GUITAR
THE ROAD TO MODES – PART 1 : NOTES | David Harsh
Have you always wanted to experiment with modes on your guitar ?
So , what ’ s a mode in music ? Well , basically it ’ s a 7-note scale .
How in the wide world of sports do we memorize these names ?
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 .
I highly recommend watching the accompanying instructional video , while it ’ s available , because hearing these modes and watching me play them will change the game for your ears and eyes in a way that my typed words and diagrams won ’ t be able to .
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 .
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 .
66 February 2023
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