A Scale is made from a Scale Template against the Chromatic Scale.

A Chord is formed using the 1 3 5 Template

The chord shape is identified matching the note intervals to the chord shape template.

So now let’s look at key terms associated with learning lead guitar…

There are two ways to approach the study of Modes, they are, Relative or Parallel Modal Studies & each are useful. Relative Modal studies teach us that we can play up & down the guitar neck using the 7 Modes or 7 patterns that share the same 7 notes. An example can be seen below:

If we took the C Major Scale (also known as C Ionian Mode) we would play the following notes: C D E F G A B C. Lead guitarists naturally want to play solos all over the guitar neck, so we take the Scale & map it to the guitar fretboard, then we know what notes we can play.

As we look at the fretboard we can see that there are 7 different modal patterns each with a different root but using the same 7 notes. So if we play from C to C from the 8th fret on the 6th string to the C on the 13th fret on the 2nd string, we would play:

CDEFGABC

This is the first pattern known as the C Ionian Mode.

Now if we play D to D then we play:

DEFGABCD,

This pattern is known as the D Dorian Mode.

Next we play E to E,

EFGABCDE,

This is known as E Phrygian Mode

Next F to F,

FGABCDEF,

This pattern is known as F Lydian Mode,

Next G to G,

GABCDEFG,

This is known as G Mixolydian Mode,

Next A to A

ABCDEFGA,

This is known as A Aeolian Mode

Finally if we play B to B,

BCDEFGAB,

Then we play B Locrian Mode.

See below for an example of Relative Modal Studies:

The Major Scale notes are:

C D E F G A B C

The C Ionian Mode Chords are:

C Dm Em F G Am Bdim C

The D Dorian Mode Chords are:

Dm Em F G Am Bdim C Dm

The E Phrygian Mode Chords are:

Em F G Am Bdim C Dm Em

The F Lydian Mode Chords are:

F G Am Bdim C Dm Em F

The G Mixolydian Mode Chords are:

G Am Bdim C Dm Em F G

The A Aeolian Mode Chords are:

Am Bdim C Dm Em F G Am

The B Locrian Modes Chords are:

Bdim C Dm Em F G A Bdim

We can see that all 7 Modes share just 7 chords as well as 7 notes.

So each of the Modes displayed above have a unique pattern & can be played as described above or they can all start with a C.

Playing all Modes from C will help you grasp the feel & the chord progressions available to you to create both the backing chords & your lead guitar solos. Playing all Modes from the key of C is known as Parallel Modal Studies.

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