The illustrations below show you how to play the C major scale using the type 1

fingering pattern. It may be a good idea to review the lesson covering the 4 different
types of fingering.

Transpose this major scale exercise to other major keys. For example move
everything up two frets and you would be playing the key of D major. You would
start the first note on the 5th fret D note 2 finger.

Good luck,
C IONIAN MODE

The first mode you will learn out of the Key of C Major will be the C Major Ionian
mode. Each mode in the key of C has a different name. The names are from the
ancient Greek language. The Ionian mode is a medieval church mode corresponding to
the modern major diatonic scale. Or the first mode of the major key. The first mode
in the major key is always the Ionian mode.

We will learn the C major Ionian mode position starting at the C note Low E string
8th Fret. This is the same position as the A minor pentatonic scale starting at the 2nd
position or C note. The only difference is the two extra notes added. These two notes
are the F and B. Listen to this scale.

Tablature below.

------------------------------------------------7-8-10-
----------------------------------------8-10-----------
-----------------------------7-9-10--------------------
-------------------7-9-10------------------------------
--------7-8-10-----------------------------------------
-8-10--------------------------------------------------

Watch video

Look at the image above and check out the notes and their placement. Compare the C
major pentatonic scale below to the C Major scale above and notice the only
difference is the two notes F and B. You would use the C Ionian scale above to play
over the C chord. The major key has seven notes and the pentatonic scale has only 5.
In the key of C, C is a major chord. You could also use the C major pentatonic scale to
play over the C chord.
You can go about playing lead in a number ways, but I will only mention two for now.
The notes in the key of C major are, C, D, E, F, G, A, B and C. The notes in C major
pentatonic are C, D, E, G and A. If you wanted to play lead over the C chord, you
could use the C major pentatonic scale above. Or, you could use the C major scale
(Ionian mode). The illustration below shows the one popular position to use this
scale.

Tablature below.

----------------------------------------5-7-8--
--------------------------------5-6-8----------
------------------------5-7--------------------
---------------5-7-9---------------------------
------5-7-8------------------------------------
-8----------------------------------------------

The image above shows the fingering for the C major Ionian mode in this position.
Listen to the C major scale played from high C to low C.

The image below shows all the notes in the key of C major up to the 16th fret.
The image below shows the notes of the C major pentatonic scale. The pentatonic
scale only has 5 notes as compared to the C major scale that has 7 notes. Compare
each of these illustrations and notice the C major pentatonic scale doesn't have the B
or F notes.

To play the C Major scale you would start on the C note. Look at the image above and
notice that the C note is on the Low E string 8th fret. You would play from C to C
going through all six strings. The image below shows the recommended fingering for
this position. Notice the fingering pattern and how it starts on the Low E string 2
finger on the 8th fret. I hope you remember what each number equals, if not please
review. In this lower image the C notes are highlighted in blue. Notice how there are
3 C notes from the Low E string to the High E string.
Notice you will be playing from the Low E string C note down through the notes to the
High E string C note. Listen to this scale using an acoustic guitar.

Listen using the electric guitar.

Look at the image above and notice where all the C notes are at. Remember, when
playing from C to C in the key of C major, you will be playing the Ionian mode. This
mode is the first mode in the Key of C major.

Look at the image below. This is the same scale as above, but using a different
fingering pattern at a different location. This is by far my favorite position. You are
still playing from C to C. Look below and notice you are starting on the C note but
with the 4 finger. The C notes have been highlighted in blue. Play from the Low E
string 8th fret to the high E string 8th fret.

Tablature below.

----------------------------------------5-7-8--
--------------------------------5-6-8----------
-----------------------4-5-7-------------------
----------------5-7----------------------------
------5-7-8-----------------------------------
-8---------------------------------------------

Play the 4 finger 8th fret low E string now. The next note is played 1 finger A string
5th fret. Play that now. 3 and 4 finger A string is next. Move to the D string, 1, 3
finger. Continue through the rest of the strings using the recommended fingering.
Once again, the notes are illustrated below.
The illustration below shows the Aeolian mode. The Aeolian mode is the sixth mode in
the key of C major. The image below is also a great position to play over the C as well
as the A minor chord. Listen to this popular progression, C Am F and G. I have played
a simple acoustic lead over the chords.
C major progression C Am F and G.

