Modes DeMystified

So you've heard others talking about Modes and don't they sound impressive?!

What is a Mode and what use are they?

Short answer - it doesn't really matter!

Long answer - okay, let's go....

A mode is simply a regular MAJOR SCALE but starting and ending on a different note.

I'll use C MAJOR because it has no sharps or flats and is easier to type!
The rules for this scale apply to EVERY key!

C MAJOR contains the following notes:

C D E F G A B

You can see a major scale only has 7 different notes in. Some folks say there are 8 if you include the full octave of playing the high C at the end:

C D E F G A B C

Okay so far? Cool

Let's keep the same notes in the same order but start and end on D.... that will look like this:

D E F G A B C D

These notes are still C Major right? Right!

If we treat D as the root note, then we can also call this D DORIAN. Why? Because the sequence of intervals (gaps) between the notes in this order make the Dorian sound.

If we do the same from E to E but keep the notes from C Major you get this:

E F G A B C D E

So these notes are still C Major and D Dorian but if we count E as the root note, we can call it E PHRYGIAN.

Here is the name of each mode we can generate from the original scale of C Major:

C Ionian - MAJOR
D Dorian
E Phrygian
F Lydian
G Mixolydian
A Aeolian - MINOR
B Locrian

So what does it all mean?
To the average player, going through their favourite songs and a bit of soloing, it doesn't mean anything. It just makes folks sound important when they talk like this. There is more to it though....

What is very interesting is the 6th mode of the Major key because this create the relative Minor key.
In other words, if I write a song in C major and you write a song in A minor, we are using the same set of notes!

So what's the difference in the sound of our pieces?

Simply put, the chords and the melodies in my piece make C sound like HOME and your piece in A minor, makes A sound like home.

So what?

If I am playing a melody in C major scale and you keep strumming Am chord, I am going to sound like I am in the key of A minor because it's ultimately the chords that dictate the tension and harmony of the piece.

Likewise, if I am playing notes from C major and you keep strumming a Dm chord underneath me, we are going to create the sound of D Dorian.

I am trying to make things simple to understand here so we need to flip it all on it's head - most people look to the modes to create the tension of Major, Dorian, Minor, etc. but ultimately, it's the chords we use which dictate the scale we are actually in.

So, here are the chords of C major and the sounds you will create across each chord when you play in the C major set of notes.

To experiment with these sounds, record your self strumming one of the chords for at least a minute. Then play back your chord as you solo using the C major scale. Target more towards the root note of the chord and you will hear the different tonality of each mode. So, if the chords is Dm, play C major but target the note of D more in your improvising. You will now be playing D Dorian without much effort at all.

Here's the chart you need for C Major:

Chord to play                 Mode created

C                                    C IONIAN (MAJOR)

Dm                                 D DORIAN

Em                                  E PHRYGIAN

F                                     F LYDIAN

G                                    G MIXOLYDIAN

Am                                 A AEOLIAN (MINOR)

Bm7b5                           B LOCRIAN


I hope this helps you to create and understand different sounds in your music.

If you wanted more detail and to know the chords for other keys,there is a comprehensive lesson on knowing what key you are in and the chords contained within each key in the new DVD, Guitar Fundamentals as well as 28 Day Rockstar.


'Till next time....

Richard Deyn

www.guitarmastery.co.uk