The most interesting and usefull way of understandingg and play in modes. The chord progressions at the end was an eye and ear opener and really fun to play over.
Awesome explanation. Someone finally puts this in layman terms I can understand and does not try to make it more complicated than it needs to be :) Thank you Dylan.
I taught myself this in very much the way you’re explaining it and I’d say it’s extremely important because without knowing it this developed my Ear. My guitar teacher held the same thing would happen eventually just by learning what you liked and playing songs. I had to learn it this way .
Thanks for the great lesson. Best explanation of the modes I've ever heard. But now, I will forever think of the Ionian mode as the "Frolicking in the Field" mode. Not sure if my blues jam club will accept me any longer.
That’s how I learned to conceptualize the modes as well. As a music major, I also remember being taught the names of each mode originally represented individual regions and their respective peoples, which in turn had particular musical qualities that highlighted characteristics of those people/region. In any event, I found that a useful way to think about it. It’s also super important to begin making music with a particular mode from the very beginning, as opposed to just mindlessly playing through them in a scalar fashion. One of my favorite ways to use them is starting a perfect fourth above the root of a dominant chord - for example starting with A Ionian (and all connected modes B Dorian etc) over top of an E dominant sound - highlights upper structures in a cool way - at least to my ear - it’s all good clean fun - allows for more complex sounding lines as opposed to just using Mixolydian starting on the root of the dominant chord etc. Arpeggiating the modes using that approach always makes me smile
I agree with many of the points in this video, but one great advantage the guitar has over other instruments is movable shapes, and these can be used to great effect to learn the modes with minimal effort, which suits me. When Dylan talks about "intervals", and altering specific notes within scales, I think that's too much like hard work. Let's find an easier way: OK, he touched on modes being effectively major scale notes, but starting from different points. Well I favour one shape for a major scale, and depending where I start, that determines the (Ionian) key that my shape suits. Start on C, and I'm playing C major, or C Ionian. Start on F, and it's F major, or F Ionian. To make it modal, I need to play my major scale against the "wrong" chord. Let's say the rhythm section's playing C major, but I shift my hand and only play notes from the F major scale. _Now_ I'm actually playing C Mixolydian, because I can hear the way the solo notes interact with the chord. If I move my hand and play notes from the Bb major scale, I'm actually playing in C Phrygian and the solo takes on a different feel. So, without having to learn any intervals, and using only one scale shape, I can play in any mode. That to me is the absolute easiest way, although I appreciate that we're all different, and many players will find it easier to take a different route.
I like knowing the scale intervals… if only if I’m improvising on a guitar with open tuning… if I know the intervals on just one string then I can motor around the fretboard a bit easier.. but whatever works…✌🏼
I truly appreciate the way you explain the topic of modality. As a deeply entrenched "seat of the pance" or "feel it out by ear" type of hobbyist player, your logical explanation of topic really resonates with me! 👏👏👏
Mixolydian edit starts here> I see other below name the key as well which makes total sense. I started playing the tones I heard and immediately jumped to the shape that fell under my fingers rather than considering the Home tone. I played the D mixolydian scale off of my pinky and that makes it (E Aeolian). I'm sure that's correct and now I'll watch the rest of the video to learn why I'm wrong or if that's right. 2nd edit> Time to get my ears tuned. I heard the E when Home was actually C.
You, sir, are the finest music theory teacher on RUclips at the moment. Why? Because you make sense to those of us who cannot read music, but are experienced players. Im a slide player, but spent 20 years playing piano before slide ( which helps thinking of scales in a linear fashion, applicable to Slide). However Ive learned years worth of theory in 3 of your instructional videos. Excellent stuff!
Great lesson. Thanks. One of the things I found handy whilst grappling with the modes was sonic reference points. So, some examples - Dorian is used a lot by Santana, Phrygian think Al DiMeola, Lydian think Satriani, Mixolydian think Jeff Beck. Obviously these players don’t just use these specific modes but these reference points helped me recognise the flavour of these modes.