Here is the same progression, C Am, F and G without the lead. Use this progression
and play the key of C major over it. Play this position over the C and Am chord. When
the F chord comes up, play the notes of that chord, F A C. The same goes for the G
chord, play the notes of this chord, G B D.

To make practicing a little more enjoyable, lay down the C Am F and G chords on a
tape recorder and play this mode over them. Eventually you will want to play this mode
in as many different positions as possible. As you play lead over the C Am F and G
chords, concentrate on playing the notes of each of those chords and the mode for each
chord. For example, when playing over the C chord, play the notes of that chord or
from C to C (C Ionian). Play the position above for the Am and the C chord.

When you play over the G chord, you can play over the notes of the G chord and use
the Mixolydian mode. The same goes for the F chord use the F Lydian mode. The notes
of each of these chords are in the mode above and in all modes of the key of C major.
If you play from C to C, it is the Ionian mode. But if you played from G to G, it would
be the Mixolydian mode. F to F would be the Lydian mode.

Practice the type 1 and type 4 fingering patterns for the key of C major.
Practice the 4 types of fingering patterns to play the major scales.
You can find all these major pentatonic scales and tabs at the following link. Look
up C F and G major pentatonic and learn the fingerings. Then play C major
 pentatonic over the C chord, Am pentatonic over the Am chord, F major pentatonic
over the F chord and G major pentatonic over the G chord.
Now it's time to learn the next position of the key of C Major. This next position is
the D minor mode and its Greek name is the Dorian mode.

C DORIAN MODE

The next mode that you need to learn is the Dorian mode. The Dorian mode in the key
of C is the second mode or D minor. The Dorian mode is the second note of any major
key. The D is the second note of the key of C major. Look below. Notice that the D is
a minor chord, so this is a minor mode. The Dorian mode is a popular mode.

D E F G A B C D

In the previous lesson we

learned the Ionian mode, which
is C to C in the key of C major.
C is the first note in the key of
C.
Now we have to learn the
Dorian mode, which is played
from D to D in C major. D is the
second note of the key of C and
is a minor mode.
The second chord of any Major
key is always a minor. It is also
always the Dorian mode. In the
Key of G, A would be the Dorian
mode.

Remember, all major keys are

constructed the same. Major,
minor, minor, Major, Major,
minor, diminished and Major.

To play the Dorian mode you would play from D to D in C major. The notes would
be.
D, E, F, G, A, B, C and D.
Look at the image below and try to memorize the notes and their positioning of the D
Dorian mode. Remember to play from D to D. Try to find other places to play from D
to D. I use to draw out the fret board and lay out all the notes on each fret in the key
I was practicing.

If you look closely, you may notice another root note fret position. Remember the Am
root note fret at the 5th fret? Well you are now seeing the D minor pentatonic root
note fret at the 10th fret. If you’re not sure of the A minor pentatonic root note fret,
please go back and review.

The Dorian mode is a minor mode, so you will also find the Dm pentatonic scale in this
mode.

Tablature below.

----------------------------------------------------------------10-12-13-
--------------------------------------------------10-12-13---------------
-----------------------------------------10-12----------------------------
----------------------------10-12-14-------------------------------------
---------------10-12-14--------------------------------------------------
-10-12-13----------------------------------------------------------------
 Look at the image below. This is the Dorian mode with a different fingering position.
Remember to play from D to D. Things are really starting to fall into place and I hope
you are not missing out.

Play this position from the D 10th fret Low E string to the D 10th fret high E string.
You can add the E note and F on the low E string too.

Tablature below.

