Guitar Modes Chart: a different view on modes

We have created this guitar learning software to help you understand modes in an easy and interactive way.

In many online guitar lessons there is a lot of confusion about modes, in particular when related to guitar scales. The best way to deal with modes is simply to consider them as types of scales. We all know the major scale, that is built with the following structure: R-W-W-H-W-W-W-H (root, 2 whole steps, 1 half-step, 3 whole steps, 1 half-step). Each mode has its own specific structure, and then has its specific sound.

For example, the lydian mode is a scale built with the following structure: R-W-W-W-H-W-W-H (root, 3 whole steps, 1 half-step, 2 whole-steps). The difference from the major scale is the third step, that in Lydian is a whole-step instead of an half-step.

Here's an example with the C root:

C Major Scale: C D E F G A B

C Lydian scale C D E F# G A B

So what's the deal with modes? It turns out that there is a relationship among modes, and it's possible to generate modes (read "scales") starting from just 3 main scales: the major scale, the harmonic minor scale, and the melodic minor scale.

If we create a sequence of notes using the notes of the main scale (whether major, harmonic or melodic minor), but starting from a different note each time, we obtain different structures. These are called modes. In particular:

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

As you can see, in each scale/mode, there are always the same 7 notes, that belongs to the C major scales, but we have 7 different sounds and structures because we start from a different root, thus the whole-steps and half-steps combination is unique for each mode.

Chords and Modes

From a scale, we can generate a number of chords, following the rules of chords construction. For example, from the C major scale, we obtain 3 major chords (C, G and F), 3 minors (E, A, D) and one half-diminished (B). We can assemble these chords to create chord progressions, such as the classic I, IV V. But we can do the same operation with any other scale we like, instead of the major scale, and we'll get different colors and mood. This will be the topic of a future post, for the moment you just have to know that to each mode correspond a specific set of chords and then a unique sound (as the tool above shows you).

Modes of the Major Scale

Lydian 1 2 3 #4 5 6 7 Ionian 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Mixolidian 1 2 3 4 5 6 b7 Dorian 1 2 b3 4 5 6 b7 Aeolian 1 2 b3 4 5 b6 b7 Phrygian 1 b2 b3 4 5 b6 b7 Locrian 1 b2 b3 4 b5 b6 b7 Modes Chart of the Major Scale

Ionian - 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

The Ionian mode is another name for the Major Scale, its mood is something like happiness and joy. Ionian Scale Guitar Tabs.

Dorian - 1 2 b3 4 5 6 b7

The Dorian mode is different from the Ionian mode because this scale has the minor 3rd, and the minor seventh (b3, b7). Its sound is minor and it's one of the most used scale over min 7th chords.Dorian Scale Guitar Tabs.

Phrygian - 1 b2 b3 4 5 b6 b7

The Phrygian mode has the second, the third, the sixth and the seventh minor (b2, b3, b6, b7). Its sound is dark and "arabic". Phrygian Scale Guitar Tabs.

Lydian - 1 2 3 #4 5 6 7

The Lydian mode is almost similar to the ionic mode, apart the fourth that in this case is raised by one half-step (#4). Its sound is major and it's used over maj 7th chords. Lydian Scale Guitar Tabs.

Mixolydian - 1 2 3 4 5 6 b7

The Mixolydian mode is similar to the Ionic mode, apart the seventh that is minor (b7). It's used over dominant 7th chords. Mixolydian Scale Guitar Tabs.

Aeolian - 1 2 b3 4 5 b6 b7

The Aeolian mode is another name for the Minor Scale: it's the relative natural minor scale and sounds well over minor chords. Aeolian Scale Guitar Tabs.

Locrian - 1 b2 b3 4 b5 b6 b7

The Locrian mode has a particular sound, it fits well on half-diminished chords. It has all the degree minor and the 5th diminished. Locrian Scale Guitar Tabs.

Modes of the Harmonic Minor Scale

Aeolian maj7 1 2 b3 4 5 b6 7 Locrian #6 1 b2 b3 4 b5 6 b7 Ionian #5 1 2 3 4 #5 6 7 Dorian #4 1 2 b3 #4 5 6 b7 Phrygian Dominant 1 b2 3 4 5 b6 b7 Lydian #2 1 #2 3 #4 5 6 7 Super Locrian bb7 1 b2 b3 b4 b5 b6 bb7 The 7 Modes of the Harmonic Minor Scale

Harmonic Minor Scale - 1 2 b3 4 5 b6 7

The Harmonic Minor mode (also called Ipoionian 6b mode, or Aeolian Maj7 mode) is very close to the natural Minor Scale, apart the seventh that here is major. Aeolian Maj7 Scale Guitar Tabs.

