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So you wanna learn your modes?\u00a0 Well you came to the right place!<\/p>\n
In this lesson, we will go over some theory on how modes work, how to construct chords that will fit with the modes, and then we will tackle some licks that accentuate the important intervals in each mode.<\/p>\n
Modes are just the intervals of a parent scale that have been re-arranged.\u00a0 If you know that a half step (H) is 1 fret on the guitar and a whole step (W) is 2 frets,\u00a0 you can see these patterns in any scale you play.\u00a0 The parent scale in the video is C major scale and its interval pattern is WWHWWWH.\u00a0 If you take that pattern and omit the first W, you get this: WHWWWHW, and we call that collection of intervals Dorian Mode.\u00a0 If you omit the first two WWs, you get HWWWHWW and that would garner you Phrygian mode.<\/p>\n
There are 7 modes, the first being Ionian (also called major scale, the parent scale we are using for our examples today), then Dorian, Phrygian, Lydian, Mixolydian, Aeolian, and Locrian.\u00a0 I suggest you memorize the names of these modes and their interval structures:<\/p>\n
Ionian – 1234567
\nDorian – 12b3456b7
\nPhrygian – 1b2b345b6b7
\nLydian – 123#4567
\nMixolydian – 123456b7
\nAeolian – 12b345b6b7
\nLocrian – 1b2b34b5b6b7<\/p>\n
I have provided the parent scale in the key of C major in a single position along with 4 other modes in the same position (see PDF below).<\/p>\n
The next step to learning these modes is to get them in your ears via playing over chord progressions that highlight the unique aspects of each mode.\u00a0 We will accomplish this via modal chord construction which is fairly simple.\u00a0 Take the IV and V chords of the parent scale\/key and put the bass note (root) of whatever mode you want to play over in the bass and voila, modal chord progression.<\/p>\n
Chords in C are as follows Cmaj, Dm, Em, Fmaj, Gmaj, Am, Bdim.\u00a0 If you use roman numerals, you would have Imaj, IIm, IIIm, IVmaj, Vmaj, VIm, and VIIdim.\u00a0 Why would you use roman numerals?\u00a0 Because this information is transferable to any major scale key, not just C.\u00a0 For example, in G, the chords would be Gmaj, Am, Bm, Cmaj, Dmaj, Em, and F#dim.<\/p>\n
Anyway, the IV chord in the key of C is Fmajor and the V chord in the key of C is G major.\u00a0 If we wanted to hear a Dorian progression (D Dorian), we would simply put the D in the bass and make sure we use the Fmaj alternating with the G maj triads on top of that bass note (see PDF below).<\/p>\n
Finally I have written 8 licks for you, 2 in each mode. Learn these licks and play over the chord progressions I have demonstrated for you.\u00a0 Write some of your own and memorize them, and most importantly, have fun!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n