The Road to Modes for Guitar - Part 1: Notes

October 11, 2023

Pro tip: please watch the short video version of this post that will give you a much clearer grasp of what I’m sharing here.

Have you always wanted to experiment with modes on your guitar?

Welcome to a clear, concise discussion that will light the path for you on “The Road to Modes.” I’m here to show you some important first steps towards claiming all 7 modes on your guitar.   

So, what’s a mode in music? Well, basically it’s a 7-note scale.

Even if you’re not a lead guitarist, it’s super helpful to understand the 7 modes and how they differ from each other, because there’s a very real chance that you might sing a modal melody. And…spoiler alert – Part 2 of this 2-part mini-series will focus on modes with chords. 

The good news is that each mode is based on 7 notes.  The better news is that they can all be played with the same 7 notes.  All we need to do is start on a different note, as we keep them in the same order.

In a nutshell, the 7 modes, which can be derived from the Major scale in this order, are: Ionian, Dorian, Phrygian, Lydian, Mixolydian, Aeolian, and Locrian. The modes with the Major quality are the Ionian, Lydian and Mixolydian, and the modes with the minor quality are the Dorian, Phrygian, Aeolian and Locrian.

How in the wide world of sports do we memorize these names? 

Well, I’ve got two fun mnemonic memory devices for you. Choose the one you like better. The first one is: I Don’t Punch Like Muhammad A-Li. The second one is: I Don’t Play Loud Music Any Longer. 

Today, we’ll just be focusing on the notes C, D, E, F, G, A, and B, starting and ending on each of the 7 notes. I’m providing some handy fretboard diagrams of all 7 modes in open position, but the video has much more.

Here are some unique descriptions of the 7 modes, each of which is built on sequential degrees of the Major scale.

The Ionian Mode is actually the Major scale.

Next is the Dorian Mode, which is like a natural minor scale with a raised 6^th degree.

Then we have the Phrygian Mode, which is like a natural minor scale with a lowered 2^nd degree.

After that, we have the Lydian Mode, which is like a Major scale with a raised 4^th degree.

Then we have the Mixolydian Mode, which is like a Major scale with a lowered 7^th degree.

Following this, we have the Aeolian Mode, which is better known as the natural minor scale.

Finally, we have the Locrian Mode, which is the most unstable of all the modes, and which is like a natural minor scale with a lowered 2^nd degree AND a lowered 5^th degree.

As you can see, each mode is slightly different. All it takes is one small change to one mode to transform it into a different mode. 

To use an analogy, if I’m trying to call someone on the phone using a 7-digit number, but I change just one of those digits as I dial, I’ll call someone else, right?

To demonstrate how each of the modes sounds different, I encourage you to watch the accompanying video where I take the well-known public domain melody “Joy to the World” (which is a descending Major scale) and I bring it through each of the 7 modes.

Now, just for the sake of argument, what if I ignore the rules of the mode? Well, things won’t sound quite right.

Here’s a quintessential example: the traditional melody for Scarborough Fair. It belongs in D Dorian, but if I changed one note – the raised 6^th degree of the scale – the B natural, as and lower it to B flat, changing the D Dorian mode back to the D natural minor scale you’d recognize the change instantly. (I do this in the video as well.)

So now you’re a bit more familiar with modes.  (Watching the video will help you see and hear them too.)

The next step is to familiarize yourself with how they feel on the fretboard as you play them, whether in open position, or inside any moveable scale form. I recommend starting with the key center of C Major, but you can play any mode in any key signature. 

Where do we find modes, especially the ones that aren’t simply Major or minor? Everywhere. 

They’re hiding in plain sight in classic rock, modern rock, electronica, classical music, Spanish guitar music, pop music, film scores, Celtic music, jazz music, folk tunes, and of course, worship music. 

We just need to know what to look for, and especially what to listen for. Once we have command of these modes, we can use them for our own arranging and composing.

We cover a lot more ground and go much deeper with modes and many other relevant artistic and musical concepts for guitar inside GuitarSuccess4U. I encourage you to check it out even now, while you’re thinking about it. It could change the game for you.

P.S. Be on the lookout for part 2 of this 2-part series where we leverage modes with chords. See you then!