Originally Posted by: axemaster911A mode is a scale within the key started from a particular degree of the scale, and belive me my friend, I cover them all. When talking about the Phrygian scale, or any other exotic scale your getting into chromatic notes raised, or lowered from the diatonic scale. I dont even know which phrygian mode your referring to because you did not give the key, or note of origan, but thats ok, I'm not posting to match witts with fellow guitarists. My goal is to try and help those who want to improve there skills and knowledge, and if I am wrong about anything feel free to set me straight. I certainly dont know it all, thats why I visit sites like this. Rock on!!

This thread could also be titled "Those who don't understand theory will suffer". Theory is best learned a chunk at a time. Maybe this will shed some light on what I mean by "studying modes". Let's start again from the beginning. A Major scale is made from 7 tones (some whole, some half). Chords built from these tones create a key signature related to the root.
How many tones is a mode made from? 7, right? So if that's the case, any chords built related to the root creates it's own key, making the mode it's own diatonic entity. To really hear the tonal value of each mode play them starting from the same root note. Example G Ionian (Major scale), G Dorian, G Phrygian, G Lydian, G Mixolydian, etc..... Start at G on the third fret, then up an octive to the 15th fret bringing those modes to life.
I encourage you to take plenty of time studying these tones and move them to a different root, listening to the tonal center and how these modes change the mood of the tonal value you're playing.