pentatonic mastery can be yours!
Chapter 1: THE MINOR PENTATONIC MODES
In this first chapter of The Auer Method you will learn the 5 modes
of the minor pentatonic scale.
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You should learn and master each mode one at a time before moving onto the next.
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Mode 1
Mode 2
Mode 3
Mode 4
Mode 5
Note: Mode 2 starts with a flat 3rd note b3 which is the 2nd note of Mode 1 and that the
entire upper half of Mode 2 is the same as the lower half of Mode 1.
Mode 1
Mode 2
This is how the modes connect from octave to octave.
Notice this connection with all the modes.
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Start on the R to hear the tonic of each mode.
In the key of G Minor
Mode 1
Mode 1
starts on the
3rd fret
Mode 2
Mode 2
starts on the
6th fret
Mode 3
Mode 3
starts on the
8th fret
Mode 4
Mode 4
starts on the
10th fret
Mode 5
Mode 5
starts on the
13th fret
Mode 1 - one octave higher
Then Mode 1
repeats on the octave
of G which is the
15th fret
This should help clear up any confusion on how the modes
connect up the neck from octave to octave
G Minor Pentatonic
Brian E. Auer
A Method of Practice
The main thing you need to do is take it one mode at a time
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Play Mode 1 starting on the 3rd fret over the 12 bar backing track in G minor till you master that position on the fret board.
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Start Mode 2, on the 6th fret over the same progression till you master that position on the neck.
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Continue this same process for all the modes.
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Mode 3 starts on fret 8 of the E string. Mode 4 starts on fret 10 of the E string and Mode 5 starts on fret 13 of the E string.
Once you have finished, you should have noticed that you were playing all the same notes
just starting in different positions of the neck. Because of the tuning of the guitar
these notes appear in different fingerings.​
I often get asked how to practice modes >