Anyone have this book? Scales and Modes

jbitzel · 03-10-2010, 02:47 AM

So I don't understand this book, am I missing something.

Look that the look inside part, on the first pages. It only shows 3 strings in one position. I'm ok with the one position part but doesn't the A Major scale exist on the other 3 strings?

Sorry for the silly question but I thought I was buying a book $4.99 at Borders so no big loss. But I thought I was buying a book that I could flip around and practice different scales and just mess around. I don't know how much this book is helping.

Amazon.com: Scales and Modes: Easy to Read - Easy to Play - for Every Instrument (Chords Series) (9781847866547): Alan Brown, Jake Jackson: Books

Silimtao · 03-10-2010, 03:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jbitzel

So I don't understand this book, am I missing something.

Look that the look inside part, on the first pages. It only shows 3 strings in one position. I'm ok with the one position part but doesn't the A Major scale exist on the other 3 strings?

Sorry for the silly question but I thought I was buying a book $4.99 at Borders so no big loss. But I thought I was buying a book that I could flip around and practice different scales and just mess around. I don't know how much this book is helping.

Amazon.com: Scales and Modes: Easy to Read - Easy to Play - for Every Instrument (Chords Series) (9781847866547): Alan Brown, Jake Jackson: Books

It's not just a book for guitar, jb. Yeah, of course the A Major scale exists on the other strings. Looks to me it's just a book full of scales. I dunno how much you'll get out of it without getting deeper into theory (unless it's explained in more detail later). I was only able to get up to A Harmonic Minor. If you're into reading music, just add an octave below and above what's shown. Glad you didn't pay full price for it. I prefer books (for the most part), geared solely for the guitar.

jbitzel · 03-10-2010, 03:37 AM

I think I'd like this better but maybe I should go back to basics instead

Amazon.com: Gig Bag Book of Scales for all Guitarists (9780825615757): Joe Dineen, Mark Bridges: Books

Silimtao · 03-10-2010, 04:13 AM

I think I've seen that book in Guitar Center. I really don't think you'd find anything there you couldn't find on the net to be honest. But everyone has a different way of learning. I have some books, and prefer to break them open even if I could get the same info from the net.

The good thing about books, ideally, is they're laid out in a logical manner, as opposed to finding random stuff scattered around. But maybe you should find the sticky that Rustee pretty much put together in the Skills/Theory area here. I've found lots of sites devoted to pretty much anything you can think of. If necessary, you can print the stuff out for reference. It's amazing what you can find for free.

Clifford D · 03-12-2010, 05:51 PM

I like the personality books a lot, Frank Gambale, Robben Ford, Bill Frisell, Sco,, etc..
Transcriptions as well, much more than any "start here" method books.
Us guitarists have more stuff out ther to choose from. I've made around 30 books just from copying the internet, and on subjects that never get covered in just about any store bought books, I've got topics like dodecaphonics, just intonation, lots on Pat Martino and his whole The Nature of Guitar and so much more.
The internet is amazing.

DigitalJedi · 03-16-2010, 08:32 PM

The Guitar Grimoire series is worth checking out. There are a few different books in the series. I have "Scales and Modes", "Progression and Improvisation", and the exercise book so far. There is really an unlimited amount of theory for guitarist in these books. Good Stuff!

Clifford D · 03-17-2010, 02:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jbitzel

So I don't understand this book, am I missing something.

Look that the look inside part, on the first pages. It only shows 3 strings in one position. I'm ok with the one position part but doesn't the A Major scale exist on the other 3 strings?

Sorry for the silly question but I thought I was buying a book $4.99 at Borders so no big loss. But I thought I was buying a book that I could flip around and practice different scales and just mess around. I don't know how much this book is helping.

Amazon.com: Scales and Modes: Easy to Read - Easy to Play - for Every Instrument (Chords Series) (9781847866547): Alan Brown, Jake Jackson: Books

That's a cool little book, what it provides it does well.

But what it's missing is application, how do you use a harmonic minor scale in a tune?
This book does not go there, this is not theory of harmony, just a scale book. It's a nice basic scale book.

So an absolutely great book for application of these basic scales is
Guitar Techniques by Frank Gambale, Frank may be the monster guitar player of guitar players but he does an excellent job of bringing the whole theory thing down to earth as good as any book I've seen. Can't say enough about it. 1+
Amazon.com: The Frank Gambale Technique Book I (Manhattan Music Publications) (0029156060874): Frank Gambale: Books

Silimtao · 03-17-2010, 11:44 AM

jb, in all honesty, until or unless you get a good groundwork in basic scales, intervallic relationships, what makes up scales, and how to build chords, the Gambale and Grimoire books will give you a brain tumor. Both a great set of books, but can be pretty heavy. Check out the links here:Useful Theory Links You can save a lot of money right off the bat going through these links.

You can't understand application unless you know what tools you're working with. It would be like someone handing me a blueprint and asking me to build a house just because I know how to use a hammer and screwdriver. It's a big leap between the two.

