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01/02/25
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50 Modal Licks You MUST Know
A hand-picked collection of modal licks that you must know
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Robbie Calvo
Educator
Genres
About this course
Modes. Erudite jazzers swear by them and can bend your ear for hours about why the Mixolydian b6 fifth mode of the C ascending melodic minor scale will cure all that ails your improvisations. Bluesmen and rockers would likely pronounce that they "don't need no stinkin' modes." Granted, there's a vast range of opinions related to the use of modes but everyone seems to agree two things; 1) If you play any form of Western music, you're playing modes whether you know it or not; 2) With just a little modal know-how, you can achieve big breakthroughs in your understanding of harmony and ability to improvise over chord changes.
Robbie Calvo's 50 Modal Licks You MUST Know is much more than a vocabulary of killer modal licks to call on when playing over any of the tonalities that you'll encounter in pop, rock, blues, country and yes, even jazz. Robbie digs deeper by explaining how the modal line relates to the underlying harmony -- the tonality --of the progression being played by the rhythm section.
Ever get stuck trying to figure out how to solo over a chord progression other than the good old 1-4-5? Work through these 50 modal tutorials and you'll never be at a loss again. Understanding the prevailing tonality of that progression and the resolution points that you should be targeting with your lines is what 50 Modal Licks You MUST Know is all about.
Robbie will step you through all seven modes. Each mode features two progressions, two rhythm tracks and seven modal licks. Robbie will first dissect the progressions to help you learn how to identify the tonal centers. He will then perform the modal line over the track and then break it down for you note-by-note, resolution point-by-resolution point. Along the way, you'll learn how to craft motifs, develop your musicality, create compelling melodies, work with triads and even how to superimpose modes for dramatic effect.
To mode or not to mode, that is no longer the question. How deep you want to get into modes is up to you, but you can bet your bottom dollar that even a little modal knowledge will make you a lot more dangerous on that fretboard. And we'll bet that you will majorly like what you see and hear in 50 Modal Licks You MUST Know.
Pssst... you'll also definitely want to check out Robbie's Modal Expose!
Robbie Calvo's 50 Modal Licks You MUST Know is much more than a vocabulary of killer modal licks to call on when playing over any of the tonalities that you'll encounter in pop, rock, blues, country and yes, even jazz. Robbie digs deeper by explaining how the modal line relates to the underlying harmony -- the tonality --of the progression being played by the rhythm section.
Ever get stuck trying to figure out how to solo over a chord progression other than the good old 1-4-5? Work through these 50 modal tutorials and you'll never be at a loss again. Understanding the prevailing tonality of that progression and the resolution points that you should be targeting with your lines is what 50 Modal Licks You MUST Know is all about.
Robbie will step you through all seven modes. Each mode features two progressions, two rhythm tracks and seven modal licks. Robbie will first dissect the progressions to help you learn how to identify the tonal centers. He will then perform the modal line over the track and then break it down for you note-by-note, resolution point-by-resolution point. Along the way, you'll learn how to craft motifs, develop your musicality, create compelling melodies, work with triads and even how to superimpose modes for dramatic effect.
To mode or not to mode, that is no longer the question. How deep you want to get into modes is up to you, but you can bet your bottom dollar that even a little modal knowledge will make you a lot more dangerous on that fretboard. And we'll bet that you will majorly like what you see and hear in 50 Modal Licks You MUST Know.
Pssst... you'll also definitely want to check out Robbie's Modal Expose!
What you'll learn
- Execute complex double stop phrases with slides
- Integrate double stops, pedal tones, and arpeggios in improvisation
- Apply slides and pull-offs for smooth melodic lines
- Combine multiple techniques in one cohesive lick
- Learn to construct melodic hooks that can start or end phrases
Release date: 12/19/2012 • 3h 26m runtime
Sample lessons
B Ionian 4
Lick 4
G Ionian 2
Lick 7
A Dorian 3
Lick 10
B Dorian 1
Lick 12
What's included
52 lessons • 50 charts • 50 Jam Tracks
50 Modal Licks You
50 Modal Licks You Must Know is a great way to build your lick repertoire and understanding of modal playing in a variety of guitar friendly keys. I've recorded 2 different backing tracks per mode and there are 7 licks per mode to work through. Lick 50 is a complete solo section in the Lydian Mode that I have filmed to inspire you to join these licks together for longer phrases and ultimately seamless improvisations.
This is the perfect companion course and follow up to the "Modal Expose". The knowledge and applications that you've learnt in those lesson plans can now be applied to the 14 new backing tracks included here, with my lick ideas as a guide to your own creativity and musical development. If you checked this course out first, I strongly recommend you taking a look at the 'Modal Expose' when you get a chance for a complete understanding of the Major Scale Modes.
I hope you enjoy working through the material as much as I did creating it for you.
Let's get this party started!
This is the perfect companion course and follow up to the "Modal Expose". The knowledge and applications that you've learnt in those lesson plans can now be applied to the 14 new backing tracks included here, with my lick ideas as a guide to your own creativity and musical development. If you checked this course out first, I strongly recommend you taking a look at the 'Modal Expose' when you get a chance for a complete understanding of the Major Scale Modes.
I hope you enjoy working through the material as much as I did creating it for you.
Let's get this party started!
B Ionian 1
B Ionian is, of course, the B major Scale. I'm using the scale to create a melodic phrase that works over the entire B Ionian progression. The best way to start a phrase or lick in my opinion is to outline the first chord with it's chord tones. I used the 5th of the B chord as my entry note in this example and then utilized a repeating motif idea melodically and rhythmically.