Dorian b2 b5 - 1 b2 b3 4 b5 6 b7

The Dorian b2 b5 mode (also called Locrian #6 mode) is quite similar to the Dorian mode from the Major Scale, except for the second and fifth that here are lowered by one half-step (b2,b5). Dorian b2 b5 Scale Guitar Tabs.

Ionian Augmented - 1 2 3 4 #5 6 7

The Ionian Augmented mode (#5) is similar to the Ionian Mode, in this case the fifth is augmented (#5). Ionian Augmented Scale Guitar Tabs.

Lydian Minor - 1 2 b3 #4 5 6 b7

The Lydian Minor mode, also called Dorian #4 mode, has the fourth raised by one half step, and the third and seventh minor (b3, b7). Lydian Minor Scale Guitar Tabs.

Phrygian Dominant - 1 b2 3 4 5 b6 b7

The Phrygian Dominant mode, also called Mixolydian 6b 9b mode, is the mode that characterizes the Flamenco Spanish Guitar sound. Phryigian Dominant Guitar Tabs.

Aeolian Harmonic - 1 #2 3 #4 5 6 7

The Aeolian Harmonic mode, also called Lydian #2 mode, is close to the Lydian mode from the Major Scale, except the second that here is raised by one half-step. Aeolina Harmonic Scale Guitar Tabs.

Super Locrian bb7 - 1 b2 b3 b4 b5 b6 bb7

The Super Locrian bb7, also called Super Locrian Diminished or Altered bb7 has all the degree lowered by one half-step, apart the seventh that is diminished (bb7). Super Locrian bb7 Scale Guitar Tabs.

Modes of the Melodic Minor Scale

Melodic Minor 1 2 b3 4 5 6 7 Dorian b2 1 b2 b3 4 5 6 b7 Lydian Augmented 1 2 3 #4 #5 6 7 Lydian Dominant 1 2 3 #4 5 6 b7 Mixolydian b6 1 2 3 4 5 b6 b7 Aeolian b5 1 2 b3 4 b5 b6 b7 Superlocrian 1 b2 b3 b4 b5 b6 b7 Modes Chart of the Melodic Minor Scale

Melodic Minor - 1 2 b3 4 5 6 7

The Melodic Minor mode, also called Ipoionian Mode, has the third minor but the seventh major. It's a minor scale. Melodic Minor Scale Guitar Tabs.

Dorian b2 - 1 b2 b3 4 5 6 b7

The Dorian b2 mode is quite similar to the Dorian Mode of the Major Scale, it has the second minor (b2). It's a minor scale. Dorian b2 Scale Guitar Tabs.

Lydian Augmented (#5) - 1 2 3 #4 #5 6 7

The Lydian Augmented Mode is similar to the Lydian Mode, it has also the fifth augmented. This mode has the third major, so it is a major scale. Lydian Augmented Guitar Tabs.

Lydian Dominant - 1 2 3 #4 5 6 b7

The Lydian Dominant (also called Lydian b7 mode or Mixolydian #4 mode) has the particular characteristic to have the third major and the fourh augmented. Lydian Dominant Scale Guitar Tabs.

Mixolydian b6 - 1 2 3 4 5 b6 b7

The Mixolydian b6 Mode is also called Hindu scale. Observing the first, third, fifth e seventh of this scale, it seems related to a dominant 7 chord. Mixolydian b6 Scale Guitar Tabs.

Aeolian b5 - 1 2 b3 4 b5 b6 b7

The Aeolian b5 mode, also called Locrian #2 mode, is related to the min7/b5 chord. Aeolian b5 Scale Guitar Tabs.

Super Locrian - 1 b2 b3 b4 b5 b6 b7

The Super Locrian Mode sounds particulary well over altered dominant seventh chords. Super Locrian Scale Guitar Tabs.

Modal Chord Progressions

Modes are incredibly helpful to create new chord progressions.

You just have to use the chords generated from each mode and see the different colors and feelings.

For example, the well-known chord progression I V vi IV, in C major is C G Am F

Now, play the same chord progression with the chords generated from the Lydian mode (you can see the chords of the Lydian mode with the tool at the top of this page):

Now you have C, G, Am and F#b5 (because of the sharp 4th of the Lydian mode).

Try experimenting with other chord progressions, other modes and even 4 tones chords, a world full of new colors will open up.

Guitar Scales and Modes Chart: further resources

Hope you found useful this interactive modes chart. We have just scratched the surface of the world of modes for guitar. Mastering modes open up a new world of musical options and creativity. Here below you find some links that will help you deepen your modes understanding.

This is a fantastic lessons series on Music Theory, Scales and Modes that will help master music theory in an easy way. The series is hosted on Jamplay, and you'll get access to the full lessons list.