I was very frustrated with this untill i found a cool and ''easy'' method for the modes. I see it in a slightly different way. Think of it this way.
The 7 modes in order are:
1. Ionian
2. Dorian
3. Phrygian
4. Lydian
5. Mixolydian
6. Aolian
7. Locrian
Ionian mode is basically the Major scale. And here is the important thing.
All the modes can use the same pattern of notes (the MAJOR SCALE is basically all the modes, just played in different places) Let me give you an example.
If you are in the key of E and you wonna play the first mode Ionian which is the major scale: lets say you start on the 12 fret with a 3 note per string pattern. Im sure you know that one.
in THAT mode the rote note is the first note your playing, in that pattern. Now here is the thing. If you move the pattern back 2 half notes, and start it on D on 10 fret. Then you are playing a Dorian mode in E. Reason:
When you moved the pattern back, the pattern of notes stayed the same, but the rote note E is now placed on the second note in the pattern (And Dorian is the 2 mode in order, you see?)
Lets move on to phrygian (3 mode) short explained:
Play the 3 note per string or any other major scale pattern, so that the third note of the scale is an E note. Can you figure that one out?
Try out the C major scale. Nomatter how you play it, The third note of the C major scale is an E..... So major scale in C, is also called the E Phrygian mode. Phrygian mode is the THIRD mode in order? Is this making sense? :)
This is all about where you place the rote note with the same pattern, and you move it around according to that. That is how i learned it atleast.
The modes are all just the major scale placed in different places!!!!