With you there gennation.

Lao - you'll find the box shaped modal patterns the best to learn. 3 note per string shapes are good for shred but the classical boxes make it easier to see the differences between modes as compared to the major/minor scales you probably know backwards. For example, Lydian's sharpened fourth - you can see when you're playig the scale how it differs from the major.

I found modal theory very useful... and once you know about it you can make your own shapes. Mr Satriani likes doing that....