Relating a mode to the major scale from which it is derived — the relative approach — is one way of thinking about a mode.
Viewing a mode as an independent scale and comparing it to the major scale with the same root note — the parallel approach — is another way of thinking about a mode.
This post will use the parallel approach to construct the modes of the major scale and provide instruction on how to play them on a guitar with any root note.
Scale Formulas
As with chords, scales have numerical formulas based on the major scale with the same root note. Each type of scale has a numerical formula that indicates which notes in the major scale are included in that type of scale.
In this post, we will compare each of the modal scales with the major scale with the same tonic (or root note) to determine the scale formula for that type of modal scale.
We will compare the following scales to a C major scale:
- C Ionian scale.
- C Dorian scale.
- C Phrygian scale.
- C Lydian scale.
- C Mixolydian scale.
- C Aeolian scale.
- C Locrian scale.
Once we have the scale formula for each of the modal scales, we will be able to construct any modal scale by altering the major scale with the same root note.
Ionian Scale
The Ionian mode is the first mode of the major scale and is identical to the major scale — the same scale by a different name.
A C major scale (fig.1a) and a C Ionian scale (fig.1b) both contain the notes C, D, E, F, G, A and B.
So the scale formula for an Ionian scale is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.
Fig.1a
Fig.1b
Dorian Scale
A C Dorian scale is the second mode of a Bb major scale and contains the same notes run from C to C (fig.2).
Fig.2
If we compare a C Dorian scale with a C major scale, we can see that:
- A C major scale contains the notes C, D, E, F, G, A and B.
- A C Dorian scale contains the notes C, D, Eb, F, G, A and Bb.
So the scale formula for a Dorian scale is 1, 2, b3, 4, 5, 6, b7.
A Dorian scale contains the first, second, flatted third, fourth, fifth, sixth and flatted seventh degrees of the major scale with the same root note.
Phrygian Scale
A C Phrygian scale is the third mode of an Ab major scale and contains the same notes run from C to C (fig.3).
Fig.3
If we compare a C Phrygain scale with a C major scale, we can see that:
- A C major scale contains the notes C, D, E, F, G, A and B.
- A C Phrygian scale contains the notes C, Db, Eb, F, G, Ab and Bb.
So the scale formula for a Phrygian scale is 1, b2, b3, 4, 5, b6, b7.
A Phrygian scale contains the first, flatted second, flatted third, fourth, fifth, flatted sixth and flatted seventh degrees of the major scale with the same root note.
Lydian Scale
A C Lydian scale is the fourth mode of a G major scale and contains the same notes run from C to C (fig.4).
Fig.4
If we compare a C Lydian scale with a C major scale, we can see that:
- A C major scale contains the notes C, D, E, F, G, A and B.
- A C Lydian scale contains the notes C, D, E, F#, G, A and B.
So the scale formula for a Lydian scale is 1, 2, 3, #4, 5, 6, 7.
A Lydian scale contains the first, second, third, sharped fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh degrees of the major scale with the same root note.
Mixolydian Scale
A C Mixolydian scale is the fifth mode of an F major scale and contains the same notes run from C to C (fig.5).
Fig.5
If we compare a C Mixolydian scale with a C major scale, we can see that:
- A C major scale contains the notes C, D, E, F, G, A and B.
- A C Mixolydian scale contains the notes C, D, E, F, G, A and Bb.
So the scale formula for a Mixolydian scale is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, b7.
A Mixolydian scale contains the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth and flatted seventh degrees of the major scale with the same root note.
Aeolian Scale
A C Aeolian scale is the sixth mode of an Eb major scale and contains the same notes run from C to C (fig.6).
Fig.6
If we compare a C Aeolian scale with a C major scale, we can see that:
- A C major scale contains the notes C, D, E, F, G, A and B.
- A C Aeolian scale contains the notes C, D, Eb, F, G, Ab and Bb.
So the scale formula for an Aeolian scale is 1, 2, b3, 4, 5, b6, b7.
