The 3 Modes MOST Guitarists Use MOST Of The Time

[@Nightwinflyer]

I was lost trying to figure out how to 'unlock' the guitar for years. I finally decided to do one simple thing, learn the major scale in all positions. I started with G Major and then C Major. SO basically I have the 6th and 5th string roots covered. After this, I can just move the positions around for whatever key I'm in. The next big key was to learn all the triads with roots on each string. You can cover 90% of music with this knowledge. Add 7ths and I was light years ahead of where I started.

[@TheDanification]

This is the way

[@PaulJonesy]

I reckon the major/Ionian is the absolute key to it all.

[@arottie4097]

@@TheDanification So say we all! ;)

[@waynehicks1969]

Does anyone really think here comes a Dminor, I should play Dorian and it is leading to a G, I need to switch to my Olympian, what a waste of mental energy, stick with the chords and the melody and yo will be just fine, Modes are BS,

[@nostringsattachedmusic]

@@waynehicks1969 It's not so much like that. The modes are more like "scale perspectives" that happen during "harmonic events". Yeah you can just improvise in the key that your in, but then you probably won't be considering the chord tones of the chord at the moment. Playing in the modes is kind of like "playing in a different key", only you're still in the same key, but considering everything in a different way. Hopefully, during practice, you won't just be "thinking about" all of this, but also hearing it too. THEN, hopefully, when you're actually performing your ears and hands will respond to all of this muscle memory you've built up. The modes aren't so much a conscious choice, more like in the "peripheral of your thoughts". Does that make sense? Modes are supposed to be "under the hood". Of course, if you can just play and sound awesome all the time, then who needs practice at all, just play! But it's obvious that modes are useful when a guy like Guthrie Govan is endorsing their use in practice routines.

[@paulrees6477]

I finally took the plunge and purchased your Master Class. No regrets Tim! I'm 70 years old and just now getting serious about playing my guitars and learning all the recording software that's available. i too am a PRS fan and have a custom SE 2408 and the S2 Vela as well as the Gibson Les Paul Studio model that my son bought me for an anniversary present last year. Your Master Class is the icing on the cake and can't say enough good about the way you teach. Thanks so much!!

[@williamsporing1500]

I think the thing I like most about Tim is his willingness to share his knowledge, and he seems to thoroughly enjoy it. You’re the man Tim!

[@michaelcolthart4006]

I would like to enjoy anything as much as he seems to enjoy playing.

[@debbiekrantz9829]

Love watching the joy in your face as you play. Great guitar playing as always

[@briantate692]

Tim you make it look effortless, silky smooth , I love your playing

[@lewisprice3156]

I was thinking the same thing.

[@donbutler8760]

BTW, I asked my friend Elliot Easton once how he worked his solos. He said he plays through(solo’s)the changes.

[@randyduncan271]

Love your playing and IMO one of the best players I've heard. You sir have a mood when you play and that mood breaths in variations without limits. I gonna borrow a few of them licks most definitely, okay all if I can

[@claytonphelps9911]

Always excellent lessons, I taught myself those back around 2011 and played them so much I recognized the shapes and then became able to move it all to any key. It's very, very beneficial to expanding creativity

[@jerrymckenzie1858]

Most people are familiar with the Major (Ionian) and the Minor (Aeolian) scales. I like to think of Mixolydian as the Major scale with a flat 7 and Dorian as the Minor scale with a sharp 6.

[@DougMen1]

That's exactly how I look at them too, because that's how they sound. If I think of them in their actual key it confuses me because that's not how they sound. He alludes to that when he says that G mixolydian is just really G blues. I look at things basically three ways, pure minor with no major 3, 6, or 7 notes, pure major, with no minor 3, 6, or 7, and dominant/blues, where everything works except the minor 6, and you can use the minor and major 3, and the minor and major 7, with the major 7 over the 5 chord only, because it's the 3 of the 5 chord. But, you can't use the minor 6 in blues, unless it's a minor blues, where it's the 3 of the 4 chord. Like he says when talking about blues, you can use major and minor pentatonic of the root in a major blues over all the chords, and you can also use the major pentatonic of the 4 chord over that chord, and the major and minor pentatonic of the 5 chord over that chord. Because I have limited chops, I play over the chords a lot to give me more melodic possibilities, and you can use a major pentatonic of the chord over any major chord, and a minor pentatonic of a minor chord over that chord, which is basically what Tim is doing here, just changing scales with the chords and playing over the chords.

