Modes Lead Exercises - C Major(all modes)

All Modes of C Major
4-Fret Rule Guidelines:
Mode Detailed Notes: click_here
Full Mode Theory: click_here

• Index finger (1) = lowest fret of the span
• Middle finger (2) = next fret
• Ring finger (3) = next fret
• Pinky finger (4) = highest fret in the range

1. C Ionian Mode (C Major Scale)

Frets: 0-3 (Index on 0)

E|-----------------------------0-1-3-|
B|-----------------------1-3----------|
G|-----------------0-2----------------|
D|-----------0-2-3--------------------|
A|-----0-2-3--------------------------|
E|-0-1-3------------------------------|

2. D Dorian Mode

Frets: 1-5 (Index on 1)

E|-----------------------------3-5----|
B|-----------------------3-5----------|
G|-----------------2-3-5--------------|
D|-----------2-3-5--------------------|
A|-----1-3-5--------------------------|
E|-1-3-5------------------------------|

3. E Phrygian Mode

Frets: 2-5 (Index on 2)

E|-----------------------------3-5----|
B|-----------------------3-5----------|
G|-----------------2-4-5--------------|
D|-----------2-4-5--------------------|
A|-----2-3-5--------------------------|
E|-2-3-5------------------------------|

4. F Lydian Mode

Frets: 3-6 (Index on 3)

E|-----------------------------5-6----|
B|-----------------------5-6----------|
G|-----------------4-5-7--------------|
D|-----------3-5-7--------------------|
A|-----3-5-7--------------------------|
E|-3-5-6------------------------------|

5. G Mixolydian Mode

Frets: 3-7 (Index on 3)

E|-----------------------------5-7----|
B|-----------------------5-7----------|
G|-----------------4-5-7--------------|
D|-----------5-7----------------------|
A|-----3-5-7--------------------------|
E|-3-5-7------------------------------|

6. A Aeolian Mode (A Minor Scale)

Frets: 5-8 (Index on 5)

E|-----------------------------7-8----|
B|-----------------------5-7----------|
G|-----------------5-7----------------|
D|-----------5-7----------------------|
A|-----5-7-8--------------------------|
E|-5-7-8------------------------------|

7. B Locrian Mode

Frets: 6-9 (Index on 6)

E|-----------------------------7-9----|
B|-----------------------7-9----------|
G|-----------------6-7-9--------------|
D|-----------7-9----------------------|
A|-----6-7-9--------------------------|
E|-7-9--------------------------------|

Important Points:

• 4-fret rule: Each finger covers one fret (index, middle, ring, pinky). Stay within the 4-fret range for each mode.
• Stretching: Minimal stretching required, as each finger has its designated fret.
• Smooth transitions: Focus on moving smoothly between strings while keeping your hand in position.
• Alternate picking: Helps build speed and precision.

This version of the exercises is designed to help you play the modes efficiently while adhering to the 4-fret finger rule!

The modes are built by shifting the starting note of the C major scale, but the underlying notes remain the same (C, D, E, F, G, A, B).

Explanation:

• C Ionian is the standard major scale starting from C.
• Each mode is a variation, starting on a different note of the C major scale but using the same collection of notes.
• The modes can be thought of as rotations of the C major scale.

Example:

• C Ionian: Starts on C (C, D, E, F, G, A, B).
• D Dorian: Starts on D (D, E, F, G, A, B, C) but keeps the same notes as C major.
• E Phrygian: Starts on E (E, F, G, A, B, C, D) and so on.

This chart will help you visualize how each mode is constructed from the same set of notes but with a different tonal center!