An Aeolian scale contains the first, second, flatted third, fourth, fifth, flatted sixth and flatted seventh degrees of the major scale with the same root note.
Locrian Scale
A C Aeolian scale is the seventh mode of a Db major scale and contains the same notes run from C to C (fig.7).
Fig.7
If we compare a C Locrian scale with a C major scale, we can see that:
- A C major scale contains the notes C, D, E, F, G, A and B.
- A C Locrian scale contains the notes C, Db, Eb, F, Gb, Ab and Bb.
So the scale formula for a Locrian scale is 1, b2, b3, 4, b5, b6, b7.
A Locrian scale contains the first, flatted second, flatted third, fourth, flatted fifth, flatted sixth and flatted seventh degrees of the major scale with the same root note.
Summary of Modal Scale Formulas
The scale formulas for the modal scales covered in this post are summarized below:
- Ionian scale: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.
- Dorian scale: 1, 2, b3, 4, 5, 6, b7.
- Phrygian scale: 1, b2, b3, 4, 5, b6, b7.
- Lydian scale: 1, 2, 3, #4, 5, 6, 7.
- Mixolydian scale: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, b7.
- Aeolian scale: 1, 2, b3, 4, 5, b6, b7.
- Locrian scale: 1, b2, b3, 4, b5, b6, b7.
Modes of the Major Scale on a Guitar: The Parallel Approach
With the parallel approach to modes, each mode is treated as an independent scale and compared with the major scale with the same root note.
With this approach, to play a modal scale on a guitar we have two options:
- Learn a separate fingering for each modal scale.
- Play the major scale fingering but alter the appropriate note or notes based on the modal scale formula.
The first option is by far the easier one and the one we will use in this post.
Dorian Scale
A common fingering for a Dorian scale is shown in fig.8.
Fig.8
This fingering will allow you to play a Dorian scale starting on any note:
- To play a C Dorian scale, start the pattern on the C on the sixth string, eighth fret (fig.9a).
- To play an E Dorian scale, start the pattern on the E on the sixth string, 12th fret (fig.9b).
Phrygian Scale
A common fingering for a Phrygian scale is shown in fig.10.
Fig.10
This fingering will allow you to play a Phrygian scale starting on any note:
- To play a C Phrygian scale, start the pattern on the C on the sixth string, eighth fret (fig.11a).
- To play an E Phrygian scale, start the pattern on the E on the sixth string, 12th fret (fig.11b).
Fig.11
Lydian Scale
A common fingering for a Lydian scale is shown in fig.12.
Fig.12
This fingering will allow you to play a Lydian scale starting on any note:
- To play a C Lydian scale, start the pattern on the C on the sixth string, eighth fret (fig.13a).
- To play an E Lydian scale, start the pattern on the E on the sixth string, 12th fret (fig.13b).
Fig.13
Mixolydian Scale
A common fingering for a Mixolydian scale is shown in fig.14.
Fig.14
This fingering will allow you to play a Mixolydian scale starting on any note:
- To play a C Mixolydian scale, start the pattern on the C on the sixth string, eighth fret (fig.15a).
- To play an E Mixolydian scale, start the pattern on the E on the sixth string, 12th fret (fig.15b).
Fig.15
Aeolian Scale
A common fingering for an Aeolian scale is shown in fig.16.
Fig.16
This fingering will allow you to play an Aeolian scale starting on any note:
- To play a C Aeolian scale, start the pattern on the C on the sixth string, eighth fret (fig.17a).
- To play an E Aeolian scale, start the pattern on the E on the sixth string, 12th fret (fig.17b).
Fig.17
Locrian Scale
A common fingering for a Locrian scale is shown in fig.18.
Fig.18
This fingering will allow you to play a Locrian scale starting on any note:
- To play a C Locrian scale, start the pattern on the C on the sixth string, eighth fret (fig.19a).
- To play an E Locrian scale, start the pattern on the E on the sixth string, 12th fret (fig.19b).
Fig.19
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