Music Lesson on Diatonic Modes

Introduction

Alright, welcome back! We're going to work with diatonic modes and use those to play a couple of different styles of music. First, let's warm up. This is basically a way to get your four fingers working independently.

Warm-Up Exercise

• Start on the fifth fret
• Tap the note and then pull off
• This is similar to your four by four exercises.

Introducing Diatonic Modes and Chords

I'd like to invite my student Cody on the set.

Understanding Major Scales

• Cody, we've worked on major scales before. Let's learn how to build modes off the major scales.

Finding C and Playing the C Major Scale

1. Find a C down here on the third fret of the A string.
2. Let's run the C major scale for a second:
   C, D, E, F, G, A, B, C

Now, let's take a look at how that works:

• I've got whole steps between everything except:
  • A half step between E and F
  • A half step between B and C

Otherwise, there are whole steps.

• Whole steps: two frets
• Half steps: one fret

Moving Up the A String

Let's take just our ears and the knowledge of where these notes are on the neck and move up the A string to do a C major scale, just moving up one string:

• C, D, E, F, G, A, B, C

Starting Points for the Modes

Now, those notes will become the starting points for the modes.

1. Ionian Mode:
   Starts from C to C

   • Notes: C, D, E, F, G, A, B, C

2. Dorian Mode:
   Starts from D to D

   • Notes: D, E, F, G, A, B, C, D
   • This is a minor sounding scale.

3. Phrygian Mode:
   Starts from E to E

   • Notes: E, F, G, A, B, C, D, E

4. Lydian Mode:
   Starts from F to F

   • Notes: F, G, A, B, C, D, E, F

5. Mixolydian Mode:
   Starts from G to G

   • Notes: G, A, B, C, D, E, F, G

6. Aeolian Mode:
   Starts from A to A (this is the same as the natural minor)

   • Notes: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, A

7. Locrian Mode:
   Starts from B to B

   • Notes: B, C, D, E, F, G, A, B

Closing the Session

Great! Now let's put our second finger down and finish off with a major scale:

• C, D, E, F, G, A, B, C.

Good job! Now, let's take a look a little further and observe how this locks in with the harmony.