punch me in the face! here is another mode question!

ok, so im confused about the fingering of some of the modes. is there even a set fingering for each mode? or is there just a formula. the way i think it goes is: pick either major or minor scale( ionian or aeolian) and then take the 2nd, or 3rd, or 4th, .... and then finish the scale, then you continue that process till you finish the whole fretboard, or somthing like that? please help. i feel like im getting this whole mode thing down pretty good and ive written some cool stuff because of it , i just have a few shady spots

It all depends where you're playing it, and how many times you want to play the mode. Playing a mode through once would be going from one note to that same note an octave up (let's say an A). For the A Ionian scale, you'd be playing the notes A, B, C#, D, E, F#, G#, A. In first position, you could play that like this:

e------------------------------
b------------------------------
g---------------------1--2-----
d-----------0--2--4------------
a--0--2--4---------------------
e------------------------------

Or you could play it in fourth position, like this:

e------------------------------
b------------------------------
g------------------------------
d-----------------4--6--7------
a--------4--5--7---------------
e--5--7------------------------

Now you could also go through the mode twice, so that you start at A and end at A two octaves up. In first position, you'd have something like this:

e------------------------------------0--2--4--5
b------------------------------2--3------------
g---------------------1--2--4------------------
d-----------0--2--4----------------------------
a--0--2--4-------------------------------------
e----------------------------------------------

That's an easy one to figure out fingering for; just use the same finger as the fret number (except for the last note, in which case just slide your pinky up from the 4th fret to the 5th).

I hope that answers what you're asking. I also hope I didn't screw that up somewhere, as my knowledge of theory is pretty rudimentary.

I hate getting into the theory stuff becuase it is allot like politics.

You say "too--mae--toe" I say "to-mah-toe".

But what the hey!!! I am in a funky mood today.

Music T is like algebra/calculus. It is a theory based system that "explains" what and why things shoudl/do happen in music (centuries old, like philosophy... and still subject to debate).

Bottom line-- Modes are based upon the tones and relation to the notes played in/on a particular scale in a particular key in a particular order utilizing the same key signature.
See how x=y ( abc) X 4 blah de blah de blah.

Example

C Major Scale-Here is each mode listed

C D E F G A B C

D E F G A B C D

E F G A B C D E

F G A B C D E F

G A B C D E F G

A B C D E F G A

B C D E F G A B

back to C

So what this means is that as long as you are playing in a given key (we will say C major to keep in line with what I have already posted) and the Chord progression "follows" the rules of Music Theory and stays in the key of C. Any of the scales above will/should work (theoretically) -- note (please do not split hairs) -- except for certain notes that do not fit the diatonic pattern. More "Greek" I am sure.

If you would like, PM me and I will tab some "Box" patterns for you to practice on. And all the "greek" names for the modes.

To answer your question -- Yes, there is a certain pattern for the theory behind modes. No there is not a "set" fingering for each mode (agian--No splitting hairs-- guitar playing can be based upon patterns of fingering but when it comes to music--What sounds good should be good-- look up "Dodecophonic" composing to see what I mean.)

Off my soap box now:)

ok so there is no set fingering, which i figured, but is there a formula for finding the modes?

Originally Posted by: lifeis@songok so there is no set fingering, which i figured, but is there a formula for finding the modes?

There sure is. By the time I type this up, someone will undoubtedly have beaten me to it, but here it is anyway:

Ionian -- WWHWWWH (major scale)
Dorian -- WHWWWHW
Phrygian -- HWWWHWW
Lydian -- WWWHWWH
Mixolydian -- WWHWWHW
Aeolian -- WHWWHWW (minor scale)
Locrian -- HWWHWWW

Just to clarify, W means whole step (two semitones) and H means half step (one semitone).

EDIT: I'll be darned, no one beat me to it!

Originally Posted by: earthman buckThere sure is. By the time I type this up, someone will undoubtedly have beaten me to it, but here it is anyway:

Ionian -- WWHWWWH (major scale)
Dorian -- WHWWWHW
Phrygian -- HWWWHWW
Lydian -- WWWHWWH
Mixolydian -- WWHWWHW
Aeolian -- WHWWHWW (minor scale)
Locrian -- HWWHWWW

Just to clarify, W means whole step (two semitones) and H means half step (one semitone).

EDIT: I'll be darned, no one beat me to it!

Glad some one else did it and not me. I was in the middle of typing then had to stop....'puter dropped out, and when I came back TA DAH!!!! :D :cool:

Suggestion-- also I have found that if you use a piano keyboard as a referece tool it seems to be easier to grasp the whole half/whole step stuff. 2 cents :o

i was confused for a second but i think i got it. i was thinking it was more complicated. i thought each mode had a major and minor side, but really its just a completely different mode. silly billy

There's a lot to learn BEFORE you mess with modes. It's one of the MOST confusing things guitarists deal with. And it's because they look at those patterns and give THE PATTERNS names. That's just wrong forget the names when looking at it as patterns...all the modes of a key are THE SAME SCALE, or the same key.

You never really change modes unless you change keys. Once you understand this, using modes is a no brainer.

Before Modes, learn how scales build chords. Before that learn Intervals.

Chords are the Key to modes, modes build chords, and they are built from a Key.

You can get a comprehensive explanation of both the Intervals and the Chord Construction at my lesson site: http://lessons.mikedodge.com

THEN...read through my article I'm writing on Modes. It will break the name barrier that trips up almost evey guitarist.

http://lessons.mikedodge.com/lessons/MusicTheory/Diatonic/DiatonicAll.htm

I'm still working on it so please comment as I would like to fix things as needed. But, a few other sites I posted it at have help me clean it up enough to start the intro and start working on the second installment. So, it's pretty much intact.

There's 30 year's of knowledge in my lessons, over 20 years of teaching. I cut out the crap, and make it understandable AND useable.

Enjoy!