[@jonstephenson5436]

I just thoroughly learned the major scale all over. Then I saw that “hey, A mixolydian is just the D major scale played over A. A Dorian is really just the G major scale played over A minor. Just like the relative major/minor are the same scale played over a different harmonic backdrop.” Now, you don’t want to keep looking at it that way forever, but it helped me to hear the difference between the modes. All that nonsense about “just start the scale on a different note” has never taught anyone, anything valuable about modes as far as I’m concerned.

[@yragnellaable]

Completely accurate, yes. It's literally just one scale for all the modes; it's just a matter of placement. E phrygian is A minor over E , E mixolydian is F sharp minor over E, E lydian is A flat minor over E.....and so on.

[@louiscyfer6944]

@@yragnellaable guys, tht is a total misunderstanding of how modes are used. Tim's explanation is also wrong.

[@NormenHansen]

@@louiscyfer6944 Do you mean "used musically"? Then I suppose you're right. Otherwise they're completely right. They're parallel modes, just like C Major and A Minor are parallel, which means they're the same notes, just a different reference (bass) note. Of course the use for a C major, A minor or G mixolydian scale is very different, still its the same notes.

[@louiscyfer6944]

@@NormenHansen yes, musically..

[@NormenHansen]

@@louiscyfer6944 But musically the meaning of your C Major scale changes when you play an A Minor chord below. It's both right, just looked at from different angles.

[@picksalot1]

Can never thank Tim enough for all the great insights he has about playing, improvising, guitars, and advice on what will work and why. Modes can be a tricky nut to crack. There is a 10 minute video of Rick Beato interviewing Frank Gambale that I found invaluable on how to play the Modes so they actually sound different. The KZbin video is called "I ask Frank Gambale about how he teaches Modes" and you'll be surprised how simple it actually is. I struggled with modes before watching that video.

[@maxmilligan8734]

Frank is a legend

[@thomasrogers4534]

So in awe of this man, what an inspiration for all musicians

[@volkerschuster8079]

I just love what you do and all the smiles coming with it......keeeeeeeeeep enjoying Tim

[@michaelhayes2794]

Creative, accurate, tasteful as usual. Love your lead playing👨🏻‍🦳

[@michaelbolshazy3532]

Hi Tim! M. Scott from Las Vegas here! I try to understand all the theory and key of whatever you kept saying as you changed from modes within those keys. I enjoy your structure when you play and like even more, when you bypass notes that almost seem obvious. I know that C major can support other chords by doing it but not sure why. I have been and am learning so much so fast but I think my start stop and rewind buttons will be my lessons. Yes the cassette tape by the radio approach!!! You inspire me to find times to play where notes and bypasses tell the better story. Im over ranting on 6 strings!!! Thank you for having your happy go lucky approach to this, it helps keep stress minimized as I push myself to absorb!!!! You are kind of my hero as I cannot listen to the KZbin teachers vomit guitar genius any longer! 100% THANK YOU!!!!!!

[@michaelbolshazy3532]

edit: i need to learn the modes....

[@edryba4867]

Hi Tim!! If you found my email about missing most of this on Friday, ignore it. I found the edited replay on my tablet and am watching it now. I caught almost 10 minutes of the Friday feed, then the phone rang, and that call went on for THREE HOURS! So I missed about 90% of YOU! Rats! And that G-C progression sounds like Steely Dan’s Bhodisatva in the inversions you played it! And just before 32:00 in (on the original 1-hour version of this), the four notes you’re playing are the old KRLA jingle, when the big L.A. Radio War was between KRLA and KFWB, before the mighty 93/KHJ showed up in August of ‘65 and stramrollered EVERYONE in the LA Market! About the guitar: it wasn’t a mystery to me as soon as I saw the headstock! Thanks, Tim for making sure this one was up here today!

