RE:POST/EDIT of "Dorian Minor Mode"

I've been talking a lot about "scales," which simply defined is a succession of notes in an ascending or descending progression. For this blog post, I'm moving onto another scale that is usually referred to as a "mode." A mode, according to Webster, is "an arrangement of the eight diatonic notes or tones of an octave according to one of several fixed schemes of their intervals." What does that mean?

Basically, I view it like this: within a scale (such as the major scale), there exist other scales by simply starting on a different note. For example, C Major is a scale that has the notes C D E F G A B C, right? But, if you start on the second note of the major scale and play up or down to that same note for an octave, you have a new sound or "mode." For example, let's start at the second note of C major, which is D and play up an octave; that is, D E F G A B C D. This succession of notes is called Dorian Minor.

Further, every Dorian Minor will have the same construction of Whole and Half steps. For example:
D to E is a Whole step,
E to F is a Half step,
F to G is a Whole step,
G to A is a Whole step,
A to B is a Whole step,
B to C is a Half Step,
C to D is a Whole step.

So, you end up with a construction pattern of W H W W W H W.

It's easier to envision the whole and half steps on a keyboard. Take a look:



Practice playing every Dorian Minor scale/mode. The reason for this is, (1) to encourage you to learn and practice every Dorian Minor, and (2) to emphasize that they all have exactly the same construction. In many cases, I use the exact same fingering, but just shifting it down or up the neck of the bass. On a side note, by learning all the major scales, you are really learning a lot more scales than you think. For example, if you know the notes to every major scale, then all you have to do to start playing the modes is start on a different note and center the sound of the music with that note. Music that hinges on modes is called "modal," and one of the most popular uses of this modal vibe can be heard on Miles Davis' Kind of Blue. Check out "So What" (D Dorian & Eb Dorian). Check out the iTunes link:


Following in this discourse on modes, I will continue [re]posting the rest of the modes relating to the major scale. That is, the third note of the major scale is also another mode called Phrygian, the fourth note of the major scale is another called Lydian, and so on. Modes are very interesting and have there own unique character. They open up a lot of new musical possibilities, and have helped me continue in the beautiful exploration of this thing called life.

Thanks for reading, and please feel free to ask questions or offer suggestions.

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Facebook Impersonator Update

     Well, it seems that my Facebook impersonator page has been taken down. Even my post about the impersonator on my personal, private FB page was taken down, which I thought was a bit strange. What exactly is going on with FB? Don't you think we, the public, give them too much power, too much information,  and too much of our time? 
     Anyway, I didn't mention it in my last post, but before posting my notice, I did report the page as some of my readers suggested (selecting the "impersonating" standard option). Thanks for the support and help by the way.
     Wow! Does this happen so much at FB that they have a standard option for impersonation? I mean, it is the second choice one can make while reporting a page!
     I still don't know who it was, but I'd like to know. It wasn't so much that he or she wrote anything bad in my name or was doing mischief with my name, but rather, he or she never disclosed that it wasn't me. Nor did he or she try to ask me permission to take create such a page. Moreover, what concerns me is that I don't think people realize that this is criminal (just like illegally downloading music!). 


Here's a definition:

Criminal impersonation is a crime that is governed by states laws, which vary by state. It may involve, among other acts:

(1) assuming a false identity with the intent to defraud another; (2) pretending to be a representative of another person or organization; or (3) opening a bank account or securing credit in the name of another person without the other person's consent.

The following is an example of a state statute dealing with criminal impersonation:

(1) A person commits criminal impersonation if he knowingly assumes a false or fictitious identity or capacity, and in such identity or capacity he: (d) Does an act which if done by the person falsely impersonated, might subject such person to an action or special proceeding, civil or criminal, or to liability, charge, forfeiture, or penalty; or (e) Does any other act with intent to unlawfully gain a benefit for himself or another or to injure or defraud another.

Thanks for reading. Stay safe.

My Own Facebook Impersonator

Today, I found my own facebook impersonator (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Roy-Mitchell-Cardenas/113145925379330)! Unfortunately, whoever is running this page does not let people know that it's a "fan" page and not really me.  Also, I can't send this person a personal message to inquire who he or she is. I do have a FB page, but it's completely for family and close friends. So, if you think you have found me on FB, guess again . . .  If you know who runs this page, please tell them to shut it down. Thanks.

All is not what it seems, especially on the internet.