---------------------------------------------------------------10-12-13--
--------------------------------------------------10-12-13---------------
------------------------------------9-10-12------------------------------
------------------------9-10-12------------------------------------------
-----------8-10-12-------------------------------------------------------
-10-12-------------------------------------------------------------------

So far we have covered the first two modes of the key of C major. The first mode was
the C Ionian mode and the second was the D Dorian mode.
The C Ionian mode is played from C to C. The D Dorian mode is played from D to D in
the key of C

Lay down a Dm chord, Am Chord and F chord and play this mode over the chords.
Try to play over each chord separately. Play the Dorian mode above over the Dm
chord, but concentrate on the notes of the Dm chord, D, F and A. Play in the same
position over the Am chord, A, C and E or jump to the fifth fret and play Am
pentatonic. You can actually play Am pent in the position above. Look at the image
above and recall the Am pentatonic starting at the D note 10th fret. Do the same
over the F note, F, A, C. When playing over this chord use Dm pentatonic or play
from F to F in the image above. F to F is the Lydian mode. Or even play F Ionian
over this chord. Remember if you have a major chord, you can use a major scale. If
you have a minor chord, you can use a minor scale. Knowing which ones to use is
what you will be learning.
The next lesson covers the E Phrygian mode, or the third note of a Major key. The
third note of C just happens to be an E or Em chord. So the next lesson covers the E
Phrygian mode which is a also a minor mode.

Remember, all major keys are constructed the same. Major, minor, minor, Major,
Major, minor, diminished and Major.

C Phrygian Mode

Now it's time to learn the Phrygian mode. The Phrygian mode in C Major will be E
Phrygian. The Phrygian mode is the 3rd mode of the Major Key.

E F G A B C D E

Now we will work on the Phrygian mode. The Phrygian

mode is the 3rd note in the Major Key. The 3rd note in C
Major is the E note. This is a minor mode and the chord
would be the Em chord.
Try to memorize all the notes that make up each chord.
Remember, each section to the left has the notes of
each chord.
E minor is the third chord or mode of C Major so we will learn that position now. Look
at the image below and check out the notes and positioning of the E Phrygian mode. I
prefer the dark sound of the minors over the happy sounding Major scales.

Tablature below.

------------------------------------------------------------------12-13-15-
-----------------------------------------------------12-13-15--------------
-----------------------------------------12-14-16--------------------------
----------------------------12-14-15---------------------------------------
---------------12-14-15----------------------------------------------------
-12-13-15------------------------------------------------------------------

Look at the illustration below. These are the notes in the key of C major. Now locate
the image above in the illustration below. The Phrygian mode in the key of C major is
the E Phrygian. You can play the E Phrygian mode anywhere on the fretboard below,
just start with the E note. The notes in the key of C major are: C D E F G A B

The notes of the E Phrygian mode would be the same, but starting with the E note. E
F G A B C D. All the modes work the same way. Try to play this mode starting at the
2nd fret, look below and locate the E note 2nd fret.

Look at the image above and notice the E notes highlighted in red. Play this mode
from E to E.
Take a look at the image below and notice the fingering pattern. Since this is one of
the most popular positions to play this mode, I will concentrate on showing you it
played starting at this position. But remember, this mode can be played in other
positions. You just need to find an E at another location and play from E to E.
Example, E, F, G, A, B, C, D, E.

All of the modes in the Key of C major have the same notes. If you play from C to C
you would be playing the C Ionian mode. If you played from D to D in C Major, you
would be playing the Dorian mode. E to E is the Phrygian mode. Don't let all the
names get you confused. Once you learn the Key of C, all the other Major keys will be
a breeze to learn. Notice the E notes are highlighted in the image below.

To play this mode you would start at the 12th fret Low E string 1 finger. If you have a
problem, please go back and review. Play this mode a few hundred times. Play this
mode and all the others covered in the triplet form.
1,2,4, 2,4,1, 4,1,3, 1,3,4 3,4,1 and so on through the mode.

I don't want this to confuse you, but notice on the image above that you have an E
minor root note fret, just like the A minor root note fret we learned at the 5th fret
for A minor pentatonic. Soon you will see the big picture, that is if you haven't all
ready. You can play Em pentatonic since it fits in above or you can play E Phrygian.
Lay down the Em, B5, and C chords. Play E Phrygian and then Em pentatonic over the
Em chord. Em pentatonic root note fret 12 fret, 1-4, 1-3, 1-3, 1-3, 1-4, 1-4. Play the
same over the G chord or switch to E Aeolian. E, F#, G, A, B, C, D, E, This is in the
key of G major. Play Am pentatonic over the C, but at the 12th fret position. Recall
the Am pentatonic position starting on the E note 12th fret. Play from C to C.

