Improvising Know-How: Modes
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10:01 Maiden Voyages
Tom welcomes you and introduces you to simple theory and improvising in the Ionian Mode.
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9:59 Improvising Simplified
Tom now explores rhythmic ideas, clusters, fourth chords, and improvising in the Aeolian and Dorian modes for more colors and ideas.
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8:49 Putting it All Together
Tom concludes the series by introducing the Lydian and Mixolydian modes, using various modes as part of one improvisation, and emphasizes again how seven modes are derived from the palette of one scale.
Product Overview
In these simplified video tutorials, piano master Tom Regis explores different Modes as one of the keys to unlocking the art of improvisation, and includes a bit of approachable theory that can be immediately put into practice!
The goal of these lessons is to show the forest through the trees, and allow the viewer who may have blocks when it comes to improvising, a way through. This series can also apply to those more experienced, presenting a different approach to using modes.
See the individual tutorial descriptions below for more info. If you’re looking for some quick inspiration for your soloing and performances, watch “Improvising Know-How: Modes“ today!
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Reviews
Submitted 7 months ago
An inviting door to modal playing
Excellent--clear explanations and demonstrations for immediate application. Thanks, Tom!
I am a: Professional, Musician, Beat Maker, Ableton Live
Ease of Use Quality of Videos Value of Training Access to Videos
Submitted 1 year ago
Great tutorial
Really good tutorial. It's not long and doesn't go into great depth on the theoretical side but it gets you playing and exploring sounds. I feel this is the most important thing because it helps to release your more creative side without getting to bogged down with thinking about the notes you're playing. You can do that afterwards : record yourself an analyse what you've played, what sounded good etc. But most importantly, just play, listen as you play and take yourself somewhere.
I am a: Professional, Musician
Ease of Use Quality of Videos Value of Training Access to Videos
Submitted 1 year ago
Great Video
This has helped me tremendously! Thank You!
I am a: Semi-Pro
Ease of Use Quality of Videos Value of Training Access to Videos
Submitted 2 years ago
just Brilliant!
Learned alot... i already knew but just a bit more nuance
Ease of Use Quality of Videos Value of Training Access to Videos
Submitted 2 years ago
real simple to learn !
Instructor makes it easy to understand esp. using the c major scale
I am a: Semi-Pro, Professional, Musician, Producer, Audio Engineer, FL Studio, Cubase, Pro Tools
Ease of Use Quality of Videos Value of Training Access to Videos
Submitted 2 years ago
Good for beginners
This video will get you started with modes and help you remove some of the mysticism behind them. You'll be encouraged to free your playing from being afraid of sounding bad, and that is one of the fundamental barriers you need to break for improvising. But I wish the series was longer, because it only scratched the surface. Nevertheless, if you don't know what modes are, watch this series to get a headstart.
Ease of Use Quality of Videos Value of Training Access to Videos
Submitted 2 years ago
Amazing simple and an "eye opener"
This course shows how a highly skilled teacher can teach in a simple way.
I am a: Professional, Musician, Producer, Sound for Film/TV, Cubase
Ease of Use Quality of Videos Value of Training Access to Videos
Submitted 2 years ago
Enjoyable
Though I play guitar I still enjoyed and learned from this short course
I am a: Hobbyist, Musician, Producer, Logic Pro
Ease of Use Quality of Videos Value of Training Access to Videos
Submitted 3 years ago
Relaxed and Helpful
very relaxed and helpful. takes the fear away!
I am a: Semi-Pro, Musician, Sound for Film/TV, Studio One
Ease of Use Quality of Videos Value of Training Access to Videos
Submitted 3 years ago
Well explained!
My understanding of modes is quite a bit better now!
I am a: Hobbyist
Ease of Use Quality of Videos Value of Training Access to Videos
Reviews
Submitted 7 months ago
An inviting door to modal playing
Excellent--clear explanations and demonstrations for immediate application. Thanks, Tom!
I am a: Professional, Musician, Beat Maker, Ableton Live
Submitted 1 year ago
Great tutorial
Really good tutorial. It's not long and doesn't go into great depth on the theoretical side but it gets you playing and exploring sounds. I feel this is the most important thing because it helps to release your more creative side without getting to bogged down with thinking about the notes you're playing. You can do that afterwards : record yourself an analyse what you've played, what sounded good etc. But most importantly, just play, listen as you play and take yourself somewhere.
