07/24/2026
Everyone’s Confused About The Modes
GUITAR CHEFS.
The modes are one of those topics that confuse the hell out of guitar players, and the reason is simple…
They’re usually taught in two completely different ways.
1. Through scale shapes
2. Through tonal centers
Neither method is wrong, but having two different approaches floating around creates a ton of confusion.
So let’s start with the scalar methodology.
Imagine you’ve got a G major scale.
If you start on G and end on G, that’s just your regular G major scale.
But if you take those same exact notes and start on A instead, suddenly you’re playing A Dorian.
Start on E? That gives you E Aeolian.
Keep going through each note of the scale, and eventually you’ll run into the rest of the modes: B Phrygian, C Lydian, D Mixolydian, and F # Locrian.
That’s the scalar approach, and while it’s technically correct, it doesn’t really capture the actual sound of the modes.
Because the truth is, what really defines the sound of a mode isn’t the notes you play, it’s the chord progression you play over.
For example, if the chord progression is G, D, you’re going to hear a major sound.
If the progression is Em, D, it will create a minor, or Aeolian sound.
And if the progression is Am, D, then Am acts as the home chord and you’ll get a Dorian sound.
In every single case, you’re still just playing notes from the G major scale, but the chords underneath completely change how it feels.
That’s the tonal approach to modes.
Both the scalar approach and the tonal approach are essential if you actually want to fully understand the modes.
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