My introduction to modes (way before internet and RUclips - no teacher or books - just ears and my record player) was when Steve Vai released Passion And Warfare. The song The Riddle was like a master class in modes. Although I had no idea at the time what modes were or even the existence of the term. I just thought it was magical Steve Vai scales he invented. Up until that point, I had figured pentatonic scales were all I ever needed to know. And I had no idea it was called pentatonic scales - I just thought it as the "good notes". Country good (major) and Blues good (minor). And I worked on The Riddle for a while when, one day, I had this blinding insight that he was just playing the major scales of other keys over his root. Like if your main key is E, he was playing the notes of A major, B major, etc. Mind blown. Years later I learned about modes, and my mental model of "Playing A Major over E" was not the most musical idea. But it worked for me. I found it hard to think more intervalically. Probably because it is harder to unlearn something than to just do it right.
Fantastic explanation Dylan! This was my path also. I do think learning them in the context of a parent major scale helps to get them at first. But using them independently really helped me hear what they should sound like.
Thank you Dylan for such a clear and insightful video. It really resonated with me, and I will be working on this for a while. Very effective, thank you again, and that PRS looks fantastic as well! Love your playing..👏
Thank you very much. First lesson on modes and it is logical and easy to comprehend, so the one to remember, Natural Minor Scale, with the 2nd flat, (lower by a half step).😁 Cheers.
Cool lesson...though I think you've omitted to mention that every mode corresponds to a chord, and those are (in this case) Cmaj7 (Ionian), Dm7 (Dorian), Em7b9 (Phrygian), Fmaj7#11 (Lydian), G7 (Mixolydian), Am7 (Aeolian) and Bm7b5 (Locrian).
Need to relate the modes to their associated chords. Learn the alterations to the major scale necessary to build those chords, learn the chords all over the neck, and now you know the modes and which chords to use them with
This is a great way of approaching the modes. You make them look like yummy bite sized flavour testers rather than one huge imposing, choice rich buffet!
i find using the major formula and transposing it on any major key is the easiest way to learn...That is close to the Frank Gambale method. Good lesson btw, subscribing.
How would be the best way to learn this all around the neck in all keys. I understand the theory component but don’t understand how to get the neck sorted out. Thanks
I think about everything as major and adjust accordingly. If it’s mixalydian I think it’s major but I lean on the fifth. Any other way may as well be Astro physics to me
Love your playing. I teach students to relate modes to pentatonic. Play a C major pentatonic adding just an F note then just a Bb note (6 note Scales) then both=Mixo. Dorian Am pentatonic plus just B then just F# then both etc.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but depending on the chords used, the "I" chord might not actually be the "I". In G mixolydian, for example, if I played a G to F progression, the one would be C, because I'm essentially doing a V-IV progression. This is how I learned modes. If I played something like a Am to Dm I-IV, you could say I'm in A aeolian, but technically I'm still in C ionian. I feel like the key of the song could be in C, without ever having a C chord in the progression.
![Slide Guitar: Fretting Behind The Slide [Lesson]](/img/1.gif)
The most interesting and usefull way of understandingg and play in modes. The chord progressions at the end was an eye and ear opener and really fun to play over.
Awesome explanation. Someone finally puts this in layman terms I can understand and does not try to make it more complicated than it needs to be :) Thank you Dylan.
I taught myself this in very much the way you’re explaining it and I’d say it’s extremely important because without knowing it this developed my Ear. My guitar teacher held the same thing would happen eventually just by learning what you liked and playing songs. I had to learn it this way .
Probably the best explanation I’ve seen since you showed us chord progressions the modes would work with. Excellent content.
Thanks for the great lesson. Best explanation of the modes I've ever heard. But now, I will forever think of the Ionian mode as the "Frolicking in the Field" mode. Not sure if my blues jam club will accept me any longer.
