GUITARHABITS

Free Quality Guitar Lessons

Play The 7 Modes in 7 Days (Tabs Incl.)

By 62 Comments

April 2, 2020 by Klaus Crow

Photo by Marta Monleón
Modes are used in all kinds of musical styles like Jazz, Blues, Rock, Metal, etc. They create a certain mood or feel to your playing.

If you feel like you are stuck playing solos using just Major/Minor or Pentatonic/Blues scales all the time, you’re ready to call on the modes and dive a little deeper.

When you first get introduced to modes you might be a little bit overwhelmed, but at the same time it’s also exciting to explore this whole new world of boundless possibilities.

It’s all about the journey and not the destination, so just take it slow and enjoy the process!

The 7 Modes of the Major Scale
Modes are scales which can be derived from the major scale. The 7 modes of the major scale are:

1 – Ionian
2 – Dorian
3 – Phrygian
4 – Lydian
5 – Mixolydian
6 – Aeolian
7 – Locrian

Each mode starts and stops on a different note within the major scale. E.g.: The Dorian mode starts on the second degree of the major scale all the way up to an octave higher, the Phrygian mode starts on the third degree of the major scale up to an octave higher, the Lydian mode starts on the fourth degree of the major scale up to an octave higher and so on.

For example, Modes derived from C major:
C Ionian, D Dorian, E Phrygian, F Lydian, G Mixolydian, A Aeolian, B Locrian.

C Major = C D E F G A B
D Dorian = D E F G A B C D
E Phrygian = E F G A B C D E
F Lydian = F G A B C D E F
G Mixolydian = G A B C D E F G
A Aeolian = A B C D E F G A
B Locrian = B C D E F G A B

What you want is to be able play these modes in any given key, depending on the song or chord progression. Let’s say you want to play these modes starting on C: C Ionian, C Dorian, C Phrygian, C Lydian, C Mixolydian, C Aeolian and C Lorcian.

You have to figure out from which major scale each mode is derived from. Let’s take C Dorian for example. If the Dorian mode is from the 2nd degree of the major scale, the question becomes:
“C” is the second degree of which major scale? The answer is Bb

Bb major scale = Bb C D Eb F G A Bb
C Dorian = C D Eb F G A Bb C

Do the same with the other modes. If Phrygian mode is from the 3rd degree of the major scale, ask yourself: “C” is the third degree of which major scale? The answer is Ab

Ab major scale = Ab Bb C Db Eb F G Ab
C Phrygian = C Db Eb F G Ab Bb C

And so on.

I’ll show you two fingerings to play for each mode. I’ll give you the notes, mode formula, whole/half step formula, mood and the associated chord type.

In the example below we’re playing all 7 modes starting on C.

DAY 1
C IONIAN
The first mode, the Ionian mode is starting from the root note/tonic in the scale.
So the Ionian mode and the major scale are basically the same.
The (C Ionian) notes are: C D E F G A B C
Mode formula = 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Whole/half step formula = 1 – 1 – 1/2 – 1 – 1 – 1 – 1/2
Mood: Happy / upbeat.
Chord type = Maj or Maj7 (so in this case CMaj or CMaj7)


C Ionian starting from the E-string
e:--------------------------------------------8----------|
B:-------------------------------------10-12-------------|
G:----------------------------9-10-12--------------------|
D:-------------------9-10-12-----------------------------|
A:----------8-10-12--------------------------------------|
E:--8-10-12----------------------------------------------|

C Ionian starting from the A-string
e:----------------------------------------5-7-8----------|
B:---------------------------------5-6-8-----------------|
G:-------------------------4-5-7-------------------------|
D:-----------------3-5-7---------------------------------|
A:---------3-5-7-----------------------------------------|
E:-------------------------------------------------------|
Assignment 1:
Learn the C Ionian mode starting from the E and A string.
Assignment 2:
Play each mode in different keys. E.G.: If you play C Ionian up a whole step (moving the entire scale 2 frets up), you are playing D Ionian mode.
If you move down the scale a half step (1 fret) from C you are playing B Ionian. So practice the Ionian mode in different places across the neck.
DAY 2
C DORIAN
The C Dorian mode starts on the second degree of the Bb major scale.
The (C Dorian) notes are: C D Eb F G A Bb C
Mode formula (compared to the major scale) = 1 2 b3 4 5 6 b7 8
Whole/half step formula = 1 - 1/2 - 1 - 1 - 1 - 1/2 - 1
Mood: Minor Jazzy feel.
Chord type = min or min7 (so in this case Cmin or Cmin7)