You'll notice I skip strings in this lick too. If you find that hard at first, isolate that section and work on it separately until you can play it without mistakes. Then integrate that back into the entire lick.
The ending phrase is an ascending 3rds idea using a B Major triad arpeggio and an E Major triad arpeggio. I suggest using the little finger to start this phrase. The resolution point of this lick is to the D#, the major 3rd of the B chord.
You'll notice I skip strings in this lick too. If you find that hard at first, isolate that section and work on it separately until you can play it without mistakes. Then integrate that back into the entire lick.
The ending phrase is an ascending 3rds idea using a B Major triad arpeggio and an E Major triad arpeggio. I suggest using the little finger to start this phrase. The resolution point of this lick is to the D#, the major 3rd of the B chord.
B Ionian 2
A very melodic lick that starts with a B sus triad and a major 6th double stop. Try and keep the transitions and slides smooth and in time, as there may be a tendency to rush the glissandi portions of this phrase. The major second bend from C# to D# (major 3rd) is attacked with some gusto as I wanted that note to stand out.
You'll notice I repeat the opening phrase before ending the lick with some nice slides on the top 2 strings. My resolution point is F#, the 5th of B.
You'll notice I repeat the opening phrase before ending the lick with some nice slides on the top 2 strings. My resolution point is F#, the 5th of B.
B Ionian 3
I'm working in a B Major Scale shape with it's tonic located on the 5th string, 2nd fret for this lick. I'm moving around the fretboard to broaden your vocabulary on the fretboard.
The lick is pretty simple but the goal here is not complexity, it's musicality! You'll notice I mix up my phrasing by starting gracefully with 8th note ideas that are then followed by 16th note runs to add pace. Think about your rhythmic ideas as much as melodic ideas when creating your own licks over this progression..they are equally as important to a good phrase or motif.
The lick is pretty simple but the goal here is not complexity, it's musicality! You'll notice I mix up my phrasing by starting gracefully with 8th note ideas that are then followed by 16th note runs to add pace. Think about your rhythmic ideas as much as melodic ideas when creating your own licks over this progression..they are equally as important to a good phrase or motif.
B Ionian 4
This lick demonstrates just how great major 7 arpeggio's can sound to outline the underlying harmony. The opening phrase is a B major 7th arpeggio ascending from the major 7th note A#.
The second main portion of this idea is an E major 7th arpeggio but this time used to cascade from the D# (major 7th) in descending fashion.
Keep in mind that your opening ideas and resolution points are key to creating great licks.
The second main portion of this idea is an E major 7th arpeggio but this time used to cascade from the D# (major 7th) in descending fashion.
Keep in mind that your opening ideas and resolution points are key to creating great licks.
B Ionian 5
In the last of our B Ionian licks I chose to utilize the B major 7th arpeggio again but borrowed the phrasing from our previous lick to open the conversation. I descend through the arpeggio and continue the phrase by employing a scale based run on the lower strings. I love to start the licks high and end phrases low sometimes switching it up for variety baby, yeah!
The second half of lick 5 adds some R&B flavoring with some double stop 4ths. Check your timing against the track on this section to make sure you are not rushing ahead of the beat.
Now that you have a few of these under your belt, try combining the licks into a solo section over the backing track.
The second half of lick 5 adds some R&B flavoring with some double stop 4ths. Check your timing against the track on this section to make sure you are not rushing ahead of the beat.
Now that you have a few of these under your belt, try combining the licks into a solo section over the backing track.
G Ionian 1
I've moved our focus to a new key now. It's still an Ionian progression but in the key of G to give you some musical variety.
This lick consists of diatonic major and minor 6th double-stops that descend down the fretboard on the 4th and 2nd strings.You can add in the open G string to each double-stop if desired, thus creating open string triple stop ideas. There will be less clarity to the phrase by adding the G unless you use a cleaner guitar sound of course.
I'm using my fingers to articulate this lick and would advocate you do the same unless you are a monster flat picker! You'll notice the phrase has a really nice accent on the upbeats which gives a very distinct style to the idea. Again, rhythmic phrasing is just as important as the notes you choose so pay attention to that when creating your own ideas.
This lick consists of diatonic major and minor 6th double-stops that descend down the fretboard on the 4th and 2nd strings.You can add in the open G string to each double-stop if desired, thus creating open string triple stop ideas. There will be less clarity to the phrase by adding the G unless you use a cleaner guitar sound of course.
I'm using my fingers to articulate this lick and would advocate you do the same unless you are a monster flat picker! You'll notice the phrase has a really nice accent on the upbeats which gives a very distinct style to the idea. Again, rhythmic phrasing is just as important as the notes you choose so pay attention to that when creating your own ideas.
+ 45 more lessons
Reviews
17 results
rjaleman
Verified buyer
11/08/22
Musical approach to modes
A great collection of licks in modes. Most importantly, they are musical and fun to play. Very much worth checking out to spark creativity.
tomac
Verified buyer
01/13/22
Very good style
Rodrigomg2
Verified buyer
05/08/20
Great sounds!
The course is excellent, until finally I am managing to improvise with the modes.
gardinerbrent
Verified buyer
05/05/20
recently purchased 50 modal licks
I like the process used in the teaching in this course, found it a bit fast in the beginning but with the capability to slow it down to half speed am beginning to improve my technique and get some of the licks down. good course.
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