How to Find All the Minor Modes

Previously, we learned a very helpful shortcut to the major modes! Today we will do the same for the minors. Now remember if this is a little confusing to you, don't worry, I'm here to help! Just send me a message and I will be happy to take you through the basics of music theory.

Lets play a A minor scale (also know as the Aeolian mode) - A B C D E F G

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

Now in theory a Dorian mode is a minor scale with the sixth note raised half step up

A B C D E F G

A B C D E F# G

Which we can get there a little faster but just thinking of the fifth note of A Minor and applying the same shape now starting on that note (E)

E---------------------------------
B---------------------------------
G---------------------------------
D--------------------12-14--------
A-----------12-14-15--------------
E--12-14-15-----------------------

For The Phrygian Mode we have a minor scale with the second note lower by half step:

A B C D E F G

A Bb C D E F G

Which we can use a similar trick but now counting four notes from A minor which will get us to an D Note, and then we can apply the same shape starting on D.

E---------------------------------
B---------------------------------
G---------------------------------
D--------------------10-12--------
A-----------10-12-13--------------
E--10-12-13-----------------------

And last we will have a Locrian mode: Minor scale with the second and fifth note lower by half step:

A B C D E F G

A Bb C D Eb F G

For The Locrian mode I like to think one whole step back from the tonic, which is the G note and apply the same shape starting on G now:

E---------------------------------
B---------------------------------
G---------------------------------
D----------------3-5--------------
A---------3-5-6-------------------
E--3-5-6--------------------------

Now remember that to make these scales sound like the modes you must apply correctly, if you just play the scales above they will just sound like minor scales but if you play them against a backing track in the key of A minor - then you will have the Dorian, Phrygian and Locrian sound!

Let's play those scales in a different place of the fretboard to really hear the modal sound:

A Minor: A B C D E F G

E--------------------------------
B------------------8-------------
G-----------7-9-10---------------
D----7-9-10----------------------
A-0------------------------------
E--------------------------------

A Dorian: A B C D E F# G

E--------------------------------
B-----------------------15-------
G-------------14-16-17-----------
D----14-16-17--------------------
A-0------------------------------
E--------------------------------

A Phrygian: A Bb C D E F G

E--------------------------------
B----------------------13--------
G-------------12-14-15-----------
D---12-14-15---------------------
A-0------------------------------
E--------------------------------

A Locrian: A Bb C D Eb F G

E--------------------------------
B-----------------6--------------
G----------5-7-8-----------------
D---5-7-8------------------------
A-0------------------------------
E--------------------------------

Take your time to understand and apply this short cut into different keys! If you have any questions please feel free to send me a message!

Rod Ferreira has been a guitar teacher for over ten years. Rod specializes in acousitc, electric, blues, and rock guitar. Sign up for a one-on-one lesson today!