Beginner’s Introduction to Guitarist Modes

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

locrian

The modes in C major will be

against ionian CDEFGABC

D. Dorian DEFGABCD

my Phrygian EFGABCDE

F lydian FGABCDEF

GRAM mixolydian GABCDEFG

IN wind ABCDEFGA

B. locrian 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 chain is ionian

The second finger when touched 6E the chain is Dorian

The fourth finger when touched 6E the chain is Phrygian

The first finger when touched 5A the chain is lydian

The second finger when touched 5A the chain is mixolydian

The fourth finger when touched 5A the chain is wind

The first finger when touched 4D the chain is locrian

If you wanted to play C ionian would you put (ionian) Finger on the 8th fret of the C note on the low E string, and then play using the notes in the normal scale positions.

to play D. Dorianplace the second or newly named finger (Dorian) finger on the 10th fret of the D note on the low E string and use the notes in normal major scale form. You can also use the C-Note 8 fret on the low E. As the notes in D Dorian are the same notes as in C major.

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

Now to play F lydian mode place your first finger (lydian) finger on the A string of the 8th fret of F and then continue playing a major scale keeping in mind that you are already using the notes starting on the A string, so the actual scale position would be the same as C major starting on the low E string of the 8th fret.

to play g mixolydianplace your second finger (mixolydian) finger on the A string of G 10th fret and play the major scale as if you were playing C major

I think you should get the idea by now, but let’s finish all the modes.

Play INaeolian I would place my fourth finger (wind) 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 on the 8th fret of the low E string.

to play in B locrian mode would place your first finger (locrian) about him thong D string on the 9th fret.

OK, now this is where the fun begins.

If we want to play in G Dorian I would place my second finger on the note g on the 3rd fret of the low E string and use all the notes in the scale shape I learned for the C scale. Note that I can also use the 1st fret of the note F on the low E string. low string, but for the purpose of the lesson, it will start on the third fret of the note G

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 scale shape remains the same, just start the mode on the note that is prompted:

Cphrygium = 4^he finger on the 8^he Low E String Fret

E lydian = 1^street finger on 7^hetransport A tongue

From wind = 4^he finger on 5^hetransport A tongue

By using this method, you will be able to use the modes and experience the different tones created using modes.

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

to play D. Dorian so you should be playing in a dm7th chord.

Simple chords to listen to the tones.

Ionian – Major Chord or Chord of 5

Dorian – Minor 7^he chord

Phrygian – Minor or Minor 7^he

Lydian – Major 7^he7th major#11

Mixolydian – Dominant 7 or 9 Chord

Aeolian – Minor or Minor 7^he chord

Locrian Chord diminished or m7ma flat 5

I hope you find this helpful.

Please note that this is an introduction to using modes in your playing.