C Dorian starting from the E-string
e:-----------------------------------------------8--------|
B:-----------------------------------------10-11----------|
G:-------------------------------8-10-12------------------|
D:---------------------8-10-12----------------------------|
A:-----------8-10-12--------------------------------------|
E:--8-10-11-----------------------------------------------|

C Dorian starting from the A-string)
e:-----------------------------------------5-6-8----------|
B:---------------------------------4-6-8------------------|
G:-------------------------3-5-7--------------------------|
D:-----------------3-5-7----------------------------------|
A:---------3-5-6------------------------------------------|
E:--------------------------------------------------------|
Assignment 1:
Learn D Dorian mode starting from the E and A string.
Assignment 2:
Play the modes in different keys through the cycle of 4ths.
Assignment 3:
Play the Ionian modes as well.
DAY 3
C PHRYGIAN
C Phrygian mode starts on the third degree of the Ab major scale.
The (C Phrygian) notes are: C Db Eb F G Ab Bb C
Mode formula = 1 b2 b3 4 5 b6 b7 8
Whole/half step formula = 1/2 - 1 - 1- 1- 1/2 - 1 - 1
Mood: Spanish, Flamenco.
Chord type = min or min7 (so in this case Cmin or Cmin7)

C Phrygian starting from the E-string
e:------------------------------------------------8------|
B:------------------------------------------9-11---------|
G:--------------------------------8-10-12----------------|
D:----------------------8-10-11--------------------------|
A:------------8-10-11------------------------------------|
E:----8-9-11---------------------------------------------|

C Phrygian starting from the A-string
e:-----------------------------------------4-6-8---------|
B:---------------------------------4-6-8-----------------|
G:-------------------------3-5-6-------------------------|
D:-----------------3-5-6---------------------------------|
A:---------3-4-6-----------------------------------------|
E:-------------------------------------------------------|

Assignment 1:
Learn C Phrygian mode starting from the E and A string.
Assignment 2:
Play each mode up a half step all the way up to the 12th fret and back again.
Assignment 3:
Take a break and make yourself a hot cappuccino.
Assignment 4:
Play the Ionian and Dorian modes as well.
DAY 4
C LYDIAN
C Lydian mode starts on the fourth degree of the G major scale.
The (C Lydian) notes are: C D E F# G A B C
Mode formula = 1 2 3 #4 5 6 7 8
Whole/half step formula = 1 - 1 - 1 - 1/2 - 1 - 1 - 1/2
Mood: Dreamy, floating.
Chord type = Maj or Maj7 (so in this case CMaj or CMaj7)

C Lydian starting from the E-string
e:------------------------------------------------8------|
B:-----------------------------------------10-12---------|
G:--------------------------------9-11-12----------------|
D:----------------------9-10-12--------------------------|
A:------------9-10-12------------------------------------|
E:----8-10-12--------------------------------------------|

C Lydian starting from the A-string
e:-----------------------------------------5-7-8---------|
B:---------------------------------5-7-8-----------------|
G:-------------------------4-5-7-------------------------|
D:-----------------4-5-7---------------------------------|
A:---------3-5-7-----------------------------------------|
E:-------------------------------------------------------|

