Guitar Modes – Master All 7
Major Modes Easily
By Liam F.
Last Updated On: May 8, 2021
Some people have a natural gift for music. They can pick up an
instrument and start playing by ear, but even the gifted should take
the time to learn some music theory. To master all seven guitar
major modes easily, it’s worth knowing what they are and the music
theory behind them. Before we share some tips to help you master
the modes, let’s define them.
What Are The 7 Major Guitar
Modes?
A guitar mode is a type of scale. A scale is a set of notes organized
by pitch. Modes derive from a parent scale. A mode has the same
notes as its parent scale, but each mode starts on a different note in
the scale.
Modes kick up a solo’s quality because they add unique touches to
the music. A mode also determines the tonal center. If you have
heard of the Do-Re-Mi-Fa-So-La-Ti-Do scale, you have heard tonal
sounds. Since a mode determines what note you start a scale with, it
controls the tonal center.
The seven modes are:
Ionian
Dorian
Phrygian
Lydian
Mixolydian
Aeolian
Locrian
Ionian mode shown (above)
You can play each mode on a different parent scale. For example,
on the C scale, the notes for Ionian, or the first mode, are
CDEFGABC. The second mode, or Dorian, begins with the second
letter in the scale changing it to DEFGABCD. The seventh mode, or
Locrian, starts with the seventh note and renders BCDEFGAB.
Since modes are dependent on scales, learning the major and minor
scales is one tip for learning the seven modes easily. Ionian, Lydian,
and Mixolydian are major. Dorian, Phrygian, and Aeolian, as well as
Locrian, are minor.
How To Master The 7 Guitar Modes
Easily
Now that you have a little music theory under your belt, we can
move into how to master the seven guitar modes. Learning to play
the modes is no different than learning a new language or other
skill. Set aside some time and space where you can practice. You’re
going to memorize, visualize, and add music.
Phrygian Mode (above)
Memorize
An orchestra plays with their sheet music in front of them. If you’re
going to rock out on stage, you’re not going to bring your sheets
with you. Even if you play an intimate gathering or acoustic concert,
you’re playing the music from memory. One way to master the
modes is to memorize them.
We showed you an example of the seven modes based on the C
scale earlier. Take that logic and apply it across the board. Then,
memorize each mode for every scale. Memorize them in order until
they become second nature. Once you become comfortable, you
can mix and match.
Dorian mode (above)
Visualize
As you memorize the modes, you can pick up tutorials or images
that visually show them to you. This helps you see the fingering.
You’re balancing the notes with the fingering. You may trip up in
the beginning, but you’ll see that with time, you’ll pick it up.
When you play the guitar, a lot happens with your fingers. If your
fingers touch a minor note instead of the major, your ear will pick
up the difference. In the beginning, it’s perfectly acceptable to use
visuals.
While you memorize the notes, you memorize the fingering, too. Go
ahead and use all the learning tools at your disposal.
Mixolydian mode (above)
Practice
To master a new skill, you need to practice at least 10,000 hours. To
master the seven modes, you need to practice. Practicing 10,000
hours might not sound like easily mastering, but it does provide
mastering with consistency.
Playing through the major modes is one way to maximize your
practice. Then, go into all the minor modes. For each, repeat the
keys 12 times each. Start with the C scale. Next, move on to the D,
and so on. Your goal is to get through all the scales in all the
modes.
The repetition and hand-on practice should improve your
memorization, too.
Aeolian mode (above)
Practice With Music
Most guitar music stems from the same basic chords, modes, and
scales. Once you have memorized the modes to a comfortable level,
it’s time to practice with music.
Play music in the background and follow along. If you dive into
music theory further, you’ll have the knowledge to depict scales
used in songs for guitars. “Old Joe Clark” is a folk guitar song used
in music examples. The melody is close to the Mixolydian mode in
A.
Start playing along with the song in A. Then, see if you play the
song in G.
As you gain confidence, you’ll realize that you can switch up the
scales for other songs, too.
Lydian Mode (above)
Practice With The Harmony
The melody leads a song. The harmony builds on the melody. A
harmony cannot exist without the melody, but the harmony consists
of at least two sounds that mesh well with each other. Harmony is a
set of complementary sounds.
Since the harmony is more than one sound, it challenges you to
improve your guitar mode skills. Every step builds on the last. Every
new exercise builds on the last.
Your job is to identify the harmony’s scale. Then, emulate its mode.
Now you are challenging your memorization and fingering skills.
Plus, you’re training your ear. A well-tuned ear allows you to rock
out and impress the audience from the stage.
Why Should You Master Guitar
Modes?
Since the majority of the music comes from the same scales and
chords, what is going to make your guitar playing skills unique?
Artists like Jack White and Stevie Young shred with the best of
them. Their skills demonstrate their range. They’re also well-
regarded because their sound isn’t exactly like everyone else’s.
Mastering the guitar modes improves your improv skills. This gives
your solo performances a boost. If you’re a hobby guitarist, that
might be enough. Others seek to reach for the sky. So go forth.
Conclusion
To master all seven major guitar modes, read up on the music
theory behind them. This makes it easier to understand and learn
each variation. Pick a scale and mode, and play it on your guitar one
by one. Start memorizing each mode and beef up your fingering
visualization prowess. Move into identifying melody and harmony
modes from songs. Dedicate time to practice the modes. This
should improve your guitar skills and ear.
