Introduction to Modes Guitar Lesson

Lesson 7: Introduction to Modes

This lesson's objective is to learn the basics of how modes are derived, how they sound (compared to a basic major or minor scale), and how they are applied over a single tonal center -- with our trusty backing track collection found in lesson 2. Applying modes over chord progressions will be covered in a later lesson.

First, we look at how modes are derived:

If you recall Lesson 2 (3 on a string scales in the key of G), you'll recall that if you play any of those sequencing exercises from start to finish, you're playing a G Major scale the whole time, but you're starting on a different scale degree with each position. First you start on G, then you start on A, the B, etc...as you move up the neck. This is a perfect picture of how modes are derived. Simply put, the 2nd mode of the major scale is derived from starting and ending on the 2nd degree of any given major scale when that 2nd degree is perceived as the tonal center of the song or musical passage. So, if you're playing over an "A" note, but playing a G Major scale starting and ending on "A" and emphasizing the "A" as the tonal center in your playing, you'd be playing modally. The same would be true if you're playing over a "B" note and playing a G Major scale starting and ending on "B" when your tonal center is also B.

Each mode built from a scale degree of the major scale has it's own unique name. Here they are in order:

1. Ionian
2. Dorian
3. Phrygian
4. Lydian
5. Mixolydian
6. Aeolian
7. Locrian

Now, let's look at the beginnings of how modes are applied:

In the supplemental content, I've provided all modes starting from root "C". You can choose to play them starting from any one root, but notating in C helps you see the relationships between each scale because there are no sharps or flats in a C major scale. Each scale has notes written above it that include its "parent key" (the major scale that the mode was derived from) and whether it is basically major or minor (refer to the video and the notes below).

Instead of choosing one key (multiple scale degrees), like we did with the 3 on a string scales, we're going to play the same shapes that you played starting on each scale degree but starting on the same note each time. This is going to create 7 distinct scales starting from the same root. As you're playing through the scales from root "C" and reading along with the supplemental content, take note of which notes make the scale sound different from the very first scale on the page. Then, you'll be ready for the following...

Each one of these scales/modes has a "basically major", or "basically minor" sound. This sound is determined by whether the 3rd in the modal scale is major or minor. Locrian, which is built from the last note in a major scale, is considered basically minor with a diminished, or b5 sound. It's pretty sinister sounding.

The rest of the modes are divided up like this:

major or basically major: Ionian, Lydian, Mixolydian

minor or basically minor: Dorian, Phrygian, Aeolian

Ionian and Aeolian are true major and minor scales respectively. The other 4 modes have what we call "key tones" that set themselves apart from being truly major or minor.

Lydian is identical to a major scale except that the 4th degree is raised a half step (1 fret)

Mixolydian is basically a Major Scale except the 7th is lowered a half step.

Dorian is basically a minor scale with a raised 6th degree.

Phrygian is basically a minor scale with a b2.

After pouring into this lesson, the charge to you the student, is to play the 3 on a string scales over different roots with the backing tracks in lesson 2 and do this exercise:

Choose a mode that you want to play in, say Dorian. Then choose one of the roots to play over in the provided backing tracks. Let's say that you choose root "A" and want to play in A Dorian. You'll need to determine the parent key so that you can play in A Dorian all over the neck using the 3 on a string positions. To find the parent key, simply acknowledge which scale degree your chosen mode is based on. In this case, it is the 2nd scale degree. Then, ask yourself which major scale has "A" (your chosen root) as its 2nd note. The answer is G. So, the parent key of A Dorian is G. So, you'd play the 3 on a string scales derived from the parent key of G all over the neck emphasizing the A over the tonal center "A" and you're playing in Dorian. Here's another example:

Try playing over a G tonal center using the backing tracks and play in G Mixolydian. Mixolydian is the 5th Mode of the major scale. G is the 5th of what major scale? ...C! So you'd transpose the 3 on a string patterns so that the 1st of the patterns you learned in the key of G in lesson 2 starts on your 8th fret C note on the 6th string.

This is a great way to get started with modal playing. Have fun!

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