Modes New Sounds With The Same Fingerings!
Modes are a subject that seems to cause confusion. It need not be,
because they are no more difficult to understand than the concept of
Relative Minor. There is an excellent explanation of Relative Minor
in Yellow Guitar Books Volume I.
On guitar the simplest way
to look at Modes is to understand that starting (considered the
root) a Major Scale fingering pattern on a different note, a
new scale is created with a different underlying "Formula"
resulting in a very different sound. The Chords created by
harmonizing a Major Scale are retained, they are just shifted to a
different location in the order of the new Mode. There is an
excellent explanation of where Chords come from in Yellow Guitar
Books Volume I.
Modes have funny names.
Before I explain how Modes work, lets take a
look at how each one is named. There is a different Mode for each of
the 7 notes in a Major Scale. The numbers correspond to the position
(order) of the notes in a Major Scale. Included here is a short
description of how they sound:
1) Ionian -
Major Scale. This is the scale we all know and
love.
2) Dorian - A Minor Scale different
from Aeolian (Relative Minor) has a natural 6
3)
Phrygian - Also a Minor Scale but sounds Spanish
like.
4) Lydian - Has a Major Sound but Jazzier
due to it's #11 (raised 4)
5) Mixolydian
- Sounds Bluesier than a Major Scale due to it's b7
(lowered 7)
6) Aeolian - Natural Minor. This
is the same thing as Relative Minor.
7) Locrian
- Weird sounding Scale, works with a Minor 7b5
Chord.
* Remember all of these Modes use exactly
the fingerings as a Major Scale.
Lets take a look at all of the Modes using just one of the 5 familiar Major
Scale Fingerings from Yellow Guitar Books Volume I.
Download This Diagram. Modes Using One Scale
Fingering
Using Modes.
Some Modes are used over "Static Chords", other
times a Chord Progression based on the mode is used as the
underlying harmony. A Static Chord is a repetitive groove where the
same chord is supplying the harmony.
Examples:
Static: A Minor 7
Dorian (same as G major right?). When you encounter a static Minor
chord Dorian is commonly used.
With a - ii V
A Minor 7 to D7 would also use Dorian.
For a Static D7th
chord you would use D Mixolydian (same as G major right?).
There is no limit to the progressions you can create with
Modes. You can even move from mode to mode in different keys. The
sky is the limit, so use your imagination and try things on your own
to see what works for you.
Getting The Fingerings Down.
If you have a grasp of Major
Scale fingerings all over the neck and can play them in various
keys you should not have too much trouble using Modes. Practice
the Modes just as you did Major Scales and relocate the root
to create the Mode you want. If you need help with fingerings Yellow Guitar Books Volume I is a good place to look.
Best Modes To Get Down First.
After you have Major (Ionian) and Minor Scales (Aeolian) learn Mixolydian and Dorian. After that Lydian, Phrygian and lastly Locrian. When learning Modes always try to relate the new Mode to the ones you know by comparing them and identifying the differences between them.
With a little effort and discipline you will learn how to bring Modes into your playing and expand your range of sounds on the Guitar.
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