Modal Theory for Guitar Players - Part 2

Playing the Modes

When I used to use this pack with students, I provided them with a CD which contained a backing track for each of the modes. This enabled them to practive getting the sounds and shapes under their fingers. In this version you will be provided with the harmonised scale for each mode, and from this you can construct your own grooves and backing tracks to do the same thing. I am assuming that you know, or can easily work out the names of the notes on the neck so the scale maps you will be presented are not anchored in any one place on the neck. Once you know where the root note is for each scale you can then move that note to suit whatever scale you want to play. Please note that some of the modes are for different scales, but this is only so that you don't learn everything in C, but do try to get used to using other root notes.

The Ionian Mode
As we have already discussed, the Ionian mode is the major scale, so anything that you know about the major scale, you know about the Ionian mode. We have looked at the structure of the scale, which hopefully was familiar, and the next thing we'll consider is what chords you can build on the major scale. I am going to assume that this is something you know and that it won't come as a surprise that if we take the C Ionian scale, and build 7th chords on each scale degree, we will get the following chords

C Major 7
D Minor 7
E Minor 7
F Major 7
G Dominant 7
A Minor 7
B Minor 7 flat 5

These chords are constructed from the notes contained within the C Ionian scale, so the C Ionian will fit over any of these chords. Now, this is technically true, but as you will know from your playing, some notes work better than others, and for some people's ears. You can also play the arpeggios of these chords.

The Dorian Mode
As you will know from the previous discussion of theory, C Dorian differs from C Ionian by having the third and seventh of the scale flattened, thus, C Dorian consists of:

C D Eb F G A Bb

The seventh chords built upon these notes are as follows;

C Minor 7
D Mionr 7
Eb Major 7
F Dominant 7
G Minor 7
A Minor 7 flat 5
Bb Minor 7

To play something a little more familiar you can also use the C Minor pentatonic as this is using notes which are in the C Dorian scale, namely,

C, Eb, F, G, A, and Bb.

The Phrygian Mode
You can use the previous theoretical discussion to work out how the G Phrygian differs from G Ionian. Just to recap, G Ionian consists of the notes G, A, B, C, D, E, and F#. The Phrygian mode differs from the Ionian by the second, third, sixth, and seventh degrees of the Ionian scale being flattened. So, G Phrygian consists of:

G Ab Bb C D Eb F

The seventh chords built upon these notes are as follows:

G Minor 7
Ab Major 7
Bb Dominant 7
C Minor 7
D Minor 7 flat 5
Eb Major 7
F Minor 7

Along with these you can interweave the arpeggios and the G Minor pentatonic is made up of notes from the G Phrygian scale, so you can use that too.

The Lydian Mode
You should be able to work out how G Lydian will differ from G Ionian. Remember that the Lydian has a 4th degree which is sharpened, and the 4th degree of G Ionian is C, thus, G Lydian consists of the following notes.

G A B C# D E F#

The seventh chords built upon this scale are:

G Major 7
A Dominant 7
B Minor 7
C# Minor 7 flat 5
D Major 7
E Minor 7
F# Minor 7

You can also use the various arpeggios and the G Major pentatonic in this situation.

The Mixolydian Mode
You should be able to work out how G Mixolydian will differ from G Ionian. Remember that the Mixolydian has a 7th degree which is flattened, and the 7th degree of G Ionian is F#, thus, G Mixolydian consists of the following notes.

G A B C D E F

The seventh chords built upon this scale are:

G Dominant 7
A Minor 7
B Minor 7 flat 5
C Major 7
D Minor 7
E Minor 7
F Major 7

You can also use the various arpeggios and the G Major pentatonic in this situation.

The Aeolian Mode
You should be able to work out how B Aeolian will differ from B Ionian. Remember that the Aeolian has third, sixth and 7th degrees which are flattened, and the third, sixth and 7th degrees of B Ionian are D#, G#, and A# thus, B Aeolian consists of the following notes.

