• Ionian
• Dorian
• Phrygian
• Lydian
• Mixolydian
• Aeolian
• Locrian

If I play the C Major scale starting with the 1^st note on C on 5^th fret on 3^rd string I am playing Ionian.

If I play the same scale starting with the 2^nd note of the C Major scale on D on 7^th fret on 3^rd string I am playing Dorian.

If I play the same scale starting with the 3^rd note of the C Major scale on E on 5^th fret on 2^nd string I am playing Phrygian.

And so on, for each note of the C Major Scale.

Aeolian ABCDEFG (A Minor Scale)

Locrian BCDEFGA

Ionian CDEFGAB (C Major Scale)

Dorian DEFGABC

Phrygian EFGABCD

Lydian FGABCDE

Mixolydian GABCDEF

Ioninan

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

W W H W W W H

Bright and uplifting

Find the 1^st note of the C Major scale which is C. C is our Root. Skip a note E skip a note G That gives us a C major triad which is the tonic. This shape starts with our index finger on 3^rd string. Now you can move this shape up two frets to play a D major Ionian. Or move it anywhere where your index finger is on the root. Play that same shape for the root note of that particular key. Emphasize the Major 7^th.

Dorian

1 2 b3 4 5 6 b7

W H W  W W H W

Smooth and bright

Find the 2^nd note of the C Major scale which is D. D is now our root. Skip a note F skip a note A that gives us a D minor triad which is the tonic. This shape starts with our ring finger on 3^rd string. Now you can move this shape up two frets to play a E minor Dorian. Move it anywhere where your ring finger is on the root. Play that same shape for the root note of that particular key. Emphasize the natural 6^th.

Phrygian

1 b2 b3 4 5 b6 b7

H W  W  W H W  W

Exotic and dark

Find the 3^rd note of the C Major scale which is E. E is now our root. Skip a note G skip a note B that gives us a E minor triad which is the tonic. This shape starts with our index finger on 2^nd string. Now you can move this shape up three frets up to play a G minor Phyrigian. Move it anywhere where your index finger on 2^nd string is on the root. Play that same shape for the root note of that particular key. Emphasize the Flat 2^nd.

Lydian

1 2 3 #4 5 6 7

W W W H  W W H

Dreamy and disconnected

Find the 4^th note of the C Major scale which is F. F is now our root. Skip a note A skip a note C that gives us a F major triad which is the tonic. This shape starts with our middle finger on 2^nd string. Now you can move this shape up 2 frets up to play a G major Lydian. Move it anywhere where your middle finger on 2^nd is on the root. Play that same shape for the root note of that particular key. Emphasize the tritone.

Mixolydian

1 2 3 4 5 6   b7

W W H W W H  W

Upbeat and rocking

Find the 5^th note of the C Major scale which is G. G is now our root. Skip a note B skip a note D that gives us a G major triad which is the tonic. This shape starts with our pinky on 2^nd string. Now you can move this shape up 2 frets up to play a A major mixolydian. Move it anywhere where your pinky on 2^nd is on the root. Play that same shape for the root note of that particular key. Emphasize the flat 7^th.

Aeolian

1 2 b3 4 5 b6 b7

W H W  W H W  W

Somber and dark

Find the 6^th note of the C Major scale which is A. A is now our root. Skip a note C skip a note E that gives us an A minor triad which is the tonic. This shape starts with our index on 1^st string. Now you can move this shape up 2 frets up to play a B minor Aeolian. Move it anywhere where your index finger on 2^nd string is on the root. Play that same shape for the root note of that particular key. Emphasize the Flat 6^th.

Locrian

1 b2 b3 4 b5 b6 b7

H W  W  H W  W  W

Chaotic and unsettling

Find the 7^th note of the C Major scale which is B. B is now our root. Skip a note D skip a note F that gives us an B diminished triad which is the tonic. This shape starts with our ring finger on 1^st string. Now you can move this shape up 1 frets up to play a C diminished Locrian. Move it anywhere where your ring finger on 2^nd string is on the root. Play that same shape for the root note of that particular key. Emphasize the Flat 2^nd.

A Major (A Ionian) A B C#D E F# G#A

G Major (A Dorian) A BC D E F#G A

F Major (A Phrygian) ABb C D EF G A

E Major (A Lydian) A B C# D#E F# G#A

D Major (A Mixolydian) A B C#D E F#G A

C Major (A Aeolian) A BC D EF G A

B Major (A Locrian) ABb C DEb F G A

Modes Brightest to Darkest:

• Lydian
• Ionian
• Mixolydian
• Dorian
• Aeolian
• Phrygian
• Locrian

I Don’t Play Like My Aunt Lucy

Ionian Mode – Use on Major Chords
Dorian Mode – Use on Minor Chords
Phrygian Mode – Use on Minor Chords
Lydian Mode – Use on Major Chords
Mixolydian Mode – Use on Dominant chords that resolve to major chords
Aeolian Mode – Use on Minor Chords
Locrian Mode – Use on half diminished chords