how to practice modes and scales on the piano the fun way with play along examples introduction to music theory

1. Music Keyboard & Theory
How to Practice Modes & Scales - The Fun Way
Chris Baker
musicstudentinfo.com

2. Music for practicing scales
Are you trying to
learn scales and
patterns, but finding
it hard to make
yourself practice?
1
Do yourself a
favour, and practice
over actual music.
2
A student asked me
to make a playlist of
harmonically static
music that’s good
for practicing over.
3
I thought I would
share it with
everyone.
4

3. Music for
practicing scales
 The music linked here is perfect for working out
scales.
 Each track stays in a particular key or mode for
long stretches of time and has a slow or medium
tempo.
 You can dig deep into the scales associated with
each one without needing to worry about form or
rapid chord changes.
 Firstly, double check how to play the chosen scale
or mode on your instrument starting with
keyboard, find the key and scale.

4. 1. The Temptations “Papa Was a Rolling Stone” – B flat Dorian or Blues

5. 2. Fela Futi “Beasts of No Nation” – G Natural Minor (or Blues, or any
minor scale)

6. 3. Michael Jackson “Don’t Stop Til You Get Enough” – B Mixolydian

7. 4. John Lee Hooker “Bad Like Jesse James” – E Blues (or Dorian,
or natural minor)

8. 5. Brian Eno “Music for Airports” – piano section is D Major, voice section is F
Minor, brass part is sort of in B-flat major but is too out of tune to playing over