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What do all of the
following seven scale charts have in common? They are all in a different
key, different scale type, but yet they do look alike. There are seven
different scales and each has a name. Together they are know as the
modes.
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The first mode is the Ionian mode. It is also
know as the major scale.
It can be used over a C or CM7 chord.
The scale tones are C, D, E, F, G, A, B.
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The second mode is the Dorian. It is good for
rocking out. The scale tones I like best are the 3b & 7b.
I can be used over a D7 chord or a Dmin7 chord.
The scale tones are D, E, F, G, A, B, C.
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The third mode is the Phrygian. It also has
the 3b & 7b but also has a b2 and a flat 6th interval. It has
a Spanish flavor.
The scale tones are E, F, G, A, B, C.
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The fourth mode is the Lydian.
Use it over a FM7 chord.
The scale tones are F, G, A, B, C, D, E.
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The fifth mode of the scale is Mixolydian. It
is a dominant 7th scale. Use this going from a G7 to a C chord.
The scale tones are G, A, B, C, D, E, F.
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The Aeolian is another minor scale. It has the
flatted 3rd & 7th, but also gives us a flatted 6th. This could
be used over an Amin7 chord.
The scale tones are A, B, C, D, E, F, G.
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The Locrian is another cool scale. It is used
over a half-diminished scale or a minor 7 flat 5 chord.
The scale tones are B, C, D, E, F, G, A.
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The thing you should notice is that they are all the same pattern.
Everyone of them is the pattern of a C major scale. This manner of looking
at the scales is called the modes. The major scale becomes a family.
Each tone of the scale is a starting point and is given a name. The
seven major modes are all on this page. Memorize their names and which
scale tone they start on.
You learn
one pattern and you have seven different scales. The key is seeing where
the half step moves are located in the scale. The locrian starts with
a half step move. The major starts with a whole step.
Modal Scale Shortcuts
If you're having as hard of a time as I did trying to figure out the
modes, then this article will either help you or confuse you even more.
I use the seven major modes in a lot of my playing and have come up
with shortcuts that help me keep things simple and that can be helpful
when your live and on stage.
The Ionian mode is the major scale and no shortcut is needed
for this one. You know it and you love it.
The Dorian mode is used for a minor seventh scale. The easiest
way to play this one is to play the major scale a full step below the
chord you playing over. For example, if your using an Am7, then you
would play a G major scale over that chord. The G major scale and A
Dorian scale is the same pattern!
The Phrygian scale is used for a Spanish sound. I use it when
I play songs like La Fiesta. The best example of this is to let
someone play an E major chord and you play some licks using a C major
scale. Concentrate on the E & B notes of the scale. The shortcut for
a phrygian scale is to take the key your in and play a major scale based
on the b6th tone. For example, if you are in E then the b6th
tone is C. It as simple as that. You can also use a phrygian scale over
a minor chord for a far out solo. Experiment with this one.
The Lydian scale is used over a major 7th chord and it gives
you the #4 tone as its characteristic. The shortcut for this one is
to play a scale based on the fifth tone of the original key. For example,
if your in Fmaj7, then you would play a C scale. The C scale has a natural
B and that is the #4 of the key of F.
The Mixolydian scale is used over a dominant seventh chord.
This one is really simple. The shortcut that I use for this one to play
in the key I'm going to. Sound confusing? If I see a C7th chord, I know
that that should take me to an F chord. So I play in the key of F. That's
the key I'm going to. If you look at a C mixolydian scale and an F major
scale, then you will notice that they are the same exact pattern. Another
way is to play a major scale based on the fourth tone of our original
key.
The Aeolian scale is another minor scale. It has a b6
rather than a natural 6 tone like the Dorian. To achieve a quick Aeolian
scale play a scale a step-and-a half higher than the one your in. For
example, if I'm playing a C minor chord, then I want to play an Eb
major scale to get the Aeolian sound. Eb is a step-and-a
half up the scale from C.
The Locrian mode is far out and is used over a half-diminished
chord. The shortcut to this scale is to play the major scale a half
step higher than the key your in. For example, if you are in the key
of B and want a Locrian scale then we would play a C major scale. That's
a half step higher than B.
The modes can be fun a bring a lot of different sounds to your playing.
The neatest thing about them is that you only need to know the 12 major
scales and then substitute the one you need to get the mode you want.
Each mode has characteristics that give them their individuality and
you should study each one and work up some different ways to use each
of them. The key is to spend that time behind your guitar and put the
music in your hands and then you can play from the heart.
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Scales
7