Clifford D · 03-17-2010, 02:29 PM

the two studies go together or can go together.

I don't see any "harm" coming from looking through the books mentioned, if they are curious
go for it. There is no path to follow when learning, we're like cows grazing in a field guided by interest. There is plenty of time to put the whole picture together. Me being someone that has gone down the path a ways, and can apply whatever to my music I look back and see the clarity and the easy path. There is possibly nothing better to do in becoming a musician than to walk your own path. And that means others will put up signpost saying "turn here"
or "beware of danger"

As far as learning, you can understand application and understand the building blocks at the same time, in fact you don't really need to know the building blocks, just apply, by ear.
There are tons of folks that play their music with no understanding of what a 3rd is or a mode. The great jazz guitarist Wes Montgomery didn't know anything but his ear, same with Jimi. countless others. And they're happy and I dig their music, or not.

Both the Gambale and the Grimoire books will not give anyone a brain tumor, but they are two different books, Gambales book is all about application with minimal words and a series of simplifications, in the style of Howard Roberts layouts.
The Grimoire book is simply a nice, vast resource book. Full of 100s of mini studies.
Of the two the Gambale book would be my desert island book.
Also "Sheets of Sound" by Jack Zucker - imo the best book for picking technique with more scale applications from the greats like Shawn Lane and John McLaughlan to ???
Two desert island books.
And then there is the ultimate "Voice Leading for the 21st Century" by Mick Goodrick
my desert island chord study on nuclear steroids.

You're on a desert island with a screwdriver and a hammer, build a fricken shelter.
But don't sit there in the rain (walk over to the tropical side of the island and read the rewards)

All these books could be an entry into music for even a newb that maintains a quiet mind.
If the newb doesn't understand then they must research to get the answer and isn't the internet wonderful for research? Private teachers might be able to help in the research.
But make no mistake, it's the newbs research and study in music, not anyone elses, not the teacher, or internet armchair bandit that should ever say the it should be for you.
So relax, work on a quiet mind and follow your interest, when bored or tired, stop, maybe change interests, just like the cow, go for the greenest patches, 10,000 hrs later you'll be one fat cow.

Silimtao · 03-17-2010, 02:50 PM

I don't know how many times I have to say this either explicitly or by inference: consider the OP's original post, instead of going off on tangents on what you know, how easy it is. Somehow, you've introduced voioce-leading here. How is that pertinent to jb's post? Do you honestly believe, based on what he posted, he understands that? He's been playing guitar for 3 months.

jb said in his original post- "I'm ok with the one position part but doesn't the A Major scale exist on the other 3 strings? "

And you're suggesting Gambale? And if he doesn't understand it "they must research it"?

Is working from the very basic fundamentals such a revolutionary idea? You're suggesting advanced calculus before one even knows the basics of numbers.

You build a house from the foundation up, not the attic down.

03-10-2010, 02:47 AM	#1 (permalink)
jbitzel Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Tampa Posts: 968	Anyone have this book? Scales and Modes So I don't understand this book, am I missing something. Look that the look inside part, on the first pages. It only shows 3 strings in one position. I'm ok with the one position part but doesn't the A Major scale exist on the other 3 strings? Sorry for the silly question but I thought I was buying a book $4.99 at Borders so no big loss. But I thought I was buying a book that I could flip around and practice different scales and just mess around. I don't know how much this book is helping. Amazon.com: Scales and Modes: Easy to Read - Easy to Play - for Every Instrument (Chords Series) (9781847866547): Alan Brown, Jake Jackson: Books __________________ Damn right I got the blues! Fender Starcaster 3 tone sunburst, GFS Texas pups, Peavey Vypyr 15

03-10-2010, 03:37 AM	#3 (permalink)
jbitzel Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Tampa Posts: 968	I think I'd like this better but maybe I should go back to basics instead Amazon.com: Gig Bag Book of Scales for all Guitarists (9780825615757): Joe Dineen, Mark Bridges: Books __________________ Damn right I got the blues! Fender Starcaster 3 tone sunburst, GFS Texas pups, Peavey Vypyr 15

03-10-2010, 04:13 AM	#4 (permalink)
Silimtao Super Model Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: here Posts: 10,686	I think I've seen that book in Guitar Center. I really don't think you'd find anything there you couldn't find on the net to be honest. But everyone has a different way of learning. I have some books, and prefer to break them open even if I could get the same info from the net. The good thing about books, ideally, is they're laid out in a logical manner, as opposed to finding random stuff scattered around. But maybe you should find the sticky that Rustee pretty much put together in the Skills/Theory area here. I've found lots of sites devoted to pretty much anything you can think of. If necessary, you can print the stuff out for reference. It's amazing what you can find for free. __________________ Instant Karma's gonna get you...... If you don't know where you're going, you will probably end up somewhere else. <http://www.xcomment.com/g3/img/poster___boobs052708113237.gif>

