The Modal System for Guitar
- A Quick Overview

1. Ionian – Major Scale – 1st Degree
The Key of C is used as an example but the modes can be applied to any key.
Step Pattern:   W W W H W W W H
C Ionian Scale: C - D - E - F - G - A - B - C
G Ionian Scale: G - A - B - C - D - E - F# - G



2. Dorian – Flat 3rd, Flat 7th, (Natural Minor with Sharp 6th)
Minor 7th Chords Starts on the 2nd Degree of any Major Scale
Step Pattern:   W W H W W W H W
D Dorian Scale: D - E - F - G - A - B - C - D
A Dorian Scale: A - B - C - D - E - F# - G - A



3. Phrygian – Flat 2nd, 3rd, 6th, 7th, (Natural Minor with flat 2nd)
Minor Chords, Starts on the 3rd Degree of any Major Scale
Step Pattern:   H W W W W H
E Phrygian Scale: E - F - G - A - B - C - D - E
B Phrygian Scale: B - C - D - E - F# - G - A - B



4. Lydian - Sharp 4th, (Major Scale with sharp 4th)
Major Chords, Major 7ths, Jazz
Starts on the 4th Degree of any Major Scale
F Lydian Scale: F - G - A - B - C - D - E - F
C Lydian Scale: C - D - E - F# - G - A - B - C



5. Mixolydian – Flat 7th, (Major Scale with Flat 7th)
Dominant 7th, Major or Minor Blues, Starts on the 5th Degree of any Major Scale
G Mixolydian Scale: G - A - B - C - D - E - F - G
D Mixolydian Scale: D - E - F# - G - A - B - C - D



6. Aeolian – Flat 3rd, 6th, 7th, (Natural Minor Scale) Minor Chords
Starts on the 6th Degree of any Major Scale (Every Major Scale has a relative Minor Scale and vice versa.
A Aeolian Scale: A - B - C - D - E - F - G - A
E Aeolian Scale: E - F# - G - A - B - C - D - E



7. Locrian - Flat 2nd, 3rd, 5th, 6th, 7th (Minor Scale with Flat 2nd, and 5th)
Diminished Minor Seventh/Flat Five Chords, Jazz, (The weird one)
Starts on the 7th Degree of any Major Scale
B Locrian Scale: B - C - D - E - F - G - A - B
F# Locrian Scale: F# - G - A - B - C - D - E - F#


Guitar Modes, Modal System