+ The Major Scale & The Modes of the Major Scale

         The Major Scale & The Modes of the Major Scale

Let's start with some scales which are all derived from the major scale/   

Ionian mode is the name assigned by Heinrich Glarean in 1547 to his new authentic mode on C (mode 11 in his numbering scheme), which uses the diatonic octave species from C to the C an octave higher, divided at G (as its dominant, reciting note or tenor) into a fourth species of perfect fifth (tone–tone–semitone–tone) plus a third species of perfect fourth (tone–tone–semitone): C D E F G + G A B C (Powers 2001a). This octave species is essentially the same as the major mode of tonal music (Jones 1974, 42).Church music was previously explained by theorists as being organised in eight musical modes: the scales on D, E, F, and G in the "greater perfect system" of "musica recta" (Powers 2001b, §II: "Medieval Modal Theory"), each with their authentic and plagal counterparts.Glarean's twelfth mode was the plagal version of the Ionian mode, called Hypoionian (under Ionian), based on the same relative scale, but with the major third as its tenor, and having a melodic range from a perfect fourth below the tonic, to a perfect fifth above it (Powers 2001c).

The major scale is the "Do Re Mi..." scale you learned in grade school. It works over major chords and major 7 chords.It is great for guitar-based pop songs , and is used extensively in all forms of western music.

Dorian mode or Doric mode can refer to three very different but interrelated subjects: one of the Ancient Greek harmoniai (characteristic melodic behaviour, or the scale structure associated with it), one of the medieval musical modes, or, most commonly, one of the modern modal diatonic scales, corresponding to the white notes from D to D on the piano, or any transposition of this, for example the scale from C to C with both E and B flatted.

Dorian is preferred by many jazz players when playing over a minor chord or a minor seven chord (e.g. try this one over Dm or Dm7). Many rock guitarists like it as well. The -3 and -7 make give it a minor sound but its major 6 sets it apart from the pure minor scal.

The Phrygian mode (pronounced /ˈfrɪdʒiən/) can refer to three different musical modes: the ancient Greek tonos or harmonia sometimes called Phrygian, formed on a particular set of octave species or scales; the Medieval Phrygian mode, and the modern conception of the Phrygian mode as a diatonic scale, based on the latter.             

I wrote this one up to the -2 past the octave because I always play it when I play this scale. This is the perfect scale for a metal sound over a minor chord. The -2 gives it a sinister, diminished quality
(though it is not diminished). It is also great for speed licks using hammer-ons and pull-offs since there are three notes within easy reach on each string.

The modern Lydian musical scale is a rising pattern of pitches comprising three whole tones, a semitone, two more whole tones, and a final semitone. This sequence of pitches roughly describes the fifth of the eight Gregorian (church) modes, known as Mode V or the authentic mode on F, theoretically using B♮ but in practice more commonly featuring B♭ (Powers 2001). Because of the importance of the major scale in modern music, the Lydian mode is often described (or learned) as the scale that begins on the fourth scale degree of the major scale, or alternatively, as the major scale with the fourth scale degree raised half a step.

Lydian is the same as a major scale with a sharped 4th degree. This gives it a different sound, though you can still use it over major scales. This particular one fits over F or Fmaj7.

Mixolydian mode may refer to one of three things: the name applied to one of the ancient Greek harmoniai or tonoi, based on a particular octave species or scale; one of the medieval church modes; a modern musical mode or diatonic scale, related to the medieval mode

The Mixolydian mode can also be thought of as a major scale with a -7. It outlines the dominant 7 chord (R 3 5 -7) so it is useful over those chords. This one fits over G7.

The Aeolian mode is a musical mode or, in modern usage, a diatonic scale called the natural minor scale.
The word "Aeolian" in the music theory of ancient Greece was an alternative name for what Aristoxenus called the Low Lydian tonos , nine semitones higher than the lowest "position of the voice", which was called Hypodorian.In the mid-16th century, this name was given by Heinrich Glarean to his newly defined ninth mode, with the diatonic octave species of the natural notes extending one octave from A toA corresponding to the modern natural minor scale.Up until this time, chant theory recognized eight musical modes: the relative natural scales in D, E, F and G, each with their authentic and plagal counterparts, and with the option of B-flat instead of B-natural in several modes.

Aeolian minor is my favorite scale. It works perfectly over minor chords and minor 7 chords (though some players prefer Dorian for m7 chords). You can also use it over some major and dominant 7 chords (for a bluesier or more dissonant sound). This one fits over Am.

The Locrian mode is either a musical mode or simply a diatonic scale.In modern practice, the Locrian may be considered to be a minor scale with the second and fifth scale degrees lowered a semitone. The Locrian mode may also be considered to be a scale beginning on the seventh scale degree of any Ionian, or major scale. The Locrian mode has the formula 1, ♭2, ♭3, 4, ♭5, ♭6, ♭7. Its tonic chord is a diminished triad (Bdim in the Locrian mode of the diatonic scale corresponding to C major).

 

I also like to practice this one up to the -2nd above the octave. Take a look at all of those flatted notes. This is a dark, dissonant scale. It works over m7b5 chords (also called half-diminished chords)and not much else.

There scales above are all in C.

Here's a chart containing neck diagrams of all of the modes we've discussed thus far. You might want to print this out and keep it near where you practice until you've committed the modes to memory. The number below each diagram indicates the begining fret. Roots are indicated by black circles. 

The major scale or Ionian scale is one of the most commonly used scales. It is one of the diatonic scales. Like many musical scales it is made up of seven notes: the eighth duplicates the first at double its frequency so that it is called a higher octave of the same note (from Latin "octavus", the eighth).The simplest major scale to write is C major, the only major scale not to require sharps or flats: C-D-E-F-G-A-B-C

Ones again I made it ,I want you to pick up your Bass Guitar and start practice all the scales and modes that I talk about to day there's  more but just practice for now we'll talk about the others next time.

Your friend at BasS Guitar tips for beginners.
Ryno.Jacobs