Here's another position to play the E Phrygian mode. This time you are using the open
position.
Tablature below.

---------------------------------------------0-1-3--
------------------------------------0-1-3-----------
------------------------------0-2-------------------
--------------------0-2-3---------------------------
----------0-2-3-------------------------------------
-0-1-3----------------------------------------------

In the next lesson we will cover F to F in C Major. This is called the Lydian mode
and it is a Major mode, since the F is a major chord.

C LYDIAN MODE
 F G A B C D E F

Now we will work on the Lydian Mode. The Lydian Mode

is the 4th note in the Major Key. The 4th note in C
Major is the F note. The F note is a Major, so the
Lydian Mode will be a Major mode.
So far we have covered the C Major or Ionian mode.
The Dorian mode or D mode and the E Phrygian mode.
Now we will learn the F Lydian mode.

Try to memorize all the notes in the F Major chord. Also,

try to memorize all the notes that make up each chord.
Remember, each section to the left has the notes of each
chord.

Look at the image below and notice the fingering for this mode. Instead of starting
on the F at the 13th fret Low E string, we will start on the F on the 8th fret A
string. To play this mode start on the A string 8th fret, 1 finger, then the 3 and 4
finger. Move to the D string 9th fret 1 finger, then 2 and 4 finger. The G string is
next, 1 and 2 finger, then 4 finger. Finish off the scale with the last two strings.

Tablature below.

-----------------------------------------------10-12-13--
-----------------------------------10-12-13--------------
------------------------9-10-12--------------------------
------------9-10-12--------------------------------------
-8-10-12-------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------------
Once again the image below shows the key of C major and the notes. To play the F
Lydian mode, you would start with the F note in the key of C major. Find the
illustrated positions above and compare them to the notes in the image below. You
can play the F Lydian mode all over the fretboard in the key of C major, just start
with the F note.

Look at the image below and memorize where all the notes are positioned. 3 F notes
are highlighted below. This position requires some stretching and will give you a good
work out. Practice this fingering a few hundred times and try to memorize it
completely. Actually you should try to memorize all of the modes and fingering
positions. Eventually they will become second nature.

Look at the image below. This shows the F starting at the 13th fret low E string. Play
from the F 2 finger 13th fret low E string to F high E string. Notice that the F notes
are highlighted.

Tablature below.

----------------------------------------------------------12-13-15-
---------------------------------------------12-13-15--------------
---------------------------------12-14-16--------------------------
---------------------12-14-15--------------------------------------
---------12-14-15--------------------------------------------------
-13-15--------------------------------------------------------------
The image below shows the fingering from F to F. Notice I've included the E note at
the Low E string 12th fret and the G note high E string 15th fret. But remember to
play from F to F. Notice the E minor Root note fret pattern below starting at the 12
fret. Play the pattern below a few hundred times. If your having a problem recalling
the fingering system, please go back and review the A minor pentatonic and fingering
lessons.

In the next lesson we will be covering the 5th mode or G Major mode in C Major.
The Greek name for this scale is Mixolydian. The Mixolydian mode is a Major mode
and is played from G to G in the Key of C.
The next mode of the key of C Major will be the Mixolydian mode. The Mixolydian
mode is the 5th note of the Major key. The 5th note of the key of C Major is the G
note. The G chord in the key of C is a Major. So the Mixolydian mode is a Major mode
played from G to G in the key of C major.

C MIXOLYDIAN MODE
 G A B C D E F G

Now we will work on the Mixolydian mode . The

Mixolydian Mode is the 5th note in the Major
Key. The 5th note in C Major is the G note. The
G chord is a Major, so the Mixolydian mode
will be a Major mode.
So far we have covered the C Major or Ionian
mode. The Dorian mode the E Phrygian mode
and the Lydian mode.
Now we will learn the G Mixolydian mode.
Try to memorize all the notes in the G Major
chord. Also, try to memorize all the notes that
make up each chord. Remember, each section
to the left has the notes of each chord.

