playing the modes diatonically (C major = C inonian , D minor = D dorian , E minor = E phrygian , F major = F lydian, G 7th = G mixolydian , A minor = A aeolian , B min7th flat 5th = B locrian) is a (sensible) way to LEARN? how they make sense but to get the true flavor of each mode , I do believe the best route to take is to play each mode from one singular root note to notice how each scale changes in flavor... IN THE KEY OF G play each mode from the ROOT OF "G" third fret low E string... also to make it more interesting as you go you can find certain other keys that relate to each mode for ex : G ionian from it's 6th = E aeolian... or G phrygian from it's 4th = C aeolian... or more obscure ones such as G ionain from it's 4th = C lydian... in doing this you'll map the whole neck together quite nicely I think... ask yourself these questions and you'll be playing in more unfamiliar territory, which is really good for any competent guitarist...

for ex : G ionian (G , A , B , C , D , E , F#) major
G dorian (G , A , Bb , C , D , E , F) minor

: quiz yourself w/ random notes outta these modes
what mode will you get if you start the G dorian mode from it's Bb 3rd tone?
the answer is "Bb lydian"... see how it works...??? questions comments ?

G phrygian (G , Ab , A# , C , D , Eb , F) minor
G lydian (G , A , B , C# , D , E , F#) major
:
this is a good method for learning spaces on the use the least
what mode do you get if you begin playing from the C#4th of G lydian ? the answer is "C# locrian"... do this over and over , use the most obscure notes you can possibly come up with and then you'll master the whole fretboard...

G mixolydian (G , A , B , C , D , E , F) dominant 7th
G aeolian (G , A , Bb , C , D , Eb , F) natural minor
G locrian (G , Ab , A# , C , C# , Eb , F) min 7th flat 5th

Franky M.