B C# D E F# G A

The seventh chords built upon this scale are:

B Minor 7
C# Minor 7 flat 5
D Major 7
E Minor 7
F# Minor 7
G Major 7
A Dominant 7

You can also use the various arpeggios and the B Minor pentatonic in this situation.

The Locrian Mode
You should be able to work out how B Locrian will differ from B Ionian. Remember that the Locrian has third, sixth and 7th degrees which are flattened, and the second, third, fifth, sixth and 7th degrees of B Ionian are C#, D#, F#, G#, and A# thus, B Locrian consists of the following notes.

B C D E F G A

The Locrian is interesting because it is actually a half-diminished scale.

The seventh chords built upon this scale are:

B Minor 7 flat 5
C Major 7
D Minor 7
E Minor 7
F Major 7
G Dominant 7
A Minor 7

You can also use the various arpeggios and the G Major pentatonic in this situation.

Epilogue
The study of the guitar is a lifetime's work, and even then you won't know everything, won't be able to play everything, and still have skills that you could develop further. There's nothing wrong with that as you don't need to have a perfect understanding of anything to be able to be creative and skilled. Part of the enjoyment is the journey, the process of learning. Hopefully this handbook has provided you with the tools to start your exploration of the modes, and with the knowledge contained herein you can go off and build further tools which let you express yourself as you want to. Good luck.

Simon duff

---

Guitar Humidification

Problems with humidity can lead to heartbreak for the classical... Read More

Patriotic Music: Surprising Secrets About Those Flag-Waving Sounds

Whether played by a marching band, an orchestra, or a... Read More

New M3 with Competition Package

The new competition package available for the BMW M3 is... Read More

How Any DJ Can Increase Their Gigs and Profits By This Simple Strategy

The DJ industry is very competitive. There are many DJ's... Read More

Facts about Betty Kresin, Eminems grandmother

Betty Kresin, Eminem's grandmother from the maternal side... Read More

Songwriting - The Art of Writing a Good Song

Did you know that good songwriting is often the key... Read More

Beginning Clarinet: The Very Start

Like starting with any instrument, beginning clarinet is a process... Read More

Does Your CD Cover $ell (Or Suck)?

Oh, I know the last part of the title (Suck)... Read More

Modal Theory for Guitar Players - Part 2

Playing the ModesWhen I used to use this pack with... Read More

Dance Musics Most Popular and Enduring Theme: The Declaration of Independence

It all started with Gloria Gaynor's "I Will Survive" in... Read More

The Piano Parent Trap!

"My 6 year old daughter really loves the piano and... Read More

How to be Creative at the Piano

So you want to be more creative when playing piano.... Read More

Arpeggios and New Age Piano Playing

Chopin used them extensively. So did Beethoven and Mozart. Arpeggios... Read More

Is the Mainstream Ready Once Again for Dance Music?

Not since the heyday of Dance/Pop Artists like Taylor Dayne... Read More

What Works Best in New Age Piano Improvisation

Many students want to know how to improvise. What they... Read More

Defining The True Artist - Do You Have What It Takes?

"The real communicating artists seek unique expression. They are not... Read More

Building A Good Relationship With Your Guitar

The guitar is considered the friendliest musical instrument there is.... Read More

CD Clubs: How to Get the Best Deals Online

(1) The BMG Music Service offers the best deal you'll... Read More

Guitar Facts: A Glossary of Terms

It is said that the forerunner of the guitar, the... Read More

The Open Position Piano Chord

Chords. They're amazing. There's no doubt about it. Especially when... Read More

Record Collecting Still Thriving in the Twenty-first Century

It may surprise many to find that the hobby of... Read More

A Guitar Lesson to Help You Develop Your Vision

Have you ever done any of the following?1. Made excuses... Read More

Is Your Child Capable of Composing Music? Maybe the Next Mozart?

We've all heard of them. Child prodigies who begin composing... Read More

Paint Your Own Musical Landscapes!

I don't know why, but I find the idea of... Read More

Things To Know When Shopping For A Guitar Amplifier

Guitar amplifiers are a major part of your tone. Some... Read More