Microsoft Word - manual Blues Masters Ebook.doc

THE MODES DRAWN OUT ON PAPER CONTINUED:

If you start any major scale on and emphasize the 2
nd
note, you are playing in the Dorian mode

(Dorian is the 2
nd
mode in any major key). If you start on and emphasize the 3
rd
note you are
playing in the Phrygian mode (Phrygian is the third mode in any major key). If you start on and

emphasize the 5th note you are playing in the Mixolydian mode (Mixolydian is the 5th mode in

any major key). If you start on and emphasize the sixth note you are playing in the Aeolian

mode (Aeolian is the 6
th
mode in any major key).

KEY POINT: When you start on and emphasize a note in a major scale other

than the root of that major scale, then you are playing in a mode.

Listed below are all seven modes constructed in the key of C major. Notice in each mode there
are no sharps or flats, which is consistent with the key of C major. The Dorian mode begins on

the 2nd degree of the C major scale, the D note. The Phrygian mode begins on the 3rd degree

of the C major scale, the E note. The rest of the modes follow this same formula.

Utilize this same formula to examine the modes in all keys and then we can start learning how
to apply these modes to your lead playing. You will be using them in your soloing and

improvisation in no time.

MODE 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

C Major C D E F G A B C

D Dorian D E F G A B C D

E Phrygian E F G A B C D E

F Lydian F G A B C D E F

G Mixolydian G A B C D E F G

A Aeolian A B C D E F G A

B Locrian B C D E F G A B

C Major = D Dorian = E Phrygian = F Lydian = G Mixolydian = A Aeolian = B Locrian

It depends on what notes you start on and emphasize in the parent major scale

KEY POINT: – Know the notes that make up each chord. Get proficient at

targeting these notes, or chord tones during solos. The chord tones, the

roots, 3rds, b3rd if minor, 5ths, b7ths, etc. will be very strong landing

notes, and you will want to land on and resolve to them.