By David M. McLean
Months ago, a fellow (whose name I can't recall) posted to the IG forums requesting information about the whole-tone scale and other "exotic" scales, as well as advise on how to apply new scales to soloing and composition. A recent letter from an IG reader (Chad from Iowa) reminded me of whole-tone scales...and that the name of the site is "INSANE guitar", and that I should tread a bit closer to the edge. Thanx for the reminder, Chad. Let me know how you like this one! We'll start with a common progression in A minor - let's say: Am (8) - Am (8) - F (8) - F (4), G (4) - repeat. Improvise freely over the first two chords of this progression using A natural minor (A, B, C, D, E, F, G). When you get to the "F" chord, however, switch to the whole-tone scale until the progression returns to "Am".
While the whole-tone scale is not somethng music theorists would necessarily consider "exotic' or "esoteric", it sure can sound pretty alien if employed properly. Try these tidbits to get you started.
Like this:
Or this:
In addition to finding opportune moments in a progression to switch scales, you'll also find that modulations are a great way to open doors to adding some eccentric whole-tone spice. Using the same progression as above, improvise freely in A minor as you flow through the progression twice. At the end of the second pass, however, don't return to Am - switch keys instead by jumping to F#m (using just a standard 1-5 diad). This is another great opportunity to leap into the whole-tone scale. Try the following run over this section.
We'll stop here for now, but next time we'll expound further on the use of this odd little scale. I hope that was "insane" enough for ya'll! Drop me a line via e-mail or the IG forums (and don't forget to sign the guestbook, folks!) for all critiques and suggestions for future articles.
A bit off-note: As many of you know, I'll be doing a series of guitar clinics and workshops in the next few months, but the date has been moved back to accommodate my recording schedule for "Hunger". I'll post up-dates here and at my web-site. If you're interested in one in your area, drop me a line and we can discuss it.
See ya next time!
David M. McLean is the proprietor of Skinny Devil Music Labs, former guitarist of the avant-garde fusion-metal band Aurora-Sen, guitar instructor, and columnist for TinFoil Music Magazine (where he conducts interviews in the on-going series “Guitar Gods”). His new solo album, “HUNGER”, will be released later this year.