The Difference Between Scales and Modes

[vlorenzosoleri]

Yes... YESS... Finally, someone who explains modes in a human language!

[angusorvid]

That is an absolutely excellent explanation of scales and modes. Not only do you know your stuff, but you know how to communicate it clearly.

[natehiggers]

This is EXACTLY the video I was looking for..I've been trying to reconcile how notes in a chosen key relate to the modes, and this explains it perfectly.

[spacevspitch]

A mode is basically an inversion of a scale. However, remember that in order to truly be IN a particular mode, your ear has to be hearing the starting note of the mode as the tonal center. So if you're in D dorian which shares all the notes of C major but starts on D, you will be hearing D as the 1, E as 2, F as b3, etc.

[saturnista]

25 years of playing guitar, i have always seen these sort of things as daunting and overwhelming.
but in 4 mins you perfectly explained it to me. nice

[ubuntu]

You picked the best Key to demonstrate what modes are. It's the one I use to teach. If you are just learning modes then this is the absolute best key to start in for several reasons.

G - Ionian
A - Dorian
B - Phrygian
C - Lydian
D - Mixolydian
E - Aeolian
F#- Locrian

I Don't Play Like Most Arse Lickers (hey, works for me)

From there you just transpose. If you started in A Major - that would be equivalent to A Ionian, so B would be your Dorian etc. etc. - basically transposed a whole tone up. I D P L M A L - make up your own mnemonic (aid to memory) - everyone uses something that makes sense to them. Then no matter what the root starting point is, you can move up and down the neck with ease.

Another pro-tip: Learn every single one of these modes in E open - so that would be E Major/Ionian to start with, then learn E Dorian, E Phrygian etc. - the reason being, the open E is the easiest string on a six-string guitar to drone on for obvious reasons - that way you will get a feel for the flavours of the individual modes. Dorian is Funky/Jazzy. Phrygian is Spanish/Classical. Mixolydian is Triumphant/Jubilant. Etc. etc.

And another thing you will probably find is that certain modes speak to you more than others. Many do not have a love for Phrygian, but it is one of my favourites. Most people like Lydian, but it does nothing for me. So, no need to learn every single mode - in fact, few bother with Locrian (when you learn it you will understand) at all. I know all these modes pretty well, but I always miss out Lydian and Locrian, which are, btw, the only two scales in the modal series that contain tritones, making them dissonant. Tritones being an augmented fourth or diminished fifth iirc.

And don't forget this lesson only covers modes of the Major scale. But that is enough to be getting on with for now.

I Don't Play Like Most Arse Lickers.

[NickKronner]

You sir have explained modes in this video better than anyone else from what I've seen. You've convinced me to join your guitar super system, cheers and thanks Tyler!

[Kryogenikz]

I am 29 and I took guitar lessons from when I was 16-19, and while I learned and memorized the modes, I never truly understood the theory behind them. This REALLY helped, thanks so much! (Note: my skill level is still intermediate; I'm no pro, and I play as a hobby very infrequently ;) )

[theelusive]

Did I, after twenty plus years of playing FINALLY hear someone explain mode and scales in PLAIN F-ing Unbelievable. Thanks for this vid, my friend.

[eutytoalba]

By 3:03 all my brain was able to read was WHYWHYYYY. 😅

[JeremyHale]

of all the videos I have seen about modes and modality, you explained it in about 3 minutes where not only can I understand, but I think I could explain to someone else. Thank you. I will sleep better tonight!

[TheIamtheoneandonly]

At last! Someone who has explained this subject clearly. Thank you.

[sabinorinelli]

At last !!! This is a clear and perfect explanation for what are Modes and HOW to achieve those in a sunny day's clear way !!! Finally !!!

[vidmohit]

Dude, thank you! This was a perfectly concise, simple explanation and visual for me to really see the relationship between the scales and modes.

[josephwalker]

Great job with the visual reference (W-W-H-W-W-W-H)...! This is the best/simplest way I've ever heard this explained. Thank you.

[GravenImages]

Holy crap. For years, modes and scales and whatnot confused me immensely. The way you explained it made me feel stupid for being so confused. Definitely going to try your courses out in the near future! Thanks for this!

[scuttfarcus]

That is the BEST description/example of what mode's really are that I've ever heard or seen. Thanks- know it makes sense!

[jibicusmaximus]

i played and taught for years and you made that simple, I find it is the hardest thing for students to get

[summitsparrow]

My God I'm so glad I found this video! I kept asking my brother, "are the notes in a mode the same as the notes in a major scale? If they are, why do they sound different?" He's like "Yeah the notes are different and there's no pattern. Every mode is random." This video made it so much easier to understand. Thanks for creating.

[mullersk]

Man, I love your videos. You have by far the best guitar channel on Youtube.