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Major Scale Modes Over Chords
Most of you intermediate to advanced rock players out there have heard about scale modes...phrygian, dorian, etc. Scale modes are an absolute necessity for those of you who are attempting to take your solos somewhere else besides the blues and pentatonic scales!
The Modes of C Major
The C Major Scale is also called C Ionian:
All of the modes above are based off of the C Major scale. Each
mode starts from a different note of the C Major scale. It would
be logical that the modes of C Major would sound good over the chords
of C Major. The problem is which mode works best over which chord
or chords?
Let's look at the chords of C Major:
The first chord is, of course, the C Major chord. The first mode
is Ionian, which is the C Major scale. The C Major scale definitely
works over the C Major chord! Now let's take a look at the rest:
Relationships:
|
Chord Quality
|
Mode
|
Mode Quality
|
| D minor (ii chord) |
D Dorian (2nd mode) |
minor |
| E minor (iii chord) |
E phrygian (3rd mode) |
minor |
| F Major (IV chord) |
F Lydian (4th mode) |
Major |
| G Major (V chord) |
G Mixo. (5th mode) |
Major |
| A Minor (vi chord) |
A Aeolian (6th mode) |
minor |
| B diminished (vii°) |
B Locrian (7th mode) |
diminished |
As you see, the chord scale relates directly to the modes. The
ii chord works with the 2nd mode, iii chord with 3rd mode, etc..!
The mode quality is the same as the chord
quality. By quality, I mean the specific sound or type
of the mode or chord.
Practicing With Modes
First, you need to get comfortable with playing each
mode as it is written above. Then, record each chord of C Major
for about a minute per chord. You can use any strumming rhythm that
you want.
Play back your recording and practice the appropriate
mode. When practicing, try to come up with new patterns, ideas,
and licks from the mode. Try to use slides, hammer-ons, pull-offs,
bends, or vibrato. MAKE IT FUN!!
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