03-16-2010, 08:32 PM	#6 (permalink)
DigitalJedi Most Interestin Man Alive Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Texas Posts: 524	The Guitar Grimoire series is worth checking out. There are a few different books in the series. I have "Scales and Modes", "Progression and Improvisation", and the exercise book so far. There is really an unlimited amount of theory for guitarist in these books. Good Stuff! __________________ If it ain't broke, don't fix it. Mod it instead! Music I've made: http://www.soundclick.com/bands/defa...bandID=1050183 Live footage: http://www.youtube.com/user/joeygstrings http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GtQGFxi6o6M

03-17-2010, 11:44 AM	#8 (permalink)
Silimtao Super Model Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: here Posts: 10,686	jb, in all honesty, until or unless you get a good groundwork in basic scales, intervallic relationships, what makes up scales, and how to build chords, the Gambale and Grimoire books will give you a brain tumor. Both a great set of books, but can be pretty heavy. Check out the links here:Useful Theory Links You can save a lot of money right off the bat going through these links. You can't understand application unless you know what tools you're working with. It would be like someone handing me a blueprint and asking me to build a house just because I know how to use a hammer and screwdriver. It's a big leap between the two. __________________ Instant Karma's gonna get you...... If you don't know where you're going, you will probably end up somewhere else. <http://www.xcomment.com/g3/img/poster___boobs052708113237.gif> Last edited by Silimtao; 03-17-2010 at 11:46 AM.

03-12-2010, 05:51 PM	#5 (permalink)
Clifford D Banned Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 375	I like the personality books a lot, Frank Gambale, Robben Ford, Bill Frisell, Sco,, etc.. Transcriptions as well, much more than any "start here" method books. Us guitarists have more stuff out ther to choose from. I've made around 30 books just from copying the internet, and on subjects that never get covered in just about any store bought books, I've got topics like dodecaphonics, just intonation, lots on Pat Martino and his whole The Nature of Guitar and so much more. The internet is amazing.

03-17-2010, 02:29 PM	#9 (permalink)
Clifford D Banned Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 375	the two studies go together or can go together. I don't see any "harm" coming from looking through the books mentioned, if they are curious go for it. There is no path to follow when learning, we're like cows grazing in a field guided by interest. There is plenty of time to put the whole picture together. Me being someone that has gone down the path a ways, and can apply whatever to my music I look back and see the clarity and the easy path. There is possibly nothing better to do in becoming a musician than to walk your own path. And that means others will put up signpost saying "turn here" or "beware of danger" As far as learning, you can understand application and understand the building blocks at the same time, in fact you don't really need to know the building blocks, just apply, by ear. There are tons of folks that play their music with no understanding of what a 3rd is or a mode. The great jazz guitarist Wes Montgomery didn't know anything but his ear, same with Jimi. countless others. And they're happy and I dig their music, or not. Both the Gambale and the Grimoire books will not give anyone a brain tumor, but they are two different books, Gambales book is all about application with minimal words and a series of simplifications, in the style of Howard Roberts layouts. The Grimoire book is simply a nice, vast resource book. Full of 100s of mini studies. Of the two the Gambale book would be my desert island book. Also "Sheets of Sound" by Jack Zucker - imo the best book for picking technique with more scale applications from the greats like Shawn Lane and John McLaughlan to ??? Two desert island books. And then there is the ultimate "Voice Leading for the 21st Century" by Mick Goodrick my desert island chord study on nuclear steroids. You're on a desert island with a screwdriver and a hammer, build a fricken shelter. But don't sit there in the rain (walk over to the tropical side of the island and read the rewards) All these books could be an entry into music for even a newb that maintains a quiet mind. If the newb doesn't understand then they must research to get the answer and isn't the internet wonderful for research? Private teachers might be able to help in the research. But make no mistake, it's the newbs research and study in music, not anyone elses, not the teacher, or internet armchair bandit that should ever say the it should be for you. So relax, work on a quiet mind and follow your interest, when bored or tired, stop, maybe change interests, just like the cow, go for the greenest patches, 10,000 hrs later you'll be one fat cow.

03-17-2010, 02:50 PM	#10 (permalink)
Silimtao Super Model Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: here Posts: 10,686	I don't know how many times I have to say this either explicitly or by inference: consider the OP's original post, instead of going off on tangents on what you know, how easy it is. Somehow, you've introduced voioce-leading here. How is that pertinent to jb's post? Do you honestly believe, based on what he posted, he understands that? He's been playing guitar for 3 months. jb said in his original post- "I'm ok with the one position part but doesn't the A Major scale exist on the other 3 strings? " And you're suggesting Gambale? And if he doesn't understand it "they must research it"? Is working from the very basic fundamentals such a revolutionary idea? You're suggesting advanced calculus before one even knows the basics of numbers. You build a house from the foundation up, not the attic down. __________________ Instant Karma's gonna get you...... If you don't know where you're going, you will probably end up somewhere else. <http://www.xcomment.com/g3/img/poster___boobs052708113237.gif>

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode