Practicing The Modes

 

Depiction of the Modes

We recommend the following mnemonic: "I Don't Play Loud Music About Love"

I = Ionian (major) R1,W2,W3,H4,W5,W6,W7,H8
D = Dorian (one of the minors) starts on the 2nd interval
P = Phrygian starts on the 3rd
L = Lydian starts on the 4th
M = Mixolydian starts on the 5th
A = Aeolian (natural minor) starts on the 6th
L = Locrian starts on the 7th

In the key of C:
C Dorian = D,E,F,G,A,B,C,D
C Phrygian = E,F,G,A,B,C,D,E
C Lydian = F,G,A,B,C,D,E,F
C Mixolydian = G,A,B,C,D,E,F,G
C Aeolian = A,B,C,D,E,F,G,A
C Locrian = B,C,D,E,F,G,A,B

We require that our students practice 1 different scale around the circle of 5ths each day, with all of the modes.

The First Week:

• Monday C
• Tuesday G
• Wednesday D
• Thursday A
• Friday E
• Saturday B
• Sunday F#

The Second Week:

• Monday C (repeat)
• Tuesday F
• Wednesday Bflat
• Thursday Eflat.
• Friday Aflat
• Saturday Dflat
• Sunday Gflat.

Back to C

We don't recommend studying C# or Cflat for obvious reasons.

The Melodic Minor Scale Through Time

 

Depiction of the Evolution of the MM Scale

The exact origin of the melodic minor scale, like many elements of music theory, is not attributed to a single inventor or a specific year of creation. The evolution of the melodic minor scale, as with many musical scales, is a result of centuries of musical development and cultural influences. Here's a brief overview:

Early Origins: The roots of the melodic minor scale can be traced back to the modes used in medieval and Renaissance music. During these periods, modes rather than scales as we know them today were the foundation of musical composition.

Baroque and Classical Periods: As music transitioned into the Baroque and Classical eras (circa 1600-1820), the use of the major and minor tonalities became more prominent. Composers began altering natural minor scales to suit harmonic and melodic needs, particularly in vocal music where smooth, stepwise motion was often desired.

Rise of the Harmonic and Melodic Minor: To address the limitations of the natural minor scale, especially its lack of a leading tone (a half step below the tonic), the harmonic minor scale was used. However, the large interval (augmented second) between the sixth and seventh degrees of the harmonic minor scale was seen as less conducive to smooth melody lines. This led to the alteration of the sixth and seventh degrees in ascending melodies, creating what we now know as the ascending melodic minor scale.

Twentieth Century and Beyond: Throughout the 20th century, the melodic minor scale, especially its ascending form, gained prominence in jazz and contemporary classical music. Jazz musicians, in particular, have exploited the scale's unique sound for both melody and improvisation, often using the ascending form exclusively in both ascending and descending contexts.

In summary, the melodic minor scale as we know it today is a product of a long evolution in Western music theory and practice. It wasn't so much invented at a specific point in time by an individual, but rather developed organically as composers and musicians sought to address the harmonic and melodic limitations of the existing musical scales.

What is the Melodic Minor Scale?

 

Depiction of the Melodic Minor Scale

The melodic minor scale has different intervals when ascending and descending. Here's a breakdown:

Ascending Melodic Minor Scale
1. Root to Second: Major 2nd (whole step)
2. Second to Third: Minor 3rd (half step)
3. Third to Fourth: Major 3rd (whole step)
4. Fourth to Fifth: Perfect 4th (whole step)
5. Fifth to Sixth: Perfect 5th (whole step)
6. Sixth to Seventh: Major 6th (whole step)
7. Seventh to Octave: Major 7th (whole step)

Descending Melodic Minor Scale

The descending melodic minor scale traditionally follows the intervals of the natural minor scale:

1. Octave to Seventh: Minor 7th (whole step)
2. Seventh to Sixth: Minor 6th (whole step)
3. Sixth to Fifth: Perfect 5th (whole step)
4. Fifth to Fourth: Perfect 4th (whole step)
5. Fourth to Third: Minor 3rd (half step)
6. Third to Second: Major 2nd (whole step)
7. Second to Root: Minor 2nd (half step)

In the ascending form, the melodic minor scale raises both the sixth and seventh degrees, which differentiates it from the natural and harmonic minor scales. In the descending form, it reverts to the natural minor scale pattern.

🎵Discover the World of Music with Sweet Music Studio🎵

 

🌟Hello, music enthusiasts!🎼

At Sweet Music Studio, we are dedicated to nurturing talents and helping every individual unlock their inner musician. We are thrilled to announce our diverse range of classes designed for learners at every stage. Whether you are a beginner eager to strum the first chords or a seasoned musician looking to enhance your skills, we have something just for you.

📢Online Engagement📢

• To kick start your mornings with a harmonious note, join us daily at 10 am for “Morning Melodies,” a venture where music meets the morning sun to foster learning and create beautiful melodies. Streamed live on Facebook, Google Meet, or other platforms, it’s the perfect setting to nurture your musical spirit from the comfort of your home.

• On Tuesdays, we have a double treat for you: “AI for Musicians” at 1 pm followed by “Mandolin for Beginners” at 2 pm, both designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills to set a strong footing in the world of music.

🍂Fall Musical Instruments: Celebrating the Season with Mandolin, Fiddle, Banjo, and Guitar 🍂

 

September 15, 2023 by Adam Sweet for Sweet Music Studio

Hello music enthusiasts!

As the weather takes a cooler turn and we find ourselves reaching for warm sweaters, it's the perfect time to explore the musical instruments that resonate with this vibrant season. In our recent workshop, we delved deep into the rich sounds of the mandolin, fiddle, banjo, and guitar, and how they beautifully evoke the spirit of autumn in folk, bluegrass, and Celtic genres. #AutumnMusic #FolkMusic

Meet the Maestro: Adam Sweet 🎻

Adam Sweet, the founder and director of Sweet Music Studio, guided us through this musical journey. With a BA in Musicology and over three decades of experience in studying traditional music, Adam brings a wealth of knowledge to his teaching, offering lessons both online and in-person in Granby, MA. If you are inspired to learn, don't miss the special offer: mention you saw the workshop and enjoy a 10% discount on your first month's lessons. Sign up here. #MusicEducation #LearnMusic

The Mandolin: A Companion for Autumn Evenings 🎶

We kicked off the session with the mandolin, a versatile instrument that lends itself beautifully to both folk and bluegrass genres. Its bright tone makes it a perfect companion for evening firepit singalongs. Adam demonstrated its folk characteristics with a heartfelt rendition of "Hard Times Come Again No More," a tune that you can learn to play in the free mandolin classes offered at the studio. The mandolin's rhythmic capabilities in bluegrass were showcased through the lively "Blackberry Blossom." #MandolinMagic #BluegrassBeats

The Fiddle: Evoking Warm Autumn Tones 🎵

Next, we turned our attention to the fiddle, a central element in Celtic and folk music. Adam took us on a journey through Celtic territories, playing the "Harvest Home," a piece that truly embodies the autumn spirit. The session also featured the comforting tones of "Ashokan Farewell," a melody that many recognize and associate with warm autumn days. #FiddleFun #CelticChords

Today's Giveaway: Fender F1 Mandolin/Guitar Tuner 🎁

We were excited to announce the giveaway of a Fender F1 Mandolin/Guitar tuner in the workshop. To enter, like and follow our Facebook page, and contact us with your details. Remember, the first lesson is free when you register for lessons, offering a great start to your musical journey. #Giveaway #MusicGear

Become a Patron on Patreon 🌟

We invite you to become a part of our vibrant Patreon community and enjoy a range of exclusive benefits. Here's what you can look forward to:

• $5/month: Music Enthusiast

• Access to Patreon-exclusive content

• Early bird notifications for workshops and events

• Community access to connect with fellow music enthusiasts

• $10/month: Aspiring Musician

• All the benefits of the Music Enthusiast tier

• Monthly Q&A sessions with Adam

• Access to workshop materials to aid your learning

Join us on Patreon and become a part of our musical family today! #PatreonPerks #MusicCommunity

Join Us in Celebrating Autumn with Music 🍁

As we wrapped up the workshop, we were left with a rich tapestry of sounds that evoke the spirit of autumn. We invite you to be a part of this musical exploration, to learn, and to find joy in the rustic tones of autumnal musical instruments. Stay tuned for more workshops, and don't hesitate to reach out with any questions or to register for lessons at www.SweetMusicStudio.net  Remember, the first one is free!  Mention the title of this workshop when you contact us, and take 10% off the first month of lessons!

