Major Scale Modes: Breaking Down the Mode Formula and Why Guitar Players Should Understand Them

Modes are often seen as a defunct explanation of obscure scales that aren't used anymore. In many cases this is true. Modes can be easily demystified by understanding that it is simply a re-ordering of the notes of a major or minor scale. The reason for the re-ordering is that a new tonality will emerge from making a note other than the root of the major scale into the root. Because there are 7 notes in the Major scale there are 7 modes. This video breaks down what the modes are by understanding them from a scale degree formula and relating them to one another. The 7 mode names are Ionian, Dorian, Phrygian, Lydian, Mixolydian, Aeolian, and Locrian. Modern music commonly uses tonalities that can be classified as Ionian or Aeolian. The Ionian mode is the long name for the Major mode or Major Scale and the Aeolian Mode is the long name for the minor mode or the minor scale. The video goes on to show how guitar players can benefit from the understanding and application of modes to the fretboard of the guitar.