[@andylowrey5174]

I'm always late to the party! Just found this... I'm gonna put this episode on a loop. Get comfortable numb and just listen. Thank you, Tim! We'll done.

[@michaeldematteis3409]

It’s helpful to also know what makes each mode what it is,compared to the major scale.the intervals.flat-7,#4,etc

[@brianzielkeii7540]

The lesson i learned from you today is how to change the pentatonic center as the chords change. I know modes and keys, but i never thought about using the chords changes to invert the pentatonic centers. So fresh. Thank you.

[@aaronjamesparker9007]

Dude!!! That lesson was exactly what I needed. Moving each note of a chord up TTS, huge lightbulb moment. So obvious but needed hear it. Thank you 🙏

[@coolramone]

The 3 modes: Ionian(1), Dorian(2), Mixolydian(5) (to save you 24 minutes of time) (and Aeolian mode(6) - natural minor)

[@urbangorilla33]

Thanks. BTW the Ionian is the major scale.

[@Onemanband410899]

You da real MVP. 😜

[@russcoleman2338]

I guessed as much

[@steveworley2997]

Thank you

[@rmorris8544]

Not getting why the Aeolian is considered to be essentially the same scale. I see the meaning (and I use relative major / minor all the time) but the same applies to all the modes. Or am I missing something 🤔

[@La_sagne]

im a drummer.. i dont know modes, but im here for the great playing!

[@hervelouvet5778]

Nice "TalkingHead" flavour on the G part ! 🙏🏻😊

[@glaucosouza1971]

And then we can go deeper and play the "suspended" mode, where youll never play the third. Alex Lifeson is a Master on this. "Between the Wheels" come to mind (Key of D, but he never play the F or F# notes, so he can "suggest" he is in C or either Dm). Love that.

[@kidglove14]

Saw a great video recently using that very song, that very example

[@glaucosouza1971]

@@kidglove14 WOW, great!! Would you put the link here please? Love to see that. I've watch a Dave Brewster lesson on Alex's style but he didnt mention Between the Wheels (nice lesson btw).

[@kidglove14]

@@glaucosouza1971 You bet bud! Go to the 14:43 mark for discussion on 3rds and Rush "floatiness". Michael Palmisano attempts to learn it live: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nXbPqWWCZqeUo6c

[@kidglove14]

Also, brief mention of it at 9 min mark and then at 22:10 when he's breaking down solo

[@stevenjones6780]

Such a lovely natural tone from the neck at the front of the vid.

[@jeanenviedapprendre]

If Ionian=Aeolian, because I and vi are relatives, you could say V=iii (mixolydian=phrygian) and ii=IV (dorian=lydian). That's 6 modes crammed into 3. If you want to get crazy: locrian, when thought of as based on a diminished triad, is usually masked into a V7 chord. So iii=V=vii° (i.e. shifted by thirds, the basic interval of chords). So you could substitute locrian with mixolydian.

[@mccloysong]

Very helpful. As usual. And your fluidity of ideas on the neck is always inspiring.

[@Jan-wm5mw]

Thank You Maestro ❤️🎸 Greatings from Poland

[@jimmyc5498]

Nice job Tim cutting thru all the modal confusion. If you get a chance maybe include the overused but beautiful Lydian. It always sounds great, even if keys and bass are leaning on E7 and you float around D Lydian, giving it E13sus or E13 flavor. Nice post. Thks

[@PNgaia33859]

Thank You Tim, that you worked with Crowded House.. Hehe We hear you most days , Pleasure to know , we hear Tim Pierce... as well.. Cheers Mate , Awesome.

[@johnny_w_morris]

I think guitarists have so much trouble with modes because of the layout of the guitar. The thing that makes the guitar such a tonal powerhouse also makes some of the basic theory less obvious. I would suggest to all guitarists that have access to a keyboard to dissect C major scale modes on a keyboard, and it will click in no time, imo. Probably all scales and modes would make more sense if dissected on a piano/keyboard first.

