Modes

What modes are and how to use them!

Training Information

Difficulty: Beginner

Video Time: 1:20:35

This is video is from a live stream and covers a few topics with modes being one of them. Modes start at 18:20

The above video is from a live stream and covers modes and playing scale using 3 notes per string and picking. With a look at both alternate and natural picking! The content starts 18 minutes in. I will make a new and much shorter video on modes and add some jam tracks on this page to have fun playing the modes along with.

Please use the contact at top or bottom of page to let me know as I am working on the lessons in the order members want it. So if this is something you want to know about then I will get right on it.

C Ionian

Ionian is just the 1st mode name but is a major scale. Built with our major scale formula:

W W H W W W H

Dorian

Dorian is the mode built from the 2nd degree of a major scale. Note what happens to the formula:

W H W W W H W

Now there is only one Whole step before the Half step and there is now a Whole step at the end.

A couple other ways we can think about a Dorian mode:

major scale with a lowered 3rd and 7th degree (D major would be: D E F# G A B C#)
minor scale with raised 6th degree (D minor would be: D E F G A Bb C)

Phrygian

Phrygian is the mode built from the 3rd degree of a major scale. Note what happens to the formula:

H W W W H W W

Now we start with a Half step and end with two Whole steps

A couple other ways we can think about a Phrygian mode:

major scale with a lowered 2nd, 3rd, 6th and 7th degree (E major would be: E F# G# A B C# D#)
minor scale with raised 2nd degree (E minor would be: E F# G A B C D)