Simon Jackson

Guitar Teacher

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Modes of the major scale

Here are all the modes of the major scale written out with three notes on every string. These are good for any music that doesn't change key too often (so not so good for jazz). They're easier to memorise and easy to play fast. You can even use sweep picking for very fast playing (though always learn good alternating picking first!).

A mode is another way of playing a scale. For example the C major scale has the notes C D E F G A B C in it. This can also be called the Ionian mode. The Dorian mode in the key of C runs from the second note of the major scale giving you D E F G A B C D.

I Don't Play Loud Music A Lot has the same initials as the mode names.

In these scales you always use your 1st and 4th fingers on every string with either a stretched position (using the 2nd finger because it's stronger than the 3rd) or the 2nd finger or the 3rd finger in between 1st and 4th. Simple!

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