorus sections of you're original music.
"I've put this course together to give you some examples of modal chord progressions within the major scale modes, encouraging you to study, play and use each one as a foundation for your own creativity. Ultimately, I'd like you to have the skills to create your own progressions for songwriting, jamming, and improvising."
Robbie demonstrate each progression several times and then breaks them down chord-by-chord. He also gives you tips for improvising and soling over the progressions. Double bang for the buck!
Each modal progression is tabbed and notated for study reference and you'll also have thirty bass and drum tracks to work with on your own. Practice the parts Robbie demonstrates and then craft your own rhythm guitar parts. over. Robbie also generously provides the tracks his rhythm guitar parts included so you can jam your modal licks over them too.
You'll find that this course also works seamlessly with Robbie’s other modal courses: Modal Expose, Modal Architect and 50 Modal Licks You Must Know.
Grab your guitar and let’s get modal with Robbie Calvo!
What you'll learn
- Execute rhythmic displacement with pushed chord hits
- Navigate syncopated chord changes with anticipations
- Use right-hand fingers to articulate specific voicings within chord shapes
- Apply upper triad voicings to cut through a mix
- Understand how to resolve to the IV chord to create Lydian tonality
Release date: 09/18/2015 • 2h 45m runtime
Sample lessons
Ionian: Push It
Progression 1
Dorian: Wrecking Ball
Progression 9
Phrygian: The Moments
Progression 11
Lydian: Purple Dawn
Progression 17
What's included
35 lessons • 30 charts • 30 Jam Tracks
30 Modal Progressions
Hi, I'm Robbie Calvo and welcome to 30 Modal Progressions You Must Know.
Believe it or not, every chord progression you'll ever play in music has a tonal center, which means every chord progression to some degree is modal in nature. Rock, pop, and blues all have modality and tonal centers...and even more complex jazz progressions have an ultimate tonal center, although they often modulate through a series of "mini" tonal centers.
Modal chord progressions can be created using dyads, triads, sevenths and extensions so the complexity of the harmonic structure doesn't take away from the overall tonal center. However, if you're looking to create rich, layered melodies targeting the characteristic notes for each mode, you'll definitely want to consider the voicings you choose.
I've put this course together to give you some examples of modal chord progressions within the major scale modes, encouraging you to study, play and use each one as a foundation for your own creativity. Ultimately, I'd like you to have the skills to create your own progressions for songwriting, jamming, and improvising.
I've organized this course into the seven major scale mode categories: the Ionian, Dorian, Phrygian, Lydian, Mixolydian, Aeolian and Locrian progressions. I'll demonstrate each progression several times and break the progression down for you verbally and in text format, giving you some tips on improvising over these progressions.
Each modal progression will be tabbed and notated for study reference and you'll have thirty bass and drum tracks to create rhythm guitar parts over. In addition, I've provided my tracks to each progression with the rhythm guitars included so you can jam your modal licks over them too.
You'll find that this course also works seamlessly with my other modal courses, Modal Expose, Modal Architect and 50 Modal Licks You Must Know.
Ok, let's get down to rock 'n' roll business and get this modal party started!
How To Use This Course
The best way to work through the course is to watch the video example and the breakdown of the chords and details of the modality. Reference the assets to see a visual representation of each chord and its position in the scale/key. I've written the analysis out as Roman numerals so that you can use this formula to create a similar progression in any key.
Listen carefully and make sure you can determine the resolution point (tonal center) of each progression.
Here's a checklist of items to consider for each progression:
- Determine and understand the key from which the progression is derived.
- Determine the tonal center and modality of the progression.
- Understand the Roman numeral description of the chord progression.
- Play the chord progression in time with the tracks.
- Create additional guitar parts as overdubs.
- Improvise over the chord progression using the correct mode.
- Create your own progressions in other keys using the formula of Roman numerals.
Modality & Tonal Centers
Major scale modal chord progressions are built from the seven note major scale. The scale on which a chord progressions is built constitutes the key.
The tonal center of the chord progression is where the ear hears the resolution point of the progression...which means the tonal center is also the modality. There are seven tonal centers in the major scale and chord progressions can be created to resolve to any of those seven scale degrees.
Each mode has its own characteristic flavor, and you'll start to hear the effect this has when you are improvising or composing ideas of your own.
Ionian: Push It
"Push It" is our first modal progression in the key of E, consisting of two chords: the I chord and the II minor chord. The chords specifically are E - Esus4 - F#min7(add4). The tonal center of this progression (where the resolution occurs between the chords) is E.There are some nuances to make this progression more interesting: using the Esus chord to add flavor and movement, pushing into the F#min(add4) chord on the fourth beat, and using a nice little sixteenth note riff as a turnaround to the beginning of the two bar phrase. Let's take a listen and learn this little gem. Once you have it down try soloing over it using the E major scale.
Ionian: Major Blue
"Major Blue" is an Ionian progression in the key of E. The chords are E - Esus4 - C#mi(add2) – A(add2) - E. You could name this progression using Roman numerals too...I - VI - IV - I.This is a really nice groove reminiscent of Motown/R&B tunes of yesteryear. You'll notice the cheeky little chord riff as a turnaround back to our tonal center of the E chord. Check it out and try to make it smooth and laid back in the pocket. Solo over this progression using the E major scale and phrase your ideas towards the resolution point.
Ionian: Soul Train
"Soul Train" jams along nicely with a cool Motown groove in the key of G. The chords are G (add2) - Bmi7 - Ami7 - C/D, or denoted in numerals as I - III - II - V.You might say the last chord is a IV chord with the 5 in the bass, but aurally you'll hear this more as a dominant chord with an added 11th interval. Try getting the little R&B runs I play on the Bmi7 chord to add flavor and charisma to the feel of this piece, soloing with the G major scale and targeting the tonal center of G.
Ionian: Freefall
"Freefall" is a rocky little number in the key of A, a I - IV - V - I - V progression that resolves nicely back to the A/C#.I'll admit the progression is a little ambiguous due to the fast moving bass notes, but I think you'll find the tonal center sits squarely at the I chord. The chording hand stretches may challenge some of you but these moves are well worth working on to add interest to your rock chords. Solo using the A major scale resolving to the A chord.
+ 28 more lessons
Reviews
11 results
Gilez
Verified buyer
01/12/21
Perfect for training
It open me a world, good teacher and style
wholmer
12/31/20
I used to think do I need to know Modes?
For the longest time the whole modes thing seemed out of my comfort zone. I told myself what do I need to learn that for. Well I finaly went with this class because having taken other lessons by Robbie and I was always satisfied. I am glad I did! I get it now, and you will too!
wuluf
Verified buyer
12/05/20
Good selection of styles. Ideal to enhance your rhythm playing or good to jam along to.
dougbrown
Verified buyer
11/24/20
Great coarse gives a foundation for your own creativity, in modes as Robbie Calvo is very gifted in teaching.I found this coarse really opened the doors of understanding scales in a new concept plus gives us his own personal nuggets to help one understand a bit more.There are great jam tracks to enjoy, plus a few of Robbie's personal licks to expand on, and build,Love it recommend it highly.
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