Look at the image below and notice the notes and the positions of the Mixolydian
mode. Notice the G notes have been highlighted.

Tablature below.

------------------------------------------------------------15-17-19-
-----------------------------------------------15-17-18--------------
----------------------------------14-16-17---------------------------
---------------------14-15-17----------------------------------------
---------14-15-17----------------------------------------------------
-15-17----------------------------------------------------------------

To play this pattern you would start at the 15th fret Low E string 2 finger. Look at the
fingering below. Remember to play from G to G low E string to High E string.
The first note 2 finger low E string 15th fret, play that note. 4 finger low E string 17th
fret. 1, 2 and 4 fingers A string. 1, 2 and 4 D string. 1, 3 and 4 G string. Finish this
mode off at the G note high E string 15th fret.

The image below is the same as the one above but starting on the 3rd fret. Recall
that all notes repeat after 12 frets. So you will have the same fingering pattern at the
15th fret. This goes for all scales and chords, repeating after 12 frets.

The image below shows you how to play the G Mixolydian mode in the open position.
The open position requires you to play notes in the open position (not fretted).

Check out this fingering pattern for the G Mixolydian mode. This position will require
some stretching of the fingers, but you can really burn up the fretboard using this
pattern.
Tablature below.

-------------------------------------------------12-13-15---
-------------------------------------12-13-15---------------
-------------------------10-12-14---------------------------
-------------10-12-14---------------------------------------
-10-12-14---------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------

Once again, check out the image below and find all the positions above you have
learned. In the key of C major, the G Mixolydian mode is played from G to G in C.
Find all the G notes and come up with some patterns of your own.

In the next lesson we will learn the 6th mode of the key of C Major. This will be the
Aeolian mode.
Check out the key of G major too. Notice that the key of G major has 1 note that is
different than the G Mixolydian mode. In the key of G major the F is sharp
C AEOLIAN MODE

In this lesson we will be covering the Aeolian mode.

A B C D E F G A

Now we will work on

the Aeolian mode .
The Aeolian mode is
the 6th note in the
Major Key. The 6th
note in C Major is
the A note. This is a
minor mode and the
chord would be the
Am chord.
Try to memorize all
the notes in the A
minor chord. Also,
try to memorize all
the notes that make
up each chord.
Remember, each
section to the left
has the notes of
each chord.

The Aeolian mode is the 6th mode in the Major key. In the key of C the Aeolian mode
is played from A to A in the key of C Major. The Aeolian mode is my favorite mode.
Look at the image below and this scale should look very familiar to you. Since the A
Aeolian mode is a minor mode, you will find the A minor pentatonic scale too.

Here's one way to play the

Aeolian mode.
Listen The notes are shown
below. This is a very
important mode to learn
and should be mastered.
Tablature for illustration above.

----------------------------------------------5-7-8--
--------------------------------------5-6-8----------
------------------------------5-7--------------------
--------------------5-7-9----------------------------
----------5-7-8--------------------------------------
-5-7-8-----------------------------------------------

Remember
the A minor
pentatonic
root note fret
at the 5th
fret? Here it
is, but with
the F and B
notes added.
Here's
another way
to play the
Aeolian
mode. Same
as above, but
with the B
note played
at the 4th
fret instead
of the 9th
fret.

The A notes are highlighted above and the Aeolian mode is a minor mode in C Major.
You would play from the A note Low E string 5th fret to the A note high E string 5th
fret. Do you remember the Ionian mode that is played from C to C? That was the first
Major mode we studied. Look at the image below and you will also see that mode in
the illustration.

Tablature for illustration below..

--------------------------------------------5-7-8-
------------------------------------5-6-8---------
---------------------------4-5-7------------------
--------------------5-7---------------------------
----------5-7-8-----------------------------------
-5-7-8--------------------------------------------

Can you remember playing from C to C? The reason why I ask is

significant. This is also a popular position for playing for C to C.

The image above shows the suggested fingering for this position. I
progression using the chords C Am F and G and used this position to
of the lead.

Listen to the rhythm and lead. Tablature

Here is the rhythm alone playing C Am F and G, play this position
other positions over this progression.