That’s how I learned to conceptualize the modes as well. As a music major, I also remember being taught the names of each mode originally represented individual regions and their respective peoples, which in turn had particular musical qualities that highlighted characteristics of those people/region. In any event, I found that a useful way to think about it. It’s also super important to begin making music with a particular mode from the very beginning, as opposed to just mindlessly playing through them in a scalar fashion. One of my favorite ways to use them is starting a perfect fourth above the root of a dominant chord - for example starting with A Ionian (and all connected modes B Dorian etc) over top of an E dominant sound - highlights upper structures in a cool way - at least to my ear - it’s all good clean fun - allows for more complex sounding lines as opposed to just using Mixolydian starting on the root of the dominant chord etc. Arpeggiating the modes using that approach always makes me smile
Great approach!
Congrats on your recent appearance on "Chewin' the Gristle" with Greg Koch. Great podcast!
I agree with many of the points in this video, but one great advantage the guitar has over other instruments is movable shapes, and these can be used to great effect to learn the modes with minimal effort, which suits me. When Dylan talks about "intervals", and altering specific notes within scales, I think that's too much like hard work. Let's find an easier way: OK, he touched on modes being effectively major scale notes, but starting from different points. Well I favour one shape for a major scale, and depending where I start, that determines the (Ionian) key that my shape suits.
Start on C, and I'm playing C major, or C Ionian.
Start on F, and it's F major, or F Ionian.
To make it modal, I need to play my major scale against the "wrong" chord. Let's say the rhythm section's playing C major, but I shift my hand and only play notes from the F major scale. _Now_ I'm actually playing C Mixolydian, because I can hear the way the solo notes interact with the chord. If I move my hand and play notes from the Bb major scale, I'm actually playing in C Phrygian and the solo takes on a different feel. So, without having to learn any intervals, and using only one scale shape, I can play in any mode. That to me is the absolute easiest way, although I appreciate that we're all different, and many players will find it easier to take a different route.
I like knowing the scale intervals… if only if I’m improvising on a guitar with open tuning… if I know the intervals on just one string then I can motor around the fretboard a bit easier.. but whatever works…✌🏼
exactly the way I wrapped my head around modes...that and pentatonic plus the modal note
I truly appreciate the way you explain the topic of modality. As a deeply entrenched "seat of the pance" or "feel it out by ear" type of hobbyist player, your logical explanation of topic really resonates with me! 👏👏👏
Makes total sense man. Well thought out lesson and in my case, most clear I've seen the modes explained. Cheers brother!
Great Video! I’ve been struggling trying to wrap my head around modes. This is the best video I’ve seen yet!
Thanks!
Ive never gone into the modes. Glad this was my first lesson on it. Thanks Dylan!
Mixolydian edit starts here> I see other below name the key as well which makes total sense. I started playing the tones I heard and immediately jumped to the shape that fell under my fingers rather than considering the Home tone. I played the D mixolydian scale off of my pinky and that makes it (E Aeolian). I'm sure that's correct and now I'll watch the rest of the video to learn why I'm wrong or if that's right. 2nd edit> Time to get my ears tuned. I heard the E when Home was actually C.
You, sir, are the finest music theory teacher on RUclips at the moment. Why? Because you make sense to those of us who cannot read music, but are experienced players. Im a slide player, but spent 20 years playing piano before slide ( which helps thinking of scales in a linear fashion, applicable to Slide). However Ive learned years worth of theory in 3 of your instructional videos. Excellent stuff!
Great lesson. Thanks. One of the things I found handy whilst grappling with the modes was sonic reference points. So, some examples - Dorian is used a lot by Santana, Phrygian think Al DiMeola, Lydian think Satriani, Mixolydian think Jeff Beck. Obviously these players don’t just use these specific modes but these reference points helped me recognise the flavour of these modes.
