Modal theory can unlock fascinating sonic possibilities for pedal steel guitarists. Often discussed within online communities and Pedal Steel Guitar Forums, understanding modes can significantly enhance your improvisational skills and your grasp of harmony on the instrument. This exploration delves into a practical approach to modal theory on pedal steel, drawing inspiration from the teachings of Denny Turner, a respected figure in guitar education.
One particularly insightful concept Turner discusses revolves around the 7th mode of the melodic minor scale, often referred to as the “super locrian” or “altered scale.” This mode becomes incredibly useful when navigating dominant 7th chords with altered extensions, such as E7+9 or E7b9. Employing the super locrian mode in these contexts allows you to instantly evoke an “outside” sound, adding a layer of harmonic complexity and intrigue to your playing.
To understand the power of modes, it’s helpful to remember that they are essentially inversions of their parent major scale. While all the notes within a mode can also be found in its corresponding major scale, the beauty of modal thinking lies in its emphasis on the specific chord outlined by the 1st, 3rd, 5th, and 7th degrees of each mode. This “chord/scale” relationship, a cornerstone of jazz theory, highlights how each mode embodies a distinct harmonic flavor. Think of a mode as a chord with all its upper extensions beautifully arranged in a scalar pattern.
Denny Turner’s approach offers a particularly helpful perspective for pedal steel players, especially those familiar with C6 tuning. He points out that the C6 tuning, in many ways, functions like a dominant 7th or Mixolydian position. Interestingly, the notes within a C6 chord also constitute a Major 7th chord when considered a perfect fourth above the C6 root. This is the essence of Turner’s concept of chord substitution, such as viewing a G6 chord as a substitute for a C major 7 or major 9 chord, a technique frequently heard in Hawaiian music. The idea of finding chord extensions two frets up or down, relative to the chord quality you’re playing, is a direct application of this concept.
Consider a common I-IV-V chord progression in the key of E. On a pedal steel tuned to C6, the E chord can be found around the 4th fret. This E6 position can also effectively function as an E7 or E9 chord by moving down two frets to access the dominant chord extensions. When the progression moves to the IV chord (A), you can often maintain the E6 position. Why? Because the notes within the E6 chord also spell out an A major 7 or 9 chord, albeit without the root A note present. In a band context, this is perfectly acceptable as other instruments will typically provide the root A in the harmonic foundation. As the progression shifts to the V chord (B), simply move up two frets from the initial E6 position to F#6. This F#6 position contains the notes of a B major 7 or 9 chord. Turner draws a parallel to the E, A, and B chord shapes commonly found at the nut of a standard guitar, illustrating the inherent logic within this fretboard movement.
The real excitement begins when you incorporate slants to navigate the neck and connect positions. For instance, transitioning to an A6 chord (around the 9th fret) and then to a B6 (around the 11th fret) becomes fluid using slants. By utilizing the “extensions two frets down” concept, you can seamlessly access dominant 7th sounds within these higher positions. Returning to the I chord (E), you can even stay on the B6 position (11th fret) to achieve an E major 7 or 9 sound. This showcases the perfect fourth substitution principle in action once again. Within this B6 position (11th fret) for an Emaj7/9 chord, exploring two frets up or down reveals rich double-stop harmony possibilities.
A key advantage of this modal approach is its manageable physical range on the pedal steel. You’re primarily working within a comfortable five-fret span. Furthermore, within this same area, you can also access the diminished and Aeolian (natural minor) scales, expanding your melodic and harmonic palette even further. Exploring these modal concepts, particularly through the lens of Denny Turner’s insights, can open up new avenues of expression and understanding on the pedal steel guitar, enriching your playing and your engagement with fellow musicians in the pedal steel guitar forum community and beyond.