Assignment 1:
Learn the C Lydian mode starting from the E and A string.
Assignment 2:
Play each mode up a whole step all the way up to the 12th fret and back again.
Assignment 3:
Go for a run and take a nice shower.
Assignment 4:
Practice the Ionian, Dorian and Phrygian modes.
DAY 5
C MIXOLYDIAN
C Mixolydian mode starts on the fifth degree of the F major scale.
The (C Mixolydian) notes are: C D E G G A Bb C
Mode formula = 1 2 3 4 5 6 b7 8
Whole/half step formula = 1 - 1 - 1/2 - 1 - 1 - 1/2 - 1
Mood: Bluesy
Chord type = Maj or Dominant7 (so in this case CMaj or C7)

C Mixolydian starting from the E-string
e:-------------------------------------------------8------|
B:----------------------------------------8-10-11---------|
G:-------------------------------7-9-10-------------------|
D:----------------------7-8-10----------------------------|
A:------------7-8-10--------------------------------------|
E:----8-10------------------------------------------------|

C Mixolydian starting from the A-string
e:---------------------------------------3-5-6-8----------|
B:-------------------------------3-5-6--------------------|
G:-----------------------2-3-5----------------------------|
D:---------------2-3-5------------------------------------|
A:---------3-5--------------------------------------------|
E:--------------------------------------------------------|

Assignment 1:
Learn the C Mixolydian mode starting from the E and A string.
Assignment 2:
Practice the Mixolydian mode randomly in different keys.(E.g.: E-string in the key of Bb, A-string in the key of C, E-string in the key of F, A-string in the key of G, etc.)
Assignment 3:
Meditate for 20 minutes.
Assignment 4:
Practice the Ionian, Dorian, Phrygian and Lydian modes.
DAY 6
C AEOLIAN
C Aeolian mode starts on the sixth degree of the Eb major scale.
(Aeolian mode is the same as the natural minor scale)
The (C Aeolian) notes are: C D Eb F G Ab Bb C
Mode formula = 1 2 b3 4 5 b6 b7 8
Whole/half step formula = 1 - 1/2 - 1 - 1 - 1/2 - 1 - 1
Mood: Sad, somber, unhappy.
Chord type = min or min7 (so in this case Cmin or Cmin7)

C Aeolian starting from the E-string
e:--------------------------------------------8-------------|
B:------------------------------------8-9-11----------------|
G:----------------------------7-8-10------------------------|
D:---------------------8-10---------------------------------|
A:-----------8-10-11----------------------------------------|
E:--8-10-11-------------------------------------------------|

C Aeolian starting from the A-string)
e:--------------------------------------3-4-6-8-------------|
B:-------------------------------3-4-6----------------------|
G:-------------------------3-5------------------------------|
D:-----------------3-5-6------------------------------------|
A:---------3-5-6--------------------------------------------|
E:----------------------------------------------------------|

Assignment 1:
Learn the C Aeolian mode starting from the E and A string.
Assignment 2:
Practice each mode in different keys.
Assignment 3:
Take a 30 minute break and pour yourself some hot green tea with nice biscuits.
Assignment 4:
Practice the Ionian, Dorian, Phrygian, Lydian and Mixolydian modes.
DAY 7
C LOCRIAN
C Locrian mode starts on the seventh degree of the Db major scale.
The (C Locrian) notes are: C Db Eb F Gb Ab Bb C
Mode formula : 1 b2 b3 4 b5 b6 b7 8
Whole/half step formula = 1/2 - 1 - 1 - 1/2 - 1 - 1 - 1
Mood: Dark, sinister.
Chord type = dim or m7b5 (so in this case Cdim or Cm7b5)

B Locrian starting from the E-string
e:------------------------------------------------8-------|
B:------------------------------------------9-11----------|
G:--------------------------------8-10-11-----------------|
D:----------------------8-10-11---------------------------|
A:------------8-9-11--------------------------------------|
E:----8-9-11----------------------------------------------|

C Phrygian starting from the A-string
e:-----------------------------------------4-6-8----------|
B:---------------------------------4-6-7------------------|
G:-------------------------3-5-6--------------------------|
D:-----------------3-4-6----------------------------------|
A:---------3-4-6------------------------------------------|
E:--------------------------------------------------------|

Assignment 1:
Learn the C Locrian mode starting from the E and A string.
Assignment 2:
Practice each mode up a whole step all the way to the 12th fret and back again.
Assignment 3:
Practice all the other modes as well.
Assignment 4:
Take a nap.
Well done! Give yourself a pat on the shoulder. You can be proud of yourself!

