Kinda bummed that after all these years I didn't click on this thread until this week. Some really good info in here.
As a young lad I had learned how to read, write, and play music...then summarily forgot all that 'formal' stuff in favor of 'teaching myself guitar' in my teens
After pursuing real lessons, then music school, then more lessons, I had accumulated (and remembered) enough theory to at least pass as a guitarist. Now...decades later I've found myself trying to complete my training....like Luke going back to Yoda
I put up a local ad trying to give lessons for beginners...trying to make some side cash. Got a student pretty quickly and as I was preparing lessons I realized both how much I actually did kinda know, yet at the same time, how much I didn't.
It was already said in a way in this thread...understanding the theory behind how chords are built and how certain tones resolve them really is the secret sauce behind playing....like learning a new language. As a young guitarist, as much as I wanted to solo, I couldn't ever seem to find notes that made any sense. Learning scales was like finding a key to a locked door...and I stayed with that for many years.
Now I find myself tackling more of the jazzy type progressions and chords...expanding the complexity and trying to take my playing up a notch.
I hope more folks will chime in with thoughts, lessons, and offerings.
What I'd love to see are thoughts on which modes to use over what chordal tones.
There are tons of instructions out there for how to learn and memorize the modes, but very little that is useful in terms of how they ought to be used. I play over tracks when I practice scales and have found little application for many of the modes....I assume because of the progressions and voicings I am playing. I use Ionian as my base, and have found some application for Dorian and Lydian. I have found almost no way to musically apply the Locrian mode to my music (which is mostly hard rock, edgy bluesy, and psychedelic rock). I kinda get the taste of the Phyrgian mode, but just kinda feel like the harmonic minor scale does that theme better....at least for the music I tend to play.
I tend to use Ionian and pentatonic for damn near everything....with some harmonic minor riffs thrown in at times.
Trying to find some other scales / modes that will introduce new flavors.
Any suggested chord progressions and pairings for scales would be very appreciated.