Here is a simple and easy method to get started with the major scale modes. It’s a great way to present the sounds of the modes and a simple but effective way to use them. We will go through each Mode step by step. At the end of the lesson, you will be able to play along with your backing band or track using the modes.

First, let’s look at the modes and their relationship on a larger scale.

A major scale has 7 modes.

Ionian

Dorian

Phrygian

Lydian

Mixolydian

wind

Locrio

The modes in C major will be

VS Ionian CDEFGABC

D Dorian DEFGABCD

me Phrygian EFGABCDE

F Lydian FGABCDEF

GRAM Mixolydian GABCDEFG

TO wind ABCDEFGA

B Locrio BCDEFGAB

As you can see the notes in C Ionian they are the same notes as all the other modes listed.

Using 3 notes per string a major scale or Ionian The mode is played like this

e | ———————————————— – ————– 10–12-13 —- |

B | ———————————————— – 10–12–13 —————- |

G | ————————————– 9–10–12 — – ———————— |

D | ————————– 9–10–12 ————— – ———————— |

A | ————– 8–10–12 ————————— – ———————— |

E | –8–10–12 ————————————— – ———————— |

The next step is to name the fingers on your hand that you use when playing the major scale as shown in the image above.

The first finger when touched 6E the rope is Ionian

The second finger when touched 6E the rope is Dorian

The fourth finger when touched 6E the rope is Phrygian

The first finger when touched 5A the rope is Lydian

The second finger when touched 5A the rope is Mixolydian

The fourth finger when touched 5A the rope is wind

The first finger when touched 4D the rope is Locrio

If you wanted to play C Ionian would you placeIonian) Put your finger on the eighth fret of the C note on the low E string, and then play using the notes at the normal scale positions.

To play D Dorian, place the second finger or the new name (Dorian) with your finger on the note D at the 10th fret of the low E string and use the notes in the normal form of the major scale. You can also use the C-Note 8th fret on E bass, since the notes in D Dorian are the same notes in C major.

To play in E Phrygian place your little finger or (Phrygian) with your finger on the 12th fret of the E note and play the notes in the normal form of the Major scale. Of course, you can also use the notes C and D.

Now to play F Lydian mode place your first finger (Lydian) finger at F eighth fret A string and then continue to play a major scale and note that you are already using the notes that start on string A, so the actual position of the scale would be the same as in C major starting on the low E string of the eighth fret.

To play G Mixolydian, place your second fingerMixolydian) finger on G 10th fret the string and play the major scale as if you were playing C major

I think you should get the idea now, but let’s finish anyway.

Play TOAeolian I would place my fourth fingerwind) with your finger on the 12th fret of the G note on the A string, and play the notes as if you were playing C major starting at the 8th fret of the low E string.

To play in B Locrio how you would place your first finger (Locrio) about him Thong Charging D string ninth.

Okay, now this is where the fun begins.

If we want to play in G Dorian mode I would place my second finger on the g note on the third fret of the low E string and use all the notes in the scale form I learned for the C scale. Note that I can also use the first fret of the F note on the low string, but for the purpose of the lesson, it will start at the third fret of the G note

e | ———————————————— – ————– 3–5-6 —– |

B | ———————————————— – 3–5–6 —————– |

G | ————————————– 2–3–5 — – ———————— |

D | ————————– 2–3–5 ————— – ———————— |

A | ————– 1–3–5 ————————— – ———————— |

E | – (1) – 3–5 ————————————- – — ———————- |

The thing to remember is that the shape of the scale remains the same, just start the mode on the required note:

C Phrygian = 4^th finger on 8^th Low E rope freight

E Lydian = 1^{S t} finger on 7^thtransport A tongue

Windd = 4^th Finger at 5^thtransport A tongue

By using this method, you can use the modes and experience the different shades created using modes.

Understand, however, that you must play the scale over a chord that has the same root note as the mode.

To play D Dorian way you should play on a Dm7th chord.

Simple chords to hear the tones.

Ionian – Major chord or 5 chord

Dorian – Minor 7^th Chord

Phrygian – Minor or Minor 7^th

Lydian – Update 7^th, May 7 # 11

Mixolydian – Dominant chord 7 or 9

Aeolian – Minor or Minor 7^th chord

Locrian diminished chord or seventh flat 5

Hope you find this useful.

Note that this is an introduction to using modes in your performance.