You managed to play all the scales/modes up and down the fretboard in different keys.

Learn to understand the basics and play the modes in 7 days. It's a great place to start from.
From there you can start your journey through the vast possibilities of improvising and soloing with modes.

If you want know more about modes check out Frank Gambale's "Modes no more mystery"

Note: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Give it your best and you'll benefit!

Listening is The Key to Everything

By 13 Comments

May 15, 2019 by Klaus Crow

Photo by David Goehring
Learning to play guitar gets easier these days with the many YouTubes and Tabs available everywhere around the internet.

The downside of this phenomenon is that people who are learning to play guitar these days can get lazy if they just copy whatever is being taught on the net.

It’s still very important to listen with your own ears and learn to transcribe songs without tutorial videos or tablature books.

Transcribing songs will teach you how guitar playing works from the inside out. I can tell you, it taught me more than I could have ever learned from tutorial videos.

I am not saying you need to stop watching YouTube guitar tutorials….No Way! YouTube is a great tool, but just don’t forget to listen and transcribe songs on your own. A must for every serious guitar student!

Listening is the key to everything:

Give Music a Chance.
Listen to as much different kinds of music styles as possible. Explore Pop music, Rock, Blues, Jazz, Folk, Country, Fusion, Latin, Metal, Flamenco and Classical sounds to expand your horizon and become a more creative musician.

If you don’t like a song or an album at first, put it on a second time.

Now this time listen differently:Continue Reading

The 23 Essential Guitar Arpeggios to Get Smooth

By 35 Comments

May 15, 2019 by Klaus Crow

Photo by Benjamin Deutsch
Arpeggios are often used for sweep picking also referred as economy picking (different from alternate picking).

It is a technique that creates a fast and fluid sound.

Frank Gambale, Yngwie Malmsteen among others are experts in this field. So if you like to show off or just create incredible sounds on your guitar try arpeggio sweep picking.

Besides using it for fast playing, I really like to use it as a handy tool for improvisation.

If you don’t want to sound like you are playing scales all the time then you can use arpeggios as an extra ingredient to spice things up with a really nice flavor.

When using arpeggios in improvisation play them occasionally, try to play parts and pieces or play random notes of an arpeggio to create cool sounding licks. Use your creativity.

Tip1: Not only play arpeggios but use them in your improvisation.
If you don’t do this it’s like you are learning new words but don’t apply them in your language.

Tip2: Learn every arpeggio in different positions on the neck so you become familiar with the shape of the arpeggio rather than concentrating on which frets you put your fingers in one particular postion.

Here are the 23 essentials that can really open up your playing and improvisation skills.

Have fun and work hard.
You’ll benefit from it!



#1 D Major Arpeggio
e:--------------2h5p2----------------------------------------|
B:-----------3---------3-------------------------------------|
G:--------2---------------2----------------------------------|
D:-----4---------------------4-------------------------------|
A:--5--------------------------5-----------------------------|
E:-----------------------------------------------------------|

 

Continue Reading

Simplify to Play Guitar for 2011

By 10 Comments

May 15, 2019 by Klaus Crow

Photo by cesar bojorquez
Every year I think about new resolutions. I get excited and want to do better in the next year, always looking for a new challenge.

I also evaluate what I have accomplished, experienced or how much I have grown.

I can look back with awesomeness.

In May my son Vince was born (he is really into guitars already), I spend more time practicing guitar and learned a lot of new stuff, Guitarhabits has grown rapidly and I really love the feedback I got from everybody, I started a new blog about simplicity, reduced and downsized a lot of my stuff, I have become an early riser (I wake up at 5 am) and enjoy teaching guitar as a profession at home.

This year I want to spent less time on the internet, simplify more and worry less about achieving goals.

I want to focus mainly on teaching and practicing guitar, Guitarhabits, meditation, running/walking and spending time with my family.Continue Reading