Guitar Modes Explained

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In this lesson, I explain what a mode is, and how (and when) to use one. There is a lot a confusion around this subject, and hopefully, this guitar modal lesson can help explain it all...

[@lu0nline]

Hey, many thanks for the video, you are great! If I am playing some minor 7 chord (for instance, the B-7) and I am thinking of ONLY this chord, the first scale that comes to mind is a B minor scale. For it to be a B Dorian, I would have to sharp the 6th (G to G#). But since neither these notes (G or G#) are in the B-7, I tend to think that what would make me decide either way would be the other chords in the progression, but since you said that you think of modes in a static chord notion I am a bit confused. Could you shed some light on this? Thanks again!

[@Chainsawmaniacguitar]

Yes, if you're thinking about using a mode, you're usually just thinking about the B minor 7 chord on it's own. If the chord is in a chord progression, then you're more likely in the key of B minor or something else. If you have a B minor 7 chord on it's own (or played for long enough to not be part of a progression), then you have the notes: B D F# and A. There would be no conflict in adding a G# to this by using the Dorian mode over it. You could use either B minor scale, or B Dorian in that case.

[@AmirOstad]

I am still confused. So, you are saying when we've got a chord progression we can't have modes anymore? Basically I didn't understand what you are trying to say. When are modes used? What does it mean then for example when they say this song from Joe Satriani is in Lydian mode? I am so lost :(

[@Chainsawmaniacguitar]

The song 'Flying in a Blue Dream' by Satriani uses the Lydian mode. If you listen to the rhythm guitar in that song, it's not playing a chord progression. It's just repeating the same riff- this is what I mean when I'm talking about more static harmony, and this is when you can use modes. If your song has a chord progression, or series of chords, then it's not using a mode. Chord progressions mean that you're in a major or minor key. I hope that makes sense!

[@AmirOstad]

Thank you for the explanation. Is it really bizarre if I say I both understand and don't? Isn't a riff more than a single chord though? I think I don't get the idea of modes and when exactly they are an option and when they are no longer meaningful. Maybe it's just a difficult topic and takes time to digest it.

[@Chainsawmaniacguitar]

It's not bizarre at all! Sometimes these things need to be actually played to make sense of them. A riff doesn't have to be more than a single chord. For example, the Joe Satriani track has a riff over a major chord with a #11 (which implies the Lydian mode). The intro riff to 'Crazy Train' by Ozzy Osbourne uses the F# minor scale (although the verse has an A major chord progression), for example. Try playing some modes along to single chords, or modal backing tracks from here on KZbin. It might make more sense that way.

[@AmirOstad]

I really appreciate it man. Thanks.

[@greenandblue3809]

does modes have major and minor? i mean major dorian, minor dorian, sorry ifthis soudn stupid

[@Chainsawmaniacguitar]

No questions are stupid, just stupid answers are stupid ;) and no, they don't have major and minor versions. The Dorian mode is just what it is, and it fits over a minor 7 chord, or minor 6th chord.

[@greenandblue3809]

thank you! I'm trying to modes and this was very helpful!