- Ionian
- Dorian
- Phrygian
- Lydian
- Mixolydian
- Aeolian
- Locrian
If I play the C Major scale starting with the 1st note on C on 5th fret on 3rd string I am playing Ionian.
If I play the same scale starting with the 2nd note of the C Major scale on D on 7th fret on 3rd string I am playing Dorian.
If I play the same scale starting with the 3rd note of the C Major scale on E on 5th fret on 2nd 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 1st 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 3rd 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 7th.
Dorian
1 2 b3 4 5 6 b7
W H W W W H W
Smooth and bright
Find the 2nd 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 3rd 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 6th.
Phrygian
1 b2 b3 4 5 b6 b7
H W W W H W W
Exotic and dark
Find the 3rd 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 2nd 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 2nd string is on the root. Play that same shape for the root note of that particular key. Emphasize the Flat 2nd.
Lydian
1 2 3 #4 5 6 7
W W W H W W H
Dreamy and disconnected
Find the 4th 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 2nd 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 2nd 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 5th 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 2nd string. Now you can move this shape up 2 frets up to play a A major mixolydian. Move it anywhere where your pinky on 2nd is on the root. Play that same shape for the root note of that particular key. Emphasize the flat 7th.
Aeolian
1 2 b3 4 5 b6 b7
W H W W H W W
Somber and dark
Find the 6th 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 1st 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 2nd string is on the root. Play that same shape for the root note of that particular key. Emphasize the Flat 6th.
Locrian
1 b2 b3 4 b5 b6 b7
H W W H W W W
Chaotic and unsettling
Find the 7th 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 1st 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 2nd string is on the root. Play that same shape for the root note of that particular key. Emphasize the Flat 2nd.
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