Theory

One of the most popular scales in the metal genre is the Harmonic Minor Scale but a common misconception is that this scale is used purley from its root note. However, it is more likely that you will find that most chordal backings for this scale centre around its 5th degree. This shift in the tonal centre results in it becoming a mode of the Harmonic Minor and this is known as the Phrygian Dominant Mode.

Let's look at the notes in an A Natural Minor Scale:

Ok, so what the hell is a semitone? Well, it’s the smallest interval available in western music. Now, whilst being concise and factually correct, the explanation above leaves the novice and sometimes even the more experienced player none the wiser. Before we really get going on this I feel it only fair to point out that I’m a self-confessed “geeky nerd” when it comes to harmonic accuracy and musical grammar!

An in depth, level 1a tutorial by Lou Stonehill aimed at providing the guitar player of any ability a complete knowledge of the key system, all sharps and flats (black notes), what they do and why, and of course total understanding of ‘The Cycle of Fifths’