Thank you for being a part of this musical journey. We look forward to sharing more melodies and musical insights in our upcoming sessions. #AutumnVibes #MusicJourney

🎼🪕Mandolin For Beginners Facebook Live🎼🪕 With Adam Sweet

 

September 15, 2023

Hello music enthusiasts!

🌟In our recent Mandolin for Beginners workshop hosted by the founder and director of Sweet Music Studio, Adam Sweet, we took a deeper dive into the world of mandolin. Adam, with his rich background in Musicology and decades of experience in studying traditional music, guided attendees through an enriching session where the focus was on learning the A major scale and the first tune in the book.

🌟Adam encouraged attendees to get hold of two essential books: "The Fiddler's Fakebook" and "You Can Teach Yourself Fiddling" by Mel Bay, to aid in their learning journey. The session also revisited the 5-finger scales on each string, a topic covered in the previous workshop, laying a strong foundation for reading and playing music.

🌟As a special offer, attendees who sign up for lessons and mention the workshop will receive a 10% discount on the first month's lessons. Moreover, the first lesson is always free at the Sweet Music Studio located in Granby, MA.

🌟Don't miss out on the exciting giveaway - a Fender F1 Mandolin/Guitar tuner, a must-have for every music enthusiast. To enter, like and follow the Facebook page and register at Sweet Music Studio.

Stay tuned for more workshops and remember to take notes to make the most out of each session!

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Patreon Page

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Join the Musical Journey with Adam Sweet

Hey patrons and music lovers!

In the latest Mandolin for Beginners workshop, Adam Sweet, the seasoned musician and the brain behind Sweet Music Studio, took us on a musical journey, focusing on the foundational aspects of playing the mandolin. From learning the A major scale to understanding the nuances of reading music, the session was packed with insights and knowledge.

We invite you to become a part of our Patreon community and enjoy exclusive benefits tailored for music enthusiasts and aspiring musicians. By joining our Patreon, you gain access to a rich library of content, early bird notifications for events, and a chance to be a part of a vibrant community where you can share and learn from others.

At the $10/month Aspiring Musician tier, enjoy additional perks including monthly Q&A sessions with Adam and access to supplementary workshop materials to aid in your learning process.

We look forward to seeing you in our next workshop. Stay tuned for more musical adventures with Adam Sweet!

🎼🪕🌟Mandolin For Beginners Workshop Review On Facebook Live 🎼🪕🌟

 

"I didn’t get a chance to comment on this or the prior Friday event. I have to watch the recordings due to my time zone. 

The instruction about how your right forearm is holding the mandolin has helped me. Also, I am about a month into self learning. I think I started with some technique that was not on point. So I am relearning some of this based off of your guidance. It is hard for me to get that pinky on the 7th but after 4 days, I can reach it! It is hard and sounds terrible but will keep practicing. I also have a hard time moving my left and right hands without tripping up when I think about what I am doing. This is my first instrument. I lose accuracy any time I speed up as well. I have been told that only practice – very slowly until I am relaxed – then I can begin to make progress on speed.

I am glad for your tips and ideas about a practice schedule because I was all over the place. You asked what everyone is interested in learning. I am into folk/folk punk so I would love to hear some tips as we go. Waiting on my books to arrive. I was learning from someone who said to learn by ear is best. However, having some tone hearing issues, I have decided that your suggestions might be better for me.

Thanks for sharing. I have enjoyed these!" ~ Melissa Lucy Ketelsen