i stopped reading here.

modes have their place. but more important is learning the scale it is derived from, how to harmonize that scale, and actually learning theory. running modes out of a giant book full of patterns isn’t going to teach you anything. learn how the fretboard works and make music.

practicing your scales and modes are important, but you don't have to buy a book at all. just remember your half-whole patterns for major and minor, and then practice your scales starting from any note other than the tonic. there are only 7 modes, and chances are you already know two of them. Books may be helpful, but I find it is much more helpful to have to exercise the theory behind scales and modes.

in response to pami (classical guitar referrence?), you're right, that focusing solely on scales is not gonna cut it. there is also no such thing as a “quick fix”. If you want to improve your skills on the instrument, don't neglect ANY aspect of playing, or it will set you back some. when you perform, you can't just play the scalar motion sections, and save the arpeggios and what-not for later, so why take that shortcut in your practice? try practicing arpeggios for each chord quality (major, minor, half and whole diminished, augmented, major and minor 7s) in each position and learn WHAT CHORD each arpeggio shape belongs to… apply your CAGED theory, and voila. As far as melody lines go, you can practice that by playing along with the radio… But play what the singer is doing, and try to capture that style. Old children's songs and such are good too. Then just sing a melody, and try to play it.

I’m a big fan of practicing scales and modes, too – so much so that I made a web app to generate drills for me. At http://guitarcardio.com/, you can select the keys and scales you’re interested in, and it’ll generate a set of exercises for you.

The other thing I urge guitar student to do is go to YouTube and search “joe satriani modes” – he gives a great explanation of how modes fit into his music and hearing him explain it and play through examples really helped me understand how modes contribute to the sound of a piece.

practicing your scales and modes are important, but you don’t have to buy a book at all. just remember your half-whole patterns for major and minor, and then practice your scales starting from any note other than the tonic. there are only 7 modes, and chances are you already know two of them. Books may be helpful, but I find it is much more helpful to have to exercise the theory behind scales and modes.

in response to pami (classical guitar referrence?), you’re right, that focusing solely on scales is not gonna cut it. there is also no such thing as a “quick fix”. If you want to improve your skills on the instrument, don’t neglect ANY aspect of playing, or it will set you back some. when you perform, you can’t just play the scalar motion sections, and save the arpeggios and what-not for later, so why take that shortcut in your practice? try practicing arpeggios for each chord quality (major, minor, half and whole diminished, augmented, major and minor 7s) in each position and learn WHAT CHORD each arpeggio shape belongs to… apply your CAGED theory, and voila. As far as melody lines go, you can practice that by playing along with the radio… But play what the singer is doing, and try to capture that style. Old children’s songs and such are good too. Then just sing a melody, and try to play it.