Introduction to the
"Brent Box Sets" concept
for fingering Modes on Guitar
Due to the unique symmetry of the Aeolian mode (aka
"natural minor"),
it is possible to position all seven notes of the major scale on
any two strings of the guitar using parallel minor tetrachords.
For the following examples and explanations, the notes
A B C D E F G
were chosen.
On string 6, we have the minor tetrachord composed of
A B C D.
On string 5, we have the minor tetrachord D E F G.
In figure 1.02 below, "A" is located
on string 6 fret 5, "B" is on string 6 fret 7, "C"
is on string 6 fret 8.
"D" is located both on string 6 fret 10 AND on string
5 fret 5.
"E" is on string 5 fret 7, "F" on
string 5 fret 8 and "G" is on string 5 fret 10.
figure 1.02 |
Due to the scale of the guitar,
it generally proves inconvenient to play tetrachords as a four finger
position.
The advantage to organizing notes in two parallel minor
tetrachords is that it gives the guitarist the option
of using TWO positions, each of which is a comfortable spread of only
three frets.
In figure 1.03, we have a position that covers the notes
A B C D E F
using the index finger on fret 5 of either string,
the middle finger on frets 7 and the ring finger on fret 8 of either
string.
In figure 1.04, we have a position that covers the notes
B C D E F G
using the index finger on fret 7 of either string,
the middle finger on frets 8 and the ring finger on frets 10.
figure 1.03 |
figure 1.04 |
To move back and forth between these two positions is a simple
matter:
When moving from the lower position (black box) up to the higher
position (red box),
slide the ring finger from fret 8 to fret 10.
When moving from the upper position (red box) down to the lower position
(black box),
slide the index finger from fret 7 to fret 5.
