The subject of music theory continues to intimidate even the best musicians, but that should not be the case. I used to believe that I would need to learn to sight-read sheet music in order to become a professional player.

When it comes to great soloing, the pentatonic scale is something you must master. The pentatonic is the easiest scale to learn, and it’s the basis for 90 percent of the licks you can do.

Anyone who has spent a lot of time playing solos knows it is quite easy to find yourself in a pentatonic rut. There is a reason why the pentatonic scale is referred to as a box scale.

The last time we posted we discussed methods for adding the Aeolian scale to your pentatonic that were easy and how to apply your new knowledge of scales. As you may recall, the Aeolian scale a naturally occurring minor scale. It is a fact that minor scale and chords give music a darker and sadder tone.

Commonly used in today’s modern world of contemporary music are two modes of the major scale. Sometimes these modes can seem quite difficult to grasp. Have no fear, though, because you have come to just the right place!