So, if we want to take this stuff a step further, we would really learn all of the Major modes as well as all modes relating to melodic minor and harmonic minor as well. If we are in A minor, the relative major is? C Major! When you play the notes to a G Major scale but start on E, you get an E minor scale). If we are in G Major, for example, the relative minor scale would be E minor (E is the 6th note of the G Major scale. The appropriate minor or Major scale relative to the current mode.

If you’ve ever heard anyone mention the “relative minor” or “relative Major” scale, this is what they’re talking about. Notice that the 6th mode (Aeolian) is also a regular minor scale. vii – Locrian (Major scale starting on the 7th degree).vi – Aeolian (Minor Scale – Major scale starting on the 6th degree).V – Mixolydian (Major scale starting on the 5th degree).IV – Lydian (Major scale starting on the 4th degree).iii – Phrygian (Major scale starting on the 3rd degree).

ii – Dorian (Major scale starting on the 2nd degree).

Even though they may have the same notes as their Major parent scale, they will have different sounds and feels to them. The real key is learning the names of the associated modes and then internalizing the patterns and sounds of those modes. For example, if you start on D (the 2nd note of the scale), you’d play:

If you choose a different starting note (other than the C), and progress through the scale normally from there, you’ll be playing a different “mode”. When someone mentioned the major scale modes, they are talking about all of the scales contained within the major scale.įor example, you probably already know the C Major scale, which is: Modes are a very simple concept but can take some time to really understand and get under your fingers in a way that gets you playing around with them with any authority.īasically, all a mode is is a scale. Here’s a straightforward guide to modes and scales to follow. A: I get this question a lot, but have only touched on it in past columns, as it relates to other questions.

D flat major scale lonian