[@coolramone]

What effects does he use to get that guitar tone?

[@lewisprice3156]

Thanks Tim. Love your style. So smooth, sweet and melodic. Gotta love it....Awesome 😁

[@jimtippens]

Thank you Tim. It's Soo AWESOME of you to give this EXPERT Advise & Demo. I was told to Learn the 7 Modes as Shapes & Not to worry about anything else. Just be able to play them anywhere on the neck. I was told just mess around & link them eventually with Pentatonic shapes.🙄 It did come by playing to the Tv any time music came up I had to be able to Play Along, Quickly identify as Accurately as I could? Before the music ended. I still do this after 37+ years. This really helps a Great Deal. Thank you Tim. ❤️😁 Ps: I plan on subscribing to the Master Class. ASAP

[@kennyhuang5611]

The difference between a master and an apprentice is not what you know but what you do with it :) Thank you so much for sharing this video.

[@kevincothron5089]

Wish I caught this live. Always great to watch and hear you Tim.

[@jackjohnson8203]

Tim, you're awesome. Love to hear more of you playing

[@donnellwalah5690]

Tim, I wish mastery of this came in a booster shot - I'd be at Walgreen's or CVS in a flash! Anyway, my normal MODE is to get a backing track track like Bo Diddley's WHO DO YOU LOVE and then noodle all over the neck to see what fits and remember those patterns visually. If runs sound good, I must be at least at the MODE buffet, just not knowing the proper "food" group names?(yet...). But you do continue to patiently inspire!!

[@daveylee4677]

Never had music classes. Never had a guitar lesson or teacher. Self taught. Been playing guitar 50 + yrs. If I listen to a song several times, I can play it by ear. Did you guess yet that I only played in cover bands? Still can’t read a music sheet. Blessed or cursed?

[@doubledeucedrums]

Great video Tim! This gave me more confidence and simplicity.

[@guitarplayer1969]

I think where alot of people get confused on the modes and how to apply it in a practical sense, is that the underlying progression needs to have that tonal center for that mode. The song progression is going to tell you what mode applies.

[@Hicky33]

Always amazed with your fast descending lines, they sound so cool.

[@DJBuglip]

Phrygian is the one I use most. I like that Hungarian minor one too.

[@daveabrams5422]

Great stuff Tim Cutting through All the Confusion

[@markoneill1768]

Modes are confusing and fascinating. Because there are different ways of looking at them and what they are, conceptually. Mixolydian makes sense to me when I'm soloing over a chord sequence which includes a flat seven interval, eg where you have an F in the key of G major. But you could also look at it as the key of C...but I wouldn't see it that way for some reason. Music theory is incredibly complex, does your head in.

[@denmar355]

C Dorian(minor mode) being the notes of Bb. C natural minor with a major six. And C mixo (major mode) being the notes of F. C major with a flat seven. Only way my head can think of it because I learned the modes by their respective keys signatures.

[@douglascarducci6977]

Beautiful as always and explained perfectly Tim ,

[@sjdanthem]

This is great. Thanks, Tim.

[@phildohogne1970]

I used to live a block over from Laurel Canyon- your background outdoor shots look very familiar.

[@Wolf2u2]

Polychords while playing in modes oh no, ekk, this is getting complicated. I especially liked the 3 & 4 note chord progressions & have the modes basics but videos like this are a big help, thanks Tim, & Polychords are another story.

[@donbutler8760]

Sounds like 80’s Christoper Cross.. But really, Thanks for opening that up. I’ve played this stuff for years but never knew the correct names!

[@jayd.rosenblum3975]

Tim- On another topic, watching Beth Hart perform Black Dog (you are standing behind her, looking very happy) , all without any actual audio, is just excellent. Please do a video and tell us the whole, unvarnished story.

[@d3w4yn3]

This is interesting. In Latin, we studied architecture, and if you look at anything, for example columns of a structure, we categorize them as doric, ionic or corinthian. I am fascinating that you are talking about modes with similar Latin root words. Is it simply counting? Or is there another etymology?