I am a: Professional, Musician
Submitted 1 year ago
Great Video
This has helped me tremendously! Thank You!
I am a: Semi-Pro
Submitted 2 years ago
just Brilliant!
Learned alot... i already knew but just a bit more nuance
Submitted 2 years ago
real simple to learn !
Instructor makes it easy to understand esp. using the c major scale
I am a: Semi-Pro, Professional, Musician, Producer, Audio Engineer, FL Studio, Cubase, Pro Tools
Submitted 2 years ago
Good for beginners
This video will get you started with modes and help you remove some of the mysticism behind them. You'll be encouraged to free your playing from being afraid of sounding bad, and that is one of the fundamental barriers you need to break for improvising. But I wish the series was longer, because it only scratched the surface. Nevertheless, if you don't know what modes are, watch this series to get a headstart.
Submitted 2 years ago
Amazing simple and an "eye opener"
This course shows how a highly skilled teacher can teach in a simple way.
I am a: Professional, Musician, Producer, Sound for Film/TV, Cubase
Submitted 2 years ago
Enjoyable
Though I play guitar I still enjoyed and learned from this short course
I am a: Hobbyist, Musician, Producer, Logic Pro
Submitted 3 years ago
Relaxed and Helpful
very relaxed and helpful. takes the fear away!
I am a: Semi-Pro, Musician, Sound for Film/TV, Studio One
Submitted 3 years ago
Well explained!
My understanding of modes is quite a bit better now!
I am a: Hobbyist
1. When did you start dabbling in music? I sat on my mom's lap when I was three while she played Chopin's Fantasie Impromptu, Beethoven's Sonata Pathetique, and Flight of the Bumble Bee. I started classical piano training at age 6, about the same time I was hearing the music of the Beatles on the Ed Sullivan show. Drum lessons came at age 8.
2. What training have you had? New England Conservatory of Music, Boston, Massachusetts, Bachelor of Music, with distinction award, Classical Piano with Nevarte Adrian, Madame Chaloff, Thomas Stumpf, Deborah Moriarity, Leonard Shure, and Yoriko Takahashi. Jazz Piano with Ran Blake, Charlie Banacos, and Jaki Byard. Schoenberg Theory of (diatonic) Harmony with Joe Manieri.
3. When did you get into recording? First recording was with a sound on sound 2 track reel to reel probably when I was 12 or so. Then later on to a 4 track Tascam cassette machine, an 8 track Fostex reel to reel, then 24 track 2 inch tape recording at Elias associates in NY, to 32 track Digital Mitsubishi (tape) in Los Angeles, and of course, on to the world of computers from Atari to Mac to PC back to Mac, and oh, wishing I owned a 16 track 2 inch!
4. People you have worked with/for? Michael Brecker, Will Lee, Phoebe Snow, Jeff Miranov, Sid McGinnis, Patti Austin, Tone Loc, Rafi, Rita Marley, Johnny Clegg and Savuka, Gilberto Gil, Celia Cruz, Eddie Gomez, Marcus Miller, Marianne Faithful, Ofra Haza, Ron Carter . . .
5. Why are you so good at training people? My outstanding personality! Studying both jazz and classical music has given me a broad understanding of the fundamentals of music. I try to convey these fundamentals as clearly as possible, and also to remember that music is primarily about inspiration - you get the technical understanding so that part becomes transparent, and the rest can flow.
Products by Tom
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tutorial videoImprovising Know-How: Modes
In these simplified video tutorials, piano master Tom Regis explores different Modes as one of the keys to unlocking the art of improvisation, and includes a bit of approachable theory that can be immediately put into practice!
-
tutorial videoImprovising Know-How: The Blues
In these simplified video tutorials, piano master Tom Regis lays out the basics of the blues structure, simple left hand comping, and scales and blues expressions for the right hand so you can start playing authentic Blues right away!
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tutorial videoNavigating Chord Progressions
Theory pro Tom Regis reveals some of the most common but most important chord progressions and how to train your ear to instantly recognize them, so you can better understand their structure and apply them to your own compositions!
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tutorial videoPractical Music Theory Know-How
In this in-depth video series, theory wiz Tom Regis explains the essential components of harmony, and emphasizes the simplicity of a music system based on a seven note scale, all while providing inspirational musical examples and ideas!
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