How To Use Guitar Modes For Beginners

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Have you been relying on pentatonic scales and feel that guitar modes are too complicated and reserved to hard-core jazz music? Think again! In this guitar lesson David Wallimann shows you how to approach modes in a very simple and easy to understand way. Most of the confusion often comes from the vocabulary used such as Ionian, Dorian, Phrygian, Lydian, Mixolydian, Aeolian and Locrian.

Instead of seeing those scales as complicated mathematic equations, let's see guitar modes as different musical alphabets that allow us to explore different musical countries. All you need to know is the formula – alphabet – of the mode your are using. The rest is simply a matter of phrasing and developing your musical ideas on your guitar.

Recommended playlists

►How to Play Melodic
►How to Use Guitar Modes
►How to Play Blues

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[Joshsguitarlessons]

One thing I think is missing from all these videos about modes on YouTube is when to actually use them and over what chords and in what context. It’s all well and good to know the Dorian scale and how to use it to solo, but when? And what chords do you use? And why?

[Mattspsycho]

Best lessons ever, you actually rationalize the music!

[corex]

Brother! I think you might be the only guy I've found that can explain this. Thankyou. I will be purchasing stuff from you as I make it down the funnel. I'm really interested in your business wisdom too. Thank you again, David.

[wreckoningday]

Man, this really helped me alot. I've been playing for a while but have always viewed my modes based out of the pentatonics and this just opened up a new approach for me that that i think is going to open up some creativeness. Thanks for sharing this!

[XreoconX]

I have been wanting to learn different modes for a very long time now, thank you very much for covering this topic

[hub]

Do a video where you "visit the countries" for a bit longer. :D That was awesome :D

[gfrozin]

That's a very nice way to put in a simpler a rather complex theme.
I've heard Guthrie Govan say the same thing, that if you know the pentatonic scale, you already know 5 out of seven notes of at least 3 modes. So it becomes a little more inviting to explore de extra notes and how they sound...
Thank you!

[TimGuitarcouk]

You are a great teacher David. Outstanding video.

[nelsonpadilla]

Thanks so much for this, brother 🙏🏼😁
Using the analogy of Countries for the modes, and the notes being languages definitely helped me piece together the concept of modes way easier 🤘🏼🎶
Cheers!

[gorgemusic]

Great description and analogies. Fine work sir!

[Saaz]

That thing with teachers giving just the ionian scale and deducing the rest from there happend to me when i was 16 years old. Hat to go a long way to end my confusion about this and am now slowly getting out of it 17 years later ;) thanks for posting.

[RemyLuciani]

I like your metaphor. Thanks David! :-]

[zygmaszel]

l'm beginer 5 years already, after this l'm a Pro, thanks Dave, thanks everyone that could happend

[dingoswamphead]

Hi David, Thanks. I am beginning to fill in my Music Theory DNA Worksheet based on this. It is fun!

[funkyboss]

Very well put. Especially about those teaching it in the context of the major scale. That always made confused on what key can I play these in? The major scale key they are based on? Then questions like is E mixolydian a scale in E or is it part of the "parent" major scale. I think that way seems simpler only to those who already understand modes.

[ejm]

great work! your solos are different to others- like them alot!

[voiceoftreason]

Thanks, something just clicked for me. A major pentatonic scale is a major diatonic scale without the 4th and 7th scale degrees. By altering either of these you get another mode. Mixolydian has a flat 7 and lydian a sharp 4. A minor pentatonic scale is a minor diatonic scale without the 2nd and 6th scale degrees. By altering either of these you get a another mode. Dorian has a sharp 6th and phrygian a flat 2nd. I'll leave locrian for another day.

[dewwhatchadew]

hey Dave great video I watched it twice, that's how I originally learned how to play modal was to learn the major scales an then jus go to the root an then I'd be in the key of whatever mode I was going for. so you don't think that's a good way for someone to approach Learning modal playing?

[chrispaquette]

So what modal language goes with which country?

[Daan_P.]

Do you have to change the dorian shape from position if you change from chord to still play dorian?