C Major Scale Modes on Guitar

Once you are familiar with the major scale, you can play several more scales using the same notes. Instead of starting the C major scale on C as the root, for example, play the scale from D to the next higher D (see Note Chart below the fretboard). Then go from E to E, then F to F and so on until you are back at the Note C. This alters the order of half steps and whole steps resulting in very useful scales, each with its own flavor.

There are 3 Major Modes (Ionian, Lydian, Mixolydian) and 3 Minor Modes (Aeolian (minor), Dorian, Phrygian), and one Diminished Mode (Locrean) contained in the Major Scale.

Exercises

Always find the scale in a straight line (horizontal) on one of the strings where you can play the whole scale and study the pattern and the sound. Then try each scale in different neck positions (vertical) without shifting your hand left or right (unless you have to). Cycle through all the octave groups. See how many different ways you can play the same scale. Can you do a 2 or 3 octave run? Click on each mode. Notice the only thing that changes is the root note.

Full Color Octave Region Maps