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Another way of understanding modes, for those who are confused, is to first understand that the Ionian mode is another name for the Major scale and the Aeolian mode another word for the Natural Minor scale. Just as all major scales have a relative minor (as Am is relative to C), they also have other relative modes. Each mode can be thought of as being built off a degree (note) of the major scale it is relative to. Thus, using C major as the example the first degree C is Ionian/Major; the second D is Dorian; the third E is Phrygian: the forth F Lydian; the fifth G Mixolydian; the sixth Aeolian/Natural Minor and the seventh Locrian. All those modes share the same notes as the Ionian they are relative to, but each having a different tonal centre. Put simply, if you are playing a scale using the notes C,D,E,F,G,A,B, but using E as your tonal centre you are playing E Phrygian. As the Phrygian mode can be thought of as being built off the third degree of its relative Ionian/Major scale you can find the notes of a given Phrygian scale by relating it to its relative major. Thus - as B is the third degree of the G Major scale the B Phrygian shares its notes with G Major. A simple mnemonic helps remember these degree relationships to the major scales (i.e 1 Ionian, 2 Dorian, 3 Phrygian, 4 Lydian, 5 Mixolydian, 6 Aeolian and 7 Locrian). I use Independent Dental Physicians Leave Mixed Anaesthetics Loose, but you may think of better ones.

To put it simply, play the major scale that matches the key of the song, and emphasize the note that matches the chord that the song is on and you are then playing the modes automatically. No other scale is necessary.

Thanks so much!!! Not a lightbulb moment... more like a lighthouse beam leading me home! You are the cream of the KZfaq crop of teachers!✌️❤️

Been playing guitar for years and although I kept watching the modes videos nothing made sense until now. Got it. Much appreciated.

Why isn’t it simpler to say, just play the E scale and move the starting note to B or A when those chords are heard, but stay in the E scale. Isn’t that the same thing?

Best description of modes thus far!!!

I've been trying to work out modes for years and years, and today it finally clicked. All thanks to a 19-minute-long video by you. From the very bottom of my guitaring soul - thank you.

Excellent! Finally someone whose lesson doesn't apply way too much theory, to get to the practicalities of modes.

Guitar-Teachers on YT run the gamut from one gimmick or another to get your ( our ) business, which makes sense all around. You, on the other hand, seem to be a natural instructor. Looks easy for you. You get your ideas across in concise manner. That's a gift! I am really thankful for your channel.

Thanks Brian. You mentioned "use your EAR" a few times. Training your ear to hear intervals, 3rds, 5ths, 7ths, both major and minor while holding the guitar and sounding the intervals out helps a person to see the pattern layout of the notes in a scale or chord. Then knowing the order of modes, a person simply starts and ends on the 3rd to make make a phrygian or the 2nd to make a Dorian. Training the ear to recognize intervals and finding those intervals on the fretboard has done wonders for my personal playing, and this is a recent discovery.

I’ve watched dozens of YT videos on the modes, and this is the one that really “clicked” for me. The relation to the circle of fifths is a revelation. Thanks very much!! Subscribed 👍

These are the absolute best theory lessons I have come across. Well done & thank you!

I'm self taught and have played for 50+ years. I've never sight read sheet music. But I've always wanted to know what people are talking about when they throw around all these terms. And what really amazes me is that you speak guitar! You're the first I've seen that describes playing the way I've always thought of it. I took a 15 year sabbatical from playing and now I'm trying to re-learn what I knew the "right" way. I'm definitely checking out your other videos!

It’s really cool learning what the notes I normally play by ear are, and how they work together. You are a great teacher.

Another mind expanding lesson! Awesome! You have an ability to clearly explain concepts. That is a gift! THANK YOU! This is the stuff Jerry Garcia does.

Modes just downloaded! The penny just dropped, thank you brother!!!

Fantastic lesson, Brian. That was a 100-watt light bulb! You the man!

Brilliantly explained and I think I've finally got it. Having been a member for a few years I have followed your 'playing the chord changes' lessons but didn't feel advanced enough to try it out. After this lesson I'm now spurred on to start putting it into my playing. Thank you Brian.

Wow, I’m so happy I found this channel. No one has ever explained the modes to me like this before. If someone had just said that Myxolydian is just a flatted 7th, I wouldn’t have been so mystified all these years. And combined with the circle of fifths video? THIS is the theory stuff I’ve been looking for!

