Understanding Modes On Guitar
Modal playing is very easy to understand the basics of
, but can sometimes be hard to implement. Don't worry if it doesn't sink in the first time. I think I had 10 different teachers explain it to me before I got it.
Here's the basic idea. We have a major scale that goes 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1.
So in C Major that C D E F G A B C.
The relative minor, or the minor scale that has the same key signature as the major, is based on the 6th scale degree. From C Major, we find that A Minor is the relative minor. Both scales share the same key signature of no sharps and no flats.
Let's try another example. If we have a key signature of one sharp (F#), that's the key of G Major. What's the relative minor?
G A B C D E F# G
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1
Correct! E Minor is the relative minor to G Major.
Ok, if we can have a scale that begins on the first scale degree and one that begins on the sixth scale degree, who's to say we can have one that begins on 2 or 4 or 7?
Thats the basis of modes!
Taking C Major as our example again, we can build a scale starting from each note and give it a modal name:
C D E F G A B C - C Ionian (same as C Major)
D E F G A B C D - D Dorian
E F G A B C D E - E Phrygian
F G A B C D E F - F Lydian
G A B C D E F G - G Mixolydian
A B C D E F G A - A Aeolian (same as A Natural Minor)
B C D E F G A B - B Locrian
They're all the same notes, but each different starting place gives the scale it's own particular flavor.
The easiest way to start using modes is to look at their Major-ish or Minor-ish factor. Of course Ionian is actually major and Aeolian is actually minor. The others all resemble major or minor with a small change:
D Dorian is the same as D Minor with B natural instead of Bb. So you can think of it as D Minor with a #6.
D Dorian = D Minor with #6
E Phrygian = E Minor with b2
F Lydian = F Major with #4
G Mixolydian = G Major with b7
B Locrian - B minor with b2 and b5
Next time you're playing over and Em chord try using an E Phrygian scale over it and see how you like it. If you're playing over F, try that F Lydian scale.
The subject of modes can be thought about in different ways and get much more detailed. But this will get you going in the right direction to start exploring some of these different sounds.
Understanding Modes On Guitar
By: Phil Johnson
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