How to Learn Guitar Scales and Modes Quickly in 2023-2024-2025

Understanding and learning of Guitar Scales and Modes is always a confusing question for the beginners. Even the experts some time get frustrated and confused.

We have solved your problem regarding easy learning of Guitar Scales and Modes quickly. In this post, you will fully understand the

Mode Structure
Functioning
Easy Memorizing Scales and Modes

The newbies should understand about what the modes for guitar actually are?

How to Learn Guitar Scales and Modes?

There are different mix positions of scales or Guitar patterns that are particular keys.

Let’s learn the most important facts about the Guitar modes.

1. What are the Modes for Guitar?

Previously, there were no Tonalities or different keys on the Guitar. Hence, the only method to produce finest melodies was to use the different mode(s) of the Do-Re-Mi-Fa-So-La-Ti-Do scale.

In this formation, it was starting from the different notes. With the passage of time, the use of Major and Minor Chords were introduced and is being in practice these days.

It is the top reason of learning both the major and minor modes for guitar learning completely.

2. The Easiest way to understand Modes

It is clear that the Guitar Modes are derivative of all the major scales. In the following illustration, C major scale is being used for your easy understanding including

Ionian-CDEFGABC = 1st mode (Major scale)
Dorian-DEFGABCD = 2nd mode: (Starts from the 2^nd note)
Phrygian-EFGABCDE = 3rd mode: (Starts from the 3^rd note)
Lydian -GABCDEF = 4th mode: (Starts from the 4^th note)
Mixolydian -ABCDEFG = 5th mode: (Starts from 5^th note)
Aeolian -BCDEFGA = 6th mode: (Starts from 6^th note, Minor Scale)
Locrian-BCDEFGAB = 7th mode: (Starts from 7^th note)

NOTE:-Apparently, all the notes are same for all modes. However, after changing the notes order, the scale structure of the instrument also changes.

When you observe the first mode i.e. major scale, you will notice the co-relation between notes as following

Ionian W-W-H-W-W-W-H (W=whole step/two frets, and H=half step/one fret) the second mode W-H-W-W-H-W-W is different from the first.

It is in fact the minor scale with a minor difference. Normally, it is raised half step VI note with the following illustration (W=whole step/two frets, and H=half step/one fret)

Ionian W-W-H-W-W-W-H
Dorian W-H-W-W-W-H-W
Phrygian H-W-W-W-H-W-W
Lydian W-W-W-H-W-W-H
Mixolydian W-W-H-W-W-H-W
Aeolian W-H-W-W-H-W-W
Locrian H-W-W-H-W-W-W

Easiest Way to Memorize Guitar Scales and Modes?

There are different techniques to learn and understand the Guitar Scales and Modes. I personally recommend to understand the functions instead of learning them by heart.

Here is the easiest method to memorize modes simply comparing them with the major and minor scale:

MAJOR (or modes similar to major scale):

Ionian = major scale
Lydian = major scale with IV#
Mixolydian = major scale with VIIb

MINOR (or modes similar to minor scale):

Dorian = minor scale with VI#
Phrygian = minor scale with IIb
Aeolian = natural minor scale

In this post, the Locrian is a minor scale with the combinations of IIb and Vb, however, in reality, it isn’t used because it is a theoretical construction.

3. Harmonic sense of modes (chords).

Each chord of Guitar has its own separate characteristics and have an affect on harmonic sounds. Eventually, following combinations of the Scales and Modes are derived as under:

Chord	Scale	Instead of	Diminish
IV in Lydian	Major II of Major Keys	Usual minor	IV Chord
bVII in Mixolydian	Minor V chord	Major	III Chord
VI in Dorian	Major IV	Minor	VI Chord
bII in Phrygian	Major chord as II chord		Minor Key

Better Understanding of Guitar Scales and Modes

Lydian mode/key

Try to play Lydian mode/key progression as C, D, C

Improvise

Use the C major scale with F# in replacement of the F note.modes for guitar.

Mixolydian mode/key

You can try playing this chord progression as C, Gm, C

Improvise

Use the C major scale with Bb as an alternative of B.modes for guitar mixolydian

Dorian mode/key

Play chord progression Am, D, Am, D

Improvise

Use the Am scale with F# as an alternative of F.modes for guitar dorian

Phrygian mode/key

Play the chord progression Am, Bb, Am, Bb

Improvise

Use of Am scale with Bb in replacement of the B.modes

Moreover, you can learn how to use modes of your guitar, take a look here.

Final Words

If you want to learn deeply about Guitar from Beginner to advance Level, you must have a passion and a Guitar. Start watching videos and practice a lot because it is a key to success.

Piano Lovers can check out our blog 10 Best Electric Piano and Keyboard Reviews

Ukulele Lovers can check out 10 Best Ukulele 2022