Guitar Lessons • Modes Of The Major Scale • Ionian, Dorian, Phrygian, Lydian, Mixolydian, Aeolian and Locrian

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Ionian Mode-first mode of the major scale. In the key of C, this is the C Major scale starting on C, C D E F G A B C . This IS the major scale, the ever popular Do Re Mi Fa So La Ti Do. Most melodies are based on the major scale. In order to understand the reason for learning the modes, start here. This order of notes (the intervallic structure: tone, tone, semitone, tone, tone, tone, semitone) has long been recognized as the most popular scale in music. When you shift the root and form a mode of this scale, the intervallic structure changes (in the same key, D Dorian would be: tone, semitone, tone, tone, tone, semitone, tone). You must think of these modes as totally different scales in order to really get behind them.

Dorian Mode-second mode of the major scale. In the key of C, this is the C Major scale starting on D, D E F G A B C D. The Dorian mode is prevalent in rock and blues rock. Not quite as dark as the Aeolian Mode, it has a very pleasant sad sort of sound. The melody to Scarborough Fair is written entirely in the Dorian mode. This melody is an excellent example of these modes sounding so different, yet they are still C Major. This melody sounds nothing like the Ionian mode, but it is! Also check out Jimi's solo in Purple Haze (E Dorian). Carlos Santana is a big Dorian player.

This is the melody to Scarborough Fair, made famous by Simon And Garfunkel. Haunting tune. Note the B on the high E string. If the melody was in D natural minor (key of F Major), there would be one flat, B flat. That one natural B makes this beautiful melody strictly D Dorian.

Phrygian Mode-third mode of the major scale.In the key of C, this is the C Major scale starting on E, E F G A B C D E. The Phrygian mode has a bleak sound, however not as dark and bleak as the Locrian Mode

Lydian Mode-fourth mode of the major scale. In the key of C, this is the C Major scale starting on F, F G A B C D E F. This is a very happy sounding mode, used widely by Frank Zappa and Steve Vai

Mixolydian Mode-fifth mode of the major scale. In the key of C, this is the C Major scale starting on G, G A B C D E F G. This mode is the basis of blues rock and funk. Many standard blues bass lines are formed around this mode. Used extensively by Stevie Ray Vaughn, Eric Clapton, etc.

This very common, simple blues riff is based in three different keys and modes. Measures one to four, seven, eight, eleven and twelve outline the G mixolydian mode. The overall tonality is G7. This chord is the dominant fifth of the C Major scale. When the C Major scale is harmonized, the resulting four note chords are: CMaj7, Dm7, Em7, FMaj7, G7, Am7, and Bdim7. There are no sharps or flats in the key of C Major. This is why the G7 contains a natural F, as opposed to an F sharp (key of G Major). The same applies to the C7 and D7. C7 is the dominant fifth of F Major (one flat: B flat), D7 is the dominant fifth of G Major (one sharp: F sharp). Obviously, these modes can be applied when improvising over these chords. This is a wonderful alternative to the minor Pentatonic scale (in this case: G minor), but not as easy to execute as playing in one scale. It is like driving a car without brakes…you have to plan ahead! The mixolydian mode is widely used in blues, funk and jazz.

Aeolian Mode-sixth mode of the major scale. In the key of C, this is the C Major scale starting on A, A B C D E F G A. Also called the natural minor scale, this scale is prevalent in all forms of music. Many melodies and solos are based on the Aeolian mode. The vocal line in Stairway To Heaven is sung entirely in this mode

This a portion of the melody to Stairway To Heaven. This is another great example of how these modes sound so different from one another, yet they are all related to the parent Major scale (in this case: C Major). The melody is strictly diatonic, and is played in the twelfth position. This form is the same as C Major played in the open position, but sounds an octave higher. The entire melody is based in A Aeolian.

Locrain Mode-seventh mode of the major scale.In the key of C, this is the C Major scale starting on B, B C D E F G A B C. This is the darkest of all the modes. Rarely used as a basis for a melody.

In conclusion, all the modes of the major scale are formed by shifting the root. There is no magical mystical theory involved. Try it. Find a major scale pattern you like and change the root to another note in the scale. Play from that note to the same note an octave higher. Your ears will hear the difference!