This is one of the best, if not the absolutely best explanation of modes in relation to key, and scales, chords, and even the circle of fifths that I've seen. This gives me some confidence to explore modes even further, and with this new understanding, I expect to gain more knowledge, skill and proficiency in my journey with the guitar. Thanks for putting this video together.

This is the best lesson I’ve experienced on YT. I’m now a member. Thank you, Brian!

So well communicated, I've never comprehended the concept of modes more clearly. Thank you!

Jimmy page said what determines a wrong note is the next one. That’s how I always look at chromatic or passing notes. Just a thought , keep up the good work love it

You, Sir, are a fantastic teacher. Thank you very much for your crystal clear guidance.

I've read guitar instruction books on modes for many years but never understood any of them. I thought I didn't have the brain capacity to ever incorporate into my playing. Your lesson makes it so crystal clear. Thank you for this lesson. Finally it all makes sense.

Light is on! This is the best demo of modes I’ve heard in five years of fighting with them. Thanks......

This vid is like a light bulb moment. Have struggled and felt so much frustrated trying to understand Modes. This is the best one I stumbled upon. Thank you ! :)

This is a moment of clarity in playing over chord progressions. I think I have reached a stage in learning and playing where Brian is just right for me at this time. Especially in modal stuff. I was looking to understand the why and how of some jazz progressions I have been playing with more advanced players. I was just memorizing progressions but had no idea why so many of the chords seemed to sound fine but also seemed to be from out of the key. And then I stumbled on this lesson by Brian. This took me back a step or two to where I needed to be first. I’ll go from here. Thanks to Brian and ActiveMelody👍👍👍

As a older beginning guitar player, I can really focus on these theory and application lessons. Always cool to get 'under the hood' of the music that's being created. Love your Guitar collection too.

Brilliant Brian. Now I don't want to go to work, I wanna pick up my guitar and start learning this arrrghhh . Damn bills 😪 As always fantastic 👏

One of the best introductions to modes. Your, sir, are a very good teacher. Thanks!

You are a gifted teacher, sir. I have played a horn for many years and I did not know what you just went over, but now a new musical interest has arose in me. You opened something in me that it’s mind blowing for me, thank you and God bless.

I’m really happy I watched this. So concise, so “get-able”.

I'm a play-by-ear musician and have been using this technique for years but never knew what it was called till now. I also never saw many other musicians play like me either and I always attributed it to them not being able to get their little finger to work right. Anyway, you are the first example of this style of lead playing I have seen on KZfaq being shown to others. Great video!

A complex concept (to me) explained ridiculously well. 10/10. 👏👏👏

Ive watched a lot of videos on modes but this is the one which really "switched on the lightbulb" for me. Thanks a ton man; you really nailed it.

Thank you Brian for teaching these more advannced lessons. You have the gift to e make complex material easy to understand.

Thanks for taking the time to put this together! Invaluable info 🙏🏼

I almost subscribed when I read the title. I DID subscribe after listening to 15 seconds. I’ve been looking for this exact lesson for 30 years.

You are so incredibly not condescending and make the process of learning a pleasurable experience. Thank you!! Newest and biggest fan!

This is fantastic! I've understood how modes are constructed and that they have a different sound for years. I've also known about the relative minor mode and used that on changes. I tend to play the major key and then move to changing pentatonic shapes on chord changes, so hadn't picked up on the 'wrong' notes that would appear if I played all major notes on chord changes. This is the first lesson that has pieced all pieces together and shown how the modes work in context. I'll need to sit with this lesson for a while to let it sink in, but you've really opened a new brain door for me! Thanks so much for this video!

I learned a phygryan dominant scale before I learned the pentatonic and when I play people say they feel like they are in a gun fight with a cowboy. So I'm playing along here and learning. Great teaching skills my guy!

This lesson is just invaluable. Active melody by far the best guitar teacher for my preferred style of playing. Thank you so so much!

Concise. Enlightening. Inspiring. Brilliant

This is it!!!! thanks a million, I'm forever in debt with your shared knowledge.

What an excellent lesson! You are a gifted teacher. Thank you!

Just another reason why I'm a member. Modes...I now love 'em. Awesome lesson Brian - thank you!!

*This tutorial is GOLD !!!*

Priceless! Love it. Thank you for a great lesson explaining modes.

I can't tell you how happy this lesson has made me.

Best explanation of how modes work and sound.

You were not joking about the breakthrough! Thank you for your concise explanation. I have been trying to learn this concept for some time now and I feel like you have provided all the pieces that I was missing. You sir have a gift! Thanks for sharing. Now time to practice.

