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 a seasoned educator, instructional designer, and musician. He graduated from Antillean Adventist University with a Bachelor's in Music Education and from Full Sail University with a Master's in Educational Media Design and Technology, equipping him with the knowledge to excel in both academics and music.
Not only has Samuel served as a music teacher and Assistant professor of Guitar at the Inter-American University of San German, Puerto Rico, but he has also had the opportunity to become the Multimedia Designer for the Walt Disney Company, Digital Learning Designer for the University of St. Augustine at San Marcos, California campus, and Sr. Instructional Technologist for the University of San Diego. His skills have also extended to becoming LMS Administrator/Instructional Designer for Taylor Guitars in San Diego, California. He wrote several instructional books on playing various instruments including the Puerto Rican cuatro, guitar, and mandolin.
When he is not busy teaching or designing content, Samuel dedicates his time to 4jibaro.com—a website that serves as an online community aiming to increase awareness about Puerto Rican folklore music and its heritage. Through his work here Samuel attempts to bring hope and joy to persons through music by transforming the world – one note at a time!
Frequently Asked Questions