[@MTBTexasBikeRider]

I think I got it now great way of explaining how the scales work on the guitar! Thank you 👍😎🤟🎸🙏

[@curtiscollins3318]

Was listening to Hard to Hold (1984), and thought that might be you. Great licks. Would love to hear you break down some of your work with Springfield.

[@winstonsmith8240]

I know all this, but I just wanted to say that you're a really tasteful guitar player. I can see why you do a lot of sessions. You seem like a really nice guy too. And you always look like you're having fun. That last bit I'm not good at. 🤔

[@micajones1483]

That track is a blast to play to. A Talking Heads type progression. This was an exceptionally informative segment. Thanks, Tim. BTW-your tone is awesome in this vid, too.

[@kathleenhutton1566]

Modes,no more mystery video.Frank Gambale!Best explaination!

[@timpierceguitar]

Thanks I'll check it out!

[@thomasberinati3380]

Great stuff Tim. Thank you

[@daveg5340]

Actually all the modes are Ionian shifted a bit. If you solo over D C and G you can play D Mixolydian or G Ionian but landing on a D.

[@joefuller9160]

This is incredibly interesting, very tasty and melodic. Will play around with these ideas , sounds fun

[@someguywhosold9914]

Hey Tim, when you play through different pentatonic scales up and down the neck aka caged and such, are we not also playing through these modes wether we know it or not? Thanks for thoughts and all you do! I ask because pentatonic shapes seem to be how I locate up and down the neck and also get in the right key…just play until it sounds good and then I know where I am…

[@DougMen1]

This video would be worth it if all it contained was the amazing playing from you in the jam at the beginning. Your playing is so tasty that you always blow me away every time. And tour tone is also second to none.

[@TheJuggernautv2]

Really valuable lesson-THX Tim!

[@DougMen1]

I look at things a bit differently, because that G to F progression, for instance, doesn't sound in the key of C to me, so if I think of it like that I get confused. Instead, to me it just sounds like the key of G with a minor 7, so that's how I think of it. As for Dorian, it's the same to me. I don't think of A Dorian as being in the key of G, but as A minor with a major 6. Dorian is just a minor scale with a major 6, Mixolydian is just a major scale with a minor 7, and the Ionian is just the regular diatonic major scale, and aeolian is just a regular minor scale.

[@deesee2008]

The key signature is there for a reason too. You can’t see the mode from that.

[@gr637]

When saying that Aeolian and Ionian are the same…the same can be said for all the other modes; you just have to revolve around their corresponding roots, in relation to the Major scales.

[@KRayxKodessA]

This is an incredible lesson. Thank you, Tim.

[@stratfredo27]

Hey Tim, I notice you play with a strap on the guitar while sitting .Do you find it more conducive to playing when you are standing. I hear from most who play that playing sitting down without a strap creates problem with positioning of your hands and the guitar when standing. Not sure if this makes sense but do most of my recording sitting and was wondering if wearing a strap would be better. Thanks

[@joedoppes6951]

Tim is flawless... awesome

[@unitedstatesofpostamerica7559]

I’ve been playing for over 30 years basically just use Dorian and sometimes mixolydian.

[@kengoodman7719]

Thanks Tim! Always awesome, and definitely appreciated. God Bless!

[@jbheprodutor]

Caro tim, o teu som é muito maneiro, nao agride e a gente ouvi sem cansar..te digo se eu morace ai por perto iria estudar contigo nem que fosse aforça 😂😂😂 obrigado por compartilhar seus conhecimentos, abraço e bom som 👏👍

[@fabsrd]

amazing as usual 😃 you are in that 0.1% of people on youtube who knows what you're talking about when it comes to music and can actually show you how it's done! notice I said music, not guitar 😉

[@tbmuse]

I have the same trepidations of purchasing your beginner class that i had when I was an EE student in College ... The most celebrated teacher was often the worst teacher for newcomers because their knowledge was so far above a neophyte level that it wasn't in their vocabulary. Many of the concepts they perceived as stupidly simple were actually complex to a newbie (who hadn't been exposed this before - or parts of this).

