Learning Modes

[NC11-AM] Since I could not find an "edit" button for my last lesson and felt like my O.C.D. would kick in about them being easily readable, I've decided to make a part 2 for my lesson so clarity can be achieved!!! After reading comments on my last lesson, it took me about 5 minutes to decide to write a Part 2

So looking at my old lesson, I was using C as a general starting note for all 7 of the modes. By now, you should know your major/minor scales and have a semi-firm grasp on modes. BUT some of you may not have any idea (or only a slight idea) of where notes are on a fretboard. This is an easy fix, AND has awesome benefits too! And for those of you who already know notes on a fretboard, pay attention anyway because how of the patterns I'm using to make life easier on the guitar.

The pattern of of fingerings and where the go is something I was introduced to not too long ago. I was told by a friend that virtuosic guitarist Paul Gilbert uses it a lot but as I looked deeper at it, others did the same (Bassist Billy Sheehan admits in an interview/lesson on YouTube, that he has only knows patterns and not notes) so its widely recognized and used by assorted artists and instrumentalist.

This is known as "Linear Playing". The concept and application is SUPER EASY. Pick a fret, any fret. Figure out which mode you want to play (This choice will depict the scale pattern you will be playing) The idea from here is an EXACT repeating pattern in your fingers and moving to the string and frets needed to finish the pattern. I will post up a lesson on this style of playing in more detail later on, but for now, it's the basics or I'd have 2 lessons in one!

Lets start with the Ionian mode (Or Major Scale) on the note C on the A String using this "Linear Playing". We're only going to go one octave and you wont see the pattern till I put my lesson up on it so bear with me!

e[-------------------------
B[-------------------------
G[--------------------4--5-
D[-----------3--5--7-------
A[--3--5--7----------------
E[-------------------------

Your fingering should be Index(3), Middle(5), and Pinky(7) for both the A and D strings and Index(4) and Middle(5) on the G string. This is your pattern for a major scale anywhere on the neck, the ONE TIME you must make an exception is when you go from G string to B string. YOU MUST COMPENSATE BY GOING UP 1 FRET for the tuning interval between those 2 strings or you'll be a half step flat ending the scale!

 

The Aeolian mode (Or Natural Minor Scale) pattern on the same note looks like this:

e[-------------------------
B[-------------------------
G[--------------------3--5-
D[-----------3--5--6-------
A[--3--5--6----------------
E[-------------------------

Fingering should be Index(3), Ring(5), Pinky(6) both strings and Index(3) and Ring(5) on the G string. I've also seen people play this scale as Index(3), Middle(5), Ring(6) so the only difference between major and minor pattern is the placement of the Pinky but to me, there's a little strain in my hand doing that and that could be a problem later on so I guess it's personal preference. I learned both ways just to be familiar with it.

 

If you notice that the only differences between major and minor in the beginning are 1 fret (7 to 6) and the end (4 to 5). Once you memorize this pattern, you can play it anywhere on the fret board!

Looking at it now, we have C Ionian as posted above.
Next would be C Dorian (Minor scale, Raised(#) 6th)

e[-------------------------
B[-------------------------
G[--------------------3--5-
D[-----------3--5--7-------
A[--3--5--6----------------
E[-------------------------

Fingering should be Index(A3), Ring(A5), Pinky(A6), Index(D3), Middle(D5), Pinky(D7), Index(G3), Ring(G5)After that is C Phrygian (Minor Scale, Lowered(b) 2nd)

e[-------------------------
B[-------------------------
G[--------------------3--5-
D[-----------3--5--6-------
A[--3--4--6----------------
E[-------------------------

Fingering should be Index(A3), Middle(A4), Pinky(A6), Index(D3), Ring(D5), Pinky(D6), Index(G3), Ring(G5)Next is Lydian (Major Scale, Raised(#) 4th)

e[-------------------------
B[-------------------------
G[--------------------4--5-
D[-----------4--5--7-------
A[--3--5--7----------------
E[-------------------------

Fingering should be Index(A3), Middle(A5), Pinky(A7), Index(D4), Middle(D5), Pinky(D7), Index(G4), Middle(G5)After that is Mixolydian (Major Scale, Lowered(b) 7th)

e[-------------------------
B[-------------------------
G[--------------------3--5-
D[-----------3--5--7-------
A[--3--5--7----------------
E[-------------------------

Fingering should be Index(A3,D3,G3), Middle(A5,D5,G5), Pinky(A7,D7)Aeolian is posted above
Lastly, Locrian (Minor Scale, Lowered(b) 2nd and 5th)

e[-------------------------
B[-------------------------
G[--------------------3--5-
D[-----------3--4--6-------
A[--3--4--6----------------
E[-------------------------

Fingering should be Index(A3,D3,G3), Middle(A4,D4), Ring(G5), Pinky (A6,D6)

 

These are the 7 modes tabbed out starting on a single note on the same string. You can move these ANYWHERE using the same PATTERN AND FINGERINGS on the fretboard and get the desired mode out of the desired key. For example, Start on the 2nd fret of the A string (which is B natural by the way), move all the NUMBERS you see above DOWN 1 FRET. Use same fingering. Commence Mind Explosion. Do the same thing and start on the E String 3rd Fret (that's G natural) and play the same NUMBER PATTERNS and FINGERING except move them all up (On the low E string) one string. Put mind back in, Commence Mind Explosion again.

EXAMPLES:
1)Lets start on G#/Ab on the low E String and play the Ionian Mode
2)Eb on the D String and play Aeolian just to show the B string compensation. If you notice, if I had started on the A sting my last 2 notes would have ended on the G string and been frets 1 and 3. BUT the B string has to have that 1 FRET compensation so it turns into 2 and 4 instead of 1 and 3.

1)                           2)
e[-------------------------  e[-------------------------
B[-------------------------  B[--------------------2--4-
G[-------------------------  G[-----------1--3--4-------
D[--------------------5--6-  D[--1--3--4----------------
A[-----------4--6--8-------  A[-------------------------
E[--4--6--8----------------  E[-------------------------

As stated in my previous lesson, just make sure to follow the correct amount of Whole steps and Half steps needed for each mode and you cant mess up.

 

In writing this I've also decided to write a 3rd part to this lesson in conjunction with learning where modes are at on the fretboard an linear playing in a more in depth look (Including multiple octaves) as to how it all pans out in the end and little techniques and short cuts I use when I play. It'll be called Learning Modes: The Threequal.

Remember, ANY question, concerns, or corrections, please feel free to drop a comment below and I will respond ASAP. But for now, my hands are killing me from typing and I need a cigarette so in a couple of days, keep a watchful eye out for The Threequal.
-gnomegod