I’ve memorised some patterns for each of the seven modes of the major scale, is it a good next step to learn all of the notes of the major scale in each key (and then in each mode)? Or is there a better way I could spend my time right now?
I figure it will help me to learn the neck and the notes of each key, which is useful for chord construction etc. Also, to do that I’ve been saying the note in my head when playing each. Is that a good way to do it? Should I also memorise the sharps and flats in each key?
I think all of those ideas are good but don’t get too hung up on trying to learn too much at the same time. In my opinion I would maybe do all of those things but put more effort into applying it to music, playing with jam tracks in a just few keys but try to get fluent with one thing at a time.
For example if you concentrate mostly on the major scale in one key, learn the notes on the fretboard, find many interval patterns around the scale etc and try to get very comfortable with that.
Do the same thing in one or two other keys until you get comfortable with those as well. Then maybe try a different scale or mode, do the same thing with that.
You don’t need need to be perfect at everything, it’s okay to be more fluent with one thing over another to be your strong point, whichever one you prefer and enjoy the most.
When you practice this way you find there is a crossover point where the other stuff falls into place a lot quicker, without really trying. In other words, if you spend maybe 80% of your time with just the major scale and a few different keys, the rest will kind of “come along for the ride” to some extent.
Too much variation I think can slow you down in the long term. I enjoy playing around with modes and other stuff now and then but it’s not my strong point. However, because I have spent a lot of time playing with arpeggios, major, minor and pentatonic scales – if I suddenly decided to do something “Phrygian” for example, I’d spend maybe a couple of hours playing around with Phrygian and get to grips with it pretty quickly, purely based on my experience with what I already know through learning other stuff.
Hope that makes sense.