You’re an excellent teacher and an UNREAL player! ✨🎸Thanks again. Your Patreon is a gift to us all 🤠
My introduction to modes (way before internet and RUclips - no teacher or books - just ears and my record player) was when Steve Vai released Passion And Warfare. The song The Riddle was like a master class in modes. Although I had no idea at the time what modes were or even the existence of the term. I just thought it was magical Steve Vai scales he invented. Up until that point, I had figured pentatonic scales were all I ever needed to know. And I had no idea it was called pentatonic scales - I just thought it as the "good notes". Country good (major) and Blues good (minor). And I worked on The Riddle for a while when, one day, I had this blinding insight that he was just playing the major scales of other keys over his root. Like if your main key is E, he was playing the notes of A major, B major, etc. Mind blown. Years later I learned about modes, and my mental model of "Playing A Major over E" was not the most musical idea. But it worked for me. I found it hard to think more intervalically. Probably because it is harder to unlearn something than to just do it right.
Fantastic explanation Dylan! This was my path also. I do think learning them in the context of a parent major scale helps to get them at first.
But using them independently really helped me hear what they should sound like.
Wish you would have played some solos over those changes. Good video. 👍
Thank you Dylan for such a clear and insightful video. It really resonated with me, and I will be working on this for a while. Very effective, thank you again, and that PRS looks fantastic as well! Love your playing..👏
Thank you very much. First lesson on modes and it is logical and easy to comprehend, so the one to remember, Natural Minor Scale, with the 2nd flat, (lower by a half step).😁 Cheers.
Cool lesson...though I think you've omitted to mention that every mode corresponds to a chord, and those are (in this case) Cmaj7 (Ionian), Dm7 (Dorian), Em7b9 (Phrygian), Fmaj7#11 (Lydian), G7 (Mixolydian), Am7 (Aeolian) and Bm7b5 (Locrian).
Need to relate the modes to their associated chords. Learn the alterations to the major scale necessary to build those chords, learn the chords all over the neck, and now you know the modes and which chords to use them with
Thank you Dylan, really a great lesson. Love all your videos.
That's a very nice video. You're a really good teacher
This is a great way of approaching the modes. You make them look like yummy bite sized flavour testers rather than one huge imposing, choice rich buffet!
Great explanation, thanks Dylan !!
Excellent lesson. Thanks!
i find using the major formula and transposing it on any major key is the easiest way to learn...That is close to the Frank Gambale method. Good lesson btw, subscribing.
Great lesson Dylan!
Lydian! Great lesson, Dylan 👍🎶
Great lesson. Ty.
Super helpful! Thanks!
Love your channel. Us slide players gotta stick together
excellent
This is the way I've always looked at it. Example, Am D7 progression is the key of G.
Superb. Thank you!
How would be the best way to learn this all around the neck in all keys. I understand the theory component but don’t understand how to get the neck sorted out. Thanks
Great video!
The NF53 looks killer. 😊
Hi Dylan Beautiful guitar! Thank you for the explantion. But for simplicity can I just think what major scale? I know its a cop out to think tht way.
How about the intervals in the modal scales as compared with the base-major scale ?
Idk if I missed that in your talk..?
I think about everything as major and adjust accordingly. If it’s mixalydian I think it’s major but I lean on the fifth. Any other way may as well be Astro physics to me
I think Dorian in the beginning
C Lydian
Correct!
Love your playing. I teach students to relate modes to pentatonic. Play a C major pentatonic adding just an F note then just a Bb note (6 note Scales) then both=Mixo. Dorian Am pentatonic plus just B then just F# then both etc.
Lydian!!
Dorian
Other way? I think this is the BETTER way and we should start calling the traditional way an incomplete explanation 🤣
A Dorian?
and on poor old Locrian ... check out the Simpsons theme song
It sounds like Allman Bros; therefore it must be mixolydian(?)
mixolydian, im guessing
C lydian
Correct!
I’m not sure why you and other educator want to make something so easy sound so complicated
Correct me if I'm wrong, but depending on the chords used, the "I" chord might not actually be the "I". In G mixolydian, for example, if I played a G to F progression, the one would be C, because I'm essentially doing a V-IV progression. This is how I learned modes. If I played something like a Am to Dm I-IV, you could say I'm in A aeolian, but technically I'm still in C ionian. I feel like the key of the song could be in C, without ever having a C chord in the progression.