Guitarists often explore exotic scales to add unique flavors and textures to their playing. These scales, originating from various musical traditions around the world, can inject vibrancy and intrigue into your music. In this guide, we’ll demystify exotic scales for guitar and provide insights on how to incorporate them into your playing to create captivating melodies and solos.
1. The Appeal of Exotic Scales
Exotic scales offer a departure from the familiar major and minor scales, introducing fresh and distinctive sounds. Here’s why they are appealing:
1. Unique Tonal Colors: Exotic scales provide a palette of unusual intervals, creating captivating tonal colors that stand out in compositions.
2. Expressive Potential: These scales can convey specific emotions and moods, making them valuable tools for musical storytelling.
3. Cultural Exploration: Exploring exotic scales allows you to dive into diverse musical traditions, broadening your understanding of global music.
2. Common Exotic Scales for Guitar
Let’s explore some common exotic scales that you can incorporate into your guitar playing:
1. Phrygian Dominant: This scale is used in Middle Eastern, Flamenco, and fusion music. It features a dominant 7th interval and a distinctive, exotic sound.
2. Harmonic Minor: Widely used in jazz and classical music, the harmonic minor scale has a unique augmented 2nd interval that adds tension and drama to melodies.
3. Hungarian Minor: This scale features a raised 4th degree and is used in Hungarian and Eastern European folk music. It’s known for its enigmatic and emotional qualities.
4. Dorian Mode: While not considered exotic in its own right, the Dorian mode, with its major 6th interval, can create a distinctive sound when used creatively.
5. Phrygian Mode: With a flattened 2nd interval, the Phrygian mode has a distinctively dark and mysterious character.
6. Double Harmonic Scale: Commonly associated with Middle Eastern and Eastern European music, this scale features augmented 2nd intervals and an exotic, otherworldly sound.
3. Incorporating Exotic Scales into Your Playing
Now, let’s explore how to incorporate exotic scales into your guitar playing:
1. Familiarize Yourself: Start by learning the scales thoroughly. Practice them up and down the fretboard in various positions and octaves.
2. Listen Actively: Listen to music from cultures that use these scales. Pay attention to how they are employed in melodies and solos.
3. Experiment with Phrasing: Experiment with different phrasing techniques, such as slides, bends, and vibrato, to accentuate the unique qualities of each scale.
4. Combine with Familiar Scales: Blend exotic scales with familiar ones like the major or minor scale to create intriguing hybrid sounds.
5. Explore Different Tempos: Exotic scales can work well in slow, meditative compositions or in fast, virtuosic solos. Experiment with different tempos to find the right context.
6. Create Melodies: Use the scales to compose your melodies and explore the emotions they evoke.
7. Collaborate with Others: Collaborating with musicians from diverse backgrounds can provide valuable insights into how to use exotic scales effectively.
8. Transcribe and Analyze: Transcribe solos or melodies that incorporate exotic scales. Analyze the phrasing and note choices to understand how they create their unique sound.
9. Jam and Improvise: Set up backing tracks or jam with other musicians to practice improvising using exotic scales. This helps you develop fluency and creativity with these scales.
10. Trust Your Ear: As you become more comfortable with exotic scales, trust your ear and intuition when using them in your playing. Experimentation is key to finding your unique voice with these scales.
Conclusion
Demystifying exotic scales for guitar opens up a world of musical possibilities. By learning and incorporating these scales into your playing, you can add depth, diversity, and a sense of adventure to your music. As you explore the unique tonal colors and emotional qualities of these scales, you’ll find that they provide endless opportunities for creativity and expression in your guitar playing. So, embark on this musical journey, experiment fearlessly, and infuse your guitar playing with the rich flavors of exotic scales.
