The 7 Modes Played on Acoustic Guitar
One Root Note, 7 Modes
Today I am going to share with you this video about Modes on guitar.
Scales and chords are always a hot topic, and guitar players always look forward to learning more about this topic.
I honestly think that there is a lot of bad information about modes and chords, and people really make it more difficult than it is supposed to be.
I like to think about modes as “One scale that you can use over different chord progressions.”
Most of the time, I relate to the minor scale to make the improvisation easy.
I will try to break down what I played so that you can understand it, but again, this is a vast topic, so hopefully, I am not going to confuse you with my method.
I CAME UP WITH THIS SYSTEM ON MY OWN, so I understand if some might get confused or disagree with what I am saying. Just keep an open mind.
I really was searching for a simple way to play the modes easily without having to “think” too much about it when I am playing.
This is what I came up with.
The Video
About Modes
Where they come from
Modes come from scales.
Each degree of the scale represents a mode, so we have 7 modes.
The modes are Ionian, Dorian, Phrygian, Lydian, Mixolydian, Aeolian, and Locrian for the Major scale.
You can number each mode with a roman number following the degree of the scale, so the Ionian mode is I, the Dorian mode is II, the Phrygian mode is III, and so on.
I am not going into details as there are plenty of websites that explain modes better than me.
Check out JustinGuitar Here
The Ionian Mode
Happy/Major
The Ionian mode is the 1st of the Major scale, and it’s a major mode.
In this example, I am playing an E major scale over major chord progressions in E major.
I am playing an E vamp for few bars before opening up with an A major chord, then E major and B major as I end the progression.
Modes don’t necessarily have to be static, so you can still consider the Ionian mode even if you play an A major or B major chord whiting the chord progression.
As long as you resolve on the E major to confirm the E Major key.
The Dorian Mode
Jazzy/Funky
The Dorian mode is the 2nd degree of the Major scale, and it’s a major mode.
I am playing in E Dorian, so I am in the key of D major (B minor relative)
The chord progression I am playing is Em, G, A, and I am improvising with an E minor Pentatonic scale and a B minor scale (Just on one phrase).
The Dorian mode sounds Jazzy and Funky.
I love it.
The Phrygian Mode
Spanish/Dark
The Phrygian mode is the 3rd degree of the Major scale, and it’s a minor mode.
I am playing in E Phrygian, so I am in C major’s key (A minor relative).
I use a straightforward chord progression: E minor and Fmaj7 (III and IV degree of the C major scale), and I am improvising using an A minor scale.
The Phrygian mode sounds Spanish and Dark.
The Lydian Mode
Dreamy/Unresolved
The Lydian mode is the 4th degree of the Major scale, and it’s a major mode.
If I am playing E Lydian, I am in B major’s key (G#minor relative).
For this example, I am playing over an E vamp chord a B Maj. or scale.
One of my favorite modes.
The Mixolydian Mode
Bluesy/Fun
The Mixolydian mode is the 5th degree of the Major scale.
I am playing an E Mixolydian mode, so I am in the key of A major (F# minor relative).
The chord progression is E and D. I am playing an A major scale over these two chords.
The Aeolian Mode
Minor/Sad
The Aeolian mode is the 6th degree of the Major scale, and it’s a minor mode.
I am playing E Aeolian, so I am in G major’s key (E minor relative).
Chord progression Emin7add9 and Cmaj7. I am playing an E minor scale.
This is one of the easiest modes to play if you are a beginner.
The Locrian Mode
This mode sounds better with the Melodic Minor scale.
I personally find the Locrian mode to be challenging to apply.
This chord is definitely worth it playing with the Melodic minor mode Locrian nat2.
More info about modes, scales, and chords
- JustinGuitar
- guitar world
- GuitarZoom