Understanding & Mastering Modes for the Cuatro Puertorriqueño
Expand your musical scales vocabulary by adding modes to your improvisations
The concept of modes can be a bit daunting for many beginners. The truth is that you’re already playing modes without realizing it. If you know how to play a major scale, you’re playing an Ionian scale. The first of seven modes we’ll be discussing on this course. We'll also discuss how to incorporate these into your jam sessions.
At the end of the course, you’ll be able to:
- Identify and play 7 modes on the instrument
- Execute modes in different position of the fretboard using three-notes-per-strings
- Create simple modal melodies and play-along to chord progressions
- Identify modal characteristics and tonal colors
This course is for anyone looking to learn the modes in an easy-to-understand manner--without all the technical jargon.
Your Instructor
Hey there! I'm Samuel Ramos, and I've got a bit of a story to tell.
I've always had two big passions in life: education and music. I started my journey by getting my Bachelor's in Music Education from Antillean Adventist University, and then I thought, "Why stop there?" So I went on to Full Sail University for my Master's in Educational Media Design and Technology. It's been an amazing ride combining these two fields!
Over the years, I've worn quite a few hats. I've had the joy of teaching music and even served as an assistant professor of guitar at Inter-American University back in Puerto Rico. But you know me, I love to keep things interesting! I've also had some pretty cool gigs in the tech world. Would you believe I worked as a multimedia designer for Disney? Talk about a dream come true!
My adventures didn't stop there. I've been a digital learning designer at the University of St. Augustine in California, and I even got to be a senior instructional technologist at the University of San Diego. Oh, and I can't forget my time as an LMS Administrator and Instructional Designer for Taylor Guitars. It's been quite the journey!
One thing I'm really proud of is the books I've written. I've put together instructional guides for playing all sorts of instruments - the Puerto Rican cuatro, guitar, mandolin, you name it. It's my way of sharing my love for music with others.
But you know what really gets me excited? My website, 4jibaro.com. It's an online community I created to promote awareness of Puerto Rican folk music and heritage. It's my passion project, my way of keeping our beautiful culture alive and kicking.
At the end of the day, my big dream is to spread hope and joy through music. I truly believe we can change the world, one note at a time. It might sound cheesy, but hey, that's me! I'm just a guy who loves what he does and wants to make a difference. So, what do you think? Want to join me on this musical journey?
Course Curriculum
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StartIntroduction: How to Get Your Head Around Modes
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StartWhat are Modal Scales?
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StartModes: The Parallel Approach
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StartThe Ionian Mode
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StartIonian Diatonic Arpeggios in C
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StartThe Dorian Mode
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StartDorian Diatonic Arpeggios in C
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StartThe Lydian Mode
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StartLydian Diatonic Arpeggios in C
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StartThe Phrygian Mode
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StartPhrygian Diatonic Arpeggios in C
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StartThe Mixolydian Mode
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StartMixolydian Diatonic Arpeggios in C
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StartThe Aeolian Mode
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StartAeolian Diatonic Arpeggios in C
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StartThe Locrian Mode
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StartLocrian Diatonic Arpeggios in C
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StartPutting It All Together