Originally Posted by Damo
Hi everyone,

I wrote this tutorial a little while back when I was teaching guitar at a music school. I will eventually give more tutorials. This one is a short explanation of the seven modes with some descriptions and chord progressions to play against.

Keep Learning and having fun.


Ionian Mode

Description
The Ionian Mode is the scale you get when you play one octave up from the first note of a major scale. This mode has the same step-pattern as the major scale, which means, C Ionian is also the C major scale. This mode has a naturally occurring dominant fifth chord, which indicates the fifth note G (in C Ionian) can be used as a dominant chord; i.e. G7. This pure and happy sounding mode can be heard in nursery rhymes such as Twinkle Twinkle Little Star and I?m a Little Tea Pot.

Quality
Happy, Merry, Upbeat, Cheerful

Music Styles
Rock, Country, Jazz, Fusion, Folk Songs, Nursery Rhymes

Tonic Chords
Unaltered major chords; i.e. C, C6, Cmaj7, Cmaj9, C6/9, Cadd9, Cmaj13

Improvising
Try the C Ionian over this chord progression: C, F, G7, C


Dorian Mode

Description
The Dorian Mode is the scale you get when you play one octave up from the second note of a major scale. D Dorian starts on the second note of the C major scale. Dorian is a minor sounding mode, which, is commonly used in Jazz, Blues and Irish folk songs. This mode can be heard in the folk song Scarborough Fair and the timeless classic Eleanor Rigby by the Beatles. The Dorian Mode differs from the major scale because it has a flat 3rd (b3) and a flat 7th note (b7).

Quality
Jazzy, Soulful, Sophisticated

Music Styles
Jazz, Blues, Fusion, Rock

Tonic Chords
Unaltered minor chords; i.e. Dm, Dm6, Dm7, Dm7sus4, Dm9, Dm11, Dm13

Improvising
Try the D Dorian over this chord progression: Dm7, Fmaj7, Cmaj7, Em7


Phrygian Mode

Description
The Phrygian Mode is the scale you get when you play one octave up from the third note of a major scale. E Phrygian starts on the third note of the C major scale. This sad, exotic sounding mode is often found in Spanish, Hebrew and Gypsy music. Robert Plant from Led Zeppelin used this mode in his song Calling to you and the great Miles Davis featured this mode extensively in his inspiring album Sketches of Spain. The Phrygian Mode differs from the major scale because it has a flat 2nd (b2), a flat 3rd (b3), a flat 6th (b6) and a flat 7th note (b7).

Quality
Spanish, Exotic, Dark

Music Styles
Flamenco, Fusion, Speed Metal

Tonic Chords
Minor chords; i.e. Em, Em7, Em7b9, Em11 (no 9)

Improvising
Try the E Phrygian over this chord progression: Em, Fmaj7, Em7, Am7


Lydian Mode

Description
The Lydian Mode is the scale you get when you play one octave up from the fourth note of a major scale. F Lydian starts on the fourth note of the C major scale. Compared to the major scale, the fourth step of the Lydian Mode may sound a little strange; however, this sharpened fourth note (#4) is what gives this mode its modern and uplifting tonality. The theme songs from the popular TV cartoons The Simpsons and The Jetsons are both based on the Lydian Mode.

Quality
Airy, Hollow, Light

Music Styles
Jazz, Fusion, Country, Rock

Tonic Chords
Major chords; i.e. F, F6, Fmaj7, Fmaj7b5, Fmaj7#11, Fadd9, Fmaj9, Fmaj13

Improvising
Try the F Lydian over this chord progression: Fmaj9, Cmaj7, Bm7b5, Cmaj7


Mixolydian Mode

Description
The Mixolydian Mode is the scale you get when you play one octave up from the fifth note of a major scale. G Mixolydian starts on the fifth note of the C major scale. The Mixolydian is also known as the dominant 7th scale because it is suited to dominant 7th chords. Blues guitarists like the great B.B. King, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Santana and Eric Clapton have often used this mode in their songs. Norwegian Wood by the Beatles is based on this mode. The Mixolydian Mode differs from the major scale because it has a flat 7th note (b7). This is why it sounds Bluesy and Mellow.

Quality
Bluesy, Mellow

Music Styles
Blues, Country, Rock, Rockabilly

Tonic Chords
Unaltered dominant chords; i.e. G7, G7sus4, G9, G11, G13

Improvising
Try the G Mixolydian over this chord progression: G7, Cmaj7, Dm7, Am7


Aeolian Mode

Description
The Aeolian Mode is the scale you get when you play one octave up from the sixth note of a major scale. A Aeolian starts on the sixth note of the C major scale. This sad sounding mode is also known as the relative or natural minor scale and is often found in Pop and Rock songs. The solo in Stairway to Heaven by Jimmy Page from Led Zeppelin is in this mode. The Aeolian Mode differs from the major scale because it has a flat 3rd (b3), a flat 6th (b6) and a flat 7th note (b7).

Quality
Sad, Sorrowful

Music Styles
Pop, Rock, Blues, Heavy Metal, Fusion, Country, Classical

Tonic Chords
Minor chords; i.e. Am, Am7, Am7sus4, Am add9, Am9, Am11

Improvising
Try the A Aeolian over this chord progression: Am, C, G, Em


Locrian Mode

Description
The Locrian Mode is the scale you get when you play one octave up from the seventh note of a major scale. B Locrian starts on the seventh note of the C major scale. This strange sounding mode is very unstable, due to the fact it has a flat 5th note (b5) in its scale. The half-diminished seventh chord (m7b5) suits this mode, however, you?ll find this mode is rarely used at all. Sad but True by Metallica has a Locrian feel in the main riff. The Locrian Mode differs from the major scale because it has a flat 2nd (b2), a flat 3rd (b3), a flat 5th (b5), a flat 6th (b6) and a flat 7th note (b7).

Quality
Sinister, Anxious, Haunting

Music Styles
Jazz, Fusion, Dark Metal

Tonic Chords
Diminished triad or Half-diminished chords; i.e. Bmb5, Bm7b5

Improvising
Try the B Locrian over this chord progression: Bm7b5, Am7, F, C


I hope you enjoyed the tutorial.

Damo


`
Keep practising to develop skills, study to gain knowledge and most importantly,
keep on writing and jammin' those tunes to develop the creative side.

Damo
www.jordie.com.au - The Free Tutorial Website

Another member wrote this awhile back. It shows which modes to use in what situations. Depending on the mood and feel you want to put out.