For the first time in 13 years of studying music on and off I actually get this perfectly now. Can’t believe how easy it actually is!! Thanks for this, I will never forget it.

Brilliant, thanks for posting- modes simplified 🤘🎼🎸👍

You just blew away my confusion about playing changes. Thanks!

One of the best lessons I have ever learned

I love your humility. It's so encouraging 😃Thanks a lot🙏

Holly...I just had this exact problem while improvising in D major, and it didn't work on 4th chord and now you gave me the whole explanation why and blew my mind

Holly shit, that was the simplest explanation of what scared the crap out of me for decades. Love the chord shape concept for the major scale as well. Well done!

You are an amazingly gifted teacher. Thank you for this!

This is exactly the lesson I needed for the stage I'm at. This made it so clear, thank you.

I knew this it took a long time to figure out people make it so complicated I wish I could of heard this video year's ago .Well done Bro best explanation ever .

Beautiful sound beautifully set out👍🏻. Thank you Brian💡 💡 😊

Always so educational and inspiring!

Thank you Brian for teaching and old Dog old tricks, I've been confused over time wondering how that fits together, now there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

Wow. For the first time, this actually make sense!!! Sincere thanks

Every time you open so interesting things for me, and importantly do it very understandable. Thank you very much!

This is the greatest thing I’ve ever seen, ever.

One of the many things I love about this channel is that you don't have a computer screen set up behind you! You explain everything clearly, and always seem to throw in some nuggets, so that even if I don't get the entire concept, there's always something to chew on afterwards. My take away from this lesson is the 'scales out of chord shapes' idea. I'll be working on this today. Happy holidays, Brian!

That's a lot of knowledge to impart in 20 minutes, but it all hits home and makes a nice soft landing. Kudos and thanks.

Where have you been all my bass guitar life? Had I known you sooner I’d be much further ahead. I’ve never had a good teacher so the circle of 5ths and the modes you’ve made them come alive to me and now I know how to practice them to put them to good use, I was practicing them but didn’t know what I was really doing or for what purpose. Thank You!!

This lesson gave me the AHA moment I was looking for regarding the "use" of modes. I have been trying to get the idea of modes to click for a very long time. Thanks.

Great lesson with an important insight on the importance of understanding the related modes.

Amazing lesson. Extremely enlightening. Thank u. Sooo much. Never considered using major scale over I, IV, V. It makes sense.

Whoa, that’s a full blown lesson mid-week, Brian! You bring so much clarity to everything, lots of good info here!💡🤯🤓

Trying to get there and your lesson got me a little closer! Thanks a lot!

Best guitar lesson on youtube!

Brian, this lesson is gold! Hope this puts to bed all the confusion I had about modes. Thx!

Finally - Someone who is actually making sense. Awesome

I’ll have to check out your other two videos. This was the only KZfaq video that really finally explained Modes in a kind of “dumb” down version AND how to properly use them. Thanks!!

Wow. Modes have always confused me, but your explanation hit home. Thanks!

I started watching your videos and I really like the way that you instruct I'm actually starting to get. thank you so much for your dedication.

Lightbulb indeed! Thanks.

I guess you can teach an old dog new tricks. Thanks Brian this made total sense and gave this old dog a new trick to work on.

Another really helpful lesson. Thanks Brian!

Thanks Brian. Think I have finally understood the basic concept of modes! Thanks

Great Lesson! Opened my mind on improvising along with changes. Thanks!

This is very helpful. Very. Thank you, Victor

Excellent lesson 😎🎸🎸🎸

Another great lesson. Thanks Brian.

GREAT lesson! many puzzle pieces just went together! Thanks!

Already heard and studied the circle of fith, but it's the first time thst i sees it from a modal point of view...really eye opening. Thank you!

as always , amazing , thank you

Nice explanations of modes. Thank you for sharing!

Bought the book "chord wheel" and you just killed it through a 15 min video !! Thank you thank thank you !! your explanations were just so easy to understand !!!!

Thanks alot Brian, this makes perfect sense to me. Until you made me really think about it, I couldn't work out why switching to say the B Major pentatonic on the 5 chord worked fine, but not so with the B Major diatonic. Playing the B mixolydian instead, deciphers it all for you and gives you the extra notes to make a better melody. Thanks again. Signed up for another year only a few days ago, and you continue to make it worth it.

Now you have me hooked!

Beautiful melody.

Brian the Light Bringer. Very insightful stuff indeed. Thanks man.