Understanding The Modes
Watch through these lessons, and you're guaranteed to never be confused by modes again
All Lessons in This Series
Demonstrating All 7 Modes in Parallel
Building the modes in parallel (starting from the same root) allows you to see and hear the differences. Learn each mode's unique identity so you can easily identify it when you hear it and use it effectively in your own music.
Relative Modes: How C Major and A Minor are Same but Different
Discover how the tonal center transforms the emotional quality of the same set of notes. This video demonstrates all 7 relative modes of the major scale and how simply changing the tonal center creates modal harmony.
Playing In Every Mode with ONE Tiny Scale Shape
Instead of learning thousands of scale shapes, learn how to use the ones you already have! This lesson demonstrates how the minor pentatonic shape can be used to play in all 7 modes by simply changing your root note.
Dorian Scale: The 2nd Mode of Major
Learn the basics of the Dorian mode - how it's built, how it relates to major and minor, and how to build its chords. Explore the classic i-IV sound and see how different artists use Dorian in their music.
Phrygian: Understanding and Using the Third Mode of Major
Phrygian has a uniquely dark and exotic feel thanks to its flat 2nd scale degree. Learn how the scale is built, its characteristic chords, and several ways to compose your own music using the Phrygian mode.
Learn the Lydian Scale: How to Write, Riff, and Solo in the 4th Mode
Lydian has a spacey, dreamy, and progressive feel. Learn how to build the scale, focus on the tonal center, write Lydian riffs and chord progressions, and extract the most important notes for soloing.
How to Improvise Solos in Mixolydian Mode
A step-by-step guide to improvising guitar solos using Mixolydian. Learn the scale shape, add hammer-ons and slides, accent chord tones, and use the Mixolydian pentatonic for a unique flavor.
7 Ways Musicians ACTUALLY Use Modes
Discover practical applications for musical modes beyond just scales. Learn how to write modal music, break modal structures, use relative modulation, and more.