How do you know if youre in a certain mode?

[I_am_the_smartest]

If you're playing in the key of c major, how would you know if youre in a different mode. There all the same notes of that key, but because of that i don't see how to determine that. is it just the position of your hand on the fretboard?

[BarHook]

heh heh heh, pretty inappropriate nickname...
anyway
the mode is emphasised by the notes that you emphasise for example.
playing in Cmaj, if your playing in D dorian and not emphasising any notes then it will sound Cmaj, emphasise the D.

Also and more importantly the chord in the backgroud is what really lights up the mode, playing D dorian over Dmin chord instead of Cmaj will be much more effective

neways hope that helps :)

[SLY]

Check the note that your scale & progression resolve into ... This is your new root that is driven from the Cmaj Key .

If it's A , you're playing aeolian mode (natural minor) , if it's E you're playing E phrygian.

[griphon2]

Look at Modes, please explain.