You can learn all the modes in one day. Here's an easy way to learn modes.

Step 1: Start with a C major scale (Ionian).

E:-------------------
B:-------------------
G:------------2-4-5--
D:------2-3-5--------
A:--3-5--------------
E:-------------------

Step 2: Now flat the 7th note and you have the C mixolydian.

E:-------------------
B:-------------------
G:------------2-3-5--
D:------2-3-5--------
A:--3-5--------------
E:-------------------

Play the Mixolydian scale, but now flat the 3rd. Now you got C Dorian.

E:-------------------
B:-------------------
G:------------2-3-5--
D:--------3-5--------
A:--3-5-6------------
E:-------------------

Play that scale again but this time flat the 6th note, and now you have the C minor scale (Aelion).

E:---------------------
B:---------------------
G:--------------3-5----
D:--------3-5-6--------
A:--3-5-6--------------
E:---------------------

Repeat... this time flatten the second note, now you have the C Phrygian scale.

E:---------------------
B:---------------------
G:--------------3-5----
D:--------3-5-6--------
A:--3-4-6--------------
E:---------------------

Repeat... now flatten the fifth note, now you have the C Locrian scale.

E:---------------------
B:---------------------
G:--------------3-5----
D:--------3-4-6--------
A:--3-4-6--------------
E:---------------------

Last, go back and play the C major scale again. This time raise the fourth note up one fret and you will have the C Lydian scale.

E:-------------------
B:-------------------
G:------------2-4-5--
D:------2-4-5--------
A:--3-5--------------
E:-------------------

There's all your modes learned step by step. There are also other modals scales like spanish phrygain, and dorian b2 which will fit in this step-by-step process but I have choosen to leave them out, due to the fact that you should learn the major/minor modals first.

Also, I forgot to meantion one very important thing. When going through these scales. Listen for the note that has has been altered from the previous scale.

Example. Play the C mixolydian scale and listen to the B flat, then play the C major scale and listen how the B flat is now a B natural. Then go back and play the C mixolydian scale again. See how the scale sounds different from altering just one note. Repeat this process all the way up to the last mode.

This will help you gradually understand how each scale sounds different. If you run through them all really fast, they all sound sort of the same. Just take some time to listen closely to how the gradually alter one note at a time. Soon you'll learn them all by the way they sound in no time.

[Edited by noticingthemistake on 01-08-2003 at 11:17 PM]