Understanding & Mastering Modes for the Cuatro
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
Samuel Ramos is currently the Digital Learning Designer for the University of St. Augustine in Southern California. He holds a Bachelors in Music Education from Antillean Adventist University, and his Masters in Educational Media Design and Technology from Full Sail University.
He has served as a music teacher for 14 years and as Assistant professor in the Guitar Department at the Inter-American University of San German, Puerto Rico. Recently served as the Instructional Designer for Taylor Guitars in San Diego, California, designing online content for their internal and external learning platforms.
Between teaching jobs, Samuel authored several instructional books and guides for learning several instruments including the Puerto Rican cuatro, guitar, and mandolin among many others.
In his spare time, Samuel designs instructional content for his online community and blog at 4jibaro.com, a place where Puerto Rican music is the focal point. He constantly strives to increase awareness of Puerto Rican music and its heritage. With music as his wand, he attempts to transform the world, one cuatro at a time!
Frequently Asked Questions