Modes

Lesson 4/142 | Study Time: 5 Min

Course: Complete Scales, Modes & Improvising

Modes

The term "mode" is another name for a scale. Therefore, as you already know, seven different modes can be derived from the C major scale by starting on each of the seven notes of that scale. In a similar fashion, the same seven modes can be applied to any major scale. Modes were first used in ancient Greece and have been used throughout history in all types of music. They are particularly useful for improvising or composing melodies over chord progressions. The seven modes are shown here in relation to the C major scale, but they apply equally well to all major scales.

1. IONIAN MODE -The Ionian mode is another name for the major scale itself. Starts and ends on the first note of the major scale (C).

C Ionian = C D E F G A B C

2. DORIAN MODE - Starts and ends on the second note of the major scale (in this case D).

D Dorian = D E F G A B C D

3. PHRYGIAN MODE - Starts and ends on the third note of the major scale (in this case E).

E Phrygian = E F G A B C D E

4. LYDIAN MODE - Starts and ends on the fourth note of the major scale (in this case F).

F Lydian = F G A B C D E F

5. 4MIXOLYDIAN MODE - Starts and ends on the fifth note of the major scale (in this case G).

G Mixolydian = G A B C D E F G

6. AEOLIAN MODE - Starts and ends on the sixth note of the major scale (in this case A).

A Aeolian = A B C D E F G A

7. LOCRIAN MODE - Starts and ends on the seventh note of the major scale (in this case B).

B Locrian = B C D E F G A B

This exercise contains all the modes derived from the major scale. Listen to the sound of each mode against the chords indicated above the music.

Once you know the notes contained within each mode, it is a good idea to practice them over two octaves. This becomes easier when modes are applied to moveable fingerings (see Section 2), but it is also possible for some of the modes in the open position. The following example shows the E Phrygian mode in two octaves. Notice that this involves all the natural notes in the open position.

Here is the F Lydian mode in two octaves played separately and then consecutively.

This next example shows the G Mixolydian mode played over two octaves.

Previous Lesson Next Lesson

Peter Gelling

Product Designer

4.79

Profile

Class Sessions

1- Electronic Tuner 2- The Major Scale 3- Mode Formulas 4- Minor Keys and Scales 5- Minor Pentatonic Scale 6- Learnin G The Guitar Fretboard 7- 12 Bar Blues 8- Fretboard Diagrams 9- C Major Scale in Open Position 10- Moveable Fingerings 11- The Natural Minor Scale 12- Minor Pentatonic in Five Forms 13- Notes on the Guitar Fretboard 14- Turnaround Progressions 15- Tablature 16- Modes 17- Creating Music From Scales 18- The Harmonic Minor Scale 19- Licks Using the Minor Pentatonic 20- Notes in More Than One Place 21- More on Chord Substitution 22- Music Notation 23- Scale Tone Chords 24- Playing What You Hear 25- The Melodic Minor Scale 26- Blues Scale 27- Position Playing 28- Turnaround Chord Substitution 29- Note and Rest Values 30- Major Key Triad Pattern 31- Dorian Mode 32- Relative Keys 33- Blues Scale In Five Forms 34- Higher and Lower Versions of Notes 35- Substitution and Context 36- Rhythm Notation 37- Modes and Scale Tone Chords 38- Licks Using The Dorian Mode 39- Moveable Minor Scales 40- Licks Using the Blues Scale 41- Major Scales 42- Triad Over Root Substitutions 43- Time Signatures 44- More on Modes and Chords 45- Phrygian Mode 46- Five Forms of The Natural Minor 47- Enharmonic Notes 48- Sharps and Flats 49- Using 7th Chords To Create 9ths 50- Tablature Symbols 51- The Chromatic Scale 52- Licks Using the Phrygian Mode 53- Relative Major and Minor Fingerings 54- Major Pentatonic Scale 55- The Chromatic Scale 56- Substitutions in Minor Keys 57- Sequences 58- Lydian Mode 59- Harmonic Minor Scale Fingerings 60- Major Pentatonic in Five Forms 61- More About Major Scales 62- Secondary Dominants 63- Scale Degrees 64- Licks Using the Lydian Mode 65- Harmonic Minor in Five Forms 66- Licks Using the Major Pentatonic 67- Keys and Key Signatures 68- Tritone Substitution 69- Visualizing Scale Degrees 70- Mixolydian Mode 71- Licks Using the Harmonic Minor 72- Relative Major and Minor Pentatonics 73- Sharp Key Signatures 74- The II V I Progression 75- Scale Degrees Dpplied to Modes 76- Licks Using the Mixolydian Mode 77- Melodic Minor Scale 78- Whole Tone Scale 79- Flat Key Signatures 80- I Becomes II 81- Major Keys 82- Aeolian Mode 83- Melodic Minor in Five Forms 84- Moveable Fingerings 85- The Key Cycle 86- Memorizing Chord Progressions 87- Licks Using the Aeolian Mode 88- Licks Using the Melodic Minor 89- Diminished Scale 90- Using the Key Cycle 91- Modulation 92- Locrian Mode 93- Other Minor Key Modes 94- Moveable Fingerings 95- Major Scales in All Keys 96- V Becomes II 97- Licks Using the Locrian Mode 98- Intervals 99- Jam Along Progressions 100- Modes in Minor Keys 101- Finding Intervals on The Fretboard 102- Learning Songs 103- Identifying Intervals By Ear 104- Tuning Your Guitar 105- Chord Construction 106- Chord Formula Chart 107- Chord Symbols and Alternatives 108- How to Read Sheet Music 109- Transposing 110- How to Transpose 111- The Capo 112- Power Chords 113- Chords Using 4ths 114- Chord Construction Using Intervals 115- Major Key Scale Tone Chords 116- Major Key Triad Pattern 117- Scale Tone Chords Along The Strings 118- Primary Chords 119- Harmonizing Melodies 120- Common Progressions 121- Scale Tone 7th Pattern 122- Scale Tone 7th Chords in All Keys 123- Extended Scale Tone Chords 124- Voice Leading 125- Guide Tones 126- Using Guide Tones 127- Other Guide Tones 128- Guide Tones in Modes 129- Minor Key Scale Tone Triads 130- Minor Key Chord Progressions 131- Melodic Minor Scale Tone Chords 132- Scale Tone 7ths in Minor Keys 133- Higher Extensions in Minor Keys 134- Altered Chords Chart 135- Slash Chords 136- Pedal Tones 137- Moving Bass Lines Under a Chord 138- Chords With More Than One Name 139- Harmonizing Modes 140- Minor Key Modes 141- 6ths 142- 3rds

GDPR

When you visit any of our websites, it may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. This information might be about you, your preferences or your device and is mostly used to make the site work as you expect it to. The information does not usually directly identify you, but it can give you a more personalized web experience. Because we respect your right to privacy, you can choose not to allow some types of cookies. Click on the different category headings to find out more and manage your preferences. Please note, that blocking some types of cookies may impact your experience of the site and the services we are able to offer.

Modes

Modes

Peter Gelling

Class Sessions

Your privacy matters

GDPR