The progression C Am F and G uses the chords as illustrated below.

C Am F G /C Am F G / C Am F G / C Am F G/
F G/ F G/C Am F G /C Am F G / F G/ F G

As illustrated before, the image below will show all the notes of the key of C Major.
The Aeolian mode is played from A to A in the key of C major. Using the illustration
below, figure out a few fingering patterns of your own. You can play this mode
anywhere on the fretboard you like. But, the Aeolian mode starts with the A note.
Also compare the positions above to all the notes below. See where they all fall in.

Lay down a progression of Am, F and G and play the Aeolian mode. You can either
write a song in the major or minor key. If you wanted to write a song in A minor,
the notes would be:
Am Bdim C D Em F and G.
The notes are the same as the key of C major, but we have started with the A note
for the A minor scale or key. You would base your tonic or first chord with the Am
chord and use a minor progression something like Am F and G.

If we wrote our song in C major, C Dm Em F G Am B dim we would use the C chord as

the tonic. We could use a progressions something like, C F and G.

If we wanted to write a progression for the E Phrygian mode, we would start with the
Em chord. Something like, Em F and G. Use the Em as the tonic and this will
determine the type of song we write.

The Aeolian mode is the natural minor to the key of C major. The Aeolian mode
shares the same key signature as C major. There are no sharps or flats in the A
Aeolian mode. If you were to play lead using this mode, you would play it over the Am
chords and an Am progression. You would use this natural minor to construct the
melodic and harmonic minors. This has been explained in the chapter titled, leading
to modulation.

If you were playing a lead in the key of C Major using the C chord you could play lead
using the Ionian mode or a major scale, such as C major pentatonic and start with the
C chord. Or base your lead over the C progression. This mode and others have been
explained in greater detail in the homework assignments.

Practice this mode a few hundred times and I will see you in the last mode. The last
mode we need to learn is the Locrian mode. The Locrian mode is a diminished
mode.
Look over some Am progressions.

C LOCRIAN MODE

This is the Locrian mode. It is played from B to B in the key of C Major. This is the
last mode we have to learn in the Major key. B Locrian is the diminished mode.
 B C D E F G A B

Now we will work on the Locrian mode. The Locrian

mode is the 7th note in the Major Key. The 7th note in
C Major is the B note. This is a diminished mode and the
chord would be the B diminished chord.
Try to memorize all the notes that make up each chord.
Remember, each section to the left has the notes of
each chord.

Look at the image below. This fingering pattern should be very familiar to you. You
should notice the A minor pentatonic, the A minor Aeolian and the C Ionian.

The B notes are highlighted from B to B. This pattern is played from the Low E string
7th fret 3 finger, to the high E string 7th fret 3 finger. Remember all of the modes in
the key of C major have the same notes. C, D, E, F, G, A, B and C.

Look at the image below. This illustration has a different fingering pattern, but the
same notes. Remember you can play all of these modes at different locations.
Eventually you will have every note on the fretboard memorized and play every mode
without even thinking about it.

Look at the image above and notice the C Ionian mode in there too. You should
remember the Ionian mode in the key of C major is played from C to C.
Look at the image below and notice the fingering for this B Locrian mode. The B
notes have been highlighted and the fingering pattern illustrated. You would start this
mode off with the Low E string 7th fret 1 finger. Move through all the strings to the
high E string, playing from B to B. Try to come up with some other places to play all
of these modes.

Tablature below.

----------------------------------------------------7-8-10---
--------------------------------------------8-10-------------
---------------------------------7-9-10----------------------
----------------------7-9-10---------------------------------
-----------7-8-10--------------------------------------------
-7-8-10------------------------------------------------------

We have now covered every mode of the key of C major. There has been an enormous
amount of information presented to you. As you study these modes, remember you
can play them at different locations. You can play the A Aeolian mode starting at the
5th fret, but you can also play this mode starting at any A note on the fret board.

The same holds true for all of the modes. Learn the modes and also learn the relative
minor and major scales to each scale.

Check out the key of B major.

Look over the B major pentatonic scale.
Learn some B major progressions.
Learn some B harmonic minor progressions.
Learn some B minor progressions.