Guitar Modes

All seven modes of the major scale in every key — full-fretboard diagrams, the one note that defines each mode’s sound, the chords that fit, and real songs that use it.

What are guitar modes?

A mode is the major scale started from a different note. Play the notes of C major (C–D–E–F–G–A–B) but treat D as home, and you get D Dorian; treat G as home and you get G Mixolydian. Same seven notes, seven different sounds — because what changes is which note your phrases resolve to and how every other note relates to it.

That’s why modes are easier on guitar than they look: the fretboard shapes you already know for the major scale work for all seven modes of that key. The work isn’t learning new patterns — it’s learning to hear and target each mode’s characteristic note over a vamp that stays on the new root.

A useful way to organize them is from brightest to darkest. Each step down the list flats one more degree:

Lydian — 4th mode, defined by the raised 4th
Ionian — 1st mode, defined by the major 7th (leading tone)
Mixolydian — 5th mode, defined by the flat 7th
Dorian — 2nd mode, defined by the natural 6th
Aeolian — 6th mode, defined by the flat 6th
Phrygian — 3rd mode, defined by the flat 2nd
Locrian — 7th mode, defined by the flat 5th

Ionian Mode

1st mode of the major scale. Bright, happy, and resolved — the sound of resolution and joy.

C Ionian Db Ionian D Ionian Eb Ionian E Ionian F Ionian F# Ionian G Ionian Ab Ionian A Ionian Bb Ionian B Ionian

Dorian Mode

2nd mode of the major scale. Bittersweet, sophisticated, and groovy — minor but with a hopeful twist.

C Dorian Db Dorian D Dorian Eb Dorian E Dorian F Dorian F# Dorian G Dorian Ab Dorian A Dorian Bb Dorian B Dorian

Phrygian Mode

3rd mode of the major scale. Exotic, dark, and tense — the sound of flamenco and metal.

C Phrygian Db Phrygian D Phrygian Eb Phrygian E Phrygian F Phrygian F# Phrygian G Phrygian Ab Phrygian A Phrygian Bb Phrygian B Phrygian

Lydian Mode

4th mode of the major scale. Dreamy, floating, and ethereal — major with a mystical quality.

C Lydian Db Lydian D Lydian Eb Lydian E Lydian F Lydian F# Lydian G Lydian Ab Lydian A Lydian Bb Lydian B Lydian

Mixolydian Mode

5th mode of the major scale. Bluesy, rocking, and unresolved — major with a laid-back edge.

C Mixolydian Db Mixolydian D Mixolydian Eb Mixolydian E Mixolydian F Mixolydian F# Mixolydian G Mixolydian Ab Mixolydian A Mixolydian Bb Mixolydian B Mixolydian

Aeolian Mode

6th mode of the major scale. Dark, emotional, and melancholic — identical to natural minor.

C Aeolian Db Aeolian D Aeolian Eb Aeolian E Aeolian F Aeolian F# Aeolian G Aeolian Ab Aeolian A Aeolian Bb Aeolian B Aeolian

Locrian Mode

7th mode of the major scale. Unstable, dissonant, and eerie — the darkest of all modes.

C Locrian Db Locrian D Locrian Eb Locrian E Locrian F Locrian F# Locrian G Locrian Ab Locrian A Locrian Bb Locrian B Locrian

Modes make sense in context

Modes are rotations of the scales in the scale library, played over the chords in the chord library. Hear the difference by jamming over free backing tracks, or run modes against monsters in Guitar Quest — free in your browser.