[@timpierceguitar]

That's why I offer a 14 day free trial... but honestly doesn't matter if you join or not... we have 4000 members and they knew after 14 days exactly what they were purchasing... I actually love it when people opt out... it means I've protected them

[@philf4086]

Super instructive as always, thanks Tim!

[@LuisRivera-lx9ic]

Excellent class. Love insight.

[@beanpeterjohn]

Thanks for showing the right hand.

[@Ones_Complement]

God's work Tim. Love these streams.

[@musicplaylists59]

if you say aolian and ionian are the same you can say that dorian and mixolidian are also the same as them by that definition, they all come from the same pattern but just using a different note in the pattern as the root note.

[@828metalhead3]

Tim, is it better to learn scales linearly?

[@PatAutrey]

Good morning Tim, do you offer a beginner class? Or is it only the master class?

[@artg2767]

Great video. Virtually everything I play comes from these modes. Thanks Tim. It confirms my way of thinking! Lol.

[@ytpi3142]

As you mention the Ionian and the Aeolian can be related. So, for example, C Ionian becomes A Aeolian if the root note is transferred to A. In a similar manner, the Lydian and the Dorian can be related. So, for example, C Lydian becomes A Dorian if the root not is transferred to A.

[@BigEdWo]

that's funny. mixolydian and lydian can be related too. G mixolydian becomes F lydian if the root is transferred to F.

[@dinofond]

This was really cool Tim Thanks!

[@SteveGouldinSpain]

I'm not intimidated by the modes as I learned them from Satch and John Scofield back in the 80s. What puzzles me is how guys like Santana, Page and Dave Gilmour figurred them out back in the sixties where the only guitar tutor you could buy in your local music store was Burt Weedon's Play-in-a-Day!

[@urbangorilla33]

They probably heard it being done in music they listened to especially as they listened to blues, jazz, latin (esp. Santana of course).

[@davidfriesen7748]

MY GOD !! Tim , I think you are a genius ,

[@scbradford20]

Hi Tim! I'm a member of the Master Class. How do I find this backing track?

[@auralfixxation6702]

Dam, I just get lost in my head listening to your lead playing. It's just so fluid and tasteful.

[@Geotubest]

How fortunate we are to have Tim Pierce in the world.

[@vriendelijkegroet]

Just wonder, aren't they ultimately all the same? The Mixolydian is the dominant in the major scale. A Aeolian from 12 fret from the A string, but then it's the Frygian scale.

[@Celso_Luis]

"The most used modes are Ionian, DORIAN and MIXOLIDYAN" Oh, great. 2 of the 3 of them are exactly the only two modes I have trouble identifying sonically. Phygian, Lydian, Aeolian, Locrian... even Harmonic Minor... all of them have their own feeling to me. But Dorian and Mixolydian don't. All I can do so far to explain them is "less explicit minor and major", respectively.

[@thrutheveil74]

I have yet to watch this video (doing so now) but based on personal experience I would say they are Ionian, Dorian, Aeolian and Phrygian. Was I close?

[@PR-BEACHBOY]

At about 15:55 or there about I thought I heard something sounding an awful lot like some double stops ala “Rikki Don’t Lose That Number” riffs Am I right/wrong? Also just a general question as to what happens when you’re in a recording gig or jam session with other guitarists of your caliber? Does it ever get competitive?

[@davidoreilly7328]

I use Lydian (IV) quick frequently when writing solos

[@JohnBowen-xs1vf]

Tim, Where in ones level of playing should one be to start your master classes?

[@iangardner6064]

Tim, what’s the correct name of the modes?you said G mixolydian a few times; shouldn’t it be C mixolydian?

[@ScottfromBaltimore]

I do like that pretty gold single-cut.

[@jcaudio1]

I love see you playing!

[@stepitupandgo67]

Wow this is a great lesson...I wish I'd caught it 2 years ago

[@GuitarPlayersFun]

Lol' I going to start name him: Juicy Tim. Nice and smooth. Love it!