Scale Fingering.
3 Modes, 1 Fretboard, All keys.
Improvisation comes from scales. Chords come from scales. Everything in music comes from scales. Learning how to practice these scales correctly can make a huge difference in the way you play.
Yes, you must know your modes.
Okay, so - you really only need to know a few modes. You absolutely need to know all of your Pentatonic patterns, in both major and minor. You also need to know the “diatonic” scales too. In the simplest terms, the diatonic scale is, basically - all seven notes from a key.
Every note in a key has its own scale name.
For example, if we use the key of “C major”, the notes are: C, D, E, F, G, A and B. Each of those notes is the root note for its own mode:
C - Ionian, D - Dorian, E - Phrygian, F - Lydian, G - Mixolydian, A - Aeolian, and B Locrian.
It helps to know how to play each of these modes, because each one is slightly different from the other. The Ionian, Lydian and Mixolydian are all major scales. The Dorian, Phrygian and the Aeolian are all minor scales. The Locrian is a diminished scale.
What’s the difference between a mode and a scale?
Modes are created from scales. A mode is a scale that starts and ends on different notes.
How much does this actually matter?
Without getting too deep into it, each mode has a specific sound that is different from all of the other modes. For example, the difference between the Dorian, the Phrygian and the Aeolian modes looks like this:
C - Dorian: C, D, Eb, F, G, A, Bb
This mode has a “iii” and a “vii” in it.
C - Phrygian: C, Db, Eb, F, G, Ab, Bb
This mode has a “ii”, “iii”, “vi” and a “vii” in it.
C - Aeolian: C, D, Eb, F, G, Ab, Bb
This mode has a “iii”, “vi” and a “vii” in it.
As you can see/hear, each of the modes have a few slightly different notes in them. This is where the difference in the sound of the mode can be heard. You could play a C minor chord and improvise over each mode, over that chord; and each mode will sound uniquely different.
Okay, so how many of these modes do we really need to know?
I have been instructing beginner and intermediate guitar lessons for many years; and when it comes to learning how to improvise, I have tried to make things as easy as possible for the novice guitar player, by breaking it all down into the three modes that you really need to know. Here they are…
The Ionian Mode (The major scale)
There really is no way around learning this scale. It is a must because all of the other modes come from it. It is literally: “Doe, Ray, Me, Fah, So, Lah, Tee, (Doe)” Do you remember learning that in Kindergarten? Just watch the movie, “The Sound of Music” to have Julie Andrews explain it.
The Phrygian Mode (a minor scale)
I like teaching this mode because it is SO easy to learn, play and use for beginners learning improvisation. The Phrygian mode is a minor mode, so it has a specific minor quality to it.
The Aeolian Mode (The relative minor scale)
This “relative” minor scale means relative to the Ionian or the major scale. All keys in music can be understood as either major or minor, depending on the music.
So, all three modes put together look like this:
Now, how do you use these modes?
Let’s say the song you want to improvise in is in the key of A major. That means you can use the A Ionian mode, right smack in the middle of the fretboard. What if you want to play higher or lower notes and break out of the Ionian mode? Well, you can also play either the C# Phrygian, which would be higher notes; or you can use the F# Aeolian, which would be lower notes.
Take a look at this chart below, to figure out which mode you can use for any of the twelve keys, anywhere on the fretboard.
Yes, you can use the other four modes, (Dorian, Lydian, Mixolydian and Locrian), just as easily to improvise. I use the Ionian, Phrygian and Aeolian modes because they all tie together like a conveyor belt of endless notes on the fretboard. All of the other four modes are already in there.
I know this may all seem a bit confusing.
Trust me, I understand. It can be a bit overwhelming and intimating when it comes to learning how to play and use modes for melody and improvisation on the guitar.
The best approach to learn these modes is to try each of the three modes above, and learn them by heart. Memorize where the major root notes are for each mode so you can easily apply them to any key. Start off learning the Ionian mode. Then move on to the other two modes. Practice everyday. Use a metronome at all times.