Jambole.com – for Guitarists

Over the years, I’ve probably used this fingering of the major scale more than any other. As you can see, it’s laid out so that there are 3 notes per string. I found that, while a little awkward at first, runs and things flow much more easily with this than with fingering that mix 2 and 3 notes per string. See if you agree.

This time I’ve broken the diagrams down into grouping by mode. There are plenty or articles on the web about the “Church Modes”. Maybe I’ll write one at some point. Also you may see that in my jam tracks section, I’m giving away some modal jam tracks for you to play with. These should given you something to get your teeth into.

Lets get started with the Ionian Mode. This is a straight major scale with the root note being the tonic. In other words, if you were playing using the notes from C major, the Ionian Mode root note would be a C.

Lets move on to the Dorian Mode. This has a Minor quality to it. It’s well used in rock music too. The Dorian Mode is based on the 2nd note of the Major scale. If we use the notes of C major, the root would be a D.

Next we have the Phrygian Mode. Based on the 3rd note of the Major scale. I hear this used such diverse music as thrash metal, also in Flamenco. Using our C major example, the root is E.

Onwards to the Lydian Mode. This seems to be a favorite of players like Steve Vai. In our C major example, the root note is F.

Follow on we have the Mixolydian Mode. From our C Major example, this has the root note G.

The Aeolian Mode is also known as the Natural Minor scale, or the Decending Melodic Minor scale. In our C Major example, this would use A as it’s root note.

Finally the weird one of the bunch is the Locrian Mode. Give the Locrian jam track a try to see why. In our C Major example, the root note is B.

And there you have it! Good luck. Really the only way to understand these is to play them with a harmonic backing track. Every one of these modes uses the exact same notes, the difference is the harmonic context in which you play them. So check out the Jam Tracks.

If you’re as much of a scales geek as I am, you may find the following book interesting.

The Guitar Grimoire: A Compendium of Formulas